Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire

As the heinous trio followed the red-robed priest deeper into the palace, they crossed an intersection. Igola suddenly turned his head to look at a nameplate on the wall that had been worn down nearly as smooth as a chopping board. Yaxiu glanced at it and instantly understood what Igola meant. Although the lettering on the nameplate was almost completely faded, and Yaxiu was certain he didn't recognize the first two words—presumably local dialect of Senluo—the last three characters were in the universal sorcery spirit tongue used across the world, still faintly legible: "Card and Chess Room"... Unless the Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire was a cult of gamblers, there was no reason to set up a card room deep inside a palace. Not only that, but Yaxiu had already noticed plenty of issues while soaking in the bath earlier. The pool was undeniably sumptuous, with a Fishcleaver Dragon water spout and murals of the Miracle Paradise where sorcery spirits danced, fitting the grandeur of a religious order. Yet the bath towels the temple provided were ordinary cotton. Forget the Gospel; if brought to Shattered Lake Prison, such towels would only be fit for wiping feet, not even qualified to wipe someone's backside. Likewise, the change of clothes the temple provided was exceedingly plain. Initially, when Yaxiu saw the red-robed priests wearing such shoddy garments, he assumed they were trying to embody the arduous, industrious spirit of Calamitous Fire. Now it appeared that light industry around here simply wasn't developed very well. Fortunately, Igola had clothes in his space card. Though they were all his own, the three of them weren't drastically different in build, so they could manage to squeeze into them. Beyond that, there were many other anomalies. For instance, the cracked ceilings, walls, and floors were all patched with dull gray plaster. While it didn't impede regular use, it certainly couldn't be called aesthetically pleasing. It wasn't as though they lacked earth sorcerers, yet their earth sorcerers could only repair things this crudely. Either they were so short on earth sorcerers that the sorcerer could only phone it in—a reason that clearly didn't hold water, since they wouldn't skimp on an earth sorcerer's labor in an important site of the sect—or the earth sorcerer didn't possess the mortar and brick recipe for this building and had already done his best. Aesthetic, high-grade mortar and brick formulas were exclusive inheritances in society. After all, such things didn't even count as miracles; they were luxuries of the "can't we live just fine without them?" variety. Therefore, an untrained earth sorcerer truly could only produce the lowest grade and most utilitarian gray plaster. This sanctuary was not built by the Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire. It was the spoils of war where they had usurped someone else's nest, and a massive technological chasm existed between them and the original builders. However, when the red-robed priest opened the innermost chamber and gestured for everyone to remove their shoes, put on robes, and step inside, the blast of heat that rushed against their faces made Yaxiu and the others immediately realize the true original purpose of this "palace." Scalding steam that felt hot enough to scorch the throat filled the entire hall. Stepping onto crisscrossing planks of dry wood flooring, they saw in the warm orange glow a square, wooden-paneled hearth in the center of the hall. Resting on the hearth were oval volcanic stones, and lying atop the volcanic stones was a white tiger seemingly sculpted from white jade flames. The hazy flames obscured its gender, but the five tails trailing behind it like void wings were more than enough to establish its identity. The Five-Tailed Flame White Tiger! Both Yaxiu and Igola felt their scalps prickle, choked by the scalding steam. How could they fail to recognize the prototype of this room now—it was a steam room equipped in a grand public bathhouse! No wonder there was a card and chess room along the way! No wonder when Yaxiu said he wanted to take a bath, the sanctuary was able to arrange a magnificent bathhouse right nearby! It turned out this place was a bath center! As for why a bath center had been decorated in such a sumptuous, gold-plated, extravagant style, that wasn't hard to understand either. When resting, people either sought dim serenity, bright clamor, or a mix of both—quiet in the resting area, lively in the entertainment quarters... Using the decor style to help guests get into the mood was entirely reasonable. But why on earth would a religious cult dedicated to a deity use a bath center as their sacred temple stronghold?! And why would a divine entity use the stove of a steam room as its divine throne?! Yaxiu and the others realized that Senluo, a realm that required summoning the First Gospel to save it, might defy their expectations in practically every regard. Under the pervasive, scalding steam, the priests in their heavy red robes could somehow still speak normally. They pressed their palms together and bowed respectfully toward the Flame White Tiger: "We ignite the wild chant of the Myriad Calamities Fire, delivering the brilliance of wisdom to the sun, never to be extinguished; we merge into the fierce crimson of the Myriad Calamities Fire, returning the soul's confusion to the earth, never to waver. We shall reunite in the ashes, but ultimately rekindle in the dark." "Praise be to the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire." "Praise be to the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire," Yaxiu and his companions bowed with sincere devotion. On the way here just now, the red-robed priest had already explained what a divine grand law was in the simplest terms: a divine grand law was the second outcome for a sorcerer after death. Indeed, aside from falling into Hell and dissolving into the Void Realm, death for a sorcerer in the land of Senluo could result in a second outcome: transforming into a divine