That Evening in my bedroom...

After I had a romantic Italian dinner with Tess, I checked the result of adding affinities for half a day.

 

Granted Affinities: Energy 8, Energy Pathing 4, Energy Infusion 4, Senses Enhancement 4, Body Tempering 4, Body Manipulation 4, Mental 6, Mental Pathing 4, Mental Infusion 4, Mental Perception 4, Mental Tempering 4, Mental Manipulation 4, Fire 4, Water 4, Earth 4, Wind 4, Lightning 4.

 

"This should be enough for the time being." - I thought.

With that thought, I turned to Tess and Zhu Li.

"The both of you guard the door. I am about to have a breakthrough." - I said.

"Yes, Iver." - Tess and Zhu Li obediently nodded and exited the room to guard the door.

Breathing out, I looked at Increase Compatibility 3.

 

Increase Compatibility 2:

Enhancement Options:

1. Increase Compatibility 3

 

Increase Compatibility 3: Increases the compatibility between The Divine fragment of Ic'thotl'itrod and the Host. It is a prerequisite for unlocking many functions and powers. Price: 10,000 Enhancement Energy A

 

No longer locked by Trod, I can now enhance my compatibility. Laying on the bed, I took a deep breath.

"Here we go again..." - I muttered and started it.

Immediately afterward, I was sucked inside the fragment.

.

.

.

Moments later, I found myself in the greyish-dark inner space with the black sun and stars orbiting it. Additionally, I saw other orbs that didn't orbit the sun.

However, I noticed that the sun was more prominent and the stars orbiting more sizeable, likely because of all the energy and enhancements I made. As for the orbs, they were likely my granted affinities, given their sizes and amount.

{Are you ready, Iver?} - The large sun, Trod, asked using a monotone version of my voice.

"Yeah, make it quick." - I grunted, ready for a world of pain.

Without suspense, Trod extended fiery tendrils at me, wrapping me up. And then came the searing pain again, as if my soul was being refined.

"Gh..." - I grunted, teeth clenched as I endured the pain.

Although it was less painful, it took longer, a full ten minutes.

Finally, when the pain stopped, I felt a pleasant warmth enter my body, replacing the pain. Opening my eyes, I found that the space was once again. The dark gray expanse was closer to being gray.

The tendrils wrapping me let go as Trod spoke.

{It is done.} - Trod said, his monotone voice now having a hint of fluctuation, however faint.

"I see you are becoming more like me." - I commented, exhaling after the painful ordeal.

{I told you before this will happen, and it goes both ways.} - Trod said.

"True, now send me out." - I said.

And with that, I was sent out of the space.

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.

.

Waking up in my room, I felt pain in my teeth. Going to the bathroom, I opened my mouth and noticed some teeth cracked from how hard I clenched them.

"Ugh... luckily, I can heal this." - I winced and used Touch of the True Sun to heal it.

A few moments later, my teeth were as good as new.

"There we go..." - I muttered.

I then undid my transformation, turning into my divine self.

As usual, I was in the form of a goth god, and nothing changed except that the tattoo on my chest was a bit more complete. The triangle made out of intricate signs now had a faint circle around it, likely incomplete yet.

"So... How long is the adjustment time now?" - I asked.

{Two months.} - Trod said.

"Double, hah..." - I muttered.

I then transformed back into Zeng Wei and exited the bathroom.

Upon returning to the bedroom, I didn't immediately call back the girls. Instead, I checked the messages.

 

 

{Enhancement Complete.}

{Increase Compatibility 2 has been enhanced to Increase Compatibility 3.}

{The Host has successfully refined his body and soul to become more compatible with The Divine fragment of Ic'thotl'itrod.}

{True Tongue 2 has become True Tongue 3.}

{Unreality Affinity 2 has become Unreality Affinity 3.}

{Void Affinity 2 has become Void Affinity 3.}

{Space Affinity 2 has become Space Affinity 3.}

{True Sun Affinity 2 has become True Sun Affinity 3.}

{Immortal Body 2 has become Immortal Body 3.}

{Immortal Soul 2 has become Immortal Soul 3.}

{Divinity 2 has become Divinity 3.}

{New Powers and Enhancements have been enabled for enhancement.}

 

 

Nodding, I first enhanced all my existing spells to level 3 before checking my new powers.

