Chapter 100

A few days passed in a flash, and everything was calm. After the initial chaos, Sigma's life returned to normal.

The people from the Church were well-behaved, at least on the surface. The clerics earnestly began their so-called inspection and exchange activities, although they didn't seem overly enthusiastic about exploring the grand cycle of the necromancers.

Bishop Harry also made no major moves. This Holy Domain expert seemed to have resigned himself to his fate. After several visits, Athena straightforwardly expressed that she enjoyed her current life and didn't want to leave Sigma's side. She also firmly rejected Bishop Harry's suggestion of "staying at the Church for a while," which left the old man very embarrassed.

Sigma, of course, was very pleased. Being relied upon and trusted was clearly a satisfying and fulfilling experience, especially when the one who trusted and relied on him was a beautiful angel girl, making him even more delighted.

The Grand Inquisitor, after being repeatedly turned away, seemed to gradually give up on the idea of taking the angel. After all, they had no right to interfere with an angel's decision and couldn't use their power and authority to overpower the necromancer who didn't care about them. Thus, the Grand Inquisitor, who seemed to have given up, began to enjoy this rare opportunity for a paid trip, smiling at everyone he met in recent days.

Although Sigma reminded himself not to be complacent about this seemingly cunning old fox, his vigilance was indeed not as strong as it was at the beginning. First, this was due to the inherent emotional slackening of humans. After being on high alert and preparing for a major confrontation with the clerics, only to find that the other party was weak, vigilance would inevitably wane. Second, after a few days of interaction, Sigma found that these clerics were actually quite interesting.

For example, right now...

"Everyone, thank you for coming here to listen to what I have to say." Below the platform sat two distinct groups of people: a group of clerics and a group of necromancers. The former were probably incited by Jili, while the latter were likely forced by Sigma's authority. Everyone's face showed a faint impatience, as if to say, "Get to the point." The classroom, with its dark and eerie decor, and Sigma, sitting on the platform and putting on a serious act, gave off a strong vibe of a pyramid scheme lecture. Sigma spoke confidently, "Everyone knows that humans have desires. How to control unnecessary desires is a necessary topic! But sometimes, suppression is ineffective. It's like managing a flood; just raising the levees and blocking it won't solve the problem!"

Most of the clerics here had participated in flood control efforts and nodded in agreement. In this world of swords and magic, living beings could gain the power to change the world through cultivation, but the more powerful they became, the more they felt their own insignificance. They recalled the scene of a river breaking its banks, with a line of white waves surging forward, the vast and overwhelming force of nature leaving a deep impression on everyone who had experienced natural disasters. Indeed, a Sword Saint's aura could solidify and a full-strength strike could even reverse the flow of a flood, and mages could manipulate the four elements to change the terrain, build earth dams, divert water, or even evaporate the flood. However, human power has its limits, and there comes a time when their aura and mental energy are exhausted, while natural disasters, driven by gravity and potential energy, never cease. This planet never tires, and anyone who tries to resist natural disasters with their own strength will ultimately be exhausted, even to the point of death.

The founder of the First Empire, the ancestral emperor who brought magic to humanity, once said, "We can change this world, we can adapt to it, but we cannot oppose it." This statement, even after a thousand years, is still widely accepted.

"We are all exploring the mysteries of the world. Although our paths differ, some principles are the same. Human hearts are chaotic, and during cultivation, unnecessary desires can surge like a flood. A healthy person should learn to properly address these sudden and chaotic desires, without getting lost in them and wasting energy." Sigma's words made the clerics and necromancers nod in agreement. Regardless of how strange this guy was, his words made sense.

"I know that the Church has a type of person called a hermit, and a method called asceticism. The essence of this method is to use fasting, whipping, and other self-torture to overcome superficial desires. I also know that necromancers are even more extreme, reshaping their worldview, understanding the essence of death and the world, and believing that the chaotic desires in their hearts and the pleasures of the body are mere illusions..." Sigma patted the table and loudly said to the people who were gradually engrossed, "Now, I want to tell you that these two methods are not very scientific!"

There was some commotion below.

"Our bodies! Our souls! They are all given to us by the wisdom and love of the Father! Why should we harm them? Why should we suppress them? Our desires are like a great river, with curiosity, protectiveness, and the desire to explore being gentle currents, while destructive and plundering desires are chaotic undercurrents. Desires can be good or bad. Bad desires can lead to bad outcomes, but good desires can help us progress. How can we lump them all together as a flood, and how can we suppress them without discrimination? How can we list the word 'desire' as a dirty word, making people use ugly separators when writing it?" Sigma patted the table, speaking with deep concern, "Looking at you all, I am very worried! Desires are indeed a surging river, with the potential to cause floods, but when a flood occurs, merely blocking it is not the solution. Only by guiding it can we turn the chaotic desires into a gentle stream. This is the natural way taught by the Father! This is called harmony! Harmony!"

... Sigma, a necromancer, was suddenly sitting on the side of the druids and spouting nonsense. Whether it was because the clerics and necromancers were too naive, or because Sigma's twisted logic and rhetorical skills were truly persuasive, everyone was captivated by his speech.

"I, as a pioneer and a gentleman, have a responsibility to teach you some life experiences and principles..." Sigma said earnestly, then raised a black cylinder. It looked like a handheld magical lighting device developed by the Mage Federation, but when the cap was unscrewed, it wasn't a smooth surface and a light source inside, but a soft, lip-like object. The necromancer sincerely said to the surrounding clerics, "This thing is called a 'flying cup.' It could have been better, but because the school's budget review committee kept delaying and not approving my funding, I could only use inferior materials to make this less mature prototype. I think, although this thing looks vulgar, it has its significance. For clerics who adhere to their vows, dedicating their beautiful youth to the Holy Light, keeping the promise to marry their childhood sweethearts after retirement, and wanting to do certain things without betraying their fiancées or using their hands, I think this 'flying cup' has its value. I believe that more people in this world need this thing, and more things in this world need this seemingly vulgar but meaningful new invention..."

"So, would everyone like to try it? If you think this thing has value, please sign your name on this petition. I must let those old men know what... spit, I want the top scholars in the alchemy industry to listen to the voice of the people..."

... Sigma was having a lot of fun.

Jili watched the enthusiastic necromancers and clerics who approached and sighed softly.

This necromancer was indeed living a very happy life.

However, Sigma, with a smile of success, distributing the 'flying cups' to the clerics, didn't know that a large net was slowly closing in on him in the darkness...

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PS: Second update at noon, please give me your recommendations...