Chapter 33

The lady tilted her head and glanced out the window of the old tavern:

"It's about time. Let me tell you a bit more about common knowledge.

"Based on the law of the indestructibility of extraordinary characteristics, we know that when a person combines with an extraordinary characteristic, they become an extraordinary being; when a living creature combines with an extraordinary characteristic, it becomes a super creature. So, what happens when an object combines with an extraordinary characteristic?"

She didn't give Lumian a chance to answer, and continued directly:

"It's called a magical item.

"Because objects themselves do not have concepts such as will, spirit, or self-control, and due to other factors, when they combine with extraordinary characteristics, they not only exhibit corresponding special abilities but also bring strong negative effects. The major churches tend to seal them and only use appropriate methods to open them when needed.

"This also leads to magical items being called sealed items.

"Magical items that have been sealed by the major churches all have their own numbers, divided into four levels: 3, 2, 1, and 0. The smaller the prefix number, the higher the danger. Among them, Level 1 and Level 0 sealed items are limited in number and extremely hazardous. Their numbers are shared by the major churches and do not repeat."

"Level 0 sealed items..." Lumian murmured the phrase.

He was deeply impressed by the fact that Sequence 0 equals a true god, which led him to make some associations. He then asked:

"Are these the sealed items formed from the fallen gods of the past or the destroyed evil gods?"

Considering that there are 22 paths, each with a Sequence 0 corresponding to a true god, the current number of gods is clearly insufficient.

Of course, Lumian also admitted that this might be due to his lack of understanding of evil gods and secret entities.

"Not entirely," the lady thought for a moment and said, "Most are angelic ranks, with only a few possessing the ability to slay gods."

Lumian nodded:

"I understand. I won't underestimate the items in others' hands."

The lady added:

"You also shouldn't underestimate the negative effects of sealed items. In the future, you will inevitably have your own sealed items.

"Also, in the field of mysticism, there is another type of item called extraordinary items. These are created by extraordinary beings of the corresponding sequence using their abilities, spirituality, or with the help of the spirit world or gods. They do not contain extraordinary characteristics but have certain extraordinary effects. However, their power gradually diminishes over time, and some, like talismans and potions, can only be used once.

"Compared to this, extraordinary weapons are more stable and can often be used for years.

"As a 'Hunter,' you lack the ability to deal with spirit and ghost-like creatures before Sequence 7. If you have the opportunity, consider obtaining the corresponding sealed items or extraordinary items."

Lumian listened carefully and asked:

"The spirit world?"

He had seen this term in the magazine "The Veil of Secrets" but had not received sufficient explanation.

The lady spoke a bit faster:

"From a mystical perspective, this world is divided into three layers: the real world, the spirit world, and the star realm. The others are formed by being attached to one of these three, such as the underworld.

"The real world doesn't need much explanation; you know it well. The spirit world is the world of spirits, where many real-world concepts do not exist. You will gradually understand this. The star realm originally referred to the world of gods but now includes the entire starry sky."

Lumian had just asked casually, and after receiving a preliminary answer, he quickly returned to the previous topic:

"Can a 'Hunter' create extraordinary items?"

He felt that a 'Wizard' should be able to.

The lady first shook her head and then said:

"A 'Hunter' cannot create extraordinary items based on their sequence alone, but because their spirituality has improved, they can learn ritual magic and pray to a god or a secret entity, using their response to create talismans, weapons, and other extraordinary items.

"But I must warn you that most secret entities are very dangerous. It's best not to try praying to them, as death would be the best outcome. The seven true gods generally won't respond to you unless you join the corresponding church and become an official extraordinary being."

"In short, a 'Hunter' can't create extraordinary items at all?" Lumian was somewhat disappointed.

The lady smiled:

"Not exactly. On one hand, you can use the blood, saliva, and other substances of certain super creatures to create highly toxic weapons, which, in a sense, can be considered extraordinary items. On the other hand, once you unravel the secret of your dreams, I will tell you the name of a great being, and you can pray to him."

"Great being? This is the first time you've used 'great' as a descriptor. You didn't use it for 'Eternal Sun' or 'Hidden Sage'... Who could it be? Is praying to him not dangerous?" Lumian's eyes narrowed, both surprised and doubtful.

The more he learned, the more he felt the poverty of his knowledge in mysticism.

Lumian nodded and, with the attitude that asking wouldn't cost him anything, said:

"What is the Sequence 8 and Sequence 7 for a 'Hunter'?"

