Wizard: Starting With Synthesized Gems - Chapter 868

Chapter 864 Can God Be Defeated?

In the mortal world of the Three Caverns, Locke, controlling his treant avatar, spent three years with these two mortals, while only three days passed in the crater.

Orion was now eighteen.

His guard, however, appeared much older. Every night, the middle-aged guard secretly prayed to the God of War, hoping that the priest would find them the next morning and forgive their actions.

This would allow them to leave their evil ‘treant’ and return to the mortal city-state of Terella.

Three years later, Orion wore clothes made of leather tanned from forest fur. He crafted bows and arrows from trees gathered in the forest and used crushed, naturally poisonous plants to forge weapons.

Under Locke’s tutelage, Orion mastered the martial arts summarized by the rangers of both worlds.

On this day, Orion dragged a dire wolf he had hunted to Locke’s treant avatar, who sat crouched on the ground, hundreds of Ogan runes moving between his fingers.

In Orion’s eyes, it appeared as countless magically glowing characters moving across the treant’s branches.

Locke was utilizing the relatively slow time flow in the mortal realm of the Three-Dimensional Plane to integrate his past botanical knowledge within his mind.

‘So that’s it. My previous construction of the Vine Hand wasn’t perfect enough; I could make a minor adjustment to its spell model…’

Essentially, conducting magical research, even thought experiments, requires a significant amount of mental energy. In the mortal realm of the Three-Dimensional Plane, due to the lack of magical tides, contemplating magic requires only one’s own mental energy. However,

the problem was that Locke’s thoughts were too rudimentary; the Vine Hand was merely an apprentice-level concept. Therefore, he essentially exploited a bug in the environment, using this time flow to contemplate his three years’ worth of basic botanical knowledge.

Of course, because he currently only possesses one powerful magic spell, he can only have one clone and one main body at a time. The treant avatar is essentially his main body in a deep sleep, with his consciousness transferred to the treant.

Therefore, it is his main body that is controlling the treant.

On the Vanguard of Exploration, Hussein looked at Locke with some envy.

“Locke, your thinking is quite flexible. You know how to apply it flexibly, utilizing the unique characteristics of the colonized world to reintegrate your foundation. You’re really something.”

Locke’s true form glanced at Hussein and said, “If you want, I can find an opportunity to have you send an avatar into the present world of that world as well?”

Hussein shook his head and said, “No. No need. I’m different from you. I was forcibly prevented from advancing for too long during my apprenticeship, so my foundation is very solid. I don’t need that. Besides, contemplating magic out of thin air in that kind of place would deplete my spiritual light.”

“If I deplete too much spiritual light, and the Pale Pilgrimage comes knocking at this time, I will be in great danger. Spiritual light is extremely difficult to recover. I’m not a potion master, so I’m not like you, skilled and daring.”

Locke’s true form glanced at him, realizing that he himself had only just discovered that the Zero Potion could replenish his spiritual light.

Of course, that would permanently consume the Zero Potion.

Therefore, once the Zero Potion is converted into someone’s spiritual light, it is impossible to recover the corresponding portion of the Zero Potion from that person.

He could contemplate spell models and refine his foundation in the Three-Dimensional Plane for extended periods because he discovered that the Elixir of Zero could restore a certain amount of spiritual light.

He only needed scraps of the Elixir of Zero to repair the depletion from three years of contemplation in the mortal realm of the Three-Dimensional Plane.

Hussein said, “But three days have already passed. Shouldn’t you act quickly, Locke? You’ve been in contact with him for so long; I can already indirectly curse those two mortals with your blood, transforming them into vampires or werewolves.”

“Then, as long as they spread the curse, I can quickly create a vampire clan or a werewolf tribe.”

“Once we obtain enough werewolves or vampires, we should be able to summon our clones to descend.”

The old pirate Henry’s eyes gleamed.

“Agreed, I think that’s a good idea.”

Locke glanced at the two of them, as well as the seven first-ring wizards who were analyzing the various information gathered from the Three Caverns, and said, “No. The Three Caverns are very complex. If we do this, we will offend the world will of the Three Caverns.”

“Although I haven’t found that dormant world will yet.”

