Chapter 104 Chapter 104 You will always support me.
Ian walked gracefully through the crowd.
He was wearing a snow-white windbreaker uniform with very few pendants on his body, which made him look neat and heroic, and clearly highlighted his broad shoulders and long legs.
And her beautiful curly hair was like flowing molten gold, dimming the scorching summer sun.
The clergy came and went around him, and most of them did not communicate with him much. They just said hello and left.
Su Cheng coughed lightly, "Um, good day——"
Zhan En quietly took two steps back.
Ian stared at the girl in front of him for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly. "I guess you've had some fun adventures these days, haven't you?"
This sounds a bit strange at first.
Especially since his tone was quite subtle.
The first thing Su Cheng thought of was that he had accepted the trial of the dragon clan, obtained the power of the dragon clan, and was even transformed into a half-dragon clan to some extent.
She still remembered the purification she had undergone before, and the guy in front of her seemed to be quite sensitive to certain auras.
Su Cheng couldn't help but curl his lips, "I didn't come here for you to interrogate me."
Ian raised his eyebrows slightly. "I'm just saying hello. I'm not forcing you to answer this question. Is this fundamentally different from 'How have you been lately?'"
Su Cheng nodded seriously, "Yes, you sound like you have a point."
In a blink of an eye, I found that Zhan En had retreated a long way away, as if he didn't want to be affected by their fighting.
Su Cheng couldn't help but look at him.
The archbishop nodded politely, seemingly forcing a smile, perhaps feeling awkward. "...Then I'll be leaving first?"
Su Cheng hesitated to speak, turned his head to look at Yian, who gave him a look that said, "What's it got to do with me?"
Su Cheng: "I actually want to ask about the Trial of Divine Grace. I'd like to ask if anyone here has the time and knows the inside story—"
Before he finished speaking, Zhan En had already said goodbye and left.
"I know a little," Ian said calmly. "You want to participate?"
Su Cheng recalled the information he had read in the literature. "I heard that many gods will be paying attention to the trial process. If you show the right qualities, you will be more likely to be chosen as a favored one—"
"That's right," the blond young man nodded slightly, "Who else do you want to win your favor?"
Su Cheng hesitated for a moment.
She didn't remember how Lin Yun gained immortality, she only knew that he made some kind of deal with the god of death.
But she had no idea how this happened. She just remembered that Lin Yun did participate in this trial, so there was a certain probability that it was related to this.
Now she couldn't speak of the God of Death.
After all, he is an ally of the Dark God. If we mention him to the clergy on the territory of the Holy See, we will be doomed.
——Of course, having said that, since the Northern Continent is controlled by the Holy See, the selection ceremony for the God's Favored Ones initiated by the Silver Moon Empire's royal family should logically be limited to the allies of the God of Light.
But she was deeply impressed that Lin Yun also came into contact with gods from the lineage of the Dark God during the trial.
Su Cheng: "...the kind that can directly help in battle. You know, even if the opponent has not broken the law or lied, I can still use the power of divine authority."
Among the allies or subordinates of the God of Light, there is the power of more than one god, which is consistent with her statement.
Ian didn't seem to doubt it, he just glanced at her, "So your question is?"
They walked side by side into the depths of the temple. The corridor soon became silent, with only the sound of light footsteps.
Su Cheng briefly explained the situation. "...That's it between Duke Oulu and me. I told you before that even if I get the qualifications from him, it doesn't mean I will stand on his side in everything, especially when it comes to matters related to the interests of the Holy See."
Unless she could gain huge benefits, such as obtaining the godhood from the Dark God, she didn't want to mess up her relationship with the Holy See, as many troubles would ensue.
Ian looked at her thoughtfully. "You don't need to worry about this issue. There are more than one or two clergymen who have personal connections with Duke Oulu. As we said before, he told you about the foundation intentionally to test your influence. I don't doubt that he wants to make you an ally, but people like him will seize every opportunity to make anyone who is valuable enough into an ally."
