Moreover, an obviously generous god is naturally more worthy of belief than a petty and stern god.
From the results, it seems that the belief in the Lake God has indeed spread around Blue Lake.
However, there is another possibility, which might be the most likely.
That is, there is no such thing as the Lake God, just a story fabricated by this group of pioneers for themselves.
Storytelling is a very important thing.
Because humans are very curious beings.
Under the same environmental conditions, one area might have the presence of a suspected deity, while another has no features at all. If you were a caravan, traveler, or adventurer, which would you choose? Naturally, it goes without saying.
The arrival of people brings prosperity.
As for the townsfolk saying that past champions received the Lake God’s blessing and gained good fortune, Gauss doesn’t find it strange.
Being able to obtain first place already indicates that this person is extraordinary, at least in Five Towns they are absolutely outstanding.
Can such a person’s luck be bad?
Or even if they encounter unfortunate events, they might resolve them easily due to their exceptional skills, possibly turning them into some kind of reward?
As for them leaving the Five Towns area and facing even stronger opponents, that’s not information that the townspeople can focus on.
"Gauss, it seems like your first place is secured."
Aaliyah said as she observed the changes on the leaderboard.
"The competition isn’t over yet," Gauss shook his head.
However, Aaliyah seemed as if she hadn’t heard him, indulging in her own thoughts.
"Gauss, do you think there’s really a fairy in the lake?"
"What does a fairy look like?"
"I’ve never seen a fairy before..."
Seeing her murmuring to herself, Gauss also found it somewhat amusing.
"Alright, if I win the championship, I’ll help you find out what she looks like."
Of course, he was just saying this casually, teasing Aaliyah.
Reasonably, he was skeptical of the existence of the Lake Fairy.
While riding his dragon and wandering nearby, he didn’t sense any abnormal auras around the lake. Moreover, if there truly were benevolent spirits, whether a fairy or some great monster, they would inevitably leave behind much clearer signs.
After the rankings were updated.
Gauss accepted another commission.
Even though his biggest competitor had themselves eliminated, he didn’t plan to change his plan.
First, he aimed to increase his points to two thousand, then observe other people’s reactions and decide whether to follow up.
This time, he didn’t choose any special targets but rather a group of Kobolds. They happened to enhance his recently acquired Dragon Tongue talent.
With the presence of the Dragon Beast Hephaestus, the Kobolds became easy targets.
Moreover, where there are Kobolds, there’s a high probability that there are goblins nearby.
They live in relatively resource-rich areas, simultaneously acting as neighbors, competitors, and even sometimes as food for one another.
Which one ends up as food mainly depends on the relative strength within that area, leadership strength, tribe numbers, weaponry, and equipment.
For Gauss, they were a pair of loving, rivalrous brothers. As good brothers, of course, they’re sent off together.
When they venture into the gates of Hell, at least they won’t be alone.
But then again, it’s hard to say.
After all, he had absorbed some spiritual essence.
Just as Gauss and his group accepted the commission and walked out of the Adventurer’s Guild amidst many respectful gazes.
At the gates of Lakeside Town.
A tall and slender woman, cloaked entirely in black, with a gait so precise it was unsettling, approached the town gates.
She slightly raised her head, lowered her hood, revealing eyes dark and probing as she gazed into the town.
"Excuse me, is this Lakeside Town?"
She turned her head to look at a nearby soldier.
"Y-yes, it is."
Perhaps due to her imposing demeanor, the soldier responsible for guarding the gate, normally eloquent, was unexpectedly at a loss for words.
"Thank you." The woman nodded slightly, then added, "Is Gauss here?"
She only asked on instinct, but upon hearing her question, the soldier’s eyes brightened, unable to resist puffing his chest proudly.
"Yes, currently leading in the Five Towns Unified Hunt, Gauss is one of the residents of our Lakeside Town."
More accurately, he is participating as someone from Lakeside Town.
After all, Gauss had only been in Lakeside Town for a few days, far from being considered a townsfolk. But as the first town he set foot in was Lakeside Town, where he also registered for the competition?
Luck sometimes also competes with strength.
"Alright, I understand, thank you." The woman’s words remained few.
Without waiting for the soldier to continue his endless introduction, she quickly moved into the town.
"Tom, didn’t you let her in without checking?" A fellow soldier nearby asked.
"Hey!!"
"Never mind, she’s already gone in." Glancing at her, though her steps seemed stretched apart, her movement speed was incredibly fast, almost spellbinding, even if they wanted to chase her, they couldn’t catch up. "Besides, maybe she’s here for Mr. Gauss? We can’t afford to offend these big figures."
Ying wandered freely through the town.
She had already asked about the time, estimating that at this early hour, if Gauss and the others were in the town, they’d definitely be at the Adventurer’s Guild quarters, so she headed straight there.
"Nearby, even commissions for Kobolds and goblins have dropped. Seems like the hunting competition is effective."
"Gauss, you definitely played a big role in this, didn’t you?"
"Haha."
As Gauss and his companions emerged with laughter, they unexpectedly ran into Ying, clad all in black.
"Hey!!"
Both parties halted upon seeing each other.
"Ying! Welcome back!" Aaliyah quickly stepped forward to take Ying’s hand.
The team recently discussed how Ying was taking longer than expected for her breakthrough, curious about her progress, and today she appeared before them.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Ying!"
"Thank you."
Serdur and Albena were the first to offer their congratulations.
The exaggerated shift in Ying’s aura indicated she had crossed the vital threshold from level 5 to level 6.
A master professional has a unique force field around them.
Individual force fields vary greatly. These forces are why they are clearly separated from level 5 professionals.
Additionally, master professionals have a more integrated aura, with their attributes harmonizing better, unleashing greater power.
Gauss silently observed Ying for a long time.
After a while, he finally spoke.
"Welcome back, Ying."
"Congratulations on successfully becoming a level 6 professional. You’ve changed a lot."
Ying’s appearance had become even more beautiful.
Previously, she seemed like a tall girl; now, she appeared much more mature, yet her essence remained largely unchanged.
Would breaking through to master rank trigger physical development?
Noticing this detail, Gauss was slightly puzzled?
It involved personal matters, so he didn’t probe further.
"Yes, I’m back."
"Long time no see, Gauss, you’ve changed a lot too." Ying stared at Gauss for a long time, displaying a faint smile.
I’ve changed a lot?
Gauss looked over himself.
In Ying’s absence, he had indeed gained a lot.
Though his physique and appearance hadn’t changed much.
Yet, he gained breath casting, basic Dragon Tongue, a charm increase, and upgraded basic Dragon Tongue talent to intermediate.
Indeed, there’s been some transformation.
Perhaps Aaliyah and the others, being around him daily, don’t notice any clear difference.
While Ying, having been away for some time, upon return sees him anew.
Is it true that distance adds beauty?
"Never mind." Gauss shook his head, not giving it more thought.
"We were about to embark on a commission. Ying, with your travel fatigue, why not stay and rest in town until we return?"
"No." Ying smiled and shook her head. "I’ve been gone long enough. I’ll go with you."
Gauss glanced at her.
Since she insisted, he didn’t persuade further.
Reaching level 6 professionals shouldn’t mean fragility.
"Let’s go together then."
His gaze returned from Ying.
He felt her changes were immense, not just physically, but in an indescribable way.
Ying seemed more cheerful, talking more.
No wonder transitioning to master level is considered a milestone.
Ying’s breakthrough indeed marked a significant change.