The lady answered without much concern:

"The Sequence 8 of the 'Hunter' path is called 'Provoker,' and Sequence 7 is 'Arsonist.'

"That's all for today."

She then stood up and walked toward the entrance to the second floor.

After a few steps, she stopped and turned back:

"I forgot to remind you.

"Remember, you are just playing a role."

"Just playing a role..." Lumian pondered the words and asked:

"What if you take the role seriously?"

"You will become less and less like yourself, until one day..." The lady smiled and closed her mouth.

She turned and walked to the stairs, disappearing from sight.

Not finishing her sentences... Lumian muttered silently.

He could feel that if he didn't remember that he was just playing a role, the consequences would likely be severe.

Lumian didn't rush to leave the old tavern. He sat quietly in the corner, recalling all the common knowledge the lady had just shared to avoid forgetting anything.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized the importance of those two laws and one method:

"They are like the main framework of the building of mysticism, and everything else is built upon them...

"I wonder if Orolle knows...

"Once I leave Cordu, I'll discuss this with her...

"Uh, I wonder if the lady will allow me to directly tell Orolle..."

...

After leaving the old tavern, Lumian looked back and muttered:

"Why haven't those three outsiders taken action? It's already the Feast of Pentecost..."

He thought as he went to the village square.

After asking if there was any reply from the magazine, he saw Ava, Raymond, and others arrive.

Ava was wearing a white long dress, with a circular headpiece made of branches and flowers, a large necklace of similar design around her neck, and brown branches and green leaves adorning her back, arms, waist, and legs, making her look like a fairy of the forest.

She was the main character of the Feast of Pentecost, the "Spring Sprite."

Raymond and other young people surrounded Ava, each carrying a basket made of branches, filled with grass, soil, stones, and leaves.

"Lumian, the blessing procession is about to start!" Ava's blue eyes sparkled as she saw Lumian.

Her face was full of joy.

Raymond and the others were also very happy:

"Quick, let's go and get the offerings!"

Since "The Weekly Novel" had not yet replied, Lumian had nothing to do and joined the blessing procession.

The young people sang loudly, surrounding Ava, and left the square.

After just a few meters, they stopped in front of the first building.

Lumian walked to the door and knocked:

"The 'Spring Sprite' has arrived!"

The door creaked open, and Nala Aiza appeared before them.

She was another female head of a household in the village, in her forties, with black hair tied up and blue eyes smiling.

Seeing the door open, Ava took two steps forward, spread her hands, and began to sing:

"I am the sprite of spring

"My face is kind and beautiful

"...

"Sing and dance

"Only then can we have a bountiful harvest..."

After singing a verse, Ava took a piece of soil from Raymond's basket and handed it to Nala Aiza.

"Thank you, 'Spring Sprite.'" Nala Aiza smiled, accepting it and handed a piece of fabric to Ava:

"Bountiful! Bountiful!" Lumian and the other young people responded in unison.

This was a blessing ritual: the "Spring Sprite" blesses the villagers with a bountiful harvest through singing and giving natural items like soil, grass, and stones. The villagers must give offerings in return, or the blessing will turn into a curse.

After Raymond received the fabric, Ava sang another verse enthusiastically.

They then bid farewell to Nala Aiza and moved on to the next house.

— The offerings received during the blessing procession are partly thrown into the river during the water ritual, and the rest are displayed in the final ritual. After the Feast of Pentecost, the girl who played the "Spring Sprite" has the right to choose some to take away.

This is a considerable reward.

If Cordu village really has a bountiful harvest this year, Ava, who played the "Spring Sprite," will be widely believed to have received the favor of the spirits and the blessing of spring. Whoever marries her will have a bountiful harvest for years to come.

In that case, she really has a chance to marry someone from a good family.

The blessing procession sang and walked, eventually arriving at Lumian's house.

Orolle naturally opened the door, also dressed in more formal attire—a light-colored long dress with ruffled collar and her golden hair tied up.

Ava approached and sang the same song again:

"I am the sprite of spring..."

Orolle listened with a smile, took a leaf, and handed a small clay jar to Ava:

"Thank you, 'Spring Sprite.'"

A portion of animal fat from a large jar? Lumian glanced at it and thought his sister was too generous.

Their family only had a small vegetable garden behind the house and no fields, so they didn't need to worry about a bountiful harvest.