1779

The beetle was dead.

Its body turned into a layer of grey fog that shot towards the sky.

A giant tree slowly manifested from within the grey fog.

—–the Tree of Holy Wishes!

It then spoke with a booming voice:

「 We shall support you with our full capabilities, helping you triumph over your enemies—— 」

「 Apocalypse, War, Circulation, Gloom, Authority, and other Sequences 」

Gu Qing Shan opened his eyes wide and impulsively asked: “When you say ‘Apocalypse’, do you mean those insects?”

The giant tree answered: 「 It isn’t just those insects, all entities who wish to destroy living beings and all Sequences that aim to lead living beings down a wrongful path, all of them are our enemies 」

「 And so, we absorb all sources of power and submit them to Corruption—– for the sake of all living beings 」

「 But not every living being would necessarily understand the sacrifices we have to make 」

「 Such a path, are you willing to accept it? 」

Gu Qing Shan purposely appeared excited and clenched his small fists: “I am willing!”

「 Very well 」the giant tree happily answered.

Its visage disappeared.

All the grey fog in the sky then immediately rushed into Gu Qing Shan’s body.

His vision became blank.

Gu Qing Shan then noticed that everything had disappeared.

And he had returned to the venue of the ritual.

Around him, the clerics were still devoutly reciting their prayers.

While the transparent projection of the giant tree was giving off various miraculous fluctuations.

—–so I guess I passed their test?

Lines of bloody red text continuously appeared in front of his vision to explain the circumstances:

[The Tree of Holy Wishes is only a Basic Corruption-type Holy Artifact]

[This is the extent of its power]

[——congratulations, you’ve gained the recognition of the Tree of Holy Wishes, thus obtaining the means to form a covenant with it]

[It will help you accomplish one event, after which you will be converted to a corrupted being as established by the covenant]

[Attention: You can choose to accept the covenant, but that will result in a lot of trouble afterwards; you can also choose to reject the covenant, which would then cause the Corruption Ritual to temporarily fail, and they will perform the ritual for you again at an appropriate time]

Skimming through the text, Gu Qing Shan understood right away.

It seems like this ritual isn’t guaranteed to succeed every single time.

My body is still so young after all, any other child of the same age might not even be able to say anything under the shock and fear.

Furthermore, this Holy Artifact is only of the ‘basic’ level.

It’s quite suitable for this era, considering how this Magic-type civilization is currently also at a basic stage.

Gu Qing Shan silently asked: “Can I really form a covenant with it?”

The Sequence answered: [Your soul will turn rotten, all of your desires will be infinitely amplified only to forever plague you——- if you are willing to accept such a fate—–]

“Then can I?” Gu Qing Shan asked to confirm.

[You still cannot, since the Samsara and I are both observing you] the Sequence replied.

Gu Qing Shan shrugged.

A second later, the tree began to speak in its booming dignified voice:

「 Child of exceptional talent, there is nothing in this world that I cannot accomplish 」

「 You can ask me for anything you wish to accomplish and I will help you with it 」

「 In exchange, you will become a higher entity, from which you shall join our Holy Church and become the envoy of God who wanders this mortal realm 」

Gu Qing Shan thought briefly and stated: “I want you to help me… become the most powerful wizard in this world, for my power to reach a point that no one else could possibly catch up to, then I want you to summon all members of the church to bear witness”

The Tree answered: 「 With your background and innate potential, I shall grant that wish 」

“Then it is decided” Gu Qing Shan replied.

A single leaf flew down from the tree and began to unfurrow itself in front of him.

The leaf contained everything they’d discussed just now in the form of a covenant that emanated a strange presence.

As soon as Gu Qing Shan became the most powerful wizard, he would be converted into a corrupted being under the witness of all worshippers of Corruption.

Gu Qing Shan briefly read through the covenant and nodded.

Hoh——–

The leaf then burst into flames and burned itself to ashes.

The covenant had been set.

