Chapter 485: Jian Gui – My Situation is Getting Better

Cang Xu's return was most detrimental to Qi Ling.

At this very moment, within Jian Gui's quarters, Qi Ling observed Cang Xu with veiled scrutiny, her emotions in turmoil: “Xu Jia has actually converted his faith!”

“Is conversion really that easy?”

“What kind of god is Charming Blue Goddess? She accepted an undead as her believer so readily?”

Qi Ling couldn't help but inwardly scoff: "Charming Blue Goddess has fallen from grace, she now accepts any believer, how pathetic!"

Cang Xu sighed bitterly: “I too am astonished that this conversion succeeded.”

"Now seeing you all again feels like a dream. Recalling our ordeal in the Ocean Mother Nest, it was perilous beyond measure. The fear still lingers.

Cang Xu's performance was astonishing, and he steered the conversation toward a topic that piqued everyone's interest.

How could they not be interested?

The Ocean Mother Nest concerned their very survival.

Thus, the group pressed Cang Xu for details.

Cang Xu began slowly, recounting the meticulously crafted tale he and the fishman youngster had woven.

He particularly emphasized the scene where the saint level sea beast, Snow Pear Octopus, tested the faithful, painting it vividly with dramatic flair.

“When the octopus's tentacles closed in on me, I was almost certain my end had come.”

"In that moment, the sensation of death descending upon me was suffocating, yet it also seemed to completely transform my faith!”

“To survive, I truly began to worship Charming Blue Goddess.”

“As the octopus's tentacles gradually retreated from me, I was still in a daze.”

…

The group listened with rapt attention. For a time, only Cang Xu's voice echoed within the shack.

Cang Xu was confident his account held no flaws.

Not only had he and the fishman youngster meticulously planned and reviewed it, but crucially, this wasn't a fabrication.

During their time aboard the Deep Sea Monster Fish, the fishman youngster had witnessed multiple teleportation blood sacrifices. Magic recordings documented countless such instances.

All were genuine evidence, authentic material extracted from actual events.

Thus, when Jian Gui and others heard it, none doubted its truth.

Finally, Cang Xu sighed deeply, his face bitter. "Perhaps I should thank that saint level sea beast more. Without its coercion, I wouldn't have faced such immense pressure of death, unable to transform my faith!"

After Cang Xu finished speaking, the shack fell into silence.

He lowered his head, his gaze resting on the sandy seabed, his mood tense.

He, too, was undergoing a trial now.

During his teleportation back, he had faced Zhou Zhang's test. Now, to reintegrate into Jian Gui's group, he needed the necromancers to recognize him anew.

His new identity as a believer of Charming Blue Goddess made the magicians both envious of his experiences and wary of him.

Qi Ling displayed this wariness most clearly.

Throughout Cang Xu's account, she kept glancing at Jian Gui. Her gaze seemed to ask: “Can Xu Jia truly be trusted?”

"Xu Jia's faith has shifted; he now worships the enemy's deity. For the sake of that faith, betraying us is entirely possible."

But Jian Gui seemed oblivious to Qi Ling's glances. Not only did he actively invite Cang Xu to this necromancer gathering, but after Cang Xu finished speaking, he declared: "Xu Jia, you performed brilliantly. Frankly, it surpassed my expectations."

“I owe you my gratitude.”

"Your success proves that even if we fail to forge memories, there remains a way out. You have given us immense confidence and hope."

"Changing allegiance on the fly is incredibly difficult, especially for us necromancers. But you did it!"

“What comforts me most is that even after switching sides, you haven't betrayed us. You're still willing to act alongside us.”

“I didn't gift that undead inheritance in vain!”

Jian Gui spoke with skill, referencing how he had previously “broken his own rules” to grant Cang Xu the intermediate soul aspect inheritance.

Upon hearing this, Cang Xu immediately expressed gratitude while seizing the moment to declare his loyalty, emphasizing the nature of faith: “Though I worship Charming Blue Goddess, it doesn't mean I'll abandon or betray you all.”

“That's entirely different!”

“Besides, the one truly responsible for our captivity and suffering is Zhou Zhang.”

"I worship the Charming Blue Goddess, but I do not acknowledge Zhou Zhang. My grudge against her remains unsettled!"

Cang Xu's words somewhat eased the necromancers' worries and reservations.

