Chapter 8: The Deceptive Light God Inheritance

Transcender: Wang Shikong

Class: Spell Practitioner

Realm: Elemental Spirit Refinement

Level: 2 (11/100)

Vitality: 196/280

Physique: 11

Spiritual Energy: 20/20

Element Affinity: Metal (578) Wood (589) Water (588) Fire (592) Earth (580) Wind (588) Lightning (580) Light (577) Dark (572) Space (595) Time (max); Elemental Heart Acquired

Skills:

Basic Element Manipulation: Sacred Metal (Perfected), Sunfire (Perfected), Darkwater (Perfected), Verdant Wood (Perfected), Mountain Earth (Perfected), Mystic Wind (Perfected), Thunderbolt (Perfected), Radiance (Perfected), Shadow (Perfected)

Skeleton Summoning (Mastered)

Shadow Ambush (Perfected)

Equipment:

Hourglass of Time (Origin)

Guardian Staff

Subclass: Locked

"Leveled up. With the new Guardian Staff and Shadow Ambush skill, I can take down that foreman mob even during Time Stop's cooldown." After storing his blade and staff on Blue Star, Wang Shikong re-entered Endless Continent and pressed forward.

Deeper into the mineshaft, a sharp turn revealed blinding white luminescence ahead. Wang frowned and accelerated his skeletal escorts.

Hummm!

As they rounded the corner, holy light engulfed him.

Before a towering crucifix stood a silver-haired elder.

"Fortunate soul," the priest smiled beatifically, "welcome to the Cathedral of Light."

His words triggered a metamorphosis—gloomy tunnels dissolved into a vaulted sanctuary. Statues of battle angels and luminous priests adorned the arched ceilings, while ten-foot-tall Paladin sculptures stood vigil with sword and shield, radiating solemnity.

Wang’s expression darkened, recognition flashing in his eyes. No hint of joy touched his features.

The Light God’s Trial. Renowned in Endless Continent’s Third Era, this was where he’d lost his first life in his past incarnation.

Harlot Light God. False Deity. Survivors knew: "Praise the Light God" was twisted irony masking trauma. Wang never expected the trial here—rumors never mentioned a Celestine Town shrine.

Damn. Opportunities and danger are twins. I’m no chosen one.

Those Black Iron weapons? Just bait for this trap. Exhaling slowly, he steadied himself.

"God loves mortals—" The priest extended his staff. "Blessed one, do you accept the Light God’s favor? Will you praise, glorify, worship... and become divinity?"

Refusal meant excommunication—and death. "I accept." Wang braced for the ordeal.

"Wisdom guides you. Four trials await. Overcome them to inherit godhood." The priest advanced. "First trial: Wisdom and Heart. As a devoted believer, you must choose—save family or a city."

"My family," Wang replied without hesitation.

"Truth pleases our Lord. First trial complete." The priest’s eyes flickered with surprise. "Follow me."

Wang nodded. Earlier victims chose the city, believing "God loves mortals" required selflessness. But lies angered the deity—choosing the city meant execution.

"The path to ascension demands reverence." The priest halted before a gilded staircase leading to a distant throne veiled in radiance. "Pilgrims kneel every ninth step. Heirs kneel each step."

Wang remained motionless.

The priest’s gaze sharpened.

"If the benevolent Light God heals my legs," Wang countered, "I’ll crawl to kiss his feet with utmost devotion."

Priest: "..."

"Mercy extends to all believers. You may proceed seated."

Wang clicked his tongue and engaged his wheelchair’s propulsion.

Thick light-element resistance pressed against him. He narrowed his eyes—barriers intensified near the throne. With focused will, he parted the luminous tide.

Just as predicted. Second trial’s all about Light Affinity.

"Devotion" was theater. The bastard deity just enjoyed humiliating supplicants.

Guided by supreme elemental mastery, Wang sped forward—restrained only by caution toward the god’s residual power. The slack-jawed priest watched him breach the two-kilometer expanse.

At the throne’s base, Wang gazed up at ninety-nine bifurcated steps.

"Second trial passed," the priest materialized beside him. "Ascend while praising God’s glory—let Him witness your resolve."

Each step’s centerline divided life and death sides—wrong choices meant 50% mortality. Straddling guaranteed demise.

Generations had sung hymns while plummeting into divine pitfalls. This impossible staircase explained the trial’s zero success rate—and the Light God’s hollow prestige.

Sparks flickered in Wang’s pupils.

Crack-crack. Two skeletons materialized, lifting his chair onto the first step’s right side.

"Cease defiling this holy ground!" the priest snapped.

Wang ignored him. Third Era chronicles revealed the truth: a sadistic deity who branded dissenters heretics. Demons showed more mercy than this villainous "Light" God.

Precognition unveiled safe paths milliseconds before each step.

One... Two... Three...

His skeletal carriers ascended steadily, closing in on the radiant figure above.

The priest trembled. "Praise the Light God Almighty... Have You finally granted mercy?"