Chapter 376: Section 163: Talk to the Goddess?
“Holy Spring Baptism Alchemy Array?” Everyone’s attention was captured.
This data was very detailed—by gathering sufficient manpower and materials, one could set up this array step by step.
However, to put it more accurately, this alchemy array, with the Blood Core at its heart, served the true purpose of enhancing the concentration of a certain bloodline within the target. The target must inherently possess this bloodline, albeit at a low concentration or concealed and unknown, unlike the hosts of the Blood Core, who seemed to derive it out of nowhere.
Lan Zao was completely shocked, “Incredible, I now fully understand why the War Merchant placed the Blood Core on the third level, and the other two Divine Artifacts below it.”
“How many people possess a Transcendent Bloodline? In this world, the vast majority are like Bai Ya, who simply can’t step into transcendence.”
“The Blood Core and this alchemy array are truly a blessing for us at the bottom!”
Zi Di nodded, deeply resonating with Lan Zao’s words.
Her own bloodline grade wasn’t high, merely at the Black Iron Level.
Once, she had felt utterly hopeless about her future due to her bloodline, plunging into deep disappointment and could only look up to those Mages with Advanced Bloodlines, who strode forward in life with heads held high.
The pinnacle of her life was just at the Black Iron Level.
Although divine entities themselves had helped to expand her Spiritual Space, she surpassed the Black Iron limit only in that aspect. In all other respects, she remained at the Black Iron Level.
Now, Zi Di kindled a new hope, “Perhaps I have a higher-grade bloodline hidden within me, just too dilute.”
“This array can be used not just on us, but also as a chip to attract talents.”
“I know, within the vast base and bottom layers, there are countless talents filled with discontent and defiance, wanting to step further. These people just have bad luck, lacking Advanced Bloodlines.”
Sanda’s expression remained calm as he stood in front of the Tower Spirit, putting effort into playing the role of the War Merchant.
His heart surged with emotions, drawn by Zi Di’s words, also kindling new hope.
Cang Xu pondered, “Actually, the Blood Core and the array are more useful for the Nobles, right?”
“Each Noble, even with the lowest aptitude, definitely possesses a Transcendent Bloodline in their body.”
“This array, enhancing bloodline concentration, could elevate each Noble to possess the qualifications for Transcendent practices.”
The others’ expressions changed.
Cang Xu hadn’t said anything incorrect.
If this artifact were revealed, the Lower and Middle Nobles across the world would surely go mad.
By then, the Justice Pirate Group…
Sanda sighed, “This array is too hot to handle; we lack the power to protect it and could easily attract powerful enemies looking to plunder it.”
Everyone fell silent.
But, they were used to it.
With many debts that don’t overwhelm, the Mermaid’s Fairy Tale, Green Jade Gold Coffin, Blood Core, and various arrays, almost all the alchemy knowledge of the War Merchant as well as the godly essence body of Mei Lan and soul of the Feathered Snake—was there any item among them that wasn’t a world-shaking treasure coveted by others?
“I remember some records from the books,” Cang Xu opened up.
“The God of Life, Sen Xu had once issued an oracle, calling on Divine Sect to fully activate and hold a massive special prayer. They proclaimed worldwide that they could enhance the bloodline concentration within the target, and over a million people volunteered to participate from various continents and races.”
“Divine Sect exhausted vast amounts of manpower and materials. During the final stages of the prayer, even Duke Sen Xu himself intervened.”
“In the end, over a million people sacrificed their lives, leaving just over a hundred survivors.”
“Their bloodlines indeed got enhanced, changing their fates.”
“But the cost was too great.”
“Not to mention the resources invested, but with the death of over a million people, Divine Sect faced heavy criticism, their sect’s influence shrank, and faith in the God of Life plummeted, with even Sen Xu’s divine power weakening.”
“After this event, Duke Sen Xu never held a second such session.”
“The pursuit of and experimentation with bloodlines never ceased among humans. Due to his divine office, the God of Life has always been at the forefront in the world. In my view, what He lacks is merely a Blood Core.”
Although Cang Xu was not adept at alchemy, having been reluctantly forced to take it up for the sake of the Justice Pirate Group, he did a lot of practical alchemy work.
Benefiting from the War Merchant’s notes and more, Cang Xu’s perspective on alchemy wasn’t low.
He discerned that though the array was ingeniously mysterious, full of the War Merchant’s brilliant ideas, the true core was the Blood Core.
The Blood Core was the main component, and the array merely an aid.
Cang Xu continued analyzing, “As it stands, the Blood Core can absorb life and draw the bloodline from the target. The host of the Blood Core can utilize the Magic Power stored within to manifest any bloodline contained in the Core, with the bloodline concentration depending on what is stored in the Core.”
