From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

The silver-haired youth standing in the tub had an ancient sculptural beauty and elegance.

After he had cleaned himself, he silently dressed and went to his sister Irene’s room.

At the door, Chris saw Vanessa for the first time in a long while, now fifteen years old.

Today’s Vanessa wore a white hunting outfit that outlined a fine figure with her shirt, pants, and riding boots, her light green eyes shining like the brightest gems.

She stood at the door with her hands behind her back, smiling, composed, and graceful.

The nearly perfect short-haired girl had only one flaw: Vanessa still limped when she walked.

However, some people in the world still exude grace and poise even with a disability.

Vanessa of today was such a person.

She looked at Chris, curtsied slightly with a smile, and said, “Young Master Chris, you’ve returned.”

“Please come in, the headmistress has been waiting for you.”

Chris remained silent, feeling as though a profound barrier stood between them.

He had spent most of the past year in Fein City with Byrne, only now finally returning for good, so he had barely seen Vanessa.

The girl’s haughty and meddling personality seemed to have truly vanished.

In the end, he said nothing and went into the room to see his sister Irene, bringing out the report Archibald had written for him.

After leaving the room, Chris went to the alchemy workshop built by the family outside the manor two years ago, looking for Byrne.

The almost half-enclosed alchemy workshop was filled with various transparent apparatus and plants that emitted strange odors, with test tubes bubbling in different colors.

Byrne and his assistant, Erik, were often busy there all night long.

Erik was Ramon’s grandson, who fell into mental illness after his father Hugh died, and although he finally managed to converse normally with people, he would still fall into comas from time to time.

Because Erik had a good memory and learning ability, and he was one of the few literates, the overworked Byrne took him as an apprentice and assistant.

The new alchemy workshop covered more than fifty square meters, several times larger than the original one, and Byrne and the thin Erik were busy inside.

“You’ve finally returned, Chris. Has Archibald’s matter been resolved?”

Byrne smiled upon seeing the returning Chris.

Chris nodded slightly but did not respond verbally.

He thought for a moment and finally couldn’t help but ask, “Tonight?”

Byrne hesitated for a moment before finally replying, “Yes, it is tonight.”

Tonight was an important day for the Fischer family, as they would add three new Blood Receivers, granting them the Power of Consecution.

They were Vanessa, who was Irene’s personal attendant; Archibald, Chris’s deputy; and Erik, Byrne’s apprentice and assistant.

Irene, with her ability to “Listen for Malice,” could easily pick out those with suitable natures, and then select the capable ones to nurture.

The first batch of finalists from the orphanage were them, the three.

After years of nurturing, all three had developed an extreme degree of loyalty to the Fischer family, even seeing the core members of the family as their own.

So, it was time to grant them Fischer’s Blood and the power of the gods.

But Chris had long known of a matter discussed within the family and felt uneasy at heart.

If they chose not to accept “Fischer’s Blood” and the “Lost Ritual,” they would be dealt with immediately; the family could not leave such a significant threat.

The three, including Vanessa, had all done “overstepping” acts for the family, only that Irene had Vanessa kill a villain.

Chris suddenly felt a fear, though Vanessa had become extremely loyal to the Fischer family over the past few years.

If she had always been disguising herself and refused the Lost Ritual at the last moment, or showed disloyalty after receiving the blood.

In any case, he didn’t want Vanessa to be killed by his family.

That would simply be an unimaginable nightmare.

“Chris, come here.”

Byrne suddenly smiled and beckoned Chris over; the youth hesitated for a moment before walking over.

The steady-eyed Byrne slowly stood up, as if seeing through the youth’s thoughts, placed his hand on his cousin’s nape and calmly said from up close:

“Don’t worry, Irene and I are absolutely sure, Vanessa and the others will not reject the ritual, nor will they betray us, at least not at this point in time.”

“Trust our judgment, Chris.”

He left Chris’s side, patting the youth’s shoulder.

Chris remained silent, just nodding calmly.

At this point, he also had to watch the whole matter unfold.

Finally, night fell.

Vanessa, Archibald, and Erik came to the family’s underground chamber for the first time and saw the idol, altar, and sacred objects belonging to the Lord of the Lost.

Irene requested everyone to kneel, and then she, Byrne, and Chris also knelt down.

Over the years, the three of them had been subtly influenced by Irene. Although they had no attachment to the faith of the True Gods, they were still filled with shock at the grandeur of the Lord of the Lost!

“So that’s how it is, so it is…” Vanessa murmured to herself, “It was You who saved the Fischer family. I always thought it was the Lord of Salvation or some powerful Extraordinary Exponent.”