Qi Ling's gaze was somber, her expression gloomy.

Xiao Wang Zi averted his eyes, unable to meet Cang Xu's stare, still feeling awkward.

Ku Feng, however, approached Cang Xu directly, inquiring about the specifics of conversion.

For him, after Cang Xu, if the human pirates weren't an option, he would be next. By then, the memory forgery would surely remain incomplete.

Thus, conversion was crucial, perhaps his only path to survival.

Cang Xu didn't reject Ku Feng's invitation. Instead, he agreed to speak with him privately after the gathering to explain everything in detail. What everyone should focus on next was sharing experiences and adjusting their collaboration on the memory fabrication.

Cang Xu noticed significant progress in the memory fabrication process.

He wasn't surprised. Calculating the time, he had missed one gathering session due to participating in the teleportation blood sacrifice.

On the surface, the group discussed prayers and conversion rituals. In reality, they secretly transmitted messages, plotting to fabricate memories and blaspheme the goddess.

The difference this time was that Cang Xu became the ostensible speaker. He shared the divine revelations he had received after his own prayers. Specifically, how a monk of the Charming Blue Church should pray, interpret its doctrines, and so forth.

After the gathering concluded, Cang Xu was personally retained by Jian Gui.

The two conversed privately.

Cang Xu expressed gratitude for Jian Gui's earlier breach of protocol in bestowing upon him the intermediate soul aspect inheritance. The magnanimity and demeanor Jian Gui displayed in this matter had won Cang Xu's deep respect. Cang Xu pledged his full cooperation in forging memories for Jian Gui. Finally, Cang Xu subtly hinted: his interest in other inheritances remained undiminished!

Jian Gui roared with laughter, his chuckles echoing loudly.

“From our first meeting, I recognized you as an exceptional magician.”

“A voracious thirst for knowledge is one of a magician's finest qualities."

“Doctor Sui Shi chose you to learn the Flying Head Spell, likely recognizing your exceptional qualities.”

That's utter nonsense!

Doctor Sui Shi taught the Flying Head Spell only to use Cang Xu as an experimental subject. While ostensibly compensation, imparting the technique was merely to keep Cang Xu as his test subject.

By invoking Doctor Sui Shi, Jian Gui primarily sought to remind Cang Xu of his formidable background, a tactic of intimidation.

Then, shifting his tone, Jian Gui adopted a troubled expression, explaining that while he possessed both intermediate inheritances of the corpse aspect and bone aspect, such sharing was strictly forbidden by principle.

Upon hearing this, Cang Xu knew instantly that he had a chance!

Having dealt with Jian Gui for so long, he understood all too well the nature of his so-called “principles”.

Cang Xu hastily pledged his loyalty and expressed his intense desire for the undead inheritance.

Sure enough, after some evasive talk, Jian Gui hinted: if Cang Xu made a significant contribution—like rescuing a legitimate member of the undead faction (meaning himself), granting him the intermediate inheritance would be entirely within the bounds of principle.

Satisfied with this answer, Cang Xu took his leave.

Watching Cang Xu's retreating figure, Jian Gui narrowed his eyes, equally satisfied.

“Though Xu Jia has embraced the faith of the Charming Blue Goddess, he remains no zealous believer. For the time being, he remains trustworthy and poses no threat.”

"The persona I've cultivated, my leadership, the personal charisma I've maintained, all are working to exert a positive influence on Xu Jia!"

"The hidden trap is confirmed to still be in place. Should Xu Jia betray me, I can kill him in an instant."

But doing so would inevitably trigger a massive investigation by Zhou Zhang. The consequences would be too much for me to bear."

“Keep Xu Jia steady. His desire for the inheritances is perfect, let them be the carrot dangling before the donkey, compelling him to keep fabricating memories for me.”

“Speaking of which, his successful conversion greatly benefits my situation.”

"On one hand, he'll continue contributing to the memory fabrication plan. On the other hand, Zhou Zhang and the others will gain greater confidence in the undead conversion, which will improve their attitude toward us."

"Don't panic, don't rush. Though I'm now a prisoner, my chances of escape have actually grown. That's right, if things continue this way, I'll definitely break free from here. It might even turn out to be a blessing in disguise."

Jian Gui couldn't help but envision the future.