Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 615 Advancement, Sevenfold Destiny! (7k)

"--roar!!!!!"

The dragon Quesanx, roaming high in the sky, let out a deafening roar. He unleashed a surge of crimson flames at the several dark pillars below that were about to pounce, severing their spiritual lock on Franya.

Franya clearly felt the oppressive feeling of being locked on disappear—she looked at the archbishop on Quesanx's dragon back, who had reached out his hand to her.

"..."

"Luo Xiu..."

Franya murmured.

She felt somewhat dazed, but she also knew that this was the best time to evacuate.

Hardy, the "Red-Clad Deacon," along with two "Supreme" Heavenly Pillar Knights and the "Wise" Great Sage, are all high-ranking combatants and trustworthy comrades.

The encirclement of several "black pillars" and a "Lich King" below has been formed, and Hardy has also quickly constructed a new sealing domain, so that even if he releases the domain of [Sky Dome], those enemies will not be able to escape.

"..."

Thinking of this, Franya breathed a long sigh of relief—

"...This concludes the discussion."

—Wow!!

A flowing sound came from the air, and the domain of [Sky Dome] contracted, the sparse spirituality turning into fluorescent light and flowing into Franya's body.

She then raised her right hand as well.

Just as the giant dragon roared past and a fierce gale swept through the surroundings, Luo Xiuyi grasped her hand.

In a flash.

Franya felt as if she were truly flying.

It wasn't the feeling of ascending to heaven in a radiant spiritual embrace—it was purely like flying as a bird.

The wind around her grew increasingly noisy and fierce, and occasionally sand would get into her eyes, causing Franya to close them.

She felt a gentle force supporting her waist and abdomen, catching her steadily.

When she felt a solid touch on her feet again, Franya opened her eyes and found herself standing steadily on the dragon's back, while Luo Xiu watched her with a smile.

……

"Cough! Cough..."

In front of Luo Xiu, Franya's face suddenly turned pale, and she began to cough violently.

She had been holding on—from the moment the Dark Grand Duke unleashed a terrifying sword strike that suddenly put the local battlefield at a huge disadvantage, it was almost entirely through Franya's own strength that she held back the actions of several "Sevenfold Fate" enemies.

That prevented the disadvantage from snowballing, but Frania was indeed nearing her limit.

Luo Xiu could see that the "Saintess" before him was almost completely exhausted in terms of spirituality. As soon as she left that dangerous battlefield and her tense nerves relaxed, the feeling of weakness poured in like a flood breaking through a dam, and was unstoppable.

"Cough cough, cough cough..."

Franya was still coughing violently, and Luo Xiu leaned down gently, stroking her back while raising his right hand.

A golden-blue light pattern appeared on the back of his hand—a holy seal pattern of [Radiance] Level I authority and [Solid Spirit Holy Seal].

The light emanated from the back of Luo Xiu's hand, which then caused Franya to emit a pale white glow. This was to help Franya recover better, and Franya's complexion did indeed improve somewhat as a result.

"……Thank you."

Franya stopped coughing. Her complexion also returned to normal.

She looked up at Luo Xiu, feeling her face flush, and touched her cheek with her right hand.

"Why...why were you here just now?"

She asked Luo Xiu.

Earlier, she saw Luo Xiu disappear into the chaos of battle after killing the "Sea Demon". She hadn't expected Luo Xiu to return, as that battlefield was still too dangerous for him, who was only at the "Sixth Destiny Level".

But he still returned, with the dragon—Quisanx seemed to have shaken off the two black pillars and the hundreds of black dragons that were pursuing him. The sky was now his domain, a safe haven where he could rest in peace for a while.

……

"Quisanx shook off the black pillar that was chasing him, and I happened to be on the ground below him at that time."

Luo Xiu smiled at Franya and said.

In his previous interactions, Luo Xiu felt that "Saintess" Franya was trustworthy.

Furthermore, she had spoken to him about "Afonso" and had shown an accepting and gentle attitude. Therefore, Rosh explained to Francia the details of "The Dragon of Justice," Quesanx, including that He was actually an authoritarian deity.

Luo Xiu smiled and responded to Franya's question:
“I called upon Quetzalcoatl, and He answered me. He descended from the heavens and took me up to the heavens, and I then took you in. It was that simple.”

"..."

"so……"

Franya nodded.

She still had many questions in her mind, such as why Quesanx possessed such great power, and why Luo Xiu, who could have escaped danger on his own, had to come back to meet her first, and so on.