 

{Unlock new Powers has been selected.}

{Please select a power to unlock.}

1. Erasure Beam 1
2. Space Barrier 1
3. Detect Allegiance 1
4. Aura Of Stability 1
5. True Sun Coat Of Arms 1
6. Divine Relic Creation
7. (Locked)
8. ...

 

"Hah... Let's see what they do." - I say.

After Enhancing them all to level 3, I checked them one by one...

 

Erasure Beam 3: Fires a continuous Beam of Void Energy that erases matter and energy in its path.
Cost: Up to 4 Basic Energy per second(Replaceable with mental energy)

Space Barrier 3: Creates a space barrier according to the Host's specification that blocks matter and energy. It lasts until it is broken or dismissed. It can be adjusted to let certain things pass(Such as air, light, or individuals or objects.)
Cost: Up to 40 Basic Energy(Replaceable with mental energy)

Detect Allegiance 3: Using your divine energies, detect the allegiance of those you can perceive.
Cost: Up to 4 Basic Energy per second(Replaceable with mental energy)
Note: Allegiance includes Friendliness or Hostility, Loyalty or Unloyalty, Faith, etc. Don't over-rely on this, however, because certain methods and mental conditions, such as Yandere(s), can be perceived as friendly, protective, faithful, and loyal.

Aura Of Stability 3: Projects an aura of unreality negation around the Host, dispelling unreality phenomena around him. It is a good counter against reality warpers or rule-breaking shenanigans, but it has the downside of negating beneficial reality-warping methods.
Cost: Up to 4 Basic Energy per second(Replaceable with mental energy)
Note: Unreality negation is a fight about 'Who is Stronger.'. It is like countering positive energy with negative energy, canceling each other out. Do note that some self-improving and self-propagating methods can eventually overpower Unreality Negation, such as Yandere(s), so target the source or run away before it is too late.

True Sun Coat Of Arms 3: Covers the Host in a coat of arms made from True Sun Flames. These flames protect and restore the Host and his equipment while damaging his enemies when attacking in melee distance. Will not harm those not deemed as enemies.
Cost: Up to 4 Basic Energy per second(Replaceable with mental energy)

 

"Wow, he sure was obsessed with all that Yandere thing, hah?" - I commented.

{It was one of his most traumatic experiences. So, yes. Your previous fear of Tess being a Yandere partially stems from Ic'thotl'itrod's trauma infecting you.} - Trod said.

"Why not counter it with a counter-blessing or parasitic blessing and negate it?" - I asked.

{He tried. It initially worked, but the infinitely adaptive Blessing(Curse) undid it and even became stronger for it.}

"What about time-looping? Make the yandere kill you infinitely before it gives up?" - I countered.

{Still wouldn't work. The Yandere would become infinitely stronger until it learns how to break time loops and permanently kill you. Besides, would Ic'thotl'itrod do something as foolish as letting someone else infinitely kill him? He might enter an ouroborous loop and undo himself.}

"Fair point... But what about Omnilocking yourself? Can't that counter everything?" - I asked.¹https://powerlisting.fandom.com/wiki/Omnilock

{Omnilocking is an illusion. It is essentially staying in a separate space outside a given reality cluster or Omniverse's space, time, and reality, and sending power projections of yourself, giving the illusion of immunity to all things. Although difficult, you can beat a so-called Omnilocked being by 'entering' his separated space. All methods can be solved one way or another. This is why even Omnilocking cannot solve Yandere(s) and similar methods, as they will grow strong enough to breach your separate space and butcher you. In your words, it is a self-improving plot armor with an impervious logic loop, with your fate set to being brutally killed by a Yandere. The only way to beat it is to reverse-engineer the Blessing(Curse), which even Ic'thotl'itrod found impossible without the origin, so he had to find the author of the curse, the Yandere Goddess, consume her, reverse-engineer her ridiculous affinity, grant it to himself, and manually dispel the blessing(curse).}

"... That's just plain cheating, man..." - I muttered.

{Has plot armor ever been fair?} - Trod rhetorically asked.

"... I think I will get that Yandere affinity later, just to gain resistance to Yandere(s)." - I said with wince.

{If you have the excess energy to do that, I would also advise that. Few things are scarier than a Yandere.} - Trod said with a hint of fear in his voice.

With both of us agreeing, I checked the final article.

