“People always say we’re living in the saddest transitional era.”

“The flames of Everfire are extinguished, and new Demi-Gods have yet to ignite. Forget about the legendary Fire Cat Divine Era-we couldn’t even raise the banner of Everfire. Since childhood, I’ve heard tales of the Temple’s glory, but I’ve spent my whole life in the darkness.”

“Many cults lost their faith, ideals, and everything during this period. Numerous people left, and I don’t blame them. When you can’t even see your ideals, how could you not lose your way? The Demi-God is not just power; it is also our goal. When people know where they want to go, the world makes way for them.”

“‘Will new flames really ignite in the future? Will anyone continue to chase the glory of the Fire Cat Divine Era? Shouldn’t we join other cults and believe in other Demi-Gods?’”

“When others said this to me, I did not respond, nor did I stop them from seeking a better life. After all, who can predict the future? Perhaps the Everfire will completely extinguish in our generation, and no one will remember the greatness of the Fire Cat Divine Era.”

“Their abandonment is reasonable.”

“When we were driven away by other cults, Everfire could not burn them; when we fed on wind and dew, Everfire could not protect us; when we were attacked and plundered, Everfire did not respond to the ridicule of fate.”

“But I will not give up.”

“That’s right, we have no Demi-Gods to host a divine being, cannot gain the protection of the Demi-Gods, and cannot wield their power. However, ideals and faith were never chips for bargaining.”

“We cannot control our birth, our past, our death; fate never treats us kindly. The only thing we can grasp is our will.”

“Perhaps faith and ideals won’t grant me any advantages, but they will make me fearless.”

“Some say that faith is at the end, but I think faith is right under our feet.”

“Some say that those before the dawn are the most miserable, but I think watching the sky gradually brighten isn’t so bad either.”

“Some say we are the saddest transitional era, but I think I will become the greatest starting point.”

As Ashe came to his senses, the Flaming White Tiger had already transformed into a cloak, entangling him. The once mighty and majestic white flame tiger now appeared as a small, sleepy-eyed tiger perched on his shoulder.

The red-robed priests knelt devoutly on the wooden boards. Igor stared at him, a blend of surprise and tension in his eyes. He started to say “You,” but was choked by the scorching steam, causing his face to flush red. Ashe flicked a gust of air at him, and Igor was immediately free from the oppressive heat, feeling a refreshing coolness instead.

“I haven’t lost my mind to the Inferno of Tribulations,” Ashe signaled to the Con Artist not to worry and then looked at the red-robed priests. “Let’s go.”

“It’s time to sever our ties with the Four Pillars Cult.”

The red-robed priests were elated, their voices filled with humility. “Please follow me, First Gospel.”

“Call me Ashe.”

“Yes, Lord Ashe!”

Sitting by the ice-water pool, Harvey watched as Ashe and the others emerged. He glanced at Ashe’s fiery cloak, and before he could speak, Ashe waved him over.

“Hurry up and follow. I’m about to rise above the heavens, and I won’t be waiting for you.”

Harvey looked bewilderedly at Ashe’s arrogant back and then turned to Igor.

“One moment of success, and he’s babbling nonsense,” Igor shrugged, smiling. “Looks like he drew a good card.”

Indeed, Ashe had truly struck gold this time.

Ever since he learned that the second possible fate of a sorcerer after death was to become a Demi-God, he had been contemplating a critical question: Where do the Sorcerer’s Handbooks of these sorcerers go?

It wasn’t until the red-robed priests mentioned that the biggest obstacle to the Divine Hosting Ritual was aligning with the Demi-God’s ideology that Ashe realized this might be a divine opportunity-alignment with ideology, isn’t that the prerequisite for reading a Sorcerer’s Handbook? However, whether it was due to Ashe’s flexible moral compass or some other reason, he could read any Sorcerer’s Handbook without obstacles!

Although Witches could also read most Sorcerer’s Handbooks, Ashe hadn’t read many across the Time Continent. Yet, even the Handbooks that Witches couldn’t stomach, Ashe could devour with relish!

So Ashe took a gamble and discovered that the Divine Hosting Ritual was indeed very similar to reading a Sorcerer’s Handbook! Since he could fully read the Sorcerer’s Handbook of the Five-tailed Flaming White Tiger predecessor, he naturally could achieve a perfect divine hosting!

He had completely mastered the divine might of the Five-tailed Flaming White Tiger!

Ashe never expected that his unique talent for reading would turn out to be the highest level of aptitude in the Kingdom of Senlo!

The red-robed priests mentioned that the Land of Senlo had once seen the appearance of eight hundred Demi-Gods; even now, surely there would be at least a hundred, right? This meant there were a hundred near-divine powers for Ashe to exploit freely!

Forget about the Four Pillars Cult; unifying Senlo and returning to reclaim the Gospel was just around the corner!

Next, it’s my time!

Ashe quickly changed his clothes and, surrounded by the red-robed priests, walked out of the washing center in the Tribulation Fire Temple with his head held high. Outside was a city in ruins-not laid waste by the Four Pillars Cult, but already in ruins.

The blazing sun shone down, the defensive structures built by the earth sorcerers had been completely breached, and the tribulation fire sorcerers could only retreat continuously. In contrast, the greater number of black-robed sorcerers were wantonly destroying the ruined city; neither side resorted much to guns, preferring direct spellcasting duels!

“It’s over.”

As the calm declaration echoed across the battlefield, Ashe raised his hand and made a pulling motion toward the sky. Instantly, countless people felt the sunlight intensify. When they looked up, they saw a colossal fireball, the size of a city, descending upon the black-robed sorcerers’ positions. The searing heat nearly evaporated the moisture from everyone’s faces!