“Secondly, all the magic of the Mind School in the Three Caverns will be ineffective. That is to say, Hussein, you will not have direct control over the creations formed by your curses. So, it is very likely that your creations will be seized by our opponents.”

Hussein thought for a moment and nodded, saying, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Hussein was thinking of a quick route, which was to spread a bunch of curses regardless of the consequences, then forcibly descend his saintly avatar, and then fight the entire Giant God Clan.

Therefore, he wanted to persuade Locke to do so.

But when Locke saw the World Leaf, he immediately changed his strategy. At this moment, the most important thing for him was to find, or even obtain, the second World Leaf.

Moreover, the God-King who had pleaded for help, and the mysterious identity of the ‘God Supreme God,’ were also of great concern to him.

Before things became clear, such a domineering approach could very well make things worse.

The old pirate Henry said, “However, we still need to be careful about supplies. We can only stay outside the crystal wall system for a month at most. If we still can’t enter the crystal wall system and obtain energy, then we’ll have to return. Otherwise, we’ll be in danger of running out of resources.”

“Captain,”

Locke said, “Don’t worry. If this world weren’t so deep, I would have already used my treant avatar to connect my Evolution Moon and the Forest Sanctuary, and transmitted my power to that plane.”

“However, I have indeed completed the plan. Soon, I can begin to act, projecting the Forest Sanctuary and the Evolution Moon into that world without worrying about being stopped by anyone.”

“Hussein, my friend, I had you curse that giant before, and use her blood to create a cursed branch…”

Hussein said, “Yes. It was almost finished then. I spent three more days, through the crystal wall system, slowly enhancing the cursed energy of that branch and adjusting its internal advanced geometric curse formula.”

“It should be usable now, right?”

“That’s a blood curse I created with the blood of giants. It can kill a giant associated with it. Currently, the only ones it can kill are the Grass Giantess, because this blood is hers. The second is the King Giant, because he sustained the Grass Giantess’s life with his own power.”

“The moment he did this, he linked himself to that giant. This cursed branch is a combination of my full-fledged curse and your power. I’m confident I can kill a giant native with a single blow.”

Hussein looked at Locke and said, “Which giant do you want to kill? Killing the Grass Giant would be more rewarding. That way, you can immediately summon your Saintly Avatar.”

“However, I don’t think the Grass Giant will descend from the crater.”

Locke nodded. “I have my own plans.”

…

In the forest of the mortal world in the Three Caves World.

Orion came to bid farewell to Locke, the treant in his eyes.

He knelt directly on one knee before the Tree Spirit and said, “Thank you, generous Tree Spirit teacher. The three years of your instruction have broadened my horizons and strengthened my body and soul.”

“You taught me that mental health is just as important as physical strength. I was very happy during the three years you were with me, but I could never let go of the hatred beyond the forest.”

“I’m leaving, Tree Spirit teacher.”

The middle-aged guard beside him was very agitated, for for the past three years he had constantly pondered one question:

Had their allegiance to the Tree Spirit and their approach to the Tree Spirit been blasphemous?

Therefore, he tossed and turned every night, becoming increasingly emaciated. And now, the young master, now grown up, was finally leaving this forest and returning to the mortal world to reclaim the city that originally belonged to him.

Locke stopped manipulating the Ogan Tree Spirit and turned to Orion, saying, “You are returning to Terella? But my teaching of you is not yet finished.”

Orion bowed to Locke again, bidding farewell.

“Yes, teacher. During this time, I have felt myself growing stronger and more robust. Although I still cherish your teachings, hatred has driven me to the point where I cannot suppress the anger in my heart.”

“The thought of my enemy seizing my family’s city-state and deceiving the God of War makes it difficult for me to control my rage. I want to return to Terella and kill that enemy in front of everyone.”

“The war ritual held in Terella every three years is about to take place. At that ritual, everyone can choose to challenge the current ruler of Terella’s city-state, and the victor will become the new master of Terella and receive the favor of the God of War.”

Orion spoke as he fell into a daze.

“Three years ago, that enemy killed my father during the war ritual by challenging him, and became a chosen one of the God of War. But I knew it was a despicable trap. My father was favored by the God of War and possessed fighting power unmatched by mortals. How could he possibly lose to such a coward?”

