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The dim yellow light immediately poured out, tinged with a faint blue.
Aaron saw a wide passageway paved with old flagstones, with stone doors on either side, labeled with words like "Materials," "Potions," and "Documents."
At the end of the passageway, there was a staircase leading downwards, extending into the Darkness, as if leading to the Abyss.
Dunn, holding the hurricane lamp, walked at the forefront, with Aaron following behind him towards the stone steps leading into the deep Darkness. By the time the lamp's light had turned completely blue, they had already reached the second basement level.
Here, strange walls made of steel, bricks, earth, and silver created one partitioned area after another. Some places were open, while some rooms were tightly shut, each containing a Sealed Artifact.
In the dim and profound depths, Aaron actually felt a warm and pure power. He immediately followed his spiritual intuition and looked over. In a semi-open compartment, inside a box made of pure blue crystal, lay a simple, ancient badge about half the size of a palm.
Dunn also stopped and looked in the direction of Mr. Attendant's gaze, explaining in a low voice:
"This is Tingen City's preserved 'Mutated Sun Holy Emblem,' numbered '3-0782.' Its sealing method is to place it in a sealed container made of deep-sea profound ice."
"This both isolates its negative effects and maximizes the purifying effect of the Sealed Artifact."
The mutated holy emblem containing the blood of the Eternal Blazing Sun… This thought flashed through his mind, and Aaron nodded slightly, continuing his steps. Most of the Sealed Artifacts behind Chanis Gate in Tingen City belonged to Grade "3," while there were only three Grade "2" Sealed Artifacts.
In his Spirit Vision state, Aaron looked at the source of the black fine lines permeating the area behind Chanis Gate. It was a palm-sized square urn, stored in the deepest part of the second basement level.
The box looked like it was made of pure silver, yet it also gave the feeling of bone. It was covered in mysterious patterns, and the closer Aaron got, the more he felt a chill, as if coldness was rapidly seeping into his blood.
Without Dunn's introduction, Aaron could guess that this was the sealing core of Tingen City's Chanis Gate, the Grade "1" Sealed Artifact "Saint Selena's Ashes," and also the item Ince Zangwill had painstakingly schemed to acquire.
His gaze moved from the urn and the array spread across the floor. Aaron looked at the four compartments in the innermost area, which surrounded "Saint Selena's Ashes" in a four-cornered formation.
Aaron, guided by the light of the hurricane lamp, looked at the items placed in the three compartments closest to him: a silver cup containing a clear and lustrous liquid, a wooden Door sealed separately, and a thick, petrified blood vessel.
Dunn continued walking, carefully avoiding the array patterns on the ground. After bypassing these three Grade "2" Sealed Artifacts, he stopped at a room with a partially open stone door. Inside, it was profoundly Dark, without a single speck of light.
As the faint blue light shone in, a pure black bookshelf, inscribed with array patterns similar to those on the ground, came into Aaron's view. On it lay an ancient notebook with a hard, pitch-black cover.
That Antigonus family notebook!
The black fine lines extending from "Saint Selena's Ashes" wrapped around the bookshelf in layers. Anyone attempting to approach and touch it would be met with the full counterattack of the sealing core.
"Hornacis… Flegrea… Hornacis… Flegrea…"
Watching Dunn remove the seal using the Nighthawks' internal contingency measures, illusory voices drilled into Aaron's ears, confirming that he had found his target!
Stepping inside, the black fine lines actively avoided Aaron's body. Just as he picked up the Antigonus family notebook, the original illusory whispers instantly vanished.
Looking at the notebook in his hand, which felt like a dead object, Aaron raised an eyebrow slightly, but since Dunn was right beside him, he said nothing more. After one last glance at "Saint Selena's Ashes," he quickly departed.
Watching the black iron double doors, emblazoned with seven holy emblems, slowly close, Dunn let out a long breath. His taut nerves finally relaxed slightly. Just then, he heard a slightly amused voice:
"You can call Klein down in a moment. I'll wait for him in the duty room. Also, do you mind if I take some of your flesh and blood?"
"This won't harm you. Just consider it a small experiment of mine, and I will help you recover from any injuries caused."
He looked at Mr. Attendant, who was holding the Antigonus family notebook in one hand, with some surprise, and asked uncertainly:
"You need my flesh and blood?"
