C17 Believer of the King of the Gods

"Believer? Special privileges?" Chu Hen was puzzled.

"Tester 0091 has made significant contributions to the King of the Gods Main Hall. His intimacy with the hall has increased, and he has a close connection with it. He is now recognized as a Believer of the King of the Gods!"

"As a Believer of the King of the Gods, special privileges are unlocked!"

"Believers are exempt from all fees and will receive double the contribution points. After completing a mission, they will be bathed in Holy Light, fully restoring both physical and mental injuries—benefits not available to normal testers!"

"Believers are granted the right to be informed about missions seven days in advance and can return to the King of the Gods Main Hall at any time during the mission's idle period—again, not available to normal testers!"

"For every three successful Main Missions, a Believer will be spared from the penalties of failing a Main Mission!"

"Damn! That's incredible!"

It was all worth it. Chu Hen couldn't help but grin from ear to ear, bursting into laughter.

To have such extensive privileges in the world of the King of the Gods was unbelievably thrilling.

The most crucial advantage was the right to mission information, allowing for targeted preparation. Information asymmetry could be the ultimate edge within the dungeons.

Once he grew stronger, he could have anything he desired. This was infinitely better than being handed tens or hundreds of thousands of contribution points.

No, it was like comparing heaven and earth.

After all, contribution points could eventually run out, but privileges were eternal.

Chu Hen hummed the melody of "The Song of the Turning Over Serf" as he mulled over his thoughts.

"The incomplete King of the Gods Main Hall..."

"The privileges of a Believer..."

"The missions within the dungeons..."

Considering this hall with its limited functionality and the everlasting privileges, if he could set the rules... Chu Hen paused at the thought. The chance for a serf to turn over and become the master wasn't just a pipe dream.

The more he contemplated, the more exhilarating it became. Chu Hen was brimming with excitement: "If I were to become the master of the King of the Gods Main Hall, wouldn't I have absolute power?"

The idea was wildly intoxicating.

Initially, his only aspiration was to pursue the path of cultivation in Draseon, seeking immortality and a few more years of opulence. Now, it seemed that with enough effort, being an immortal or a saint paled in comparison to the master of the King of the Gods Main Hall.

Chu Hen was contemplating an existence that could manipulate the cosmos itself. If he aspired to be a saint, couldn't he simply create one? If he desired to witness a battle between deities, couldn't he just establish the rules? And what about the quest for eternal life? Why not become the creator himself?

However, amidst his excitement, Chu Hen was brought back down to earth by the stark reality that he still needed to address his mental health issues.

"Bathed in Holy Light!"

Chu Hen murmured the incantation, and before the echo of his words dissipated, a radiant glow enveloped him, bathing him in warmth and comfort akin to the sun's embrace on California's west coast.

Chu Hen flexed his limbs, relieved to find the soreness gone and his mind significantly clearer. Whether his mental afflictions had been completely healed was uncertain, but at the very least, he had managed to safeguard the contribution points he had earned at a great personal cost.

"Can the King of the Gods' Main Hall open up a small world?"

Silence was the only response.

"Is it possible to rent space for a shop?"

Again, silence.

"Would you say something, please?"

Silence persisted.

"Can outsiders be brought in here?"

"Forbidden: Any disclosure of information regarding the King of the Gods' space will result in erasure."

An ancient, authoritative voice suddenly broke the silence, startling Chu Hen.

It appeared that the issue was not an inability to speak, but rather that the King of the Gods' Main Hall was either too dilapidated to respond to unknown inquiries or that Chu Hen's own power and privileges were insufficient to warrant attention.

With a resigned shrug, Chu Hen acknowledged the limitations of the Main Hall's functionalities and its reluctance to communicate. Despite the potential to claim dominion over this space, he found himself in an awkward position, utterly friendless.

"Um... I have another question. Lianxiang... ahem... is it possible for the tester to meet again?"

"May I be granted access to the King of the Gods' Hall to have a look around?"

Silence once more.

Undeterred, Chu Hen continued his one-sided conversation with the Main Hall, which responded to any unwelcome or disliked questions with steadfast silence.

"Do you have any cultivation techniques that would be appropriate for my practice?"

