Chapter 21: The Blessing of the Ocean Goddess
Outside the Ocean Temple.
Soren stood silently in front of the great hall, waiting. Adele-Isabelle had been sent to the tavern by him, as the next plan required some helpers; otherwise, they wouldn’t even be able to set sail with just the two of them. The Naga Priestess had entered the temple after returning, and even the Temple Guards had been ordered to stay outside, leaving no one knowing what she was doing on the ground. Naturally, Soren was not qualified to enter, and he didn’t want to know too many secrets about the Ocean Goddess because the more one knows, the deeper the entanglement.
This is how silencing occurs.
As time passed, the divine power gathered around the Ocean Temple suddenly began to tremble, a distinct sensation of oscillation, as if the divine power was surging like tides. This world provided divine power of faith to deities through believers, and then deities transformed this divine power into divinity. However, this divine power was not entirely controlled by the deities; it also needed to feedback divine techniques to the believers, a significant portion would remain in the temple. Thus, any temple with a priest in charge would have divine light and power; otherwise, it would be a forsaken temple.
Divine power would gradually diminish and dissipate.
If the presiding priest were to change or if their strength was weak, or if the number of believers decreased, the divine power above would gradually decrease until it caused the divine light in the temple to drop one or two levels. Upgrading a temple not only requires a sufficiently large scale but also an appropriate number of believers and influence in surrounding areas. This world is scattered with countless temples, but more than ninety percent are at the temple level, with very few reaching the temple level, most located within cities.
The number of Grand Temples is even fewer!
Such Grand Temples are equivalent to half a Wizard Tower; once divine protection is activated, even a meteor shower cannot destroy them.
Amber City is a typical example.
If it weren’t for the strong deterrent power of the temple, the struggles among the gods would be even fiercer, as many evil gods wished to bloodily eliminate the strongholds of enemy deities and believers at all times. If the temple before him were to be attacked directly, it would be impossible to take down without a proper legion, and even if it could be captured, the casualties would exceed fifty percent.
Divine power began to gradually gather. It seemed that something unpredictable was happening in the Ocean Temple!
Soren couldn’t comprehend this change, as his understanding of divine power and divine techniques is very limited, and he didn’t possess enough knowledge to judge it. However, he could feel that change, even sensing that it spread toward the underground ocean beneath the Ocean Temple. It was as if an invisible energy wave enveloped the entire Taro Port. Not just Soren felt this change; all the guards in front of the temple knelt down on the ground and began to pray sincerely. Other believers in Taro Port also started to pray, and this invisible wave of prayer turned into a powerful divine power of faith, causing the Ocean Temple to emit a brilliant glow that was unseen by the naked eye but dazzling nonetheless.
This process lasted for quite some time.
It also attracted the attention of many forces; the temple’s power seemed to be gathering, faintly indicating a breakthrough. If the Ocean Temple were to be upgraded to a Grand Temple, the avatar of the Ocean Goddess would appear at that time. This is a process of divine empowerment; every temple would experience this during its upgrade. Initially, the temple would receive divine light from the deity’s consciousness, and then as it ascends to become a temple, it would receive divine power, the most iconic of which is the statue, where the deity’s consciousness leaves an imprint. Believers’ prayers can be perceived by the deities.
Currently, there should be no avatar descending.
All the gods are busy resisting the energy storm, but the Ocean Temple before him has indeed improved, and it is estimated to have become one of the few Grand Temples along the coastal area.
Many believers of the Ocean Goddess began to gather over here.
The figure of the Naga Priestess slowly walked out. Soren couldn’t tell if it was his illusion, but he felt that there was a hint of divine breath emanating from the Naga Priestess, somewhat resembling the Ocean Goddess’s elect, though there was still a considerable gap. It seemed that after offering sacrifices, she had received the deity’s favor; the deity’s blessing is an important part of strengthening faith.
She stood on the platform in front of the temple, gazing at the gathered believers. Then she turned her gaze toward Soren and said slowly, “Human. Come with me inside.”
Soren slightly bowed and walked into the hall.
“Your performance has been commendable.”
The Naga Priestess stood before the statue, holding the scepter that represented the Ocean Priestess, speaking in a tone of strange yet solemn reverence: “You punished those who betrayed their faith. You have told them the cost of defying the Goddess with blood and death. You have also proven your loyalty, having offered the sacrifices she desired.”
“You should be rewarded!”
The Naga Priestess slowly approached Soren. Then she raised her hand and commanded, “Kneel.”
Soren’s expression did not show hesitation; he hesitated for a moment in his heart but then knelt on one knee before the statue of the Ocean Goddess. This step was something he had gone through several times before, as this was truly the divine blessing ceremony. To obtain a deity’s blessing, one must first express their humility and respect, and prove their worth, only then could one receive the deity’s grace, as deities are not noble benefactors. The blessing from the Goddess of Misfortune was an accident, as that mysterious woman seemed just as unfathomable as the Goddess of Misfortune.
Divine priests have similarities with deities; the priests of the Goddess of Misfortune and the Goddess of Luck are both capricious and unpredictable.
“Very well.”
The Naga Priestess placed her hand on Soren’s forehead, speaking in a deep voice: “Human. You have proven your worth, using your strength and credibility to uphold the dignity and interests of the Ocean Goddess. This is an act worthy of admiration, so you are qualified to receive the blessings of the Ocean Goddess.”
The scepter gently rested on Soren’s shoulder.
