Chapter 3: Advanced Restoration Spell
The opponent is using him as a tool.
Soren had anticipated this from the very beginning, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and the choices he had were quite limited. To put it more harshly, being used also shows that you have some value to be exploited; if your value for exploitation disappears, the other party probably wouldn’t even give you such an opportunity. Although the Ocean Goddess and Lord of Storms are in a very competitive relationship, she would never openly attack the devotees of Lord of Storms, and therefore the Ocean Temple would not directly launch an attack on the target that needed to be eliminated.
This could potentially lead to a disaster!
Nobody would want to escalate matters to a war between two temples, or even further escalate it into a war between two deity churches.
The Naga Priestess follows the doctrines of the Ocean Goddess and punishes believers who betray their faith. This is a crucial test; if she ignores it, the Ocean Goddess might retaliate against her or even punish her, stripping her of her powers. But if she goes too far and ignites a war between the Ocean Temple and the Storm Temple, the Ocean Goddess could also become furious and punish her by taking away her authority. This is the dilemma faced by high-ranking evil deity priests, as sometimes they must even seek the divine will because making the wrong decision can have even more severe consequences.
Behind the Ocean Temple.
Soren entered a pool of blue sea water, an incredibly clear pond from which seawater flowed, a place that might be where the holy water provided by the Ocean Temple is transformed. The cold seawater submerged his chest, and after the initial chill, he felt a warm sensation, as if he were soaking in amniotic fluid. It was as if he had returned to the embryo within the womb.
It seems the external speculation was not wrong!
The Ocean Goddess has indeed touched upon the aspect of life divinity, even extending the doctrine that the origins of life are born from the ocean. However, life at the very least requires a neutral faction; Soren had never heard of chaotic life deity types, which indicates that the Ocean Goddess seeks to further expand her domain over life. She must strictly constrain her actions and at least shift her alignment towards neutral evil; only then could she become a life deity for evil beings.
The relationship between the Lord of Storms and the Ocean Goddess is fascinating.
These two deities were once very close but later came to blows; after the Ocean Goddess intervened in the realm of life, the Lord of Storms unrelentingly followed suit, trying to meddle in the life domain as well. With his command over thunder and lightning, he actually accepted some research findings from the Arcane Empire and developed a doctrine that life originated from lightning storms, attempting to extend into the realm of life.
However, it seems he has failed!
In hindsight, it’s quite normal; historically, life deities have always been female, all beautiful and filled with maternal instincts. Who would willingly accept a rugged, muscular, and violently mad male to become a life deity?
But it seems the Lord of Storms hasn’t given up.
In recent centuries, he seems to have relinquished part of his divine duties to cultivate one of his daughters as the second deity of the storm domain, known among the devotees in the Amazon Female Warrior faction as the “Goddess of Storms.” Her jurisdiction includes women, life, and children, but only within tropical rainforest regions. This could also be a reason for the deterioration of the relationship between the Storm Goddess and Ocean Goddess, as the Ocean Goddess already oversees the life domain within the ocean.
Conflicts don’t arise for no reason.
Even chaotic evil beings wouldn’t get bored enough to create conflict with a dangerous enemy; there is certainly a deeper significance and conflict of interests involved.
Both the Lord of Storms and the Ocean Goddess want to advance further!
They are already strong divine powers, and the possibility of further advancement is very low unless they suddenly grasp certain extraordinary aspects of divine domains. Therefore, after having been silent for a long time, these two deities have coincidentally embarked on the same path: to create their own pantheon. The Lord of Storms intends to create the Storm Pantheon, while the Ocean Goddess prepares to expand the Ocean Pantheon. In this way, they would both reach the level of major deities among strong divine powers, and they would be qualified to attempt to meddle with the dominion level of “great divine powers”!
As a result, these once close deities almost became bitter enemies.
………………
Little by little, a blue light began to emerge. Behind it, the deep chanting of the Naga Sea Monster was heard. Casting high-level divine techniques is difficult, especially restoration spells, which require a certain price to be paid. To expel the negative energy invasion within Soren and simultaneously repair his weakened soul, it is necessary to cast the advanced restoration spell. This spell isn’t easy even when requested by a king. To thoroughly restore Soren’s injuries, the Naga Priestess must draw upon the long-accumulated divine power within the temple.