“I saw it; that coward secretly poisoned the wine my father drank. And now, the triennial war ritual is about to be held again. I will kill him in the same ritual, and once again win back honor for my family, the glory of my city-state, and the favor of the God of War.”

“Tree Master, please forgive me for not being able to continue my studies here. I must leave the forest and return to Terella.”

Locke looked at Orion and said, “But I must remind you, if you leave the forest, it means you will leave behind all the peace and beauty of life. You will have to return to the mortal realm. Are you willing to do that?”

Orion replied firmly, “I am willing.”

Locke said, “Then let me ask you, what makes you so determined to leave the beauty of the forest and return to the mortal realm?”

Orion hesitated for a moment. If it were three years ago, he would have said without hesitation that it was for the favor of the God of War.

But now he said, “To avenge my family, and to prevent Terella from falling into the hands of cowards.”

Locke placed a charred, dry branch in front of him.

“I understand. Here, take this. This is a weapon I’m giving you. It can kill any enemy, but it can only be used once.”

“When you encounter an insurmountable predicament, you can use it to stab the enemy you cannot defeat.”

“But remember, it can only be used once.”

Orian was deeply moved. He had originally thought that his forced departure from the forest would provoke the anger and reprimand of his usually stern tree-man teacher, but his mind was made up.

No one could change his mind.

But the tree-man teacher not only didn’t reprimand him, but also gave him such a weapon.

This plunged Orian into deep guilt.

Just as Orian was about to get up and leave, Locke suddenly asked him again, “Orian, I want to ask you again, the question from three years ago, who are you?”

Orian answered firmly, “Your student, the true master of Terella, the chosen one of the God of War.”

Locke said, “I see. Then go.”

“Orian, you must become the champion!”

Orian smiled.

“Teacher, I will become the champion of the war ritual and win the favor of the most just war god in the world, and reclaim everything I have.”

He left the forest with the attendant.

After Orion left, Locke sorted out the information he had gathered about the Three Hole Worlds.

First, the mortal world of the Three Hole Worlds consisted of numerous city-states of varying sizes, each worshipping a different giant god. Because they all worshipped the god-king on the crater, they shared a common cultural sphere.

City-states constantly waged war against each other.

Terella, as a city-state directly recognized and protected by the war god, was one of the larger city-states in the mortal world.

There were only about twenty such city-states directly protected by giant gods, each quite prosperous.

This was the main power structure of the Three Hole Worlds.

As Locke walked through the forest, he discovered that the true essence of the Three Hole Worlds had almost entirely been transferred to the crater.

This was probably due to the characteristics of the higher plane on the crater, and also because the giant gods were consciously plundering the wealth of the earth and transferring it to the crater.

However, his three years in the mortal world had not been without gain.

Because the land of the Three Cave Worlds is covered with forests, Locke has essentially traversed the entire land over the past three years.

This land is indeed relatively barren, but Locke still discovered a spirit energy mine deep within the forest!

A verdant spirit energy mine!

The mine wasn’t large, and the reserves weren’t plentiful, but it was still a verdant spiritual energy mine.

“I knew this world would have plenty of spiritual energy mines,”

Locke thought, looking towards a dark cave deep in the forest, from which wisps of green smoke rose continuously.

“This spiritual energy mine is enough for me to complete one spiritual energy cultivation technique. Based on my guess of the reserves, it could even complete two, or even three.”

The spiritual energy cultivation technique is difficult to learn not only because it’s incredibly complex, but also because the resources it consumes are staggering.

A proper spiritual energy cultivation technique requires constructing a small, temporary spiritual energy space, a huge drain on resources.

However, after discovering the existence of the Primordial Demonic Plant in this world, Locke guessed that this Primordial Demonic Plant must also have Imaginary Roots.

Since it has Imaginary Roots, it would fish for spiritual energy from the Imaginary Ocean, which would likely produce spiritual energy.

And indeed, after searching, he found a verdant spiritual energy mine in this world.

Locke suspected that there should be more spirit essence ore in the crater, not just this basic verdant spirit essence ore, but perhaps other types as well.

