Chapter 105: Voluntary Sacrifice to Become a Shepherd
"Potion or ritual? What are you talking about?"
Lu Ze didn't understand Ms. M's question.
"Starting from Sequence 5, the potion's toxicity becomes very severe. Drinking it directly has a high probability of causing the Beyonder to die on the spot or lose control," Ms. M explained. "To counter this, a ritual must be performed simultaneously with consuming the potion to resist its negative effects."
Is that so?
Lu Ze thought to himself, seemingly learning another secret about potions.
He certainly didn't trust Ms. M, so he listened to her words with a skeptical attitude. "I want to know about both the potion and the ritual."
"I've only seen the Shepherd's potion already prepared. As for the ritual, I know a bit more."
Ms. M said.
You just don't want to tell me the formula, do you?
"Then just tell me the details of the ritual."
"Alright."
Ms. M said with a smile.
At this moment, even Cecilia, who was nearby, became curious and sat next to Lu Ze, listening quietly.
Ms. M then spoke with a smile:
"The Shepherd's advancement ritual is to consume seven living people to replenish the body after drinking the potion. These individuals must voluntarily sacrifice themselves to become offerings for the person consuming the potion."
"The principle of the Shepherd's unique ability, 'Herding,' is to consume the souls and characteristics of Beyonders, store them within the body, and summon them when needed. The potion creates a space for storing souls within the human body. This causes a significant depletion of the consumer's flesh and blood. If not replenished in time, it's easy to lose oneself and completely lose control."
"Additionally, if the sacrificers are Beyonders with their own characteristics, then the requirement for offerings will be reduced to four. This is because their physical quality is better and can substitute for enough flesh and blood."
Inside Narcissus Street 6 late at night, under the warm glow of the gas lamp, the red-haired, golden-eyed Ms. M calmly and gently concluded her explanation. However, the content of the ritual she described was so insane and twisted that it sent shivers down one's spine.
Voluntary sacrifice seems to be related to the authority wielded by the True Creator. However, this ritual is truly evil.
Lu Ze genuinely sighed in his heart.
Although he couldn't completely trust what Ms. M said, after hearing the details of this advancement ritual, he somehow felt that it might actually be true. This ritual, overflowing with madness and depravity, perfectly matched his understanding of a Shepherd.
Below the Shepherd is Sequence 6 Rose Bishop, who possesses powerful Flesh Magic abilities. Theoretically, they can consume large amounts of flesh and blood in a short time, so eating seven people should not be a problem. As for her description of the principle behind the Shepherd's core ability, 'Herding,' it also seems to make sense.
The ritual itself is not complicated. The most difficult part is gathering seven ordinary people who know they will die but are still willing to sacrifice themselves, or four Beyonders. These people must be completely voluntary.
Ms. M's implication was that methods like hypnosis, threats, or inducements would not work. If there was even a shred of hesitation in the heart of the person offering their body, the ritual would fail.
"This ritual is truly tailor-made for your Aurora Order."
Lu Ze sneered.
Yes, the Aurora Order never lacks fanatical believers willing to sacrifice their lives and bodies.
"That's because they all hold devout hearts towards the Lord."
Ms. M said, her tone calm.
"Someone outside the Aurora Order like me probably has no chance of advancing at all."
Lu Ze self-mocked.
If he truly had the opportunity to reach and fully digest the Rose Bishop of Sequence 6, even if he obtained the Shepherd's potion, he would be stuck at this step.
Then he heard Ms. M's calm voice.
"Of course there's a chance."
"Is that so?"
Lu Ze glanced at her.
"Yes, you see, at least now, you have a Beyonder by your side who is willing to die for you. You only need to find 3 more such people, and you can attempt to advance. You are only Sequence 8 now, you have plenty of time to slowly cultivate people who are willing to die for you."
Ms. M spoke in a gentle yet emotionless tone, as if stating the most obvious things.
Lu Ze froze, as if he didn't understand her words at all.
After a moment, he finally realized that the "Beyonder willing to die for him" she spoke of was Cecilia, his most important younger sister in this damned world.
"Shut up!"
Lu Ze practically roared, interrupting Ms. M's next words.
He stood up abruptly and said to the woman who seemed to lack any human emotion, "I am not like you Lunatics! My family is far more important to me than advancement!"
"Is that so?"
Ms. M paused, then smiled.
Her lips curved into a beautiful arc, but her golden eyes were as flat as if made of cold metal, and her tone was unusually gentle, carrying an indescribable allure:
"When you are stuck at a certain level for too long, with no hope of advancement, you will eventually feel anxious. I have seen people betray their beliefs for this more than once. Even your Church of the Evernight, didn't an Archbishop defect for the sake of advancement?"
Lu Ze clenched his fists.
At this moment, he truly wanted to throw caution to the wind and fight this humanoid Monster who was spouting nonsense. But, looking at the anxious Cecilia beside him, he tried hard to hold back.
"Indeed, I completely fail to understand you."
He said coldly, and slowly sat down.
"That's because you don't understand the true world deeply enough yet."
Ms. M also said with a smile, "Alright, it's very late today. I'm going to rest now. Good night, both of you. Don't stay up too late, especially you, Cecilia. As a new Beyonder, you must pay special attention to your mental stability."
She had just suggested Lu Ze sacrifice Cecilia, but now she was concerned about the other's well-being. This concern was superficial, merely a fixed phrase of courtesy. With that, she rose from the sofa and walked directly up the stairs, returning to her guest room, leaving Lu Ze and Cecilia sitting idly in the living room.
Calm down, she's doing it on purpose, don't let her words shake your spirit.
Lu Ze took deep breaths, adjusting his mindset.
"Lu Ze."
Beside him, Cecilia said worriedly.
"I'm fine."
"Brother, actually, I'm not..."
"I forbid you to continue."
Lu Ze looked up and decisively stopped his sister from speaking further. "I know what you want to say, but I will absolutely not allow you to do such a thing."
What Cecilia wanted to say was nothing more than that she was willing to sacrifice herself for Lu Ze, to help him become a Shepherd. But for Lu Ze, his sister was far more important than advancement. If he had to choose between becoming a Shepherd and Cecilia, he would choose Cecilia without hesitation.
Otherwise, why would he risk losing control to pray to the Hidden Sage for a way to save his sister, and then risk almost being burned to death fighting Mrs. Sharon, who was a higher Sequence than him?
If Cecilia disappeared, wouldn't all his efforts have been in vain?