Chapter 9: Divine Proclamations​​

Thud!

As the two skeletal figures deposited Wang Shikong onto the ninety-ninth step, a smile crept across his face. He hadn’t expected to conquer the third trial of the Radiant God’s assessment on his very first day in the Endless Continent.

His gaze lifted toward the ethereal figure seated upon the Divine Throne. It was an old man with a flowing white beard and clad in white robes. The only shimmer came from the resplendent, multi-colored divine crown radiating light upon his head. Even as a mere spectral image, an inexplicable aura of power emanated from him, stirring an almost instinctive urge to bow in reverence.

"To think a living soul actually managed to reach my presence... How many eons has it been?" The spectral figure of the God of Radiant Element spoke suddenly, his thunderous voice echoing throughout the Sacred Hall as he opened his eyes to gaze down at Wang Shikong.

Hehehe! Hehehe! For some unknown reason, he began to laugh.

Wang Shikong listened to the unnerving sound: "...?"

The laughter stopped abruptly. The God of Radiant Element fixed him with an intrigued stare and a knowing smirk. "You resemble the younger me. One favored by destiny. Yet, to inherit my legacy, you need... its acknowledgment."

With his words, the spectral form dissolved, coalescing instead into a book of purest sanctity that floated gently down before Wang Shikong, hovering silently in place.

He reached out, took it, and looked at the cover. The title read: ​​Divine Proclamations​​.

Below the title, a smaller inscription read: ​​*Authored in the Third Era by Orcan Radiance, The Great God of Radiant Element! (Upper Volume)!​​*

​​[Condition: Master the proficiency of the first three skills listed to 'Grandmaster' level within fifteen days. Failure: Expulsion from the Sacred Light Hall.]​​

A prompt sounded within Wang Shikong’s mind simultaneously. He placed the book on his lap and turned to the first page.

"The Divine proclaimeth: Those who defy Me are My foes."

"Those who show no reverence are heretics."

"The Divine loveth all, shielding those who believe."

Three lines dominated the center of the page. Below them, the record of a skill and two strange sigils were inscribed.

"The Divine proclaimed: 'Let there be light,' and the darkness was banished: Sacred Radiance!"

​​[Ding! Congratulations! You have learned the template for Sacred Radiance.]​​

​​[Sacred Radiance: Dispels negative status effects from oneself or allies. Bathed in divine light, it can block damage equal to 11 times one's Spirit stat. Duration: 30 seconds.]​​

"Sacred Radiance?" Wang Shikong stared, momentarily stunned. This was Sacred Radiance? He had learned this skill in his previous life, but he clearly remembered it only having one effect back then: dispelling negative status effects from himself or allies. There was definitely no damage-blocking capability.

But it didn’t stop there.

​​[Sacred Radiance: When shone upon vile heretics, it deals holy damage equal to 11 times one's Spirit stat.]​​

???

One spell. Two effects? Freely choosing between offense and defense?

He flipped to the second page. Again, one skill described alongside two strange sigils.

"The Divine proclaimeth: 'I love all beings, showering radiance to heal the masses.'"

​​[Ding! Congratulations! You have learned the template for Sacred Light of Healing.]​​

​​[Sacred Light of Healing: Releases a restorative glow equal to 11 times one's Spirit stat, healing lost HP. Overflowing healing energy restores Stamina and Spirit.]​​

The other version:

​​[Sacred Light of Healing: Releases a restorative glow equal to 11 times one's Spirit stat, healing the soul, cleansing the marrow, and purifying the flesh.]​​

He turned to the third page.

"The Divine proclaimeth: 'To My faithful, I bestow courage, charging into the fray!'"

​​[Divine Inspiration: Envelops allies within 10 meters in holy light. Bathed in this light, allies' Attack +40%, Defense +40%, Speed +40%. Costs Spirit equal to (100 / Elemental Affinity) per second. Only effective on creatures beneath the First Awakening.]​​

The other version:

​​[Divine Inspiration: Envelops heretics within 10 meters in holy light. Bathed in this light, heretics' Attack -40%, Defense -40%, Speed -40%. Costs Spirit equal to (100 / Elemental Affinity) per second. Only effective on creatures beneath the First Awakening.]​​

He tried turning further pages. A prompt appeared: ​​[Insufficient Spirit. Unable to open.]​​

Wang Shikong looked at these absurdly powerful skills, pressing his lips together. He truly deserves that 'Hehehe' moniker. I find myself genuinely praising you, venerable one.

