Chapter 89

Eion said matter-of-factly, "Is this strange?"

The reward from the God of Knowledge would likely exceed Gao Dun's imagination.

After all, if the reward was just ordinary wealth, a magic item, or a rare magic book, Eion wouldn't need to descend personally. He could simply issue a divine decree, and the priests of the Temple of Knowledge would deliver the reward.

"Lord Eion, may I ask what my reward will be?"

"Oh? You mean if it doesn't meet your requirements, you would refuse the reward?" Eion raised an eyebrow, showing a curious expression.

Gao Dun nodded, remaining calm before a deity: "Since you believe in the principle of equivalent exchange, you shouldn't use something I don't want to exchange for my service."

If Eion's reward was a powerful magic item, like the Dawnbreaker wielded by the Holy Knight Reina, Gao Dun would gladly accept it.

However, if Gao Dun were to become a divine vessel, a vessel that a deity could possess at will, that would be problematic. Although he would gain great power, existing as a vessel in a certain sense would be very unpleasant.

Perhaps devout priests would be overjoyed by such a prospect, but Gao Dun wouldn't.

Therefore, he decided to find out what Eion intended to grant him before deciding whether to accept it.

Gao Dun dared to bargain with a deity because, as a mage, he had a deep understanding of the gods of the Telos world. He had also studied the "Introduction to Telos Human Deities" that Eion had just read.

As a neutral deity of law, Eion's personality and temperament were similar to many scholars, sages, mages, and inventors. He was erudite and refined, treating things with a rational and objective attitude, and highly valued the principle of equivalent exchange upheld by mages. Therefore, Gao Dun knew that even if he haggled a little with Eion, it wouldn't offend the God of Knowledge.

Of course, if Gao Dun were facing a deity like Tiamat, the Chromatic Dragon God, Bane, the God of Tyranny, or Myrkul, the God of Conquest, who had bad tempers and liked absolute control and obedience, his only option would be to accept any arrangement. Bargaining with these evil deities? That would be asking for trouble.

Eion seemed to see through Gao Dun's thoughts and smiled, "Don't worry, I know you mages don't like being controlled. You believe that only the power you can fully control is the power you can use with peace of mind. In other words, you have a strong sense of self and independence, lacking security and trust in the world around you. Look, isn't it better to dedicate yourself entirely to a deity like those priests and gain great power?"

Gao Dun couldn't help but smile bitterly. Honestly, Eion's analysis was correct. As a穿越者 (穿越者 means "穿越者" in Chinese, which can be translated as "time traveler" or "transmigrant"), he indeed believed that only the power he could fully control, even if it was weak, could be used with peace of mind.

"Alright, my avatar's power is not strong, and I can't stay in the Material Plane for long," Eion said, raising his hand, and slender fingers emerged from his robe.

A golden energy sphere suddenly appeared in his palm.

Gao Dun found his gaze almost unable to leave the glowing golden sphere, which had a strange allure.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed what seemed to be an amber-colored pupil within the light sphere, observing the world with a penetrating gaze.

"During the Netherduran Magic Empire period, I knew a young man. He was a Great Wizard, specializing in divination spells. He was also my follower, though not a very devout one. Actually, you and him, or you and the Netherduran Great Wizards, share a characteristic: you fear no deities, only the arcane."

Although many old gods fell and new ones rose during the divine war that marked the beginning of the Fourth Age, Eion remained outside that conflict. He was an ancient deity, existing since the first age when the Telos world emerged from chaos. So it wasn't strange that Eion knew the Netherduran Great Wizards of the Third Age.

"After the fall of the Netherduran Empire, I once descended to the Material Plane to investigate the disaster. In the ruins of the floating city where the young man had fallen, I found this item."

Eion pointed to the light sphere in his palm and said, "It is the Eye of Truth and Warning, a masterpiece of arcane art created by that Great Wizard. Although it was only 80% complete due to the fall of the magic empire, it is still a rare treasure for mortals. I am now gifting it to you. The Eye of Truth and Warning is a pure arcane creation, without my divine power. So you can put your small concerns to rest."

Eion raised his hand and gently pushed. The Eye of Truth and Warning immediately drew an arc in the air and flew to Gao Dun's face.

