novelraw Chapter 169-2: The Offering Ritual in the New World (2)
Chapter 169-2: The Offering Ritual in the New World (2)
The Book of Salvation, activate!
[You have entered the Apocalyptic Chapter]
[Chapter 82740874]
[An ordinary wandering soul awakens within the Transplant Clinic…]
Lin Xun used the teleport function of the Resting Page and traveled straight to the Disciple Sanctum.
He walked all the way to the familiar council chamber inside the ancient castle.
[You have arrived at Council Chamber No. 13 and stepped inside…]
[A figure in a black robe stands behind the host’s platform…]
[Amos: You did very well. You razed the Wen City Armed Division to the ground.]
[Blood King: It was all thanks to the defensive item bestowed by you, my lord, that I could return safely.]Lin Xun brazenly lied with his eyes wide open. That Epic+ grade High-Energy Particle Shield Generator was still lying untouched in his inventory.
[Amos: As for the matter of appointing you as Wen City’s proxy agent, I will fulfill my promise. But there is no need for you to be in a hurry.]
[Amos: Although you are one of Talros’s former subordinates and have been with the organization for quite some time, to the Disciple Sanctum, you are still a newcomer.]
[Amos: You haven’t experienced the Offering Ritual within the Disciple Sanctum yet, have you?]
Lin Xun frowned.
Regarding the Offering Ritual, Li Xingyue had once shared some intelligence with him.
A large part of the reason the New World organization could function normally came from the Offering Ritual.
In this ritual, Apostles in the organization selflessly donated their Spirit Essence and equipment items.
This Offering Ritual was not an anonymous donation, but a public, recorded one. The record didn’t show soul imprints but rather each person’s alias within the New World.
There were always Apostles yearning to enter the true New World, and in the Offering Ritual, in order to demonstrate their devotion, they would donate most of their Spirit Essence, some would even give it all, leaving not a drop.
Any Apostle who entered the Disciple Sanctum was considered mid-level within the New World organization.
They would collect donations in real life from the members under them, then add part of their own in-game profits to offer during the ritual.
When Lin Xun read this intelligence, he was deeply shocked.
Just like normal people could never understand how someone tricked into a cult could transform from a conscientious person into a beast that dragged friends and family into the mire, he could not comprehend it either.
“So this is the power of brainwashing…”
[Blood King: My lord, I have not yet participated in the Disciple Sanctum’s Offering Ritual.]
[Amos: In a few days, it will be time for this quarter’s Offering Ritual. When the time comes, you will need to demonstrate your devotion and become my most devout Apostle.]
[Amos: That way, appointing you as Wen City’s proxy agent will appear legitimate, and no one will question it.]
“Damn it!”
Lin Xun gnashed his teeth. Usually, he was the one fleecing others, this was the first time he was about to be fleeced himself.
He was merely an undercover agent and didn’t have any subordinates under him to collect donations from.
Was he supposed to donate his own in-game profits?
‘The Apostle Security Council better reimburse me for this.’ he thought.
The sudden Offering Ritual had dampened the excitement he felt about becoming Wen City’s proxy agent.
[Amos: Once you become Wen City’s proxy agent, you will preside over the Offering Ritual for the entire Wen City region.]
Lin Xun’s body jolted, then he immediately grew elated.
The words skimming profits flashed brightly in his mind.
The New World’s operating model was that superiors collected donations from subordinates and passed them up to their own superiors.
The devout mid-level members, after receiving donations from those below them, not only handed everything over without keeping a share, they would even donate more themselves, a grand harmony of devotion.
But Lin Xun, who was he kidding, he was the number one king of zero-cost acquisition, the ambassador of freeloading, the living embodiment of the treasure-hoarding beast. Could he really let a brainwashing organization cheat him out of his wealth?
“Becoming a proxy agent comes with such perks. If I can secretly skim off even ten percent of the Apostles’ profits from an entire city, that would be an astonishing sum.”
“Donate? Not a chance. The only style that suits me is profiting without spending a cent…”
Lin Xun’s eyes turned craftily…
[Blood King: Many thanks for your cultivation and guidance, my lord!]
[Amos: Very good. During this period, gather more donations from your subordinates, to avoid any unexpected mishaps during the Offering Ritual.]
[Blood King: My lord… unless I’m mistaken, there may be… a tiny mishap…]
[Amos: ???]
[Blood King: In order to perfectly carry out your mission to assault Wen City’s Armed Division, I was afraid my strength would be too lacking and might hinder your far-sighted plans.]
[Blood King: Just before the mission, I made a little trip to the library to enhance my power slightly, so now… now I really don’t have anything left worth donating.]
[Amos: …]
[Blood King: Um, my lord, would you perhaps be willing to lend me a little in advance? Once I diligently progress in the game, I swear I will repay you in full without missing a single essence!]
The Spirit Essence donated during the Offering Ritual would all be handed to Amos anyway, it was just the left hand passing to the right. Lin Xun thought surely Amos wouldn’t refuse.
As for paying it back… money borrowed by strength, why should it be returned?
Not only did Lin Xun have no intention of repaying, once he became Wen City’s proxy agent, he fully intended to secretly skim a hefty share for himself.
When dealing with a villainous organization, he considered this an act of punishing evil and promoting good, no guilt at all.
Amos fell silent for a long time. After quite a while, a reply finally came.
[Amos: On the day of the Offering Ritual, I will transfer it to you.]
Why not give it now? Lin Xun cursed inwardly. Was Amos afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist spending it to further strengthen himself?
[Blood King: Many thanks, my lord! I shall certainly become the most devout one at the Offering Ritual!]
[Amos: You may go.]
[Blood King: Yes, my lord!]
Lin Xun left the Disciple Sanctum at once, smiling broadly.
—
Inside a secluded inn in the mountains.
Fighter stood respectfully nearby.
The black-robed man held a phone, its screen pitch-black.
“Fighter, what is your opinion?”
Fighter carefully glanced at the phone screen.
The black-robed man waved his hand, and lines of text immediately appeared on the screen.
Fighter’s heart tightened. The Book of Salvation was a wondrous game bound to one’s soul, no one else could observe it.
Even when an Apostle was playing, outsiders would only see a blank, dark screen.
Only certain Apostles with special talents could view another Apostle’s game text.
It was said that both within the organization and in the Apostle Security Council’s Surveillance Division, there were such extraordinarily gifted Apostles, very few in number, each as rare as a giant panda.
The Fighter carefully read the text on the phone screen.
After a long time, he cautiously said, “My lord, as you expected, this Blood King is not only ruthless and vicious but also shameless and brazen. He truly is an audacious, exceptional talent.”
Laughter echoed from under the black hood.
“Blood King is a double-edged sword. Used properly, he can help me conquer new territories. But if mishandled, he might end up cutting my own hand.”
Fighter bowed even more respectfully. “If it were any other Disciple candidate, they certainly couldn’t keep him in check. Only you, my lord, can make him submit so completely.”
“All right, enough flattery. You may leave.”
After dismissing Fighter, Amos was left alone in the room.
A voice came from beneath the black hood.
“What a pity. Blood King’s strength is still too weak. Otherwise, once I become the eleventh Disciple, I could have him participate in the twelfth Disciple’s selection.”
“Perhaps he could help me secure another seat for our lord…”