Otherwise, she would have to substitute her own vitality for Soren’s!
Legendary priests typically live for only two to three hundred years because their power derives from divine power, which ultimately returns to the divine realm.
The warm seawater cleansed his entire body.
Soren’s skin began to shed, as if purified from head to toe, and strands of black substance seeped from his pores. This was merely the beginning; under the gentle ocean divine power, all the hidden wounds and potential dark injuries on Soren were repaired, with scars on his back and chest gradually disappearing. Every part of his body that had previously suffered illness, injury, or posed latent dangers underwent complete restoration!
Soren’s body is being purified, approaching his peak state of 100%.
This effect is more exaggerated than that of the bloodline purification ritual; the bloodline purification ritual merely enhances vitality and stimulates potential capabilities, while the advanced restoration spell restores you to your current peak state. Soren stood up naked in the seawater; his skin became fair and resilient, and all his injuries were completely healed, as if his internal organs had been renewed, with all hidden dark injuries thoroughly vanishing. Simultaneously, a sense of satisfaction emerged deep within his mind, a feeling akin to having been exhausted for a long time and suddenly receiving ample rest.
A set of data appeared:
“Your body is affected by the effects of [Advanced Restoration Spell]!……”
“All your injuries have been repaired!…… Energy drain effect resolved!…… Soul weakness effect resolved!…… Physical restoration and regeneration completed!……”
“Soul weakness effect resolved.”
“You have regained the legendary skill [Universal Skillful Hand].”
………………
A hint of fatigue appeared on the face of the Naga Priestess.
She gazed coldly at Soren, who stood up from the pool, her expression revealing ruthlessness and harshness, slowly saying, “Human! Remember what you promised. Otherwise, all that the Ocean Goddess has granted you today will be taken back.”
Soren paused, looking at his naked and newly reborn body, a slight smile crept onto his lips, and he slightly bowed in respect, saying, “I will remember the contract I made with the Ocean Goddess; those who betray her faith will be punished.”
“Merciless punishment!”
If the betrayers of faith are not punished, the foundation of the Ocean Goddess’s believers would be impacted, which is a very serious matter. Thus, even if the Ocean Temple cannot directly take action against the Lord of Storms, as priestesses of the goddess, they must find ways to have others kill these betrayers of faith. Soren is the killer they need, and though anyone can guess that the Ocean Temple is behind it, as long as the people from the Ocean Temple do not directly act, the priests of the Lord of Storms cannot turn against them.
A glimmer of killing intent emerged in Soren’s eyes.
Although he knew this might incite the anger of the Lord of Storms’s devotees, he could not afford to be overly cautious.
Hesitation cannot allow one to survive in the Overseas Islands!
Soren put on the discarded clothes piece by piece, while the Naga Sea Monster coldly observed him. Once Soren was fully dressed, she slowly said, “Come with me! I will tell you all about the betrayers and prepare some useful items for you. There are also pirates secretly supported by the temple in Taro Port, they will assist you when you need it!”
“But you must remember one thing!……”
“Betrayers are the Ocean Goddess’s greatest hate!…… You must wipe them out without leaving any behind!…… Remember!…… Not a single one!…… Otherwise, the Ocean Goddess may become displeased!……”
The Naga Sea Monster repeatedly emphasized “not a single one,” showing she understands the temperament of the Ocean Goddess very well.
This is the style of evil deities.
Soren was not surprised by this; he nodded silently, “I understand. Not a single one! No mercy, regardless of age or gender; those who betray must pay the price with their lives.”
The Naga Sea Monster finally revealed a hint of a smile.
She looked at Soren with satisfaction, as if appreciating his current coldness; her voice softened as she spoke, “The enemies are somewhat tricky, but it’s not without a way. Their numbers are a bit large, so you may need some schemes.”
“Look.”
“This is their list; some of them will set sail soon, which is a great opportunity.”
“Perhaps you can infiltrate and wipe them all out.”
………………(To Be Continued ~^~)