“If assisted by the Holy Spring Baptism Alchemy Array, according to the description, it can enhance the specific bloodline concentration within the target, provided that the target inherently contains that bloodline, no matter how low the concentration.”
“But, the cost of doing so is vast, including the consumption of Divine Power, the creation of the alchemy array, and the specific bloodline in the Blood Core.”
Saying this, Cang Xu stroked his dense white beard, “Considering this, our next goal is to actively absorb Human Race bloodlines!”
The primary force within the Justice Pirate Group was the Human Race.
Absorbing Human Race bloodlines thus became the primary objective of the Blood Core.
At last, after hearing these words, the face of the Fishman youth changed first, followed by the changing expressions of the others.
The atmosphere also became subtly tense.
The Fishman youth remained silent for a moment, then said in a heavy tone, “While I was on Mysterious Monster Island, I discovered the Blood Core within me. I have always warned myself not to become obsessed with power and commit crimes that harm others.”
“I am a Knight, not a Demon.”
“When I founded the pirate group, why did I name it ‘Justice’? It was also to remind us all that although we had made mistakes and killed Jia Sha, we should not fall into depravity!”
“If we live well at the expense of others’ nightmares, what have we become?”
“How do we face ourselves, the torment of our conscience, the condemnation of morality?”
At this point, the youth looked around at everyone in the cabin, his expression earnest, “The Blood Core is powerful and extraordinary, but it is only a tool.”
“To be honest, I have feared it. I have always been apprehensive.”
“I have always told myself that I am a Knight, not a murderer.”
“I will never slaughter innocent people just to collect Bloodlines!”
With these words, the youth was resolute and unwavering.
Everyone fell into silence.
Cang Xu slightly furrowed his brow.
Lan Zao was the first to speak, his gaze filled with admiration for the youth, “Master, you possess a truly merciful and just heart. I will always follow you, no matter which path you take.”
Zi Di chuckled softly, her eyes tender, “No matter what you become, you will always be my Knight.”
Sanda nodded, “I have seen many people, but Sir, you truly are one in a million.”
Cang Xu relaxed his brow, shook his head, and said helplessly, “Well, I do understand you, but even if we don’t actively collect Bloodlines, we shouldn’t let those attacking enemies off, should we?”
“The recent General Kan Qiao, and the three Silver fighters from the Yao Wang family—Sir, you did not strike them.”
“Going forward, I sincerely hope that you can be resolute and not waste these valuable resources that could be utilized. Maybe, among us, some have the corresponding Bloodlines.”
The Fishman youth did not respond immediately; he pondered for a while before nodding heavily, “On this point, I promise you!”
All of a sudden, Zi Di laughed, “Actually, there’s no need to be so solemn.”
“We’ve gained a lot this time, haven’t we?”
“We shouldn’t let go of the enemies; in fact, we can actively collect Bloodlines.”
“Your Zhenjin Bloodline, isn’t it the War Merchant using the Blood Core to transfer the Golden Needle Bee Queen’s Bloodline into you?”
Reminded thus, everyone’s eyes brightened.
“In fact, what we lack most now is the method of detecting Bloodlines,” Zi Di continued, “The prerequisite for this method is that we already possess some kind of Bloodline in our bodies.
“But because the Bloodline Concentration is too low, most detection methods are ineffective.”
“If we find this method, it will be most helpful for collecting Bloodlines going forward.”
Zi Di’s suggestion seemed very reasonable, and everyone nodded in agreement.
“Perhaps this method of Bloodline detection is in the War Merchant’s database?” Lan Zao suggested.
So, they continued searching.
Unfortunately, they did not find such a method in the database.
However, they discovered something else.
Cang Xu found a new method that could collect more Divine Power.
That was through living sacrifices!
Cang Xu spoke, “Following this method, I can alter memories, making those believers ‘voluntarily’ offer their body, mind, and soul to the Mei Lan Goddess. This would allow us to obtain a large amount of Divine Power, even an oracle’s blessing, in a short time.”
“But there’s a major drawback to this method—it can easily attract the attention of the deities.”
“So, we must consider the deities’ attitude toward us.”
The people hesitated.
Lan Zao expressed his concern, “Offering these believers to the Mei Lan Goddess will greatly increase Her power. What if Her response is one of anger and destruction?”
At that moment, Zi Di interjected, “That’s why I have an immature idea. Maybe, we can negotiate with the Mei Lan Goddess.”
“Negotiate?” The others were astonished.
Zi Di nodded, “Yes. We are in great danger now, standing no chance against the Holy Bright Empire.”
“Our production of Pearl Bubble is not enough to meet our needs.”
“We are merely struggling. Once we encounter a deity or legendary being from the Empire, our chances of survival are slim. Actually, even a Holy Domain fighter could annihilate us.”
“We must seek the power of the deities to have any hope!”