Chapter 30

Chapter 30

What a waste!

Instead of killing her, one should track and surveil such a wealthy Silver Maiden believer, uncover her connections, and apprehend them all in one swoop!

The fearless Bai Li was now acting with reckless abandon.

Though she might not even know what "recklessness" meant.

As an Inquisitor, Lin's instincts were urging him to capture his only believer. At the very least, he wanted to put her through a couple of lessons in prison, so she could understand the vast gap between her incomplete profession and true Extraordinary Professionals.

Bai Li currently knew only one spell, but even melee-oriented Extraordinary Professionals at the lower levels would typically master three or four spells, along with one or more passive talents.

Based on Lin's gaming experience from his previous life, every professional in this world was a spellcaster; there were no pure physical warriors.

Even low-level Beastfolk possessed spells like Wild Transformation, Self-Berserk, and Intimidation, and had passive talents like Flesh Regeneration and Language Comprehension (limited to their own race). Other professionals had even more abilities.

Bai Li's Fear Touch hit the Flower Shepherdess only because the latter was completely unguarded.

Moreover, it was Huan Banxiang, the Holy Light Knight, who truly secured the kill with her overused yet powerful Smite Evil spell, a single-target damage spell specifically targeting evil beings.

When Bai Li asked him, "Do we need to kill her?" it reminded Lin of walking a small Pomeranian on a leash, encountering a large unleashed dog, and having his Pomeranian start barking fiercely to protect him.

The intention was good, though.

Lin felt both amused and exasperated, but upon reflection, wasn't it his fault for not teaching Bai Li anything?

Considering how she was viewed as a thorn in the side by the Mutant Cult in Tieliu City and her hostility towards Silver Maiden believers, he couldn't let her continue like this, half-educated and out in the open.

He needed to teach her relevant knowledge and improve her strength, ideally...

By granting her power himself and making her a true Professional.

But I have no idea how to do that! Lin's headache intensified.

As a Ritualist, his understanding of other professions was limited. During his two years at the Inquisitor School, he learned about the spells of certain professions, how to replicate them through rituals, and how to counter them. He had memorized hundreds of fill-in-the-blank and true/false questions related to the rituals used by Professionals under the Six Pillar Gods, but he had never performed any practical operations.

Unlike Ritualists, most other professions required one to already be a Professional before entering the Inquisitor School, rather than becoming one after training there.

Thus, it was usually older Ritualists known to their elders who guided young aspirants through their initiation rituals.

From any perspective, Lin lacked experience in guiding Bai Li through her initiation. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to step up.

Lin instantly decided which bookshelf in the library to visit and whom to consult regarding the matter.

This would take time, so for now, he focused on having Bai Li learn relevant knowledge.

Without answering whether they should kill the Silver Maiden believer, the Mirror Eye said to Bai Li, "Inquisitor Huan Banxiang has a study."

"Yes," Bai Li replied, not questioning how her Master knew this.

Every Inquisitor had a space for studying and working overtime. Even Lin could use similar reasons to let Little Black Spot sleep in the living room. Looking through the mirror, although he could only see a corner of the walk-in closet, it was clear that Inquisitor Huan Banxiang had a study.

"In the study, start reading from *Religion Studies*. Today is Thursday; you must finish the preface and introduction by Saturday." Lin began planning Bai Li's study route. "For *The Evil of Evil Professions*, directly read the Silver Maiden section, and memorize it by Sunday."

Bai Li finally began to feel puzzled.

Her face clearly showed her confusion.

But the Mirror Eye reassured her, "You can do this, right?"

If she dared to kill, surely learning wouldn't be a problem? Lin thought, projecting his own experiences onto her.

If Bai Li could feel fear, given her average grades from elementary to middle school, she would be trembling right now.

But even without fear, Bai Li still felt a twinge of doubt.

She succeeded in her first kill, but when it came to learning and memorizing, her rational mind knew her limitations. Without seeing the thickness of the books her Master mentioned, she predicted that finishing them within two days and memorizing them within three was an impossible task.

Seeing her hesitation, the god in the mirror, whose silver eyes were clearly visible, asked, "Lady, are you afraid?"

"No!" Bai Li immediately responded, "I am just worried, Master. I am so dull-witted; I may not be able to meet your expectations."

"Before me, don't say you can't meet my expectations," the Mirror Eye said gently, "you must complete this task."

Even if she had to nurse a child while memorizing... matters of life and death could not be delayed.

Lin did not want his only believer to recklessly throw away her life.

Moreover, Bai Li already possessed a hint of mana, which should have improved her overall abilities.

Training Professionals to control their enhanced physical attributes was part of Inquisitor education, and reading and memorization were common intellectual exercises. If she didn't read, memorize, and think, her mana-enhanced body would be no different from before.

"You get along well with Inquisitors," Lin even instructed her, "ask them if you don't understand something."

"…If you believe I can do it," Bai Li clasped her hands in front of her chest, her face determined, "I will try."

Why does she look like she's going to die? Lin found her expression perplexing.

"Then," he continued, "you have another assignment."

Bai Li's expression grew even more resolute, "Please instruct me."

"Lecai Xikadir, whether he is a Silver Maiden believer cannot be determined solely by your intuition," Lin said, though he suspected the Deerman was likely one.

Due to the Silver Maiden, an evil deity, Lin knew that the dungeons he had visited tended to be conservative, and sexual transactions were strictly forbidden. Yet pleasure was a human nature, and the dopamine released during intercourse was an addiction the brain could hardly escape. The Mutant Cult often used this method to corrupt people. They organized secret parties and salons, providing attractive young men and women to the powerful. Where did these young people come from? There were far too many aspiring actors and singers eager for fame.

The Inquisition conducted regular and surprise inspections of certain venues, but Silver Maiden believers were experienced in evading checks.

Lecai Xikadir, he is likely the hand of the Iron Pomegranate City mutation cult extending into this circle.

Bai Li would understand this after finishing her study of "Religious Studies," but unfortunately, she hasn't started yet.

"Go investigate him; don't limit yourself to his work or his address. Figure out his network and see if there are any other believers of the Silver Moon Maiden; pay attention to his actions to gather evidence that he is a believer of the Silver Moon Maiden; match your studies to determine his extraordinary profession."

"Do this while not exposing yourself in front of him."

In the mirror, the silver eyes gradually disappeared.

Only a voice that should belong to a young man echoed in Bai Li's mind.

"See for me," He promised, "If you do well enough, I will reward you."

***

"This matter, originally, could have earned some rewards for your Spire City Court," said the Chief Judge, "So how did it develop into this situation?"

While Lin was contacting the sole believer in the Ceremony Department's archive room, the high-ranking officials of the Spire City Court were having a meeting in the large conference hall he had been in.

The Chief Judge, who had previously said, "I hope to hear good news from you next time," sighed over the phone and said, "It was great news that the Silver Moon Maiden had fewer 'Conch' fragments. But how did you lose this piece again?"

Sitting at one end of the long table in the large conference hall, Hui Cui lowered her eyes to look at the table.

Han Xuelie, who had been present at the scene, was flushed red.

As the highest-ranking official who appeared in that battle, the entire incident was his responsibility, and he didn't intend to shirk it.

The problem was, Han Xuelie really couldn't figure it out. Yan Tang, Lin, and Suye Azari, who had been captured and detained in the purification room, all confirmed the existence of the "Conch" fragment. But how did that thing disappear right under his nose?

"Stop dwelling on this issue, Han Xuelie," Hui Cui comforted him, "As part of the Dream God's remains, His power surpassing our imagination is natural. Can we comprehend the strength of the Pillar Gods? Instead of figuring out how it disappeared, finding it is the top priority."

"Do you have a plan, Hui Cui?" asked the Chief Judge.

"Yes," Hui Cui said solemnly, "Although the Conch Blower has died, His remains still yearn to be whole again. I suspect that because the fragment sensed the 'Conch' nearby after its descent, it began moving towards the 'Conch' after Sulu Bengu let go. It might have already reached the headquarters."

"According to Shuye's confession, the mutation cult intended to exploit this characteristic. They planned to hold a super-large-scale ritual to pull the entire Spire City into a dream, determine the location of the 'Conch' in the dream, and obtain it with the help of the Silver Moon Maiden, making her the true ruler of dreams."

"The mutation cult no longer has the power to carry out this plan, as they lost the 'Conch' fragment."

"We also don't know where the 'Conch' fragment is, but we still have the remaining 'Conch.'"

The Chief Judge pondered for a moment over the phone.

"Do you think a ritual using the 'Conch' can determine the location of the fragment? But the Silver Moon Maiden certainly won't give up all her fragments. This ritual will not only affect the missing fragment but also the Silver Moon Maiden herself."

He asked Hui Cui, "Are you prepared?"

"Yes," Hui Cui nodded, "The Silver Moon Maiden cannot truly descend; if anything else comes instead of Her."

The gentle snow-haired Dover Birdman affirmed, "I will ensure they come but never return."