Chapter 537: Changing Xiao Wang Zi's Faith

Divine spell - Soul Link.

The pale blue soul chain forged an unprecedentedly intimate bond between Cang Xu and Xiao Wang Zi's souls.

Xiao Wang Zi regarded the soul chain with curiosity.

He could sense its fragility—any intense resistance would shatter it.

Cang Xu had already verified this during the Deep Sea Monster Fish incident. Back then, the transcendent fishman he faced wasn't even a magician, let alone silver level, and was in poor condition, yet he could still snap the soul chain cleanly.

Thus, this divine spell proved impractical for combat, suitable only for situations like the present.

Xiao Wang Zi cooperated fully, offering no resistance whatsoever.

He was a skeleton, his eye sockets hollow, yet Cang Xu could sense certain emotions from him through the way he gazed up at him and the connection of the soul chain.

Guilt, closeness, and a faint hint of reverence.

When Cang Xu first teleported back, he did not hold Xiao Wang Zi accountable, which amplified the latter's guilt manifold.

This allowed Cang Xu to breach Xiao Wang Zi's emotional defenses, achieving a breakthrough in their relationship.

Later, Cang Xu schemed against Qi Ling as retribution.

He and Qi Ling engaged in a brilliant game of wits centered around Jian Gui. Qi Ling sought to draw on Jian Gui's power to confront Cang Xu. Cang Xu, however, exploited the situation to thwart Jian Gui's plans against him, successfully sending the entire Da Ji Clan to a teleportation blood sacrifice.

Xiao Wang Zi and Ku Feng had long harbored resentment toward Qi Ling. Cang Xu's scheme against the Da Ji Clan, directly confronting Qi Ling, gave them immense satisfaction upon witnessing it!

Upon his second return, Cang Xu stunned everyone once more.

He had mastered a divine spell, aiding the Da Ji Clan within the Ocean Mother Nest. This led many fishmen to convert successfully, securing their survival.

Cang Xu's move was nothing short of brilliant!

First, he successfully divided the Da Ji Clan.

On the other hand, he held the Da Ji Clan as leverage, forcing Qi Ling to tread carefully.

Finally, Cang Xu's status skyrocketed as a result, earning greater trust from the Charming Blue Church. Zhou Zhang lifted both seals binding him that very day.

Even Xiao Wang Zi, though politically naive, sensed an exceptional ability in Cang Xu's series of actions. His growing admiration felt entirely natural.

“Xiao Wang Zi and I have grown much closer.”

“In time, he will be a valuable ally in my ploy against Qi Ling!”

“Alas, the time has been too brief. My influence over him still pales beside that of Jian Gui.”

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Cang Xu cast an imperceptible glance at Jian Gui standing before him.

This time, when he cast the divine spell to guide Xiao Wang Zi's faith, he did so right in front of Jian Gui.

In truth, it was Jian Gui who had suggested it.

Cang Xu found it hard to refuse, so he agreed on the spot, quite decisively.

Jian Gui was hypocritical, but skilled, able to maintain the charade, deceiving Xiao Wang Zi, Ku Feng, and Qi Ling.

Jian Gui wielded immense influence over the three of them, the result of years of control.

It was not something Cang Xu could rival through mere effort in such a short time.

Divine spell - Spiritual Sound Sermon.

Cang Xu drew upon his memories and poured them into Xiao Wang Zi.

In an instant, the doctrines of the Charming Blue faith, along with Cang Xu's own interpretations of them, flowed through the soul link, seeping deep into the skeleton magician's soul.

Xiao Wang Zi gained profound insights, exclaiming, “So this is another layer of meaning within the Charming Blue faith's doctrines!”

Under the spell's effect, his comprehension of the doctrines reached the same level as Cang Xu's.

Though several days had passed since Cang Xu's second return via teleportation, this marked the first time he had guided Xiao Wang Zi in matters of faith.

In truth, Xiao Wang Zi, lacking confidence in himself, had long ago invited Cang Xu to intervene.

Cang Xu had politely deferred, offering a perfectly reasonable justification.

He had argued: The first guidance of faith was crucial and had to be approached with utmost care. If the first attempt failed, subsequent attempts, no matter how many, would yield little effect.

The optimal moment for the first conversion was during the teleportation blood sacrifice, under the overwhelming pressure of death!

Only then can the effect of the first conversion be maximized.

Cang Xu not only offered his own suggestion but also used himself as an example to substantiate it: “The first time I was in the Mother Nest, it was only under the intense pressure of death brought by the saint beast that I broke through my own limits.”

“I believe the reason Charming Blue Goddess placed Her saint beast within the Mother Nest was likely to harness the overwhelming pressure of death to cultivate faith.”

Cang Xu's words convinced not only Xiao Wang Zi but also Jian Gui.

Thus, the conversion before the teleportation blood sacrifice occurred!

Divine spell - Spiritual Navigation.

As the divine spell unfolded, an image of Charming Blue Goddess spontaneously materialized within Xiao Wang Zi's mind.

The spiritual energy within him flowed naturally into the divine form, as effortlessly as water seeking its lowest point.

