When the plot-skips players into the game world

Earlier in the ascension ceremony, Aiwass had already realized that this old ritualist, despite looking calm and reliable, was actually full of radical and mad thoughts at heart.

It's no wonder he was betrayed when he was young— for a native Parthian who had never interacted with any outsiders, the mere act of resolutely doing something that could "lead to betrayal" proved his inherently transcendent nature.

"I can understand you, old sir."

Zhu Tang nodded, agreeing: "Living a life, one will eventually die. I wouldn't want to be like certain paths, being obsessed with just surviving, yet living like neither a human nor a ghost… In my view, it's better to have a grand and glorious death.

"For a Transcendent, there is nothing more shameful than dying in bed. The Extraordinary Power makes us arrogant, thinking we can control our destiny and transcend the mundane… only to fall back to the ordinary, dying old like any common person. What could be more ironic than that?"

"Indeed…"

Aiwass sighed: "The beauty fades, and the general ages. Nothing is more unbearable in the secular world. This is understandable."

"I want to go home because I still have family that I can't let go of."

Zhu Tang spoke with a touch of envy: "If it weren't for this, I would truly want to join you in this grand death. To be killed in the campaign against the Descent Heavenly Department would indeed be a beautiful thing—it's far more significant than being executed by an emperor or dying from illness or imprisonment.

"Those renowned generals who traveled across battlefields would envy me! If given the chance, they might also want to make a deadly charge against the Celestial Marshal… What a magnificent death! With such a death, even a meaningless life seems to gain significance."

At this moment, the two elderly ritualists seemed to resonate with each other—though one was nearing the end of his life, while the other was still under sixty, only barely considered middle-aged, yet they were excitedly exchanging views about fiery fire and the grave.

Watching them, Aiwass sighed helplessly.

——He indeed could understand.

When Ligeia was still Old Meg, she clearly had quite a long lifespan left but chose to participate in the perilous Ascension Ceremony because she could not endure her aging and weakness.

The Path of Authority couldn't take it, and the Transcendence Path even less.

Just…

He looked at Hayna, saying irritably: "And what do you want to do, senior sister? Don't tell me you've also had enough of living?"

"…Almost."

Hayna nodded earnestly.

"——Hey, little girl."

The first one to speak, however, was Zhu Tang.

He "looked" at the girl who was not much younger than his own daughter and couldn't help but say: "You're still very young… there's no need to talk about dying. So young… are you not even thirty yet? You've reached the Fifth Power Level, you are destined to be a top strongman in this world. Your good days are ahead!

"Honestly, I can't imagine how great it would feel if I could reach this level before I turned thirty—haha, if the emperor doesn't distrust me, I might just mix into becoming the greatest authority in history! You'll enjoy at least fifty more years of good life!"

Zhu Tang's words were filled with undisguised envy.

Fifth Power Level isn't particularly surprising on its own.

In Aiwass's past world, this would likely equate to the top hundred richest people globally. With the arrival of the Transcendence Tide, this number has rapidly expanded, roughly diluted to the top thousand.

Although each country would have a few, it wouldn't be surprising for large countries to have dozens or even hundreds.

——But if one gained such wealth in their twenties, versus obtaining it in their forties or fifties, those are entirely different scenarios.

"If you die here, what about your parents? You have a younger brother."

Aiwass looked at her with concern: "If necessary… you should follow Zhu Tang and the others to Primordial for a visit first. When everything settles, I'll come back for you?"

Learning that Hayna decided to die here left him somewhat bewildered—mainly because it had no meaning at all, and he didn't understand Hayna's motives. He could only regard it as the whimsical thoughts of a young girl.

"One reason… is I want revenge."

Hayna seriously said: "During the ascension ceremony earlier, I encountered a scumbag, a Muddy Sect ritualist, who took pleasure in killing others. In the ceremony, his codename was 'Cake Maker'… He let me truly understand what slaughter and cruelty mean.

"I also truly realized… the minor security battles in Avalon mean nothing at all.

"It was he who stripped away my naïve shell, making me determined to grow strong. Now I have abandoned the Path of Authority, gaining greater strength, and it's all about my steadfast intent to kill him—an oath to the Crown Lord, though he is no more… I wish not to breach this vow because it's also a vow to myself.

"——And the 'Bread Maker' inadvertently mentioned 'Morning Dew Prayer' and 'Holy Well'. According to the intel I got from the Avianfolk, these are unique to Holy Spring City. So, he is indeed from Holy Spring City."

"…Revenge, huh."

Ibn murmured, feeling somewhat lost.

One motivation for his visit to Parthia was revenge.

He and Aiwass shared a common enemy, Aziz Ben Abdul, who was in Parthia. However, he seemed to have changed his name, so even the well-informed Avianfolk couldn't find him.

Now seeing Hayna finding her enemy's trail, he suddenly felt a bit envious.

"Rather than revenge," Aiwass looked at Hayna favorably, "it's more of a 'hunt' against a rival… Speaking of which, before the Path of Adaptation existed, the Sixth Source River was called Hunting Path.

"This counts as a sort of act of reversion. You might have gotten insights from this power, which suddenly made you so strong."

"I have a feeling… once I complete the hunt, I will be able to touch the Sixth Power Level's boundary wall."

Hayna looked to Aiwass: "To be honest, Aiwass, I have no interest in ascending to the Dream Realm. But if I'm not mistaken… you plan to participate in the ascension ceremony, don't you?"

"...That's right."

Aiwass was entirely candid with his people: "I plan to hold a vacancy ceremony, simultaneously occupying the paths of Transcendence and Dedication."

A vacancy ceremony would definitely allow mutual slaughter.

Ascending in Parthia, this type of ceremony is, rather, advantageous for him. It can at least effectively prevent backstabbing and secret alliances… much like what he himself did in Avalon.

After all, this is their home turf.

"When the time comes, I will help you. Just because you've been a Pope, Benevolent Lord, Crown Prince, yet still regard me as a friend, willing to call me senior sister, without allowing me to use respectful language to address you…"

Hayna earnestly said: "This time, I will elevate you to a higher position. This is what I truly intend to do."

Before, Grey's picture couldn't be posted no matter what, heard the Painter's studio was banned when painting His Holiness, so had to use the floral jacket coded image… and then the studio wasn't banned!

In a flash of inspiration, obtained the review version for the floral jacket coded image! And surprisingly, it could be posted! Please use your imagination to transform the floral jacket into skin in the alarm clock. The picture isn't finished yet; the completed version will be included in the peripheral gift box after the book finishes!

It's truly mysterious. I feel even more daring Alai wasn't banned, and I suspect the reviewers use size as a criteria.