grand law, becoming a pseudo-god infinitely close to a Five-Winged god. Compared to true gods, pseudo-gods could not maintain human form and often appeared as beasts. Moreover, their power was far weaker; not only could they dissipate on their own, but they could even be killed by sorcerers—though Yaxiu didn't know whether a true god could be destroyed by a sorcerer or not. Sorcerers were an intelligent bunch who sought truth and discarded falsehoods. Naturally, they wouldn't refer to these pseudo-gods as true gods, yet calling them pseudo-gods directly wasn't very respectful either. Thus, they coined the term "grand law," signifying an existence that wielded mighty laws. However, there was one similarity between gods and grand laws: both were sorcery spirits devoid of self-awareness, driven solely by pure expansionist instincts. The Spiderweb of All-Knowing Heaven was merely an auxiliary tool; it was the Gospel god itself that possessed an inherent instinct for expansion, which was why the Gospel system spread to every corner of the kingdom. The same held true for grand laws, and their instincts were the ideals held by the sorcerer before death. In other words, only saints with extraordinarily unwavering ideals and beliefs could become grand laws after dying! Therefore, this Flame White Tiger lying in the steam room was a predecessor sorcerer of the Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire. Even after death, their ideals had not perished and their faith had not died, transforming into a grand law to continue guarding the Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire! Toward a sorcerer saint who could conquer death through their ideals, regardless of right or wrong in terms of allegiance, Yaxiu and his companions couldn't help but feel admiration. After all, every sorcerer knew they stood on the shoulders of giants, drawing knowledge to advance from countless sorcerer projections of the past to attain their current accomplishments. They felt gratitude toward any sorcerer who strove in earnest pursuit, just as future generations would feel gratitude toward them. "The Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire originated in the glorious Fire Cat Divine Era," the red-robed priest said, his voice brimming with confidence. "The ambition of every grand law is to restore the glory of the Fire Cat Divine Era, pluck the fruit of the sun, and wield the power of the Void Realm. The Calamitous Fire Sanctuary will ultimately transcend the calamity of ignorance, kindle the flame of knowledge, and reclaim the light of Senluo." "Fire Cat Divine Era?" Harvey could remarkably still speak normally, appearing entirely unaffected by the scalding steam. The red-robed priest wore a yearning expression. "That was the greatest age of the gods, when the sects of the Grand Law of Zhishou Fire and other grand laws of truth and virtue cleansed the earth and held dominion over Senluo. Then, all living beings strove with all their might to fulfill Zhishou Fire's mission—allowing ordinary people to wield the power of sorcery spirits. Because the Grand Law of Zhishou Fire took the form of a fire cat, it was also known as the Fire Cat Divine Era." Allow ordinary people to wield sorcery spirits?! Ignoring the discomfort in his mucous membranes, Igola asked hastily, "Did they succeed?" "Of course. When even newborn babes could be blessed by sorcery spirits, the Grand Law of Zhishou Fire successfully underwent transformation and became a god, ascending to the Divine Kingdom alongside countless followers. In addition to the Grand Law of Zhishou Fire, there was also the Grand Law of the Fangyuan Cicada, which yearned for eternal life, and the Grand Law of Chasing Light, which sought to conquer death and resurrect the departed... One after another, the three grand laws fulfilled their missions and ascended with their followers, leaving behind countless precious legacies for Senluo." "That was a wonderful era." No matter how scalding the air was, it couldn't burn away the melancholy in the red-robed priest's voice. "Yet it has already been a thousand years in the past." Yaxiu and the others exchanged glances. They had gained more intelligence, but new doubts had emerged as well. Assuming the red-robed priest wasn't boasting, Senluo truly had experienced a magnificent era in the past, with a technological level far surpassing the Gospel—ordinary people under the Gospel could only indirectly enjoy the benefits of sorcery spirits. Not to mention they had even resolved two epic subjects: "immortality" and "resurrecting the dead." Even if the conditions were exceedingly harsh, the Gospel couldn't achieve either, and the two holy races of the Blood Moon merely managed longevity, which couldn't be counted as true immortality. Yet now, the land of Senluo was being ravaged by the Four Pillar Cult... It was like a pure, lovely maiden who, after the ruin of her family, suffered a tragic fate at the hands of villains. But what was this about followers and grand laws ascending? Why did the Fire Cat Divine Era end? If a grand law was a sorcerer's second outcome upon death, why were there only three grand laws in the Fire Cat Divine Era? Clearly, now was not the time for an in-depth discussion. The red-robed priest looked at the Flame White Tiger and said, "The Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire is the strongest grand law of our Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire. As long as you, First Gospel, can unleash the full power of the Myriad Calamities Fire, the Four Pillar Cult will be nothing to fear." "Strongest?" Igola keenly caught the key detail and coughed twice. "Your sanctuary has other grand laws?" "Our Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire is one of the largest sects in Senluo. We possess five sanctuaries in total, praising and worshiping five grand laws: the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire, the Grand Law of Slaughter Calamities Fire, the Grand Law of Past Calamities Fire, the Grand Law of Dust Calamities Fire, and the Grand Law of Nether Calamities Fire." The