"Eye of Truth and Warning (Incomplete). When resisting mind-affecting, illusion, and divination spells, your saving throw is +50."

Gao Dun's heart raced. This was at least a legendary, if not an artifact-level item.

A +50 saving throw against mind-affecting, illusion, and divination spells meant that if Gao Dun possessed the Eye of Truth and Warning, he would be almost completely immune to mind-affecting spells, able to see through any illusion, and almost impossible to detect by divination spells!

Unless legendary powerhouses used 10th or even 11th-level spells against him, but who would waste such enormous resources on a minor mage like Gao Dun?

"From your expression, I think this item should meet your requirements," Eion smiled.

"I am very satisfied, thank you for your generosity." Gao Dun bowed to Eion again, then extended his fingertip and lightly touched the golden sphere.

The sphere suddenly contracted, transforming into a thread of light that entered Gao Dun's body.

A strange sensation traveled from his fingertip to his mind. He felt that the world looked different through his eyes, a subtle and indescribable feeling.

"Well, now that the matter is settled, I should leave. It was a pleasant cooperation, young man. I know you like the word 'cooperation.'" Eion waved to Gao Dun, "You are a special follower among my believers. Not too devout, but very capable. I hope you will spread the glory of knowledge across the land in the future."

This was a heavy burden, and Gao Dun felt he didn't deserve it.

"I know what you're thinking. In fact, from the moment you invented the printing press, you have deeply marked yourself with my influence," Eion blinked, revealing a rare sly expression.

"I am the God of Knowledge, and your invention will expand my influence and increase my followers. Naturally, my enemies will also hold a grudge against you."

The conflicts between deities are more intense and irreconcilable than those among mortals. Some conflicts arise because their domains overlap, leading to power struggles and the recruitment of followers. Others are due to their inherent incompatibility.

Eion, the God of Knowledge, is dedicated to the dissemination and protection of knowledge. His main enemies are two.

First, Vekna, the Lord of Undeath and Secrets. Unlike Eion, Vekna seeks to control and keep all knowledge secret, preventing it from reaching the world.

The second enemy is the orc deities, led by Gruumsh, the orcish god. They revere barbaric and primitive power, hating all civilization and knowledge. Whenever orcs capture a city, destroying libraries and books is the primary task of Gruumsh's followers.

Gao Dun's great service to Eion will inevitably lead to conflicts with Vekna and the orc deities' followers.

However, Gao Dun was already prepared for this.

After all, in this conflict-ridden world, a mage of his limited power would find it difficult to remain neutral. He lacked the strength to make both sides wary. Therefore, the wisest choice was to ally with a powerful deity and gradually develop his strength.

Eion was a good choice. Compared to most deities, whether the righteous and rigid good deities or the unpredictable evil deities, Eion's treatment of his followers was very much to Gao Dun's liking.

"Farewell, young man. Great turmoil is coming. The first wave will rise in the Eastern Ocean. Even I must find ways to strengthen myself to survive this era. So good luck, I think you will need it." Eion nodded to Gao Dun, "We will meet again."

The avatar of the God of Knowledge instantly disappeared, leaving behind a faint scent of books in the room.

Gao Dun let out a long sigh. Despite Eion being a relatively amiable deity, he was still quite nervous in the presence of such a powerful being.

Eion's reward to Gao Dun was an investment, hoping for greater returns in the future. Gao Dun received an extremely useful item, greatly enhancing his power. Although it might bring some trouble in the future, the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.

...

One autumn morning.

Gao Dun woke up in his familiar large bed in the Freeman household. After staying at Rainbow Spring Manor for a week, he returned home.

After lunch, he and Sienna would pack their bags and join the grand hunting expedition led by many nobles, heading into the Cold Fog Mountains for the annual autumn hunt.

Gao Dun also decided to take this opportunity to explore the Danze ruins deep in the mountains and uncover the secrets of the Sun Elf mage Alavi Sunriser.

Since he would be away for a month, on this last morning, Gao Dun was particularly attached to his warm, soft bed and the half-elf girl diligently serving him with her lips and tongue.

"Yes, that's it. Your tongue should be more flexible, move faster..." Waves of pleasure made Gao Dun's abdomen contract. He gently stroked Shalaya's green hair, guiding her carefully.

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