The giant tree then spoke with its booming voice towards the church members:

「 From this point, all of you must support his cultivation with everything you have, so that he may become the greatest wizard in this realm as soon as possible 」

「 There is no need to hesitate, as his innate talent allows it 」

After saying that, the giant tree’s projection slowly faded away.

Everything returned to normal.

Gu Qing Shan turned to the cardinal.

Only to see the cardinal with a gentle intimate expression on his face, smiling as he said: “Gourde, follow me, I will take you to the grand library, where all the books related to magic will be yours to choose—– of course, we will also arrange for various experts to mentor you”

The other bishops also smiled.

—–the Tree of Holy Wishes guaranteed with its own words that this child can become the greatest wizard in the world.

Furthermore, he’s going to be one of us.

What’s the harm in buttering him up a bit earlier?

“Thank you for your goodwill, but before studying, I have something I need to do” Gu Qing Shan said.

“What is that?” the cardinal asked.

“I want to… eat something first”

“No problem!”

…

Time quickly passed.

Three months went by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the Grand Holy Church was hosting a grand ceremony.

All of the Church’s followers were being summoned back to the Sanctuary, which resulted in the biggest pilgrimage this world has ever seen.

It was said that this ceremony was being hosted for the Church to confer a young Divine Wizard.

This Divine Wizard’s power…

Was said to have surpassed everyone in the world, the absolute greatest.

As this explosive news passed around, not only did the Church’s followers enter into a frenzy, but the various kingdoms also became anxious.

They were requesting the Church to receive ambassadors who would come to witness the ceremony.

Normally, the Grand Holy Church would take the initiative to send out invitations to these kingdoms, but this time, they denied all these requests instead.

It was said that this was the Divine Wizard’s decision.

Regardless, as time went by, it was finally time for the ceremony to begin.

At the venue of the ceremony.

The Pope was standing on top of a high platform, leading all the followers of the Church as they recited their prayers.

Gu Qing Shan was resting at the back.

He was silently listening to the pious waves of prayers that were growing increasingly more fervent followed by the thunderous applause immediately after the prayers ended, feeling nothing but boredom.

It wasn’t until someone came to invite him onto the platform that he regained some of his spirits and followed two rows of bishops up onto the platform.

The Pope first made the introductions.

Then the cardinal made another introduction.

——and finally, it was Gu Qing Shan’s turn to speak.

He walked up to the platform and cleared his throat: “Very well, let me be frank——”

“I’m not interested in magic, nor do I enjoy using magic”

“The only moment when I feel the most ecstatic is when I personally cut my enemies down with my own hands”

“I really regret studying magic as well, but it couldn’t be helped, as it was necessary to achieve one of my short-term goals”

The entire venue was silent.

Suddenly, thunderous applause resounded across the entire area.

Look at that!

Such tone, such confidence, such aura!

These are words that none other than the Divine Wizard would dare to say!

Not expecting to receive such a reaction, Gu Qing Shan appeared a bit embarrassed before he continued: “For an individual, even if they become corrupted, it’s still easy to save them; but for a civilization, I need to remove the root of corruption step by step. This means that there is a lot I must do, for example: a media war, a culture battle, forms of production and creation, perhaps even altering subconscious influences”

“All in all, it would be very troublesome, and I need to complete all of this before I can begin to drive the process of civilization forward”

“I can’t wait for that long, so I’d like to apologize——-”

Gu Qing Shan’s tone gradually became gentle as he continued: “So keep this in mind everyone, next time, don’t let yourself be deceived by people, whether for power or for anything else, you should properly consider what you would lose in exchange for power”

“However, there’s no need for you all to worry, after all, your level of corruption is still very shallow. I’ve specifically asked and ensured that everyone here will still enter Huang Quan after death”

“Finally, please take a look at the results from three months of my cultivation”

“May fire purify all”

“—–[Fireball]”

Gu Qing Shan raised one hand into the air.

Supernatural phenomena immediately occurred——–

In the sky immediately above the platform, a scorching silhouette of the sun manifested.