Descent of the Fiery Tribulations!

There were undoubtedly more sophisticated and superior ways to utilize the power of the Ten Thousand Tribulation Fire Demi-God, but having only just mastered it, Ashe didn’t have time to develop them. He could only crudely unleash its flame power-big meant good, big meant beautiful!

“It’s the Ten Thousand Tribulation Fire Demi-God! We’re saved!”

“Homage to the Ten Thousand Tribulation Fire Demi-God!”

“The tribulation fire will never die!”

The tribulation fire sorcerers were ecstatic, completely unafraid of the scorching flames of the Descent of the Fiery Tribulations. They eagerly watched the divine intervention punish their enemies!

Compared to the tribulation fire sorcerers, the black-robed sorcerers also looked up at the descending fireball, but their eyes were not filled with fear; instead, they were more indifferent.

“Full power of the Descent of the Fiery Tribulations?”

As a curious female voice sounded, the immense fireball suddenly shrank and shrank until it was the size of a chocolate, which was then swallowed by a rabbit.

It was an Orange Flame Rabbit, lying on the shoulder of a black-robed female sorcerer. Unlike the other Four Pillars Cult members, she wasn’t wearing standard black robes; instead, she wore a custom-fitted black dress with a black butterfly-patterned headpiece, revealing only her mouth.

She held a book in her hands and seemed not to have participated in the battle, hiding in the back reading all the while.

At first glance, it didn’t seem like much, but considering the state of light industry here, her distinct attire indicated her status.

When the red-robed priests behind Ashe saw her, they gritted their teeth. “Traitor!”

“Lord Ashe, she is the traitor who defected from the Tribulation Fire Temple and stole other Demi-Gods’ powers! We have already stripped her of divine status; you must kill her and reclaim our Tribulation Fire Demi-God powers!”

Could it be that she also has a flexible moral compass to host so many Demi-Gods? A strange thought crossed Ashe’s mind, but he maintained a calm demeanor. He nodded slightly and began descending the stairs, walking toward her leisurely.

Truth be told, he wanted to unfurl his Twin Wings and fly over, but he hadn’t practiced flying and could only build momentum through walking. With each step he took, the power of the Descent of the Fiery Tribulations seeped into his body, transforming him completely into a fiery figure!

Power, power was surging within him!

This was the power of a deity, this was the might of a deity!

The traitor stood in front of the black-robed sorcerers, watching Ashe with great interest. “So you’re the First Gospel prayed for by the Tribulation Fire Temple? I heard you come from another Kingdom? Is it very different from Senlo?”

“First, my name is Ashe,” Ashe said calmly. “Second, you still have time to surrender.”

As Ashe declared this, another even larger fireball fell from the sky, like the descent of the sun itself!

“Why so hasty? I was hoping to chat with you a bit more,” the traitor smiled slightly. From her shoulders, elbows, and thighs, new flame creatures emerged-a Blue Flame Squirrel, a Red Flame Lizard, and a Green Flame Snake-along with the Orange Flame Rabbit from earlier, revealing she carried four Demi-Gods with her!

However, Ashe breathed a sigh of relief-no matter how strong a Demi-God might be, she could only host one at a time, and just judging by appearances, the Demi-Gods she possessed were no match for the Flaming White Tiger.

I’ve got this!

Ashe’s era of dominance would be kicked off by taking down the Four Pillars Cult!

Thinking of all the suffering the Four Pillars Cult had caused him, Ashe couldn’t help but feel emotional. The Four Pillars Cult, your doomsday has come!

But the traitor cheerfully uttered four words:

“Strength.”

The Red Flame Lizard transformed into a five-winged Angel, wielding a lance and clad in red battle armor. It raised its lance high, bestowing her with the divine power of strength!

“Wisdom.”

The Blue Flame Squirrel transformed into a five-winged Angel, donning a blue cap and holding a notebook. It opened the book, blessing her with the divine power of wisdom!

“Life.”

The Green Flame Snake transformed into a five-winged Angel, wearing a luminescent green cap and holding a flute. It played music, granting her the divine power of life!

“Joy.”

The Orange Flame Rabbit turned into a charming, pink, and adorable five-winged Angel. It kissed her cheek lightly, infusing her with the divine power of joy!

In the blink of an eye, halos of light radiated from the traitor, and her overwhelming divine might unexpectedly dismantled Ashe’s Descent of the Fiery Tribulations!

Ashe rubbed his eyes.

Wait, this scenario seems familiar!

I remember now-the next part is where you get captured!

Worshiping the Four Pillars, you’re bound to get screwed!

“Stubborn!” Ashe shouted fearlessly as he transformed into a blazing meteor and charged-

Boom!

With a thunderous collision, a massive heat wave spread out like a storm, causing the ground to shake violently. The residual shockwave from the fight nearly knocked everyone off their feet!

Before the Tribulation Fire Temple, the plaza cracked like a spiderweb, and Ashe was flung into a crater shaped like the letter ‘X,’ his form reverting to normal. The Flaming White Tiger he just acquired and barely had time to warm up to was now a tiger cub, dangling from the traitor’s grip by its scruff.

The traitor placed the Flaming White Tiger atop her head while she sat on Ashe, crossing her legs clad in black stockings. She opened her notebook and started writing, “Ashe…”

“Alright, Ashe, you’re now in my grasp,” she said with a slight smile. “Not in a hurry anymore, are you? Let’s continue our conversation. I’d like to know more about you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay