"Mr. Jixing, do you know about the Divine Presence Festival?"
Zhang Xiaoman was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to ask such a question suddenly, but he still nodded and spoke up:
"I know, Iâve heard itâs the largest festival in the Human Kingdom, a day of the True Godâs arrival. People usually pray and hold sacrifices on this day, but it seems to be just a legend, more symbolic than real."
He shared what he had heard.
This so-called Divine Presence Festival is essentially like the New Year on Water Blue Star.
Every year at this time, people take their vacations, rest as needed, everyone celebrating the grand year joyfully.
Coincidentally, Zhang Xiaomanâs arrival is timely, with only half a month left until the Divine Presence Festival, and festive vibes are already palpable throughout the city.
Earlier, on his way here, he bought quite a few Rainbow Flowers from a little girl.
These blooms only appear in these two months are beautiful plants symbolizing the approach of the Divine Presence Festival, known as the divine flowers.
However, unfortunately, the originally festive atmosphere has been shattered by the invasion of the Orc Kingdom.
The cityâs residents are mostly scared, who has the mind to celebrate? Theyâre busy saving money and storing grain, fearing passivity when the flames of war descend.
Zhang Xiaoman quickly recalled information about the Divine Presence Festival.
He knew this Holy Demon Master wouldnât mention this to him without reason, leaving him more curious about the story ahead.
McCarthy smiled helplessly; though his expression was unseen, Zhang Xiaoman could sense a hint of bitterness in his laughter.
"People think the Divine Presence Festival is just symbolic, yet who knows, âgodsâ truly descend..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaomanâs heart stirred, but he maintained his composure, quietly listening on.
"Hehe, Mr. Jixing probably isnât from our world, right? You may not know this, but the Erin Continent where we dwell isnât what people thinkâsome world center, some mortal realm... itâs all fake! Erin Continent is merely a cage!"
Upon hearing this, Fox beside him slightly trembled, his inner emotions clearly stirred more than his outward calm.
"Three hundred years ago, the Sunset Swamp, back then it wasnât called Sunset Swamp; it was named Sunset Mountain Range, with Holy City Roster standing loftily there."
"Yet, the outbreak of the Divine War nearly destroyed this city; the whole mountain range was obliterated, the land burned for three whole years, leaving now only a swampy restricted area no one dares enter."
"I am a Roster native, having witnessed the terrifying war, the fall of the Great Knight Lord Paladin... though I was young then, the memory is forever etched in my mind."
"This day, I will never forget. It marks every yearâs beginning, known as the Divine Presence Festival..."
McCarthy paused here suddenly, turning to glance at a magic array on the right, then continued:
"Mr. Jixing, the secret I wish to share with you relates directly to this festival. Would you be willing to listen?"
Zhang Xiaoman remained calm.
"I am all ears."
McCarthy placed his hands behind him, raised his head towards the mountaintop, and with a low voice, said:
"In this world, the Holy Rank isnât the pinnacle. Above the Holy Rank, there should be a higher realm, which we call the God Realm..."
"Unfortunately, Iâve scoured all preserved materials, yet found no records about the God Realm. Finally, investigating the Sunset Swamp ruins led to discovering a journal left by the Paladin Lord..."
He slowly spoke of the journalâs contents.
"Deities exist truly; it wasnât the Heavenly Fire but the high gods who destroyed us... I saw the divine forms arriving, my strength and life being drained away... Inextinguishable flames descended from the sky, the land wailing, mountains shattered, fragments raining down into the city..."
"I heard laughter from the heavens, this world is just a hoax, we are all to be slaughtered, the kingdom shall meet destruction under the Heavenly Fire, everything will restart, circulate repeatedly..."
"..."
McCarthy sighed.
"This is the Paladin Lordâs last words, buried beneath the swamp. After finding it, I started on the journey to investigate the truth, which led to subsequent discoveries..."
"I donât know who exactly the Paladin Lord saw then, but Iâm certain it was one of the deitiesâa mastermind behind all this. The constraints appearing in our world must be related to them!"
"Based on my investigation, the continentâs history shows gaps every three hundred years, with a loss of ancient texts, words vanish from books as if they were never written."
"This world feels like itâs gripped by a mighty hand, deities keep us penned for our lives, for our souls..."
"Mortals struggle to survive, but for us with Holy Rank power, weâre the first targets those deities harvest; our strength becomes their sustenance, nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape..."
"Today, three hundred years have passed since the Divine War, and this year marks the end, with fifteen days left, the three-hundredth Divine Presence Festival will arrive, and may confront a new cycle of Heavenly Fire..."
"My power is gradually approaching the Ninth Rank Peak, yet I canât advance further; I can feel this world is restrained, to break through, one must leave..."
"Mr. Jixing, I donât know where youâre from, nor do I care about your origins; I seek your aid alone. The purpose of the Unshacklers is to break free from the deitiesâ restraints on us; we must resist, or face doom!"
With direct gaze, McCarthy invited Zhang Xiaoman.
"Mr. Jixing, under the name of the Unshacklers, I sincerely invite you: join us, together to break this worldâs shackles!"
As his words ended, Fox stepped forward two steps, taking out an emblem from his cloak marked with the Unshacklersâ triangular sign.
Zhang Xiaoman, looking at the item in his palm, pondered deeply.
While uncertain whether the Holy Demon Masterâs words were true, logically, he seemed not to need to deceive him.
Why weave an elaborate story just to trick him into joiningâwhat for?
At their level of power, such lies are meaningless.
Plus, with only half a month until the Divine Presence Festival, the truth would be revealed by then; McCarthy indeed had no reason to lie.
Zhang Xiaomanâs eyes flickered, swiftly weighing pros and cons.
According to the story, should deities indeed descend after fifteen days, his power would undoubtedly be a target too.
Though he could hide somewhere, relying on the Dark Star Ringâs ability to stay undetected.
Yet Zhang Xiaoman didnât wish to remain hidden; he still needed to find the dimension rift to return home.
If enemies slaughter everyone here, who would aid him in finding the rift?
In the worst-case scenario, Zhang Xiaoman thought joining first would make sense: if defeated, he could still escape using his teleportation ability, unlikely to be blocked.
Considering various factors, he secretly resolved.
Joining the Unshacklers Organization seemed logically sound, ultimately more beneficial than detrimental.
Contemplating further, Zhang Xiaoman reached out to accept the badge handed by Fox while gazing towards McCarthy Larentra not far away.
"I accept your invitation."
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