C21 Lottery

Late at night, the Chu Mansion settled into a deep silence.

Chu Hen massaged his slightly stiff neck and set aside the tome, "Returning True Spirit Technique."

"Truly intricate, yet with time pressing, this is the only way..." Chu Hen dismissed his personal maidservant and lay down on the bed, silently summoning the King of the Gods in his mind.

"Devotee Chu Hen, requesting entry into the King of the Gods Main Hall. Access granted. Please confirm, do you wish to proceed?"

"Confirm entry!"

At the sound of the authoritative voice, Chu Hen was immediately transported inside.

He was hit with a wave of dizziness, but it quickly passed as Chu Hen tuned into the mysterious signal emanating from the King of the Gods Main Hall. A spiritual exchange linked him to a space so vast it was beyond measure.

For most testers, they could only be summoned just before a mission and had no choice in the matter, let alone the luxury of using the King of the Gods Main Hall as their own sanctuary, coming and going at will.

Having offered his Human Spiritual Blood Essence, Chu Hen had become a devotee of the King of the Gods, earning the key to the Main Hall and the privilege of entering at any time.

"Once I grow stronger and unlock all the functions of the King of the Gods Main Hall, I'll be able to traverse with both body and spirit. That's when the Main Hall will truly become my stronghold. And then, well... let's just say I'll be prepared."

In times of trouble for the main world, the King of the Gods Main Hall would serve as the ultimate refuge.

For now, the urgency of travel meant his physical body in the main world was beyond his control, necessitating rest in a place of utmost safety.

With this in mind, Chu Hen resolved to have the underground wine cellar expanded as soon as he returned. After all, it's wise to dig deep and stockpile provisions.

"Clear!" The disorienting sensation faded, and Chu Hen found himself seated on a slab of green stone.

Mist swirled around him, revealing the ethereal beauty of a jade palace before his eyes – he had arrived in the space of the King of the Gods.

"Could it be a bit more gentle, please? Every time I enter, it's my backside that suffers!" Chu Hen grumbled, rubbing his sore spot as he rose to his feet.

"Entry without dizziness requires 50 Contribution Points! Would you like to proceed?"

"Buzz off!" Chu Hen swore vehemently at the detestable charging system.

"It's like opening the door to nausea, it's so disgusting! I wonder if the other testers grumble about this when they enter the King of the Gods' main hall."

Still, realizing that other testers didn't even have the opportunity to enter, Chu Hen felt somewhat consoled. Ha... If others knew I could enter at will, would they be green with envy?

"Reminder: Level 911 King of the Gods devotee Chu Hen is carrying two magical artifacts. To bring them in completely, 100 Contribution Points are needed!"

"Not this again, they're plucking feathers from a passing goose!"

Naturally, he declined. The mission hadn't even begun; he couldn't justify squandering his precious Contribution Points on this.

"Remembering the first time I entered, I didn't have a single Contribution Point. My red jade bracelet was stripped of its functions. A warrior might cope, but for a cultivator like Ling, it would be a different story—they'd be inconsolable..."

Drawing on his experiences in Draseon and his indirect knowledge of cultivators like his sister, Chu Hen understood that pursuing the Dao required a distinguished background. A poor person who took up cultivation would likely spend countless years as a lowly apprentice, possibly reaching old age before learning any practical spells.

Even so, the initial costs for well-off cultivators were enough to make anyone wince.

Without a solid foundation, the ground would quake and mountains would tremble. Without the protection of a magical artifact, a novice cultivator might be less capable than a sturdy commoner.

At this stage, cultivators wouldn't venture out for trials lightly. They'd be confined to their training rooms, trapped in a daily routine of meditation, recitation, and energy cultivation.

In combat, they could rely on warriors as shields, using spells from the rear. But in a solo fight, their feeble inner magic wouldn't suffice to cast spells, necessitating the use of yellow paper talismans and special magical artifacts.

The first time he was summoned into the Main Hall of the King of the Gods, Chu Hen found himself without a single contribution point. It felt like a divine trap.

Chu Hen activated the light screen and browsed through the catalog of magical artifacts. The dazzling array of items came with exorbitant prices, and he worried that setting the price too low might undermine their significance.

Hmph, it made sense. This space only allowed for mental transmigration and was riddled with fees—it must be the most basic level of the King of the Gods' realm. Chu Hen surmised, making a preliminary judgment.

He casually checked his basic information:

"Tester: 0911 Chu Hen"

"Cultivation: Mortal Realm Level Five, True Essence"

"Cultivation Method: Basics of Returning to Origin (Understood), True Essence of Returning to Origin (In Progress)

"Items: Red Jade Bracelet (Function erased), Immortal Binding Lock (Function erased)"

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

"Title: Believer of the King of the Gods"

"Contribution Points: 2000"

Indeed, the cultivation technique had been updated. This was, after all, the main reason for his visit to the Main Hall of the King of the Gods.

Alas! Despite the double reward, he was left with a mere two thousand contribution points. He wondered about the fate of his hands...

Chu Hen lifted his hand, then let it fall in resignation.

"Shall the number one lucky draw in the North, South, and East begin?" Chu Hen closed his eyes and shouted, hoping to boost his luck even slightly.

‘Ding! Four opportunities for 'Understanding, Clarity, Comprehension, and Enlightenment' are ready. You have spent 100 Contribution Points for one lottery draw!’ announced the voice from the Main Hall of the King of the Gods.

"Ding! The lottery is complete. You have received 'Clarity' once. Would you like to use it now?"

Damn it, what I wanted was 'Enlightenment.'

A hundred bucks for 'Clarity'? Even 'Comprehension' would have been preferable. The contribution points he had gambled with were now reduced by a hundred. Chu Hen felt the sting of loss acutely.

"One more time!" Chu Hen demanded through clenched teeth.

"The lottery has concluded. You have been granted 'Understanding' once..."

"Ah..." Chu Hen was seething with rage.

"Damn it, again..."

"You have been granted 'Understanding' once..."

"Again..."

"Clarity..."

"Ah... Once more..." A thunderous roar echoed through the grand hall. The towering pavilion, shrouded in clouds and mist, paid no mind to the man flailing his arms in a frenzy.

"Ding dong! Congratulations to Believer #0911 of the King of the Gods, the lottery is complete. You have earned the opportunity for 'Enlightenment' once. Would you like to use it now?"

After spending five hundred Contribution Points, Chu Hen gradually regained his composure from the fury.

"Damn, when I come into power, I'm going to abolish this lottery..." Chu Hen muttered resentfully, still simmering with frustration.

"Activate it immediately!"

"Ding! King of the Gods Believer, you possess two cultivation techniques. Will 'Enlightenment' be applied to the 'Basic Returning to Origin Technique' or the 'True Spirit Technique'?" The ancient voice retained its commanding tone.

"The True Spirit Technique!" Chu Hen responded irritably.

"Whoosh!" A dazzling light burst forth in the King of the Gods Main Hall, enveloping Chu Hen.

In a flash, the oppressive sensation in Chu Hen's chest vanished, replaced by a pure, invigorating energy. It was as if he stood atop the pavilion, embraced by the swirling mists, his spirits soaring.

Yet, the heights can be chillingly lonely!