Once the spell concluded, Cang Xu inquired what Xiao Wang Zi had witnessed.

The latter truthfully described the vision of Charming Blue Goddess.

He then inquired, “Is there a problem?”

Cang Xu smiled and explained, “The function of this divine spell is actually spatial positioning and teleportation.”

"However, most spatial teleportation spells transport either the caster or the target. This spell, however, acts upon an individual's spiritual energy."

“Over these past days, I've used this spell multiple times and gained deeper understanding.”

“Discussions with Lord Zhou Zhang have further enriched my insights, especially through her guidance.”

"Lord Zhou Zhang holds this divine spell in high regard, for it establishes a direct connection between believers and the deity's essence itself. Unlike conventional prayer, where believers' spiritual energy gathers upon statues, altars, churches, and such facilities before being channeled through them to the deity."

"The Charming Blue Goddess statue you just saw is actually the deity's true form. It merely manifests as a statue based on your level of closeness, understanding, and faith toward Her."

“If you were more devoted to the Charming Blue Goddess, understood the doctrine more deeply, and held steadfast faith, you wouldn't see a statue at all—but rather deeper symbols like altars or churches.”

Xiao Wang Zi realized: “So that's how it is.”

Though simple-minded, he was still a magician and understood Cang Xu's implied meaning.

Immediately, Xiao Wang Zi murmured with worry: "I only saw the statue. That means my faith in the Charming Blue Goddess isn't very deep. This teleportation blood sacrifice is likely to go awry for me!"

Cang Xu hurriedly reassured him: “During my first Spiritual Navigation, I too saw only the Charming Blue Goddess statue.”

“But now, when I navigate, I can already perceive this gold level altar we're using!”

“Keep going, you'll definitely succeed next time.”

Cang Xu's expression turned serious: “The upcoming divine spell is the most critical!”

He instructed Xiao Wang Zi: "Follow my prayer. You may experience intense pain during this process, endure it and do not cease praying."

"Even after the divine spell concludes, keep praying. Sustain it for as long as possible."

Xiao Wang Zi nodded in understanding.

Cang Xu began his invocation.

"Great Charming Blue Goddess, I praise Your mercy. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is the kindness You show to Your faithful believers; as far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us..."

While praying, Cang Xu performed the divine spell - Synchronized Conversion!

Instantly, the pale blue chain binding them both erupted with blinding radiance.

Cang Xu's divine power, spiritual energy, and very soul essence were being violently drained.

Simultaneously, Xiao Wang Zi's soul underwent a brutal transformation. Agonizing pain surged from its deepest recesses, nearly overwhelming his consciousness.

Fortunately, Xiao Wang Zi had prepared himself mentally beforehand, barely clinging to his sanity.

He followed Cang Xu's lead, murmuring his prayers.

The effect was immediate!

The reshaping of his soul amplified the efficacy of his prayers beyond anything he'd ever experienced before.

The degree of enhancement was profound, deeply felt by Xiao Wang Zi.

At that moment, even Jian Gui couldn't conceal the piercing brilliance in his eyes!

"Synchronized Conversion divine spell? It can actually modify another's soul!"

“So that's how it works.”

“Deities cultivate believers by nourishing their bodies and souls with divine power, transforming them into vessels more attuned to that power.”

"Synchronized Conversion divine spell operates on this principle, condensing the divine power transformation process into a short period. The template for soul reshaping is the caster themselves!"

"This divine spell not only consumes divine power but also devours the caster's spirit and soul! It treats the caster's soul as a material for spellcasting. Much like how we utilize soul crystals."

Jian Gui truly lived up to his reputation as an orthodox necromancer. After observing, he uncovered the truth behind this divine spell.

He was profoundly shaken.

The undead orthodoxy had already been deeply researched by other factions. This Synchronized Conversion divine spell had even approached the forefront of orthodoxy from another angle!

While Jian Gui was shaken, he also set aside his previous concerns.

Ever since Cang Xu's second teleportation back, he had been relentlessly gathering intelligence on Cang Xu.

From the fishmen of the Da Ji Clan, he had obtained much hidden knowledge about Cang Xu's new divine spells. Upon accessing this intelligence, Jian Gui had surmised that the divine spells possessed soul-altering effects.

Today's event merely provided him with firsthand confirmation.

“Fortunately, I had already subdued Cang Xu and tampered with his soul beforehand.”

“Had Cang Xu remained uncontrolled, the backdoor embedded in the soul template of Xiao Wang Zi, forged from his essence, would have been erased!”

Jian Gui had installed covert control mechanisms within Ku Feng, Xiao Wang Zi, Qi Ling, and Cang Xu.

This was the foundation of his confidence thus far, and the deepest reason for his trust in the other undead!

Just as Jian Gui had predicted, within a dozen seconds, Cang Xu voluntarily halted the divine spell, Synchronized Conversion.

Cang Xu gasped for breath, his vision darkening.

Without his guidance, Xiao Wang Zi felt the excruciating pain in his soul suddenly lessen, though lingering agony remained.