But then she saw it—Rossi Carlos standing in front of her, his expression suddenly turning serious.

Luo Xiu's right hand was already caressing the bracelet on his right wrist. Then, he took out a crystal key from it.

The light, like stars etched onto crystal, shone forth, reflecting a light that matched the light in Franya's eyes.

"what…"

She whispered softly.

She clearly recognized what Luo Xiu had taken out.

She had just used it recently to open her own [Gate of Stars].

—That is the Key to the Stars!
"Before you arrived, His Holiness the Pope bestowed upon me the key. Now, I have also glimpsed the [Gate of Stars] and wish to attempt to open it from here."

Luo Xiu told Franya these things—

"I hope you can witness it. If I can successfully complete the promotion, I will be able to return to the battlefield, judge more heretics, save more comrades, and play a greater role."

The entire process of advancing to the "Sevenfold Destiny" indeed requires the witness of another "Sevenfold Destiny" saint. There is no better candidate than Franya, and at crucial moments, she can also provide necessary protection.

"..."

When Luo Xiu said these things to her, Franya felt a momentary blankness in her mind.

She looked at Luo Xiu with some disbelief—

"You saw...that door too?"

"Yes." Luo Xiu nodded.

“I will enter the ‘Sea of ​​Spirits’ to pay homage to the temple of the stars. If all goes well, I will return soon.”

"I want to entrust my back to you."

His expression was gentle, and his golden eyes held an expectant light as he gazed at Franya, awaiting her response.

"……I see."

Franya nodded, ultimately not asking any further questions, but simply giving Luo Xiu some instructions:
"Remember not to go astray. Luo Xiu, you must remember that it is better to be rejected by the [Gate of Stars] than to embark on a spiritually deviant path."

This was Franya's only reminder and instruction.

After that, she didn't say anything more.

Franya knew that since the Pope had given the key to Luo Xiu, the Pope must have had a deeper meaning. The Pope had said similar things to her before, and Franya trusted both Pope Lorend and Luo Xiu.

She then changed from leaning against the dragon's spine to a sacred and solemn half-kneeling posture; she held the [Holy Silver Grip] and lightly swept it through the air, golden light surged up and formed a sacred barrier; she softly chanted sacred Sanskrit, offering blessings and prayers for Luo Xiu.

A warm feeling welled up from the bottom of Luo Xiu's heart.

He could see a radiance emanating from his own outline, and the spirituality of the [Radiance] was filling him to its fullest extent—Franya was "protecting" him, making his advancement smoother.

Luo Xiu nodded slightly.

He said nothing more to Franado. Having entrusted everything he needed to, he opened the quest panel and his gaze fell upon the promotion quest, "The Crown of the Great Sun."

"mission completed."

Luo Xiu provided a panel with a notification indicating that the mission was complete.

[Advancement Quest Completed: The Great Sun's Crown (Cataclysm Difficulty)]

You are the Holy Winged Messenger—a mortal descendant of all angels, a momentary agent.

Now, you have embarked on your path to advancement—

You have completed at least four "Divine Revelations," and successfully completed two of them, receiving a brief divine blessing; you have mastered a sufficient number and a sufficiently high level of [Radiance] authority; you have mastered the divine art [Sublime Punishment] and gained all its buffs;

You already possess sufficiently high "divine" attributes; the angel you have contracted with has reached the divine status of "four-winged angel" and "chaotic spirit";

You have completed the final trial—defeating an enemy of the "Seven Fates" or equivalent.

You have proven that you are indeed qualified to continue ascending, open that 'Gate of Stars,' and advance to the 'Sevenfold Destiny.'

[The task is being settled...]

[Completion Rewards: Base Experience +50000000, Skill Slots +30, Skill Points +30, Free Attribute Points +500]

You will have an audience with the 'Gate of Stars'.

【…】

When these images appeared on the panel, a light shone in Luo Xiu's eyes—like a galaxy adorned with stars flowing down, enveloping him and carrying him to that silent, sacred place of expectation.

—It was taken to the spiritual ocean of [glory].

……

The sea of ​​spirituality.

When Luo Xiu opened his eyes again.

He saw a vast expanse of golden stars—a golden starry sky as bright as the sun hanging in the sky, shining with dazzling light, which completely came into Luo Xiu's view.

This is no longer the battlefield for the final battle, but rather a sea of ​​light in the deepest part of the spiritual sea of ​​[Radiance], near its very core.