Therefore, Locke was very interested in sending his saintly avatar to this world.

At this moment, the Ancient Tree Fruit’s clone was in the Wizarding World – Cloud Marsh Wetlands – Dune Plane. He looked at the one-acre magic field in the laboratory, where a golden Bloodwave Pineapple grew.

That was the Bloodwave Pineapple that he had grafted multiple times.

Locke tore open the enchantment scroll he had found to be made by an enchanter. After the golden magic enchantment scroll was torn open, it turned into a golden light and entered the Bloodwave Pineapple.

A golden line immediately appeared on the surface of the Bloodwave Pineapple’s leaves.

Locke looked at the pineapple and said, “Next, we just need to complete one more Spirit Breath Cultivation Method to create the second pair of second-ring wizard shoes.”

“The agreement with Rose can then be fulfilled.”

“I think Solas Barefoot and Meloch won’t need to undermine each other anymore.”

“Using the Forest Sanctuary and the Moon of Evolution as transit points, let’s transfer this half-finished magical plant to my main body. I need to complete one Spirit Breath Cultivation Method in the Three Cave Worlds. The transfer will take some time, but it shouldn’t be too long.” “

Besides that, I need to quickly design a blueprint for the Spirit Breath Cultivation Method’s Spirit Breath Space.”

Locke looked at Douglas. Douglas had actually been quite productive lately; the articles Locke had asked him to write had basically started to take shape and were gradually showing promise.

Locke could even use Douglas to discuss the Spirit Breath Cultivation Method with the third-ring wizard behind him.

Although that third-ring wizard wasn’t a breeder, he possessed many unique perspectives that could be of great help.

Locke looked at Douglas and said, “Douglas, you’ve been doing very well lately. I have an idea, perhaps you could discuss it with me…”

Douglas was extremely enthusiastic. Every time Locke and the Witch King Lagmamon discussed things indirectly through him, he felt as if his mind had been opened, and he gained a lot.

Furthermore, Douglas developed a sense of admiration for Locke.

In his eyes, the Witch King was such a powerful ancient wizard, yet Locke could discuss things with him and even receive his praise.

In his mind, Locke was such a powerful and wise wizard.

…

Half a day later, which is half a year later in the mortal world of the Three Caverns World.

On the land of the Three Caverns World, in the circular arena of the city-state of Terella, marble colonnades stood tall, and marble seats were laid out in the stands.

The arena was filled with over ten thousand citizens of Terella.

In the center of the circular arena stood a statue of a war giant.

Although this statue was less than one-fifth the giant’s actual height.   Orion stepped forward as

Theodorora, who had seized power from his family and become the new ruler of Terella and the chosen one of the God of War, prepared to hold a celebration to announce his continued rule over Terella for another three years after no one challenged him. Theodorora declared his intention to challenge Theodorora at the war ceremony.   Theodorora stared at Orion in astonishment.   ”The Orion family is still alive! Good heavens, you sinners!”   After a brief commotion, the people of Terella shouted, “He is a sinner! He has no right to participate in the war ceremony!”   ”Guards, kill him!”   ”Make him leave the war ceremony!”   Theodorora’s eyes were fixed on Orion. He suddenly realized this might be a golden opportunity to prove to everyone that he was the most worthy ruler of Terella.   He would torture and kill the last Orion, abandoned by the God of War, before everyone’s eyes.   The Orion family had been abandoned by the God of War.   They had lost the superhuman strength bestowed upon them by the God of War.   But he had gained the God of War’s favor.   For the past three years, the God of War had commanded him to indiscriminately attack numerous human city-states, instigating internal strife and carnage among them.   The God-King believed humanity had become too arrogant and decadent, offending the gods, and thus the deities of the crater wanted a drastic decline in human numbers.   Therefore, war was necessary.   He obeyed the divine command, but his repeated, unjustified invasions of other city-states had led many Terella people to question him, believing that the previous Lord Orion was a principled warrior who viewed war and battle as a warrior’s honor, not as a mere act of aggression against weaker city-states.   Now, he needed to show everyone that he was truly favored by the God of War.   Theodora raised his right hand, and immediately everyone ceased their tirade against Orion.   Theodora rose from her throne, walked to the weapon rack, and picked up two twin swords. “Very well, I’ll give you the chance to participate in the war ritual. Under the witness of the God of War, and under the witness of all, I will utterly exterminate your bloodline, which should not exist.”   ”Just like your dead father who died from poison.”   Orion’s pupils suddenly contracted. “Indeed. My father didn’t die in battle with you, but from poison. You damned coward, you violated all the rules of the war ritual.”   Theodora laughed. “Who cares about such things now?”   ”Pathetic Orion, you have never seen the true nature of this world.”