This scorching sun silhouette was larger than the entire area of land owned by the Church.

The scorching sun released heat so intense that all the structures underneath it, regardless of material, were beginning to burn.

All the corrupted beings of the church felt shocked but were unable to flee at all.

After all, this was the irresistible light.

Gu Qing Shan lowered his arm.

The scorching sun then descended, imitating his gesture.

A thunderous boom reverberated across the entire world.

An immense pillar of flame rose from the ground, and the scorching heat waves of the impact spread for several hundred miles from the Sanctuary, melting everything within its vicinity.

The heatwaves swept away everything in their path, reducing everything to nothingness.

It wasn’t until several dozen seconds later that the sound of impact finally ceased, allowing the world to return to silence.

Gu Qing Shan hovered in the air with his arms crossed to observe the results.

“Hm… good enough, that should be everything that was needed to be taken care of”

He muttered to himself.

Suddenly, gloomy grey fog began to manifest out of thin air, which then took the form of a gigantic tree.

Gu Qing Shan clapped his hands and praised it: “Well done, you actually brought every follower in front of me, that really saved me a lot of time and effort”

「 You betrayed us! 」the giant tree grumbled in anger.

“I don’t remember saying that I would treat them well” Gu Qing Shan replied.

A single leaf detached itself from the tree and lightly hovered in front of Gu Qing Shan.

——-the Covenant of Corruption.

The giant tree spoke in a rumbling low tone: 「 I have completed my end of the covenant, then now it’s your turn to be converted into a corrupted being 」

Gu Qing Shan glanced at the leaf.

How could I let my soul undergo something like corruption?

Not to mention, the Samsara is still observing everything.

Without hesitation, he equipped the Title [Pure Love Gang].

Title Skill: [Going Cold]!

Su Xue Er’s [Infinite Evolution] was then disabled, replaced by the old pixie’s ultimate Quipcraft!

Gu Qing Shan cleared his throat and said with a fully justified tone:

“Sorry, I’m playing dirty”

The beetle was dead.

Its body turned into a layer of grey fog that shot towards the sky.

A giant tree slowly manifested from within the grey fog.

—–the Tree of Holy Wishes!

It then spoke with a booming voice:

「 We shall support you with our full capabilities, helping you triumph over your enemies—— 」

「 Apocalypse, War, Circulation, Gloom, Authority, and other Sequences 」

Gu Qing Shan opened his eyes wide and impulsively asked: “When you say ‘Apocalypse’, do you mean those insects?”

The giant tree answered: 「 It isn’t just those insects, all entities who wish to destroy living beings and all Sequences that aim to lead living beings down a wrongful path, all of them are our enemies 」

「 And so, we absorb all sources of power and submit them to Corruption—– for the sake of all living beings 」

「 But not every living being would necessarily understand the sacrifices we have to make 」

「 Such a path, are you willing to accept it? 」

Gu Qing Shan purposely appeared excited and clenched his small fists: “I am willing!”

「 Very well 」the giant tree happily answered.

Its visage disappeared.

All the grey fog in the sky then immediately rushed into Gu Qing Shan’s body.

His vision became blank.

Gu Qing Shan then noticed that everything had disappeared.

And he had returned to the venue of the ritual.

Around him, the clerics were still devoutly reciting their prayers.

While the transparent projection of the giant tree was giving off various miraculous fluctuations.

—–so I guess I passed their test?

Lines of bloody red text continuously appeared in front of his vision to explain the circumstances:

[The Tree of Holy Wishes is only a Basic Corruption-type Holy Artifact]

[This is the extent of its power]

[——congratulations, you’ve gained the recognition of the Tree of Holy Wishes, thus obtaining the means to form a covenant with it]

[It will help you accomplish one event, after which you will be converted to a corrupted being as established by the covenant]

[Attention: You can choose to accept the covenant, but that will result in a lot of trouble afterwards; you can also choose to reject the covenant, which would then cause the Corruption Ritual to temporarily fail, and they will perform the ritual for you again at an appropriate time]

Skimming through the text, Gu Qing Shan understood right away.