With seven suns—the true "Seven Luminaries"—the sky hangs high above.

Countless angels seemed to roam within that dazzling light, which extended through the long glow of the seven suns—the vague outline of a magnificent temple was hidden among the glittering golden stars.

Luo Xiu could feel the "gaze" coming from a higher position.

That might be the moment of the great sun, and He is watching Himself through those seven suns—His seven “eyes.”

Before Luo Xiu, the path leading to that door had already been paved.

A pure white staircase appeared, guiding Luo Xiu towards higher and deeper levels—Luo Xiu straightened his posture, took a step forward, and stepped onto the Ascension Staircase.

The moment Luo Xiu stepped onto the Heavenly Stairs, the golden sea of ​​stars suddenly shone with an even more dazzling and intense light.

Luo Xiu could already hear countless overlapping, ancient prayers, just like when he last came.

Saints appeared on both sides, kneeling towards the deepest part. This time, however, the figures of these saints were incredibly clear—and their faces showed piety, solemnity, and even holy fervor. They presented their hands in front of them, and holy fire burned in their palms, as if their bodies were torches.

"—I beg the Sun to grant me eternal glory..."

"I am the firewood, which keeps me burning; I am the sun."

"..."

"—I beg the Sun to grant me eternal glory..."

"I am the firewood, that keeps me burning forever; I am the sun!"

The saints chanted and prayed in this way.

The sacred fire they held ignited from the outline of their bodies—burning them, and from the flames burning them, brilliant golden light emerged, converging into a new, ascending staircase.

Along this long staircase, Luo Xiu continued to move forward resolutely into the deeper part.

He too felt the scorching heat; like the saints he had seen, his body was engulfed in holy flames. Although Luo Xiu had also experienced a purification and burning similar to nirvana when he advanced to the sixth level of destiny—it was not as intense as it was now.

That's almost equivalent to having the full blazing heat of the sun burned onto your body!
The intense pain from the burning sensation spreading from the inside out caused Luo Xiu's brows to furrow gradually. Meanwhile, strange whispers continued to murmur in his ears, trying to persuade him—

"give up."

"Return home... those who have gone astray should not come here."

"Let yourself fall."

"Sink into the dark side of that radiant light, and sink into our shadows..."

"..."

As these sounds flooded his ears, Luo Xiu indeed saw that countless divergent paths had appeared on both sides of the celestial staircase that led straight to deeper and higher places.

The Ascension Steps, which he had seen before when advancing to the "Sixth Destiny Path" and which might be from other Destinies, reappeared in Luo Xiu's field of vision.

Those divergent paths lead there—one a road scorching crimson, the other a road as still as a lake. A powerful pull emanates from both, and one might easily succumb to it, thus severing the path to [Radiance].

"..."

"……call."

Luo Xiu breathed a long sigh of relief.

He continued his arduous journey deeper into the depths, raising the scepter in his hand, which emitted a dazzling light, and several [Holy Gates of Audience] opened above his head!
The angels—from the "Eternal Kingdom"—who were now right before him, answered Luo Xiu's call.

Several divine figures transformed into radiance, enveloping Luo Xiu and protecting him.

This was indeed something only a "Holy Winged Envoy" could accomplish. Luo Xiu felt the pain he was enduring lessen, his suppressed spirituality gradually returned, and he was finally able to see the path ahead clearly again—

The final gate, the Gate of Stars, is not far away.

During the final leg of his journey, Luo Xiu saw seven rings of fire burning with holy flames—the Seven Luminaries Fire burning above the ring gate, and Luo Xiu passed through them.

With each ring of fire he passed through, Luo Xiu felt his own [Radiance] spirituality growing exponentially, bringing him one step closer to the peak of ascent.

Until he passed through all the rings of fire.

His clothes had been completely burned to ashes, and his hair and eyebrows had turned to ash and disappeared. Now he stood at the end of the Heavenly Staircase in his purest and most primal form.

He left behind the chants of prayer and the whispers of persuasion.

Under the protection of the angels, Luo Xiu finally stood before the [Gate of Stars].

This was perhaps the most unassuming gate to the extraordinary that Luo Xiu had ever seen.

It is a translucent door that blends seamlessly with its surroundings, with a sun-like ring in the center, within which a sacred fire burns.

It has no outline—the entire golden sea of ​​stars is its outline.

Like a giant curtain separating the inside from the outside, Luo Xiu could see a dazzling, mottled light shimmering in the depths, and could feel the power sealed behind it, waiting for him.

