A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

Chapter 183 Harvest 3

After hearing this, Thomas roughly understood the cause and effect of the whole incident.

However, to be honest, although Thomas was curious about the causes and consequences of these things, what he really wanted most urgently was the use of fire.

The fire seed, like the damaged godhead, is in another dimension and can be seen but not touched.

How to use this thing?

Thomas did not insist on the infinite casting ability of the Spark. After all, he could do it with his divine power alone.

What is truly important is the ability demonstrated by the high priest to transform into a body of flame energy and control high temperatures and flames.

But Thomas didn't dare to try it.

Otherwise, if you end up like the high priest, with a lot of flames coming out and you can't control it, you'll be tying yourself up in knots.

But Thomas didn't want to ask directly, "How do I use the fire?" After all, asking like that would be too explicit.

Gandalf will surely notice something is wrong. The old wizard is not easy to fool!

For a moment, I couldn't think of a good solution.

"Master, you seem to want fire very much."

"If I had known there would be fire involved..." Gandalf sighed. "I wouldn't have gone there so unprepared."

"You...are unprepared?"

"Really, I have no intention of fighting anyone. I just want to witness a piece of history and see how the oracle is fulfilled. Of course, it doesn't matter if I help along the way," Gandalf said. "But if I knew the fire was coming, I would be ready to fight at all costs."

"Is the fire so important? If it fails, Master, I mean if, the consequences will be unpredictable!"

"The fire is worth any risk a magician would take, trampling all morals and laws!"

At this moment, Gandalf showed such a resolute expression that even Thomas was secretly shocked.

I can never tell Gandalf that I have fire!

Otherwise, the old money-grubber will never let me go!

"What was that transformation I saw earlier?"

"Another use for the Fire Seed... Actually, the Holy Fire has this use as well," Gandalf said. "In ancient texts, there are Flame Guardians standing beside the Holy Fire, acting as guardians. While this power is powerful, it's inherently too monotonous and easily targeted. Becoming a Flame Guardian is easy, but it comes with a price. The price is a shortened lifespan... Another price is being unable to stray from the Holy Fire. Of course, the cost of the Fire Seed is even greater. It's said that Flame Guardians of the Holy Fire can last for days."

The high priest only fought with Thomas for about ten minutes before he was literally wiped out.

"How did the Star-Moon Cultists defeat this kind of guardian?"

"Who knows? Perhaps they simply hid in and didn't encounter the guardians. Or perhaps the guards were lax," Gandalf shrugged. "Because of their immense power and overwhelming advantage, the Zoroastrian leaders, especially the Order of the Holy Flame Origin, didn't see the Star-Moon Cult as a threat, but rather an opportunity."

"Chance?"

"An opportunity to bargain with the Persian emperor," Gandalf said. "To use external threats to force the emperor to make more concessions and hand over more power. But they finally got away with it."

In the end, both the empire and Zoroastrianism were destroyed.

Greed and selfishness lead to foolishness.

"Really... the extinguishing of the Holy Flame would be a huge blow to magic all over the world, right?"

"That's right," Gandalf sighed. "If the Holy Flame still existed, every talented and ambitious wizard would eventually become a Zoroastrian."

"Let's not talk about this anymore," Thomas decided to change the subject. He decided to back off from this matter.

Anyway, the spark is with him, and he has plenty of time to study it slowly.

What if it really doesn’t work... then that’s all we can do!

At least wait until the turmoil over the fire has passed and the old money-grubber no longer cares about it before asking.

"Master, I think I have completely mastered the secret art of Steel Soul." Thomas said.

"I can see that," Gandalf sighed.

The gods were truly fair. They had gifted Thomas with such a terrifying talent, but had not given him the corresponding ambition.

"But I don't know what to do next," said Thomas.

"That's normal," Gandalf replied. "I told you, the path to protect the country is different for everyone and difficult to copy."

"Is this because people are born with different talents?"

"Yes, human endowments can be specifically divided into three aspects... body, mind, and soul," Gandalf said. "The Chinese have a very good theory called 'perfection and flawlessness.' As long as you have even the slightest flaw, you can't become a protector of the kingdom."

"Then, what should I do? Because I really don't know where my flaws lie."

"You can't feel it?" The old magician looked Thomas up and down.

"Yes, I feel... as if there is nothing around me. It's like standing on the top of a cliff, with nothing to hold on to. I don't know what to do."

"Well..." Gandalf pondered for a moment. "You don't feel any physical resistance?"