It seems like this ritual isn’t guaranteed to succeed every single time.

My body is still so young after all, any other child of the same age might not even be able to say anything under the shock and fear.

Furthermore, this Holy Artifact is only of the ‘basic’ level.

It’s quite suitable for this era, considering how this Magic-type civilization is currently also at a basic stage.

Gu Qing Shan silently asked: “Can I really form a covenant with it?”

The Sequence answered: [Your soul will turn rotten, all of your desires will be infinitely amplified only to forever plague you——- if you are willing to accept such a fate—–]

“Then can I?” Gu Qing Shan asked to confirm.

[You still cannot, since the Samsara and I are both observing you] the Sequence replied.

Gu Qing Shan shrugged.

A second later, the tree began to speak in its booming dignified voice:

「 Child of exceptional talent, there is nothing in this world that I cannot accomplish 」

「 You can ask me for anything you wish to accomplish and I will help you with it 」

「 In exchange, you will become a higher entity, from which you shall join our Holy Church and become the envoy of God who wanders this mortal realm 」

Gu Qing Shan thought briefly and stated: “I want you to help me… become the most powerful wizard in this world, for my power to reach a point that no one else could possibly catch up to, then I want you to summon all members of the church to bear witness”

The Tree answered: 「 With your background and innate potential, I shall grant that wish 」

“Then it is decided” Gu Qing Shan replied.

A single leaf flew down from the tree and began to unfurrow itself in front of him.

The leaf contained everything they’d discussed just now in the form of a covenant that emanated a strange presence.

As soon as Gu Qing Shan became the most powerful wizard, he would be converted into a corrupted being under the witness of all worshippers of Corruption.

Gu Qing Shan briefly read through the covenant and nodded.

Hoh——–

The leaf then burst into flames and burned itself to ashes.

The covenant had been set.

The giant tree then spoke with its booming voice towards the church members:

「 From this point, all of you must support his cultivation with everything you have, so that he may become the greatest wizard in this realm as soon as possible 」

「 There is no need to hesitate, as his innate talent allows it 」

After saying that, the giant tree’s projection slowly faded away.

Everything returned to normal.

Gu Qing Shan turned to the cardinal.

Only to see the cardinal with a gentle intimate expression on his face, smiling as he said: “Gourde, follow me, I will take you to the grand library, where all the books related to magic will be yours to choose—– of course, we will also arrange for various experts to mentor you”

The other bishops also smiled.

—–the Tree of Holy Wishes guaranteed with its own words that this child can become the greatest wizard in the world.

Furthermore, he’s going to be one of us.

What’s the harm in buttering him up a bit earlier?

“Thank you for your goodwill, but before studying, I have something I need to do” Gu Qing Shan said.

“What is that?” the cardinal asked.

“I want to… eat something first”

“No problem!”

…

Time quickly passed.

Three months went by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the Grand Holy Church was hosting a grand ceremony.

All of the Church’s followers were being summoned back to the Sanctuary, which resulted in the biggest pilgrimage this world has ever seen.

It was said that this ceremony was being hosted for the Church to confer a young Divine Wizard.

This Divine Wizard’s power…

Was said to have surpassed everyone in the world, the absolute greatest.

As this explosive news passed around, not only did the Church’s followers enter into a frenzy, but the various kingdoms also became anxious.

They were requesting the Church to receive ambassadors who would come to witness the ceremony.

Normally, the Grand Holy Church would take the initiative to send out invitations to these kingdoms, but this time, they denied all these requests instead.

It was said that this was the Divine Wizard’s decision.

Regardless, as time went by, it was finally time for the ceremony to begin.

At the venue of the ceremony.

The Pope was standing on top of a high platform, leading all the followers of the Church as they recited their prayers.

Gu Qing Shan was resting at the back.

He was silently listening to the pious waves of prayers that were growing increasingly more fervent followed by the thunderous applause immediately after the prayers ended, feeling nothing but boredom.