Luo Xiu took out the Key of the Stars.

He handed the key into the ring burning with holy flames, and then a dazzling light burst forth from behind the door, completely engulfing him!

【…】

You have opened the Gate to the Stars and glimpsed the world beyond.

You have lost the "Key to the Stars"

【…】

As everything around him was enveloped in light, new content appeared on Luo Xiu's control panel—

[Spiritual Ascension! You have advanced to the seventh level of destiny!]

[You have achieved a fundamental upgrade]

The level cap has been increased to lv.100.

The skill "Divine Revelation" has been upgraded to level 3.

The number of "Divine Revelation" quests that can be accepted simultaneously has been increased to 3.

The skill "Radiant Authority" has been upgraded to level 4.

[Level I Authority Slots +5, Level II Authority Slots +3, Level III Authority Slots +2, Level IV Authority Slots +1]

The skill "Engraving of Authority - Radiance" has been upgraded to level 3.

Increased probability of creating "Authority" skills through skill investment.

The skill "Sun Engraving" has been upgraded to level 3.

The skill "Grace of the Holy Wings" has been upgraded to level 3.

The skill "Angel's Covenant" has been upgraded to level 4.

The "angel" you've made a pact with grants a 50% increase to all attributes.

[Specialty "Radiant Saint (Legendary, Milestone)" - Specialty Upgraded!]

[Acquired Specialization: Ultimate Destiny - Radiant Saint (Birth of a God, Milestone)]

【The Pinnacle of the Holy Throne - The Radiant Saint (Legend, Milestone): You have ascended to the pinnacle of the Holy Throne. The spiritual pathways are now clearly visible before you; you have grasped their true origin and know the essence of their existence.】

Original effect - All your attributes gain a base bonus of +60, and your "Health", "Mana", "Physical Attack" and "Spell Attack" will all receive an additional 80% increase, and your "Defense Reduction" will receive an additional 150% increase.

Upgraded to: All your attributes gain a base bonus of +100, and your "Health," "Mana," "Physical Attack," and "Spell Attack" will all receive an additional 150% increase. Your "Defense Reduction" will receive an additional 300% increase.

【…】

These new contents then appeared on the panel in front of Luo Xiu.

A surge of power welled up within me—the pure power of advancing through the "Sevenfold Destiny" and elevating my very essence.

All the previous discomfort and pain had vanished without a trace. Luo Xiu only felt an unprecedented sense of pleasure and a comfortable warmth that enveloped him, though not intensely hot.

Until the dazzling light that enveloped him gradually faded.

The Star Gate before him had vanished—it had returned to its spiritual essence, reverting to the spiritual stars.

The magnificent palace then appeared before Luo Xiu.

Two colossal pillars stand tall in the hall, sealing within them the true power to advance to the "Sevenfold Destiny".

Luo Xiu had arrived at the pillar.

Before the first pillar of stars, a bright and dazzling light flashed across its surface, revealing the sacred and ancient inscriptions carved therein.

Just like last time—new content appeared simultaneously on Luo Xiu's panel—

[Having advanced to the seventh level of the "Radiant" Destiny, currently acquiring a new class...]

Your profession is "Holy Winged Divine Envoy," and you will be promoted to "Radiant Winged Holy Pivot."

If your promotion is confirmed, please touch the Pillar of Holy Light.

【…】

"Radiant Winged Sacred Pivot" is the standard promotion path for "Sacred Winged Divine Envoy".

The current Second Cardinal of the Holy Court, Yazle Saint-Leron, holds this profession. However, this is not the advancement that Luo Xiu desires; after confirming the advancement content within the first Holy Pillar, Luo Xiu walked towards the Holy Pillar beside it.

The light emanating from this sacred pillar was far more dazzling than that of the "Sacred Radiance" pillar, with a brilliant glow slowly flowing across it. Luo Xiu seemed to hear from it the rumbling sound that shook the heavens.

That's the feeling—

That feeling of "resonance" made Luo Xiu instinctively feel that the holy pillar in front of him was "calling" him.

Without hesitation.

Luo Xiu raised his hand, and his palm pressed completely against the holy pillar in front of him, and all the dazzling light gathered in his palm.

——Buzz!!!

Rumble! Rumble!!

A buzzing sound, accompanied by a trembling roar, began to resound throughout the entire sea of ​​spirituality.

An unprecedented surge of spiritual energy burst forth from the pillar of stars in front of Luo Xiu!