 

Divine Relic Creation: Using willing stored mental structures(Fake Souls), the Host can imbue objects with them, creating Divine Relics. Price: 10,000 Enhancement Energy A.

 

"So, I still don't get what Divine Relics can do." - I said.

{In a nutshell, they empower an existing object. Think of it in video game terms.} - Trod said.

"Hah... What's the limit?" - I asked.

{Theoretically none. However, a Divine Relic would become more powerful if a strong Mental Structure is inserted inside. If the mental structure is also intelligent, it can activate itself and have self-judgment abilities. Essentially, it is an item spirit.}

"Can the divine relic get stronger or more intelligent?" - I wondered.

{Yes. You can use mental structures as fuel to strengthen, empower, and repair a Divine Relic. A simple fruit knife can become a god-killing fruit knife with enough accumulation. And its intelligence can improve over time, albeit slowly.}

"Nice... I'll have Primrose gather the mental structures from the Minions." - I muttered.

There were currently many batches of growing Minions about to be butchered for energy, food, and crystals, numbering in the billions. Harvesting their mental structures should be a bonus.

After casually buying it, I decided to check some of the other things...

 

Camouflage:

1. Alter Mental Signature 1

 

Alter Mental Signature 1: Alters the Host's mental signature, confusing mental energy detection methods. Cost: 10 Enhancement Energy A

 

Storage:

1. Thermal Control 1

 

Thermal Control 1: Adjusts the temperature inside the Storage. Cost: 10 Enhancement Energy A

 

Well, it was just these two. Since they were not necessary at the moment, I only raised them to level 8. I will finish upgrading them later.

And then, I didn't forget to enhance all the other things stuck at level 2 to level 3.

 

 

Name: Divine fragment of Ic'thotl'itrod

Powers: Dark Offering(Dark Idol), Camouflage(Alter Appearance 10, Alter Touch 10, Alter Sound 10, Alter Scent 10, Alter Taste 10, Alter Temperature 10, Alter Mental Signature 8, Conceal Presence 10), Storage(Increase Storage size 8, Time Flow Control 10, Segmentation 10, Gravity Adjustment 10, Thermal Control 8, Automatic Ordering), Teleport(Increase Range 9, Reduce Cost 10, Reduce Cooldown 10, Mass Teleportation 10, Waypoint), Reality Travel(Decrease Cost 10, Decrease Cooldown 10, Add Reality Anchor 3, Improved Selection 3, Information Gathering 3, Strategic Insertion 3, Unanchor, Arrival at Waypoint), Evolution(Devolve, Synthesize), Enhancement, Sanitization(Empowered Sanitization 3, Sanitize Area 3, Sanitize Other), Energy Conversion, Increase Compatibility 3, Grant Affinity (Mortal Tier), Divine Relic Creation

Spells: Touch of the True Sun 3, Analytical Eye 3, Empower Words 3, Mark of Zeal 3, Void Shield 3, Displace Object 3, Divine Might 3, Disruptive Void Coating 3, Unreality Barrier 3, True Sun Fireball 3, Space Grip 3, Erasure Beam 3, Space Barrier 3, Detect Allegiance 3, Aura Of Stability 3, True Sun Coat Of Arms 3.

Host Abilities: True Tongue 3, Unreality Affinity 3, Void Affinity 3, Space Affinity 3, True Sun Affinity 3, Immortal Body 3, Immortal Soul 3, Divinity 3

 

 

"Hah... That's done." - I sighed and turned to the door.

"Girls, you can come in now." - I called out.

Moments later, the girls returned to the room.

"Well, how did it go?" - Tess smiled.

"It went well. I think it is time to meet Filip, especially now that I have a way to check if he will double-cross me." - I said.

"Oh, okay. Do you need any help?" - Tess asked.

"No need, I'll handle it." - I said and took Arly out of the Storage.

"Arly, call Filip."

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.

.

An hour later...

USA, WA, Seattle.

Inside a large mansion's office.

Filip patiently waited alone, waiting for Gulliver Goodman's arrival.

An hour prior, Gulliver asked to see him, so he obliged.

After dismissing Cara, his most trusted aid and guard, he stayed there alone, with only a middle-aged regular butter to open the door.

Soon, he received the call he was waiting for.

[Sir Filip, Sir Gulliver has arrived.] - A man said.