It wasn’t until someone came to invite him onto the platform that he regained some of his spirits and followed two rows of bishops up onto the platform.

The Pope first made the introductions.

Then the cardinal made another introduction.

——and finally, it was Gu Qing Shan’s turn to speak.

He walked up to the platform and cleared his throat: “Very well, let me be frank——”

“I’m not interested in magic, nor do I enjoy using magic”

“The only moment when I feel the most ecstatic is when I personally cut my enemies down with my own hands”

“I really regret studying magic as well, but it couldn’t be helped, as it was necessary to achieve one of my short-term goals”

The entire venue was silent.

Suddenly, thunderous applause resounded across the entire area.

Look at that!

Such tone, such confidence, such aura!

These are words that none other than the Divine Wizard would dare to say!

Not expecting to receive such a reaction, Gu Qing Shan appeared a bit embarrassed before he continued: “For an individual, even if they become corrupted, it’s still easy to save them; but for a civilization, I need to remove the root of corruption step by step. This means that there is a lot I must do, for example: a media war, a culture battle, forms of production and creation, perhaps even altering subconscious influences”

“All in all, it would be very troublesome, and I need to complete all of this before I can begin to drive the process of civilization forward”

“I can’t wait for that long, so I’d like to apologize——-”

Gu Qing Shan’s tone gradually became gentle as he continued: “So keep this in mind everyone, next time, don’t let yourself be deceived by people, whether for power or for anything else, you should properly consider what you would lose in exchange for power”

“However, there’s no need for you all to worry, after all, your level of corruption is still very shallow. I’ve specifically asked and ensured that everyone here will still enter Huang Quan after death”

“Finally, please take a look at the results from three months of my cultivation”

“May fire purify all”

“—–[Fireball]”

Gu Qing Shan raised one hand into the air.

Supernatural phenomena immediately occurred——–

In the sky immediately above the platform, a scorching silhouette of the sun manifested.

This scorching sun silhouette was larger than the entire area of land owned by the Church.

The scorching sun released heat so intense that all the structures underneath it, regardless of material, were beginning to burn.

All the corrupted beings of the church felt shocked but were unable to flee at all.

After all, this was the irresistible light.

Gu Qing Shan lowered his arm.

The scorching sun then descended, imitating his gesture.

A thunderous boom reverberated across the entire world.

An immense pillar of flame rose from the ground, and the scorching heat waves of the impact spread for several hundred miles from the Sanctuary, melting everything within its vicinity.

The heatwaves swept away everything in their path, reducing everything to nothingness.

It wasn’t until several dozen seconds later that the sound of impact finally ceased, allowing the world to return to silence.

Gu Qing Shan hovered in the air with his arms crossed to observe the results.

“Hm… good enough, that should be everything that was needed to be taken care of”

He muttered to himself.

Suddenly, gloomy grey fog began to manifest out of thin air, which then took the form of a gigantic tree.

Gu Qing Shan clapped his hands and praised it: “Well done, you actually brought every follower in front of me, that really saved me a lot of time and effort”

「 You betrayed us! 」the giant tree grumbled in anger.

“I don’t remember saying that I would treat them well” Gu Qing Shan replied.

A single leaf detached itself from the tree and lightly hovered in front of Gu Qing Shan.

——-the Covenant of Corruption.

The giant tree spoke in a rumbling low tone: 「 I have completed my end of the covenant, then now it’s your turn to be converted into a corrupted being 」

Gu Qing Shan glanced at the leaf.

How could I let my soul undergo something like corruption?

Not to mention, the Samsara is still observing everything.

Without hesitation, he equipped the Title [Pure Love Gang].

Title Skill: [Going Cold]!

Su Xue Er’s [Infinite Evolution] was then disabled, replaced by the old pixie’s ultimate Quipcraft!

Gu Qing Shan cleared his throat and said with a fully justified tone:

“Sorry, I’m playing dirty”