I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

Brown Village,

Tajik is still hesitating.

In fact, he previously informed the other villagers about the Hunting Temple's news in private because he wanted everyone to consider it further.

If Brown Village were one of those prosperous villages around Zeke City, he might not care as much.

But Brown Village isn't; it's just a poor little village on the edge of Zeke City's territory, near the Morlo Mountain Range.

Tajik knows very well that everyone in the village must unite to have any chance of surviving in such harsh conditions.

In fact, there are still quite a few resources around Brown Village, at least enough to sustain such a gathering place.

But Brown Village must also pay taxes on time to Zeke City and the Hunting Temple.

As previously discussed, under any circumstances, Brown Village cannot refuse to pay taxes, even if it means starving people to death.

To the big figures in Zeke City and the Hunting Temple, Brown Village is just a little ant.

Though inconspicuous, to maintain rule and authority, Zeke City and the Hunting Temple don't mind crushing Brown Village, this little ant, to death.

Anyway, that's what they've done before.

The God of Hunting doesn't need "weak" subjects, just those who fear His might.

But for the people of Brown Village, this is certainly not good news.

If it were just taxes, Tajik and Aio had agreed to grit their teeth and get through this time.

But the Lune Hunting Ceremony is different.

The Hunting Ceremony is an annual event held by the Hunting Temple, open to anyone.

The purpose of the Hunting Ceremony is to please the Hunting God Mara, making the whole process extremely bloody and cruel.

It's like raising venomous creatures, throwing participants into a limited area for slaughter, and only two or three who emerge alive pass the ceremony and gain the qualification to join the Hunting Temple.

Ordinary people who participate in the Hunting Ceremony without becoming Transcendent or mastering Extraordinary Power have nearly no chance of success.

Yet many still go forward despite this.

Because the Hunting Temple is the real ruler of this world, even the City Lord of Zeke City is a member of the Hunting Temple.

Joining the Hunting Temple can bring great benefits to both the family and even the village.

If someone from Brown Village joins the Hunting Temple, they would never have to pay taxes again.

Moreover, before the Hunting Ceremony begins, everyone can receive methods for Cultivation of Extraordinary Ability from the Hunting Temple.

Occasionally, a lucky person can pass the Hunting Ceremony within a few years and instantly become an important figure that Brown Village looks up to.

For these reasons, even if the mortality rate is high, quite a few people from villages around Zeke City participate in the ceremonies held by the Hunting Temple every year.

Aio once participated in a Hunting Ceremony held by Zeke City's Hunting Temple and barely returned alive.

He was only able to return to Brown Village due to an accident that separated him from the Hunting Ceremony.

This was because of his good luck; though he didn't become Transcendent, his strength improved a lot.

However, with Brown Village's current situation, if the young people in the village die in droves participating in the Hunting Ceremony, the village may not be able to sustain itself.

At that time, the village would either perish or merge with another village.

This is something Tajik does not want to see.

Especially this year's Lune Hunting Ceremony held by the Hunting Temple!

It's said that the Lune is the child of the God of Hunting and the strongest in their world!

And the Lune Hunting Ceremony is meant to please this powerful being.

Thus, the Lune Hunting Ceremony is not only for people from Zeke City; it involves competitors from other places.

No need to imagine participating in Zeke City's annual Hunting Ceremony; there's even a fraction of a chance of getting far.

For those children without mastery of Extraordinary Power, participating in the Lune Hunting Ceremony is complete suicide.

Tajik gathered the villagers to discuss these matters, hoping to persuade everyone.

The children are the hope of the village, and Tajik does not want the children to participate in this Great Hunting Ceremony.

However, judging by the tone of the person who came to deliver orders a few days ago, the Hunting Temple is extremely serious about this Great Hunting Ceremony.

If no one is sent to participate, it may be difficult to account for it.

So Tajik gathered everyone to discuss this matter.

If all else fails, they'll draw lots to choose one person to attend the Great Hunting Ceremony.

Though it's equivalent to sending someone to their death, it's better than angering those big figures.

Maintaining Brown Village to this day, despite his reluctance, Tajik has no other solution.

"Sir, we are preparing to discuss this matter and will have a child follow you to Zeke City."

Tajik thought about this and said cautiously.

The slender figure bends diligently, not daring to meet the eyes of those knights.

He senses something is amiss; the aura of these people is unlike ordinary people and is very likely to be strong figures from the Hunting Temple.

Just to gather those participating in the Hunting Ceremony, they've personally come here?

Thinking of this, Tajik feels a bit uneasy.

"Ha, one person?"

The leading Black Armored Knight sneered, the steed beneath him pacing impatiently.

"Your Brown Village must send at least twenty people to participate in the Great Hunting Ceremony."