"I don't know what that means..." Thomas said. "Maybe I have no such problem."

"Not really..." Gandalf thought for a long time. "Most people at this stage will feel the limitations of their physical body. So usually, overcoming the flaws of the physical body is the first step. But you can't feel it? Have you... encountered any adventures?"

"I don't understand what you mean. What do you mean by an adventure?"

"It's... well, something like an ancient treasure, or a blessing from the gods," Gandalf said. "By the way, you said you were blessed by Perron!"

Because of this incident, Thomas got a secondary plane to use as his warehouse.

"Yes."

"That makes sense. Because of this, your body should have been restored to perfection," Gandalf sighed. "But perhaps that's also why you can't discover your own opportunity."

"From what I've heard, generally speaking, when reaching the peak of the elite, the first thing you feel is your body." Gandalf pointed at Thomas' chest. "Even with potions, they're not a panacea. After countless trials and tribulations and countless battles, you're bound to have many hidden injuries. So, the most common feeling at the peak of the elite isn't like being on a cliff with nowhere to pull yourself up, but more like being bound by ropes, unable to break free, and constrained from exerting your full strength. Therefore, at this stage, the main goal is to recuperate and heal old injuries or other problems. Your situation is clearly very different from others. Your body no longer needs this."

"What about the defects of mind and soul?" Thomas asked. "I don't feel anything about those either."

"Others' goal is to break free from even the smallest constraints, but this also gives them the opportunity to delve deeper into themselves. It's in the process of gradually repairing their bodies that they gain the opportunity to further refine their spirit and soul. And you, obviously thanks to Perun's generous blessing, have overcome the most crucial and difficult hurdle, but it also prevents you from spontaneously sensing the opportunity to ascend to the Protectorate."

Gandalf considered this for a moment.

"I can't say I know what to do, but I have a few options for your reference."

"All ears."

Chapter 184 Harvest 4

"First, external stimulation," Gandalf said. "Use life-or-death combat or external objects to stimulate the body. Ancient legends tell of Sigurd slaying a dragon and bathing in its blood, becoming invulnerable. This is undoubtedly a powerful force for protecting the realm. While this is an unreliable legend, I believe the logic behind it is valid. If you can stimulate the body with something as powerful as dragon blood, it should allow you to ascend to the rank of Protector of the Realm, or at least give you an idea of ​​where the opportunity lies."

"Fighting...external objects? Is there such a thing in this world now?"

"Yes, for example... golden apples! Also, powerful remnants of the Old Ones are possible. Or perhaps a dragon actually appears, and you could try to slay it in blood," Gandalf said. "But these things are hard to come by. If you must choose one, I suggest seeking the blessing of the gods. Not just any blessing, of course, but a truly powerful baptismal blessing!"

Thomas listened to Gandalf's suggestion, and for some reason he suddenly remembered the bloody monster he encountered in the secondary plane. He couldn't help but shudder.

No, no, the risk is too great!

The golden apple...

If Thomas remembered correctly, he should have had a chance to get a golden apple.

"Master, what's going on with the golden apple?"

"Ah, the golden apple," said Gandalf. "You have come to the right man. You can try to get one. I think you can get one for fifty or a hundred thousand florins if you go through the right channels."

"why?"

"There are two kinds of golden apples in this world." Gandalf held up two fingers. "One comes from ancient times, when the gods still walked the earth. Through a miracle that can no longer be repeated today, a sacred tree was born. This sacred tree produced golden apples. Legend has it that to ensure a steady supply of golden apples, a goddess was dedicated to tending the sacred tree. But the sacred tree is long gone, and only a handful of golden apples remain. Perhaps none at all. Even I can't guarantee where to find a golden apple."

"There's another kind of golden apple. Decades ago, a scourge-level remnant of the Old Ones appeared in this world. However, this remnant didn't come alone; it brought with it another golden apple tree. I don't know where this tree is, but I'm certain it still exists, still continuously producing golden apples. There are rumors that this tree is degenerating, and the apples it produces are becoming less potent, but there's no way to prove this."

"What's the difference between the two golden apples?"

"If one of the former can earn you a promotion to Protector of the Realm, then the latter would require dozens or even hundreds of them," Gandalf smiled. "But even the latter is still a treasure in this world. In my opinion, if you can buy it for 100,000 florins, don't miss the opportunity!"

Gandalf was very confident in Thomas's financial resources, after all, it was a proven fact.

"Okay, Master, tell me the second method."