He didn't suspect that this Duke was going to do anything harmful to him with this flesh and blood. He was just an ordinary Sequence 7. The disparity in their status was too great; if he wanted to deal with him, there was no need for such complexity.
As a loyal believer of the Goddess, after receiving a positive reply from Mr. Attendant, he did not decline.
Just consider it a thank-you gift for saving Old Neil back then…
Thinking this, Dunn watched as a somewhat peculiar-looking container, radiating a strong aura of life, suddenly appeared in Mr. Attendant's empty right hand.
-----------------
Blackthorn Security Company, Nighthawks Recreation Room.
Klein pushed the door open with a bewildered expression. He wanted to find the captain to report information about the Psychology Alchemists and two potion formulas, but he couldn't find Dunn in the office, so he tentatively looked here.
His steps paused slightly. Klein saw Leonard, Seeka, and Frye sitting around a round table, but they weren't playing cards. The room was so quiet, no one was talking, no one was joking, and the atmosphere was almost solidified.
Uh… Klein, who was about to ask something, felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw the captain, whose face seemed pale from blood loss but was much more energetic. He quickly reported his findings.
Dunn nodded silently, motioning for Klein to follow him. They arrived at the staircase leading underground. Dunn turned and looked at Klein, saying:
"I'll have Leonard continue to follow up and monitor what you reported. You have something more important now. The person sent by the Holy Cathedral to assess you has arrived."
The person to assess me is here? But I only submitted the special application yesterday morning… Klein's nerves immediately tensed, then he felt a bit astonished.
The wind blowing from underground carried a chilling coolness. Klein felt a sense of relief amidst his tension.
It's finally here…
As long as I pass this hurdle, at least for half a year, I won't have to worry about similar matters…
Once I advance to Sequence 8 and become the so-called "Clown," I'll gain true combat ability. Coupled with the assistance of divination and the fallback of the "Sun Flame Charm," even if I encounter significant danger, there's a considerable chance I can overcome it…
Just as various thoughts flashed uncontrollably through Klein's mind, Dunn Smith adjusted his shirt collar and said in a low voice:
"The one in charge of this assessment is Duke Aaron, whom you've met before. This shows how much the Holy Cathedral values you."
Mr. Emperor? Klein immediately felt a toothache. The thought of being alone with that gentleman soon made him feel a bit uneasy.
Dunn took a breath of the cool underground air and said reassuringly:
"I've already spoken with him. His attitude is very kind, and he still thinks highly of you as always."
"He's in the duty room now. Go over there quickly."
Nodding gently, Klein descended the winding stairs leading deep underground, step by step, then turned left at the crossroads and passed through the secret Door to the duty room.
Just as he reached the doorway, Klein's spiritual intuition was suddenly stirred. He felt as if something in the room was calling to him, emitting a thumping sound like a heart expanding and contracting!
Klein subconsciously looked towards the duty room. A black notebook, extremely familiar to him, lay quietly on the table. The usual sinister feeling had disappeared.
Next to this notebook, a gem, shimmering like a myriad of stars, flickered faintly. Klein's mind instantly went blank, as if he had fallen into an inescapable dream, until he was startled awake by a voice:
"Very good, it seems your 'Seer' potion has indeed been fully digested."
Klein suddenly opened his eyes, not daring to look at the two items on the table again. He subconsciously took a step back before looking towards the source of the voice.
Aaron leaned back leisurely in his chair, a slight smile on his lips, and pointed to the high-backed chair opposite him, saying:
"You can sit there first."
Klein controlled his gaze, took a deep breath, took a few steps forward, and sat down in his designated seat. At the same time, he mentally rehearsed how to reasonably explain his "accidental" summary of the "acting method," awaiting the Duke's inquiry.
Watching Klein's emotional colors gradually stabilize, Aaron continued casually:
"Although you've been with the Nighthawks for less than two months, I think your understanding of your companions is better than many others."
"Hmm, I intend to share some experiences with you, but according to the Holy Cathedral's regulations, you must swear to the Goddess that you will not tell anyone who doesn't know about these things the content of our conversation."
"Is that alright?"
Does this mean I passed the assessment? But you haven't even asked anything yet? Klein immediately felt a sense of gain and loss, like punching cotton. Although the prepared rhetoric wasn't used, he still nodded without hesitation:
"No problem!"