Chu Hen pondered briefly before attempting to ask some fundamental questions.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three brilliant flashes of light swept across the screen, revealing a list of cultivation techniques.

"Grand Unity Heart Sutra, a Taoist entry-level technique. Requirement: 500 Contribution Points."

"Eastern Extreme Pill Scripture, a Taoist advanced technique. Requirement: 1,000 Contribution Points."

"Basic Guide to Returning to Origin, a martial arts entry-level technique. Requirement: 500 Contribution Points."

"True Spirit Returning to Origin, a martial arts advanced technique. Requirement: 1,000 Contribution Points."

...

Looking further, there were various entry and advanced level techniques including Demonic Arts, Witchcraft, Poisonous Gu, and Buddhism. However, Chu Hen didn't have enough Contribution Points to consider them. Thus, he focused on the first four.

"Basic Guide to Returning to Origin?" He already knew this technique and didn't need to learn it again. He casually clicked on "True Spirit Returning to Origin" and asked, "Once I pay the fee, can I learn it immediately?"

"You can exchange Contribution Points for techniques. Practice is up to the individual. Believers of the King of the Gods can spend 100 Contribution Points for a chance at one of four enlightenment opportunities."

"Understanding, clarity, insight, and profound realization," each represented a different level of enlightenment opportunity, but actual progress would depend on the practitioner's aptitude."

The King of the Gods was quick to clarify anything related to Contribution Points, seemingly desperate for them.

"Believers of the King of the Gods have to practice too? Privileges still cost Contribution Points? And it's down to a lottery? Back in the twenty-first century, I never even won a five-dollar lottery ticket."

Chu Hen was bewildered. He was well aware of his own aptitude. His predecessor had spent three years just to make minor progress with the "Basic Guide to Returning to Origin," and it was only through diligent practice that he finally overcame the bottleneck.

Besides, his sister had already prepared the basic techniques for him, so there was no rush. The real issue was whether he could achieve mastery in one go. It seemed that instant mastery was out of the question, but perhaps he could improve his chances with a bit of luck and some Contribution Points.

He decided to wait until he returned to Draseon to acquire the "True Spirit Returning to Origin" technique. If it turned out to be necessary, he could always try his luck with the King of the Gods' lottery later on.

The mere thought of another lottery draw made Chu Hen roll his eyes in exasperation. The King of the Gods' Main Hall seemed to be plucking feathers from anyone who passed by.

Reflecting on his meager Contribution Points, Chu Hen requested the King of the Gods to display his basic information.

"Tester: 0911 Chu Hen"

"Cultivation: Level Five Mortal Realm True Essence"

"Cultivation Technique: 'Basic Returning Technique'"

"Item: Red Jade Bracelet (Functionality erased)"

"Bloodline: Human Spirit Blood Essence (Identified: Holy Light Energy, World Origin Force, already contributed)"

"Titles: King of the Gods Believer"

"Contribution Points: 2000"

...

As Chu Hen observed the updates to his profile, he was deeply moved. Without his quick thinking during the battle at Isynlenor, and Lianxiang's selfless act of risking her life to join him, he wouldn't be where he was today.

They say that adversity is happiness in disguise; indeed, only through life-and-death experiences can one truly appreciate the essence of happiness.

Chu Hen shook his head, feeling a touch of melancholy before quickly rallying his spirits. "I must return to Draseon!" he declared. After all, a more authentic version of himself awaited there.

"Let me reiterate: anyone who leaks information about the King of the Gods' space will be eradicated!" The ancient and authoritative voice made Chu Hen's scalp prickle once more. He mused, "If I were to talk in my sleep and let something slip, I wonder how that would be handled!"

"This deadly prohibition is like an invisible shackle, endlessly irritating. Perhaps only by becoming the master of the King of the Gods' Main Hall can I truly be free."

Chu Hen sighed at the thought. The path to becoming the King of the Gods was long and seemingly out of reach. For now, he could only focus on the present and take it one step at a time.

Thankfully, he had already made significant progress.

"Confirm my return to Draseon!" Chu Hen looked up, his gaze fixed on the resplendent jade edifice above, his face etched with resolve.

...

A dazzling light streaked by, followed by a swirling vortex... Chu Hen's world went dark as he succumbed to dizziness and passed out...