Each skill offered two distinct effects. Studying them carefully, Wang Shikong realized this versatility stemmed from the fact that they weren't purely Radiant Element skills. Shadow Element had been woven into them.

Yes. That great God of Radiant Element had blended Shadow into his divine magic. Radiant and Shadow Elements were fundamentally opposed. In his previous life, Wang Shikong had never encountered a skill that merged them, and certainly not so masterfully. Fitting for the overlord of the Endless Continent's Third Era, its ultimate villain.

"There is a Radiant Element skill called ‘Light’s Inspiration’," he mused. "Exceedingly rare. It only boosts by 20% and has a high cost. Yet, even that was considered an early-game divine support skill. This one... is even more monstrous." For an average person, the cost would be crippling. But for him, it cost less than 0.2 Spirit per second. With his current 20 Spirit, he could maintain it for over a minute.

A sense of awe washed over him. He focused intently on the three skills, attempting to master them quickly and reach Grandmaster proficiency.

"The Divine proclaimed: 'Let there be light,' and the darkness was banished..."

Wang Shikong began the chant, rapidly constructing the spell pattern. Thirty seconds later, he called out: "​​Sacred Radiance!​​"

​​[Ding! Proficiency with Sacred Radiance increased. Level: Novice.]​​

A shimmering light appeared. Wang Shikong’s expression turned grave. Difficult. Extremely difficult. It was far harder than an ordinary skill. Infusing Shadow Element within Radiant caused elemental turbulence, demanding exceptionally fine control. This complexity surpassed even standard Elemental Fusion skills. Crucially, Wang Shikong had no prior life experience with skills like this. He had to learn, understand, and master them from scratch.

"Even the foremost support mages of my previous life," he murmured, "couldn't achieve Grandmaster with all three of these in half a month. Probably not even one."

His high Elemental Affinity and vast experience should make it feasible, however. The ​​Divine Proclamations​​, authored by the God of Radiant Element himself – even though only the upper volume – he had to obtain this legacy. Such legacy [Books] were incredibly rare. Possessing it meant unlocking numerous spell skills as long as he had sufficient Spirit. Moreover, they formed a cohesive system, representing the pinnacle of opportunity on the Endless Continent.

Not daring to waste a second, Wang Shikong immersed himself in practice.

​**​*

Sigh... Three hours later, he checked the time and logged out of the Endless Continent.

"Hahaha! I can cast a fireball in under ten seconds now! I’m practically a genius! This afternoon, I took down five hens! I should level up tomorrow! Awesome, right?"

Wang Shikong had barely stepped out of the elevator when Ning Qingrou’s bright, chattering voice reached him.

"Awesome, awesome," he responded flatly. "Someday you’ll fly up and touch the sun."

"Touch the sun? Pfft! I’m going to be a Goddess!" she declared, laughing boisterously as she sprawled inelegantly on the sofa, dressed lightly. The laughter died abruptly as she saw Wang Shikong approach.

She tilted her head, scanning him up and down, a flicker of distaste crossing her face. "Eww, why are you so filthy?"

"???"

Wang Shikong glanced at himself. He was indeed dusty. Even being careful in the mines couldn't prevent particles from settling on him.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." Ning Qingya stood up and pushed him towards the bathroom.

Wang Shikong nodded silently. Inside the bathroom, he took a towel and meticulously began wiping down his clothes. Catching sight of his own expression in the mirror, he offered a faint smile.

"You got some dirt on your skin too," Ning Qingya said, wiping the back of his clothes and noticing grime on his nape. She paused. "Maybe... maybe I can help you bathe tonight?"

Wang Shikong stiffened, turning his head to look at her.

Their eyes locked. Ning Qingya flustered, nervously tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her voice rising a notch. "I mean... it’s only right I take care of you. Besides... we are legally married."

Ahem. Wang Shikong cleared his throat softly. "Alright."