Su Cheng nodded. "I hope other people in the Vatican think the same way as you. Besides, there are similar ceremonies within the Vatican, right?"
"You don't need to care about what most people think," he said casually. "Yes, but that's something only clergy can participate in."
Su Cheng looked at his expression, thinking that the purpose of the royal family wanting to select a person favored by God and the purpose of the Holy See wanting to select a person favored by God must not be exactly the same.
What's more, there was a fierce internal strife within the royal family of the Silver Moon Empire. During the period of her closed-door study, she received various letters and invitations, and various forces were extending olive branches.
Although she didn't have time to read them one by one, she took a rough look at the family crests and signatures.
"If you really care, I can give you a holy relic. If you present it to the emperor, then according to the requirements of the Divine Grace Trial, he must qualify you or make you a recommender."
"Holy relics?"
"The Trial of Divine Grace is to enter the Echo Plane—"
Ian glanced at her and said, "I guess you know what that is."
Su Cheng: “…”
The previous trial to obtain the power of the dragon clan was also carried out in the Echo Plane.
Su Cheng: "Some kind of fake world created based on people's memories?"
"Yes, the plane of the Divine Grace Trial is based on the memories of the gods. Of course, once you enter the trial, you will forget all about it and think that everything is real. I guess you know this too?"
Su Cheng: "...Yeah."
"To open such echoing planes, they need sacred artifacts of the gods—items used or blessed by the gods. Without these, the Trial of Divine Grace cannot be held. The imperial family does retain some of these treasures, but fearing loss when opening the plane, they don't invest too many at once. With each additional sacred artifact, the experiences within the plane become more authentic and flawless."
Su Cheng understood completely.
She recalled the collection hall Ian had taken her to, which contained all sorts of ancient relics and things left behind by gods.
Su Cheng: "I don't want to damage your collection. Speaking of which, since that world is built based on the memory of the gods, does that mean that every participant faces the same scene?"
"It won't be exactly the same," Ian thought for a moment, "but I'm not too sure. After all, I haven't been involved. As for the damage, you don't have to worry about it. I don't really care about that stuff either."
Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a little curious, "So you are a person favored by God?"
He curled his lips slightly, "What do you think?"
Su Cheng didn't want to answer this question, as he felt that if he didn't answer it correctly, it would make him angry again.
Ian didn't ask for an answer, but just let her go back and rest. "The divine grace trial held by the royal family requires you to enter the echo plane in person—"
"Wait," Su Cheng was stunned, "You mean the body goes in? Isn't it just the consciousness?"
He shook his head. "The plane you entered is real, but what you saw and heard there is false. The gods may be paying attention to the candidates."
Ian paused, "...or maybe not, if they're not interested."
Su Cheng couldn't help but take a deep breath.
The information provided by Professor Li also contained some relevant information, but it was not so specific. It was more about the various historical records of this ceremony.
She could not help but rush back to the dormitory to start resting seriously. By the way, in the next few days, she took many martial arts and fighting classes at the Yongzhiyuan and Fengzhiyuan.
He also learned some random general combat skills - combat skills that did not require any fighting spirit attributes.
She learned very quickly, and some instructors felt quite sorry for her, lamenting that she was actually a student from the Secret Academy.
There are also people who poach people.
Su Cheng declined them politely, feeling that he had some basic skills, so at a weekend party, he asked the team leader if he could teach him combat skills.
At that time, they were in a tavern in the lower city of the imperial capital, occupying a rather private corner next to the fireplace.
The curved sofa booths are covered with cushions, and the air is filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the sweet smell of fermented beer.
In the center of the round table in front of me was a sizzling cast iron baking tray, on which sat two huge honey-roasted pork elbows, their crust amber-colored, sprinkled with pepper, salt, and chopped rosemary leaves.
The edges of the pig skin are crispy, but the meat inside is soft and tender. It will slide off the bones with a fork, and you can taste the rich juice when you take a bite.