Theodora raised his twin swords and slashed at Orion, intending to use the superhuman physique bestowed upon him by the God of War to sever Orion’s right hand.

But to everyone’s surprise, Orion simply raised a dagger in his right hand and parried the swords.

For over three years, he had carried the Sealed Stone daily, and Locke had never asked for it, thus absorbing much magic from it, greatly enhancing his physical strength.

Theodora was astonished. “How is this possible? You no longer have the God’s blessing, how can you still be so strong?”

In an instant, Theodora’s confidence, born from believing he was stronger than Orion, crumbled. He began to feel fear, and even seeing the cold glint of the dagger in Orion’s hand, he wanted to retreat immediately.

He began to regret accepting Orion’s challenge.

Orion, however, pressed forward, forcing Theodora to retreat continuously.

“A true warrior grows stronger through constant self-discipline.”

At this moment, the audience still believed Theodora had victory in the bag, and shouts continued, “Kill that sinner, Theodora! Disembowel him and offer him to the God of War! Kill him!”

Theodora, however, was speechless amidst the cheers.

This shouldn’t be happening.

He had received the God of War’s favor, so why was his strength less than Orion’s?

He was filled with immense fear.

Orion, however, suddenly roared through gritted teeth before the crowd. With a swift movement, his dagger sliced across Theodora’s neck.

The next instant, Theodora’s head fell to the ground.

The previously boiling cheers ceased abruptly.

Even the priests, who had been indifferent and even mocking, now wore expressions of utter disbelief.

The High Priest’s pupils constricted, his eyes wide with shock.

For this was the first time in history that someone not favored by the God of War had personally killed someone favored by the God of War during a war ritual.

At this moment, the entire arena fell silent.

Those priests who knew the inside story all turned to look at the High Priest. The

High Priest, too, was at a loss.

Impossible.

Why was this happening?

Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky. The war ritual was a competition offered to the God of War, and the dark clouds seemed to represent the mood of the gods above.

Orion turned to the priestly ranks.

“High Priest, I have won the war ritual. According to the laws and honor of our city-state, I should become the new master of Terella.”

“I should become the new chosen one.”

“All people of Terella, according to the law, I should now become the new chosen one of the God of War. Now, as the new ruler of Terella, I must tell you a truth: my father did not die in battle, but Theodorora gave him a cup of poison before the competition.”

The people of the city-state murmured in disbelief.

Orion was about to continue speaking when suddenly a bolt of lightning struck from the sky, cleaving a stone in front of him.

The high priest cried out in terror, “Divine wrath! This has provoked divine wrath! Orion, your sins are heinous!”

Orion, on the platform, his face darkened. He recalled the prophecy his treant teacher had given him before he left the forest.

Orion was filled with rage.

Suddenly, he realized, was his enemy truly Theodora?

“Why? I won the war ritual, but instead of victory and glory, I am greeted with divine wrath?”

Orion looked up at the vortex at the center of the dark clouds.

“Is a god of war who violates his own principles still a god of war?”

“Do you deserve it?”

The Path of Nemesis—the Leaf of Power—that he always wore on his chest as a necklace, suddenly flashed with a barely perceptible magical light.

Originally, the Path of Nemesis was only for the vampires of the Heidelberg plane. Even after Locke upgraded it to 0.5 rings, this remained true, because the spell model was initially only aimed at the vampire clans of the Heidelberg plane.

Therefore, Locke had always sought ways to apply the Way of the Nemesis to more areas.

This was a crucial juncture in his own great magical forging!

(End of Chapter)