red-robed priest straightened his back. "We are only one step away from Senluo's divine throne!" "Yet now the Four Pillar Cult is knocking at your door," Igola remarked mercilessly. "Have the other sanctuaries fallen?" "Indeed." Speaking of this, the red-robed priest practically ground his teeth. "A traitor appeared in one of the other sanctuaries. She defected to the Four Pillar Cult along with a grand law, becoming a fierce general of the Four Pillar Cult! She must be the one leading the Four Pillar Cult's charge right now!" "Defected with a grand law?" Igola froze. "Doesn't the grand law belong to your temple?" "It does belong to the temple. Even if ordinary people can obtain the grand law's power, they cannot sway its will. But that traitor was the finest Calamitous Fire Seed in recent years. She earned the grand law's complete recognition, so the grand law was willing to reside within her!" The priest's voice trembled. "Not only that, I heard she led the Four Pillar Cult in invading the other sanctuaries, using underhanded schemes to seize the other grand laws of Calamitous Fire!" Yaxiu blinked, feeling as though this plot sounded vaguely familiar. "Wait," Harvey said. "Does that mean this traitor can now wield the power of four grand laws?" "No need to worry," the priest said confidently. "Though we don't know how she bewitched the grand laws, no matter who it is, one can command the power of at most one grand law at a time. Even if she seized four grand laws, she cannot host the power of four gods." "Still, she can wield the power of at least one grand law..." "It doesn't matter. The Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire is the oldest flame grand law; its power far exceeds that of the others!" The red-robed priest was brimming with confidence. "It is precisely for this reason that the Four Pillar Cult left this place for last—they fear the divine might of the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire! "Moreover, even that traitor cannot perfectly unleash a grand law's power. An ordinary seed can only draw out thirty percent of its power, and she can manage at most fifty percent! "In the land of Senluo, no one has ever achieved perfect god-hosting. First Gospel, you are invincible!" Igola asked, "Since a grand law is an entity nearly akin to a god, can an ordinary sorcerer drive this power?" "It won't be a problem. God-hosting consumes the grand law's source essence and has nothing to do with the sorcerer's own strength. As a result, a grand law grows weaker the more it is used until it dissipates, which is also how many sects vanished into oblivion," the red-robed priest said. "However, the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire is currently at its peak! First Gospel, you may use it as you please; burning the Four Pillar Cult to ash will be no trouble at all!" They were finished. There was completely no excuse to refuse. Perhaps because it was simply too hot, Yaxiu and the others felt soaked in sweat. Looking at the scorching Flame White Tiger, their scalps went numb. "How does one conduct the God-Hosting Ceremony?" Harvey suddenly asked. Once the red-robed priest looked over, he continued, "Can we try god-hosting as well?" The red-robed priest hesitated for a moment. Seeing that Yaxiu didn't object, he replied, "Certainly. The God-Hosting Ceremony is very simple: as long as you can touch the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire, it is considered a success." Harvey glanced at the others and walked toward the Flame White Tiger without hesitation. Yet after taking just two or three steps, his entire body looked as though it were being cooked alive, white steam venting from every pore. Another red-robed priest immediately caught him and carried him outside. Following a loud splash from outside, Harvey let out a heart-wrenching, agonizing wail. Neither Yaxiu nor Igola reacted in the slightest—before entering this room, they had passed an ice water plunge pool, and Harvey had looked on the verge of fainting from the steam. That howl wasn't born of pain, but the soul-penetrating ecstasy of transitioning from blazing heat to freezing cold. "His ideals diverge too greatly from the Grand Law of Myriad Calamities Fire," the red-robed priest said calmly. "Even we Calamitous Fire believers must constantly maintain taboos and observe doctrines in daily life. The fiery Calamitous Fire is not permitted to ignite within our hearts, and we must enter the Silent Spiral to become seeds before we can even approach the grand law to pray for god-hosting. Unless an ordinary person shares views identical to the grand law, it is utterly impossible to touch it." Identical views? Yaxiu's heart stirred. He pressed a hand on the Swindler's shoulder, signaling that the latter didn't need to hypnotize himself, and then strode toward the Flame White Tiger with immense confidence. Igola watched Yaxiu cover the distance to where Harvey had been scalded into a faint in just two steps, holding his breath in tension. Harvey and he could afford to fail, but Yaxiu alone could not. The moment he failed, it would expose that he wasn't the First Gospel—or rather, even if he truly were the First Gospel, it would be useless. What the Holy Temple of Calamitous Fire needed wasn't actually the First Gospel, but a savior who could complete the God-Hosting Ceremony! Yet god-hosting required identical ideals. How could any of them share the same convictions as a saint of steadfast faith? They didn't even know what the Flame White Tiger's beliefs were in the first place! Unless someone was a universal adapter, who could possibly achieve god-hosting?! The red-robed priests were equally on edge, breathing in the scalding steam heavily as if their respiratory tracts were made of steel pipes. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yaxiu crossed the threshold where Harvey had collapsed, and then— Nothing happened. One step, two steps, three steps... He walked right up to the Flame White Tiger almost effortlessly, then reached out and patted the white flame on the head of this gigantic fiery feline.