Su Cheng tasted it and immediately gave a thumbs up, "It's worthy of being their specialty--"
Next to the roasted elbow was a black pottery stew pot, with beef cooked in rye beer, emitting rich steam.
The huge piece of meat with alternating fat and lean parts rolled in the soup, almost drowning the small amount of onions and radishes.
Kai cut a thick piece of bread and picked up the small ceramic plate next to it, which was filled with butter sprinkled with sea salt.
He used a silver knife to spread butter evenly on the soft and porous bread core, his movements delicate and patient.
"I actually think that if you participate in that type of trial, combat skills are not the main point."
Su Cheng tilted his head and looked at him: "Hmm?"
"...Even the God of War," Kai handed her the bread, "seems to value a certain spirit more than superb martial arts. Let alone the other gods. You have to know that among the master warriors among humans, it seems that none of them are favored by the gods. Of course, you can learn anything you want, but this is just for this matter."
"Thank you, you're actually quite right."
Su Cheng took a bite and then dipped his mouthful of soup in the small bowl. "To be honest, I know you always support me, but do you feel weird about it? Or do you think I'm a little silly?"
She is actually not too anxious about her own fighting strength.
Compared to Lin Yun of the same period, she is indeed much stronger than him, and the situations he can handle should not be too dangerous.
But who can guarantee that the process will be exactly the same?
Ian had previously said that the experiences of participants would not be exactly the same.
"No," Kai shook his head without hesitation. "You must have something you want—whether it's the power of some god, or you simply want to experience the process. Whatever you want, you can do it. I won't use my standards to measure your gains and losses and then judge it as weird or stupid. I think as long as I can fulfill your wish, it's worth it."
Su Cheng couldn't help but sigh, "...You are always like this."
She looked at the roasted garlic beside her, reached out and held the garlic with a fork, and deftly pressed the side of the knife, squeezing the golden, soft, and creamy garlic cloves out of the skin intact.
"I do want something—"
Su Cheng picked up a small pile of sweet, soft and golden garlic paste with the tip of his knife and smeared it on the elbow meat he had just cut, then picked up the pepper to help him spray it.
The black-haired man watched her movements with a smile in his eyes. "Don't worry, just participate. If anything goes wrong, I will help you if needed, although I hope there will be no such accident."
Su Cheng was stunned for a moment. "...Go to the Echo Plane to help me? After the ritual begins, that thing will be sealed, right? No one else can enter, right?"
Kai took the jar of seasoning and said, "No, nothing will happen in there. I just remembered that the so-called heretical evil gods mentioned by the Church have been quite active in the northern continent recently. If they wanted to disrupt the ceremony, they would have done so before you entered the plane."
The tavern waiter came over again with a huge wooden tray.
On the plate, a giant river bass was split in half, its skin slightly charred, and topped with chopped dill and lemon slices.
A fresh and delicious fragrance immediately spread.
Kai picked up the public knife and fork, cut off a large piece of fish, removed the main bone in the middle, and put a large piece of snow-white, tender belly meat without any small bones on her plate.
Su Cheng lowered his head and fiddled with the tender fish with a fork, the corners of his mouth unable to help but rise.
"...Thinking about that scene is quite interesting. Hmm, this is delicious too!"
She looked up and said, "You're so good at finding the Treasure Tavern!"
Kai smiled and used a clean napkin to wipe away the sweat on the girl's forehead and the few traces of oil left at the corners of her lips.
His movements were light and gentle, "Eat slowly. I'll teach you fighting techniques tonight. I've actually studied a few."
Su Cheng nodded and suddenly realized that he was the only one eating fish.
The team leader was still showing off his pork elbows, but the two people opposite him didn't move.
Sasha sighed deeply and placed the blood-filled wine glass on the table. "Yes, we are still sitting here, and we are not dead yet."
The ice cream next to Camus was about to melt, and his face was several shades darker than the chocolate chips on it.
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