Archibald’s expression was extremely solemn as he said, “The Fischer family saved my fate, and I wouldn’t mind giving my soul to You.”

Erik stared dumbfounded at the idol and sacred object, speechless for a long time.

Suddenly, they all felt a terrifying power emanating from the black light within the sacred object, as if it could destroy everything in the world, irresistible to mere mortals.

That power was so overwhelming, it left them breathless. All three couldn’t help but shiver and bow their heads, not daring to look directly at the black light in the sacred object.

Karl had long been aware of their presence, calmly observing the three kneeling before him, effortlessly discerning the God Pantheon stairway that best suited each of them.

However, before He would truly bestow power upon them, they needed to undertake another part of the Lost Ritual. They would have to enter the Spirit Realm, pass through the Gate of Shadow, and then use a special potion made from Fischer’s Blood.

Irene calmly narrated the various greatness of the Lord of the Lost and the teachings of Dawn.

All three agreed to undergo the Lost Ritual. Thus, they entered the Spirit Realm with the Fischer siblings, arriving directly in front of the Gate of Shadow this time.

“This is the Spirit Realm!”

All three were extremely shocked. Although they had heard of the existence of the Spirit Realm, they merely knew it as an extremely mysterious and bizarre world.

All secrets related to the Spirit Realm were highly valuable, and even those large nobles and churches knew very little about it!

After completing the Lost Ritual, they felt that terribly frightening presence.

The Lord of the Lost was gazing upon them!

Irene and Byrne exchanged a glance and nodded.

The next step was to pray for the grace of the gods, to enable them to step onto the God Pantheon stairway and grasp the mysterious power of Consecution.

Irene began to pray again for the grace of the Lord of the Lost, offering three different Class 1 Extraordinary Materials that had been prepared in advance.

They were the “phantom flower” with transparent petals that change color with the moonlight as if made of pure light.

There was also the “Fantasy Wisteria” with small purple flowers covering its vines that emitted gentle, breathing-like sounds, inducing deep sleep.

And the “Crystal Coral Polyps,” which slept deep in the ocean like transparent crystal sculptures.

“Great Lord of the Lost…”

Another sacrifice began, and finally, the three Blood Receivers successively obtained differing Consecution powers, embarking upon three brand new God Pantheon stairways.

Vanessa embarked on the “Path of World Order,” with her first Consecution power being “Guardian.”

“Guardian” possessed two Extraordinary traits: “Protection” and “Lethal Counterattack.”

“Protection” allowed for advance marking of a person with a spell symbol so that the guardian could actively take on half of the damage inflicted on the marked individual.

“Lethal Counterattack” meant that if attacked, the chance to hit the source of the damage would be greatly increased on the next strike, provided the target was within range.

Her physical condition improved greatly, while her Spiritual Power increased less so, although Vanessa was a Spellcaster herself.

Archibald embarked on the “Path of Calamity,” with his first Consecution power being “Gale Protector.”

“Gale Protector” only had one Extraordinary trait: “Storm Armor.”

“Storm Armor” allowed an Exponent of Consecution power to automatically generate swirling winds around them; the more Spiritual Power consumed, the larger the range.

Even “Storm Armor” could grow to form a massive storm as the Exponent steps onto the higher ranks of the Path of Calamity, a trait that would grow with him.

Archibald’s physical and Spiritual Power improved fifty-fifty.

Erik embarked on the “Path of Forging,” with his first Consecution power being “Craftsman.”

“Craftsman” had two Extraordinary traits: “Deft Hands” and “Heavy Strike.”

“Deft Hands” allowed an Exponent to automatically master most craftsmanship skills, instantly possessing the experience of a craftsman of decades.

“Heavy Strike” meant that when using a weapon to attack, the damage carried an impact effect, allowing the force to penetrate armor.

Erik’s physical condition improved minimally, with a greater increase in his Spiritual Power.

Irene looked at the three new Extraordinary Exponents, each of them appearing joyful, confused, and lost.

Vanessa seemed to be able to accept this more than the other two; it was too astonishing for them to suddenly gain Extraordinary Power.

She approached them slowly and said in an even tone:

“You must remember, this Extraordinary Power belongs to the great Lord of the Lost and the Fischer family; from now on, you will be members of Dawn and also loyal servants of the Lord of the Lost.”

“The Fischer family are favored members of the gods and will convey His grand oracles.”

“Our Lord gazes upon you. If you harbor thoughts of betrayal, you will surely face an unimaginable end, sinking into despair.”