"Second, practice magic," Gandalf said. "When a spellcaster first encounters the fifth layer of the magic weave, their mind and soul undergo a qualitative change. For a normal spellcaster, this will grant them the ability to perceive magic. But for you... it may also allow you to perceive an opportunity for advancement."

"Third, perhaps you simply haven't adapted to the power of the Elite Peak yet," Gandalf said. "Be patient and wait for a while, and you'll feel your opportunity. You've only been at the Elite Peak for a few days, so it's normal that you can't feel it now."

"And there is a fourth... Perhaps you don't need a promotion at all," said Gandalf. "You are already Protector of the Realm."

"Ah!" Thomas was very confused.

"Your ability to rise from the ashes," Gandalf said, "to ignore all harm... I'm sure it's a power at the level of a protector of the realm."

"You simply gained the power to protect the nation prematurely by some accident. Therefore, your so-called 'promotion' doesn't actually exist. You're already at the pinnacle, and there's no higher. Of course, gaining this power prematurely comes at a price. Perhaps, you can't feel it because of this price."

Thomas wanted to explain eagerly, but when he opened his mouth he didn't know what to say, so he could only shut up in disappointment.

Gandalf was not wrong in understanding it this way.

But for now, at least one of Gandalf's suggestions is feasible.

Practice magic.

As long as we touch the fifth layer of the magic net, there is hope.

Thomas had always thought that learning magic as his trump card was actually a very good idea.

However, the art of Steel Soul is simply a bottomless pit, and I can't spare any energy to learn magic.

Now that it is barely filled up, it can indeed be carried out.

"After I have completed my spiritual and spiritual perfection?"

"You have completed all the prerequisites, and you should be able to be promoted." Gandalf said. "Ideally, this promotion can happen at any time, but more often, people need some ritual assistance. For example, if you lack the blood of the noble, you need a specific ritual to make up for it in order to complete the promotion to protector of the realm."

"But external help is the last step. You must complete the repair of your body, mind, and soul in all aspects, without any omissions. Otherwise, it is a waste of time."

"I sparred with Boris a while ago," Thomas said. "He... suddenly became very strong."

"Yes, after being promoted to Protector of the Nation, your extraordinary power will be greatly improved."

"I'm not just talking about supernatural powers. Even without using supernatural powers, it will be very strong..."

"It becomes very sharp, similar to a kind of precognitive ability, right?"

"Yes." Thomas recalled that he was defeated by his opponent in just over ten moves.

"This is an ability called 'domain,'" Gandalf said. "Or it can be understood that the Protector of the Realm possesses some kind of... authority."

"Authority?" Like a god.

"Yes, for example, under normal circumstances, the attacks of the Protectorate are unavoidable, even for the elite," said Gandalf. "Note that it's not 'unavoidable' or 'difficult to avoid', but 'unavoidable'."

Thomas's mouth twitched.

"Sound like some kind of causal law?"

"That's the truth," Gandalf spread his hands. "As long as the Protector wants to hit, he will definitely hit. This is a manifestation of the Protector's own demigod status, a suppression of his status. Although from a third-party perspective, you may think it's some kind of special skill or just luck, in reality, it's a difference in status."

"Of course, this assumes there's no external influence. Even if there's a specific magical protection, the Protector of the Realm won't be able to do anything about it," Gandalf said. "So a domain doesn't guarantee invincibility. Furthermore, the Protector of the Realm's status—the so-called 'demigod'—is not stable. If his condition declines significantly due to injury, poisoning, fatigue, or the like, his status will naturally decline."

"I heard that the life span of the Guardian will also be extended. Why is that?"

"Because the power of the domain is very strong, over time, the domain itself will slowly transform the protector into a magical creature, and its lifespan will naturally be extended."

"Magical creatures?"

"Yes. Any creature immersed in the power of the magic network for a long time will change in this direction. For example, spellcasters who can access the seventh layer of the magic network and above are basically magical creatures. Their lifespan is much longer than that of ordinary people."

"Master, there are so many, are you..."

"Haha..." Gandalf laughed. "Let's not talk about this anymore. You've basically mastered the key points of advancing to Protector of the Realm. So, it's time for me to start doing the experiment."

Chapter 185 Harvest 5

"Two more things, Master. What will happen to Marlowit?"

The Marlowet that came down was defeated, and his body was burned to ashes. But Gandalf had said before that the Marlowet that came down to earth was not all.

Even though he was killed, Marlowit didn't actually die. At most, he lost some of his rationality or self-awareness.

And maybe lose some of your madness.

This is the terrifying thing about gods.