A dazzling light burst forth and merged into Luo Xiu's body—while absorbing such surging spiritual energy, new content also appeared on Luo Xiu's interface—

[Unlocking hidden class...]

[You have completed all objectives of the promotion quest "The Crown of the Great Sun"]

[Meet the prerequisites for promotion to a hidden profession]

You have obtained the hidden class – "Lord of Lightwing"!
【…】

—"Lord of the Wings of Light"!
This is precisely the ultimate profession that Luo Xiu aimed to advance to before becoming a "demigod"!
As the last line of content appeared on the panel, a series of resounding booms emanated from the "Pillar of Stars" before Luo Xiu. Cracks appeared on its surface, bursting forth with clusters of brilliant and pure light. Waves of surging spiritual energy also rushed into Luo Xiu's body.

Luo Xiu could clearly feel an unprecedented surge of power rising within his body.

He sensed a tremendous transformation taking place within himself, from the inside out, with every bone and flesh, and even every cell, experiencing this sublime change.

Behind Luo Xiu, the holy wings he had originally received as the "Holy Winged Envoy" were fully revealed and stretched out under the blessing of power.

Originally, there were six holy wings that shimmered with dazzling light, but now there are ten. The divinity and power contained within them have been completely sublimated to a whole new level!

That was no longer the source of his power; on the contrary, he truly became the master of the "Holy Wings".

"Ten-winged Angel" - this is the new angelic form that Luo Xiu has obtained.

At the same time, new content appeared on Luo Xiu's panel.

You have obtained the extraordinary profession: Lord of Lightwings (lv.1)

[Level Inheritance for the Lower-Rank Class "Holy Winged Envoy"]

[The "Lord of Lightwings" level has been increased to lv.80, and the "Holy Winged Envoy" class has been lost.]

[Acquired the "Lord of Lightwings" class skill: Holy Wings Overlord (Radiance, lv.1)]

[Lord of the Holy Wings (Radiance, lv.1): You are the Lord of the Wings—the Archangel worshipped and revered by all angels beneath the fleeting sun, the Lord of countless Holy Wings. The number of angels you summon through the "Grace of the Holy Wings" is no longer limited; their number depends solely on your "Divinity" attribute value and the "Mana" required to maintain them.]

【…】

[Gained the "Lord of Light" class skill: Pilgrimage to Heaven (Radiance, lv.1)]

[Pilgrimage to Heaven (Radiance, lv.1): You are the Lord of the Winged Light, crowned by the fleeting moment of the Great Sun. You are equal to one of the suns, seated on the throne of the God who receives pilgrims.]

After releasing the skill, you will simultaneously enter the "Holy Wings Avatar - Pilgrimage" stance, possessing all the effects of "Holy Wings Avatar" for 600 seconds (regardless of whether "Holy Wings Avatar" is on cooldown). Then, based on the maximum "Divinity" attribute value, you will summon ten angels of the highest rank that meet the current attribute value requirements. This summoning will not consume additional mana and will last until the current "Holy Wings Avatar" state ends.

The angels of heaven are guided by you; your holy wings will either provide them with strength or serve as their vessel. You may choose—

令指定的1至10位天使与你的“圣翼”融合，你获得其50％全属性赋加（最高获得自身属性值上限100％的全属性赋加），以及其原本50％效果的能力；

Increases all attributes of 1 to 10 designated angels by 100%, and increases "Holy Light" resistance penetration by 50%.

This skill can be used once every 24 hours. After the "Holy Wing Avatar - Pilgrimage" state ends, it enters a cooldown period, unaffected by cooldown reduction or cancellation effects.

【…】

[Based on your class "Lord of Lightwings," you have received a special boost!]

【你的主属性为“神性”，你获得补正提升：你每有1点“神性”，额外获得的30点生命值提升为40点、20点法力值提升为30点、2点物理攻击提升为3点、3点法术攻击提升为4点。】

[“Lord of Lightwings” Additional Special Bonus: You gain 30% resistance to all attributes and 30% resistance penetration to all attributes. Your “Divinity” attribute growth rate is increased by an additional 0.2x, and all attributes other than “Divinity” receive a 20% base value increase from the “Divinity” attribute.]

【…】

"……call."

Luo Xiu breathed a long sigh of relief.

He gazed into the distance, where the golden, star-like sky had begun to tremble and crack. He knew he was about to leave this "sea of ​​spirituality."

His promotion was complete.

……

(End of this chapter)