"Very good." Aaron nodded, leaning forward slightly, and pointed to the gem bestowed by the Evernight Goddess, adding: "Then you may swear upon the Holy Artifact."
This is actually a Holy Artifact? No wonder that notebook was as quiet as a dead object…
This thought flashed through his mind, and Klein had no other choice. He placed his hand on it, while praying that the gray fog space wouldn't cause any trouble at this moment.
A cold but not biting sensation passed through his skin into his brain, instantly smoothing out the distracting thoughts and worries in his heart.
"Repeat after me." Aaron looked at Klein and spoke solemnly:
"Alright." Klein nodded.
Then, he heard the Duke in front of him switch to Hermes and say:
"The Evernight Goddess stands higher than the cosmos
and more eternal than eternity;"
"I swear to You with my true name and my spirituality."
"I, Klein, from now on, will absolutely not reveal the corresponding details of the 'acting method' to anyone who does not know about it."
"Should I violate this, I will accept Your punishment."
"Please witness my oath."
Klein suppressed his various thoughts and solemnly recited the oath in Hermes, following Aaron.
Vaguely, he felt that he had established a subtle, obscure connection with that gem, and with a certain existence infinitely far away.
The Evernight imprint emitted fluctuations, and Aaron seemed to sense a certain gaze. His expression immediately became serious. After Klein finished reciting, he drew a crimson moon on his chest and said:
"Praise the Goddess!"
Then Aaron looked at Klein and smiled slightly:
"Nighthawk Klein Moretti, in the name of the Goddess, I solemnly inform you that you have passed the Holy Cathedral's assessment."
"Congratulations! With your merits, you can now receive a advancement and become a Beyonder of Sequence 8!"
As he spoke, Aaron extended his right hand forward, taking out a bottle of liquid with interwoven gold, yellow, and red colors, yet exceptionally clear, from his spatial pocket. He handed it to the somewhat dazed Klein and explained:
"This is the potion for Sequence 8 'Clown.' Hmm, you can also divine to confirm it."
"I am waiting here to handle any unexpected situations after you consume the potion. You can rest assured, as long as the problem isn't severe, I should be able to salvage it."
This is… a spatial Mystical Item? Klein looked at the Duke, who had conjured the potion out of thin air, somewhat dazed. Then, as if coming to his senses, he took the bottle of potion.
He cleared his throat. Although it felt somewhat disrespectful to the Duke, since this was the potion he was about to consume, Klein still took out his citrine pendant and performed a divination.
After receiving confirmation that there were no problems, he picked up the "Clown" potion again.
Drink it, and I'll become a Beyonder of Sequence 8…
With that thought, Klein no longer hesitated. He tilted his head slightly and gulped down the potion.
Looking at Klein writhing on the ground, Aaron's expression was slightly playful. He took out a rather unique camera from his spatial pocket and took a few posed shots of the twisting, squirming Mr. Fool on the ground. Then, as if nothing had happened, he put the camera away and waited quietly.
Snapping back from the terrifying whispers of "Hornacis… Flegrea," Klein, who had officially advanced to Sequence 8 "Clown," weakly crawled up from the ground.
Aaron watched the newly promoted "Clown" try various movements quietly, until the other party completely stopped, then he nodded gently and said:
"You must remember one thing: within the same Sequence Pathway, High-Sequence powerhouses can, to some extent, influence the corresponding mid- and low-Sequence Beyonders."
"Of course, some weaker individuals can also achieve this by relying on items of extremely high Beyonder characteristic. The whispers or screams occasionally heard during a Beyonder's advancement might just be certain messages they deliberately transmit."
Hornacis… Flegrea… Klein's heart skipped a beat. He instantly thought of the gray fog space, and his thoughts immediately raced, but the emotions on his face were very natural. This was also the ability of a "Clown." He nodded solemnly and said:
"Mr. Attendant, I will remember that. I will not be tempted by those whispers and screams, nor will I be corrupted by them."
Aaron glanced at him, drew a crimson moon on his chest, and stood up, picking up the Antigonus family notebook from the table. He said with a smile:
"May the Goddess also bless you."
Walking slowly to the door, Aaron turned slightly to look at Klein, who was somewhat bewildered, seemingly still savoring the "Clown" ability, and said in an enigmatic tone:
"Klein, once you walk this Pathway, there's no turning back."
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