The hundred thousand bizarre ways to die had finally started again. After just one day of not encountering it, Yang Qizhou found it oddly comforting.
It was just that the plot left him speechless,
Yet again falling from reality into fantasy. Yet again, a giant face with nine eyes and thirteen mouths appeared in the sky, making it seem as though the "Dream Hidden King" was about to descend—though in truth, the prelude had not even finished.
What a waste of emotions.
The text continued to scroll. The explorer, caught in a cycle of death and resurrection, returned to the River of Death. The question was whether to choose normal resurrection or to rewind using the power of the "Dark Crow of Profane Fortune."
Yang Qizhou chose the second option: to rewind.
If he resurrected normally, the Fire Stealing Priest would complete the Divine Descent Ceremony during that time, and all his efforts would amount to nothing.
"Shameless cheat-using explorer, you have returned to the moment when you last made a choice."
"The blurry, dreamlike giant face appeared in the sky again, and unknown ravings echoed in your ears. Lena believed that the Fire Stealing Priest had already begun the Divine Descent Ceremony and shared her conjecture."
"Having once again been bitten to death by those dogs, you knew the truth. Calmly, you told her the time had not yet come."
"Lena settled down."
"The two of you continued heading toward the abode of the 'Fire Stealing Priest' and arrived at the room where the Evil Altar was set up."
"You saw the Fire Stealing Priest standing atop the altar. Half of his body was already distorted and ethereal; gills had formed by his ears, his reflection grew increasingly transparent, his figure turning ever more indescribable, and his entire being had fallen into madness."
"He expressed no surprise at your and Lena's arrival,"
"and let out a crazed laugh, claiming he was about to receive the 'Dream Hidden King's' blessing, evolving beyond the suffering of flesh and blood to become a hidden lifeform that could traverse between reality and fantasy."
"You saw that Lena was heartbroken, angrily denouncing the Fire Stealing Priest for betraying his faith."
"The Fire Stealing Priest burst into a dismissive laugh and, in a grim tone, told you both that the Fire Stealing Ancient God was not a true deity at all. It was merely a fragmented existence born of blasphemy, deceiving its believers to maintain its status. Only the 'Dream Hidden King,' a Divine Sovereign existing since ancient times, could truly bless Fire Stealing Village and shield it from the unknown terrors of the wilderness."
The Fire Stealing Ancient God wasn't a true deity?
It was merely a product of blasphemy?
Yang Qizhou narrowed his eyes. A wealth of hidden information was conveyed in this passage of text.
But for now, it couldn't be determined if what the Fire Stealing Priest said was the truth or if it was just a lie fabricated by the "Dream Hidden King" to make him abandon his faith.
For the moment, he decided to keep note of it.
The game continued.
"Lena was visibly agitated, refuting the Fire Stealing Priest's blasphemous claims."
"The explorer's natural proclivity for skepticism caused you to pay close attention to this information. After all, as an atheist, you wouldn't blindly put faith in any deity."
"The Fire Stealing Priest lost his patience, commanding the invisible hounds to attack you both."
"You heard the bark of a dog."
"This time, you weren't bitten to death because Lena shielded you from the vicious hounds."
"The Fire Stealing Priest took note of this and praised Lena, saying she truly was Porter's daughter—able to hold her own even against the Rooting Hounds, the Dream Hidden King's chosen creatures, which traverse between fantasy and reality."
"The Fire Stealing Priest began chanting the sacred name of the 'Dream Hidden King.' He dismissed you, considering you nothing more than trash."
Hey, hey, hey, can we stop this? Damn it, you annoying narrator.
I know the character's current power level is garbage, unable to even take on the weakest critter on this ancient earth, but you don't have to keep rubbing it in, damn it.
Yang Qizhou cursed inwardly, his resentment running deep, though he did learn the name of that invisible hound from the Fire Stealing Priest's words.
"Rooting Hounds, creatures that can traverse between fantasy and reality—sounds pretty cool."
"If I could keep two of them, that'd be amazing."
The game continued.
Yang Qizhou quickly reined in his wandering thoughts.
"You knew the critical moment to hijack the Divine Descent Ceremony had arrived. Following the Fire Stealing Priest, you began chanting the sacred name of the 'Dream Hidden King.'"
"The Fire Stealing Priest was first infuriated, cursing you as a despicable thief attempting to steal the 'Divine's Blessing.' But he soon sneered, saying the ritual required three elements: the altar, the offerings, and the sacred name. Missing just one, you would fail. And you had only the sacred name, but no altar or the 'Holy Relic' needed for Divine Descent. Chanting the sacred name with wishful thinking would only anger the deity."
"The Fire Stealing Priest swore that once the Divine Descent Ceremony ended and he transformed into a hidden lifeform, he would imprison you in a prison of false reality, letting the Rooting Hounds gnaw on your flesh day and night. He promised you endless pain, without death, an eternity of torment."
What the hell, that's brutal.
Yang Qizhou was utterly shocked. To be imprisoned without death or escape—this character would be entirely ruined.
Such a method was cruel and terrifying.
"The Fire Stealing Priest concluded his chant, raising both arms to await the blessing of the 'Dream Hidden King.'"
"You also finished your chant, knowing the 'Bloodstained Rags' on the altar, tainted by the Great Lord's blood, were no longer what they once were, and a deep mockery flickered in your expression."
"The Divine Descent Ceremony was completed."
"You saw Lena suspended in midair, her figure gradually vanishing as if erased with an eraser. The terror on her face was vividly visible."
"You also saw a beam of pure white light descending from the Sky Dome. Within it was a shadowy, indistinct figure over ten meters tall with no facial features, and its limbs were deformed."
"You felt an overwhelming divine might surging toward you, your whole body tightening as cold sweat poured, not daring to look directly at this exalted figure."
"The Fire Stealing Priest's maniacal laughter grew louder, but he didn't get to revel in his delight for long. Terror overwhelmed him as he realized his own body was also vanishing, as if erased with an eraser."
"He went mad, screaming up at the ancient, towering figure of the 'Dream Hidden King,' emphasizing his identity as a devout believer. Yet the Divine Sovereign paid him no heed."
"You then found yourself under the gaze of the 'Dream Hidden King.' This exalted being became aware of your act of presenting the 'Holy Relic' while chanting the sacred name. Your devotion pleased the deity, and He bestowed upon you two of His chosen creatures, the 'Rooting Hounds.'"
"You obtained *2 'Rooting Hounds.'"
Yang Qizhou could not maintain his composure.
This was truly a dream come true—just moments earlier, he'd been wishing for two 'Rooting Hounds,' and now the 'Dream Hidden King' had granted his wish.
Thinking about the trap he had set for this deity, Yang Qizhou couldn't help but feel a little apologetic toward His Excellency.
The text continued to scroll.
"The Fire Stealing Priest couldn't believe his eyes, unable to accept that the blessing originally meant for him had fallen into the hands of a lowly thief. He went berserk, cursing and demanding to know why."
"You let out a mocking smile and asked, 'Are you sure that the 'Bloodstained Rags' on the altar, tainted by the Ancient Great Lord's blood, are still the original Holy Relic?'"
"The Fire Stealing Priest was dumbstruck."