Then the Naga Priestess leaned down and kissed his forehead, speaking in a strange oceanic language: “On behalf of the Ocean Goddess, I bless you! You will not be attacked by ocean monsters in the sea! You shall be under the protection of the Ocean Goddess! The sea is your home! Great waves and storms will stay away from you and your companions!”
“You will become a favored one of the Ocean Goddess!… You can use the Goddess’s power to control creatures in the ocean!…”
Divine power began to gather.
Visible blessings appeared, bathing Soren’s body in a bluish glow, and faintly, the statue of the Ocean Goddess seemed to open its eyes. A gaze fell upon Soren and then gradually faded away. This is the power of a deity; from now on, Soren will become a favored one and a blesseder of the Ocean Goddess, as long as he does not actively attack ocean species. The majority of intelligent ocean creatures, including Naga, Sharkmen, Sea Bandit Fishmen, etc., will not actively attack Soren and his companions.
Moreover, he would also be able to communicate and trade with these ocean creatures, as the Ocean Goddess had bestowed upon him this blessing. His identity was equivalent to that of a priest in the Ocean Church.
This is a reward that is hard to refuse, especially since Soren was also planning to develop in the Overseas Islands.
The divine radiance gradually dissipated.
Before Soren, a row of data appeared, with an additional background specialty added to him:
“Blessing of the Ocean Goddess [Specialty]: You have obtained the blessing of the Ocean Goddess through your actions, significantly reducing the likelihood of encountering danger in the ocean from now on. Be it storms, great waves, whirlpools, or various fierce and dangerous ocean creatures, they will not easily attack you due to the blessing of the Ocean Goddess. You or your fleet will be protected while sailing in the ocean, and you will have the opportunity to communicate and trade with creatures that believe in the Ocean Goddess.
From now on, the vast majority of ocean creatures, including ocean monsters, will regard you as neutral. Additionally, under the blessing of the Ocean Goddess, you have gained a spell-like ability that can be used to control other creatures in the ocean.”
This is the most fundamental blessing bestowed upon you.
The blessing of the Ocean Goddess does not significantly increase attributes or abilities but serves as a protective charm on the sea.
Moreover, it awards an additional spell-like ability.
“Dominate Ocean Creatures [Spell-like Ability]: You possess the blessing of the Ocean Goddess, making you one of her favored ones, allowing you to wield a special power. You will be able to dominate most ocean creatures. The effect of this spell-like ability is akin to [Charm Ocean Creature], with the level of ordinary ocean creatures you can dominate not exceeding your profession level, and the level of ocean monsters you can command being no more than half of your profession level. The saving throw difficulty for this spell is related to your Charisma.” [Once per day.]
This is a special spell-like ability.
Equivalent to a niche ‘Charm Ocean Creature’, but the effect of domination is stronger and better than that of Sharkmen’s charm effect.
It has a saving throw difficulty determination based on Charisma.
You can dominate ordinary ocean creatures up to Soren’s level, and special ocean monsters up to half of Soren’s level.
This is the power of the Ocean Goddess.
Because ‘Charm Ocean Creature’ cannot control ocean monsters, it can at most control sharks, whales, and giant octopuses.
The blessing ceremony is complete.
The Naga Priestess looked at Soren with a somewhat meaningful expression and said slowly: “Human. Maintain reverence for the Ocean Goddess in your heart. She will not hesitate to bestow rewards upon you. When you decide to commit your faith to the Ocean Goddess, she will grant you even more blessings.”
This is a blatant recruitment.
The main believers of the Ocean Goddess are concentrated among marine creatures and coastal areas, and the value of a near-legendary wanderer is quite remarkable.
After all, wanderers are more adept at various means than other professionists.
Soren bowed slightly and kissed the back of the Naga Priestess’s hand, expressing his humility. At this moment, she represented the Ocean Goddess, and he spoke: “I revere the power of the Goddess. Thank her for her generosity, and when the Goddess needs it, I am willing to dedicate a part of my strength for her.”
This is not the language of depositing faith.
It is somewhat similar to a guest official, more like a relationship of hiring and being hired; many temples have such members.
The Naga Priestess displayed a hint of dissatisfaction on her face, which was quickly replaced by a smile as she said slowly: “Very well. I hope you remember today’s oath; when the Ocean Goddess needs you, you will dedicate your strength for her. Otherwise, the Goddess will retract her blessings.”
The blessings of deities are not so easily gained!
Soren was well aware of this; otherwise, he would not have lost the blessing of the Spider Queen back then.
However.
Since he could obtain it now, he naturally had to make good use of it.
No one knows what the future holds, and if something happens, he could just renege; a turbulent era is about to come, and he doesn’t believe the Ocean Goddess would pursue him over these trivial matters. As for ordinary tasks, Soren would not have much resistance, as he would need the Church’s help to develop overseas, and with the Ocean Church as a giant support, he could even afford to cross swords with the Storm Church.
After all, the Ocean Goddess is also a powerful deity!
With her support, Soren effectively infiltrated the inner circles of all intelligent marine creatures; he wouldn’t even need special reputation acknowledgment tasks to coexist peacefully with these marine beings, and when necessary, he could trade and profit from them. What this world values most is still power; if it weren’t for his near-legendary strength, the Naga Priestess wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to recruit him.
Now.
The most important thing is to use this opportunity to accumulate more strength.
……………(To Be Continued ~^~)