Filip's chest thumped at the information, but he feigned calmness.

"Let him in and lead him to my office, Benjamin." - Filip instructed.

[Yes, Sir Filip.]

Several minutes later, a knock was heard on his door.

"Sir Filip, Sir Gulliver is here." - Filip said behind the door.

"Come in." - Filip replied and stood up.

Clack*

The door opened, and Filip saw his servant letting a handsome young man enter the room. The young man was similar to Gulliver but lacked the acne marring his face.

"Sir Gulliver, it is good to see you." - Filip genuinely smiled and extended a hand for a handshake.

"No need for pleasantries, Sir Filip, and call me Iver." - Gulliver faintly smiled and shook his hand.

"Then please call me Filip as well. Please, take a seat." - Filip replied and gestured.

Iver nodded and sat on a fancy-looking dark-wood classical chair while Filip went to the drink cabinet.

"Whiskey?" - Filip asked.

"On the rocks, thanks." - Iver replied.

Filip nodded, added ice to one cup, poured whiskey into both, and placed the drinks on the snack table before sitting on the opposite chair.

"So, Iver, is what you said on the phone true?" - Filip asked.

"Yes, I am here to accept your allegiance." - Iver cut to the chase, taking the whiskey and taking a sip.

"Are you not afraid we will attempt something?" - Filip warily smiled.

"I know where your allegiance lies." - Iver said confidently.

Half an hour before meeting Filip, he scoured the entire mansion and found it empty except for Filip and an ordinary Buttler. He even analyzed Filip and checked his allegiance. What he found was expected, albeit disappointing to an extent. Filip was a class 4 Super with psychic powers and was close to death. He is 88 years old, and his lifespan is 89, so he is on his last ropes.

As for his allegiance? Dead loyal. He was almost at the level of a Zealot. Although his faith was understandably lacking, his loyalty and friendliness were without question.

Besides, his sister and future brother-in-law were doing great at the moment. After convincing them through brainwashing that they won the lottery, they went on an expensive vacation to Paris and successfully got engaged. Iver also called off that partnership with Ewan because it was pointless to continue trying to earn money.

"Then shall we proceed with the ceremony now?" - Filip yearnfully asked.

"Let's." - Iver put down his drink and stood.

Filip was about to stand up, but Iver stopped him.

"No need." - Iver said and walked to Filip, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"This will be your only chance, Filip. Do not resist." - Iver solemnly said.

"... Yes, I understand." - Filip nodded.

Iver nodded and activated the Mark of Zeal.

After some time, Filip opened his eyes.

"Thank you for your blessing, my God." - Filip bowed.

"Just continue addressing me as Iver. I don't have a god complex." - Iver warily smiled.

At Iver's words, Filip's eyes lit up ever so slightly.

"Of course, Iver." - He said in a more equal voice.

"Now that that is done, I'll give you your first gift." - Iver said and activated Touch of the True Sun and Sanitization.

The next moment, Filip saw black flames covering him.

"Ah..." - Filip couldn't help but moan in bliss, a pleasant sensation running through his body.

Half a minute later, Iver let go.

"Ho... You were quite handsome when you were younger." - Iver commented.

"Ha?" - Filip widened his eyes and looked at his hands.

The wrinkles, age spots, scars, and bulging veins were gone, replaced by pristine and smooth skin. The white hair on his hands turned into a youthful black again.

Filip couldn't help but shake as he stood up. The pain that plagued his joints stopped, replaced by smoothness, like a well-oiled machine. His muscles stopped hurting, rejuvenated, and easy to move. His vision and hearing, which deteriorated over the years, were now brand-new again.

Filip hesitantly walked to a mirror and looked at his face. It was smooth and handsome, chiseled and masculine. He couldn't help but straighten his slightly crouched back, which now felt smooth. Gone was the old, replaced by the young.

Filip turned to Iver and kneeled.

"Praise the True Sun for his infinite generosity!" - Filip declared.

"Filip, please get up before I regret turning you into a Zealot..." - Iver said helplessly.

"Ah... my apologies, Iver... I was overcome with emotion. Please forgive this old man." - The now-young Filip said embarrasedly and stood up.

"You should stop referring to yourself as an old man. I rejuvenated your body to your 18-year-old self and removed the toxins in your body. All that is left is to strengthen your body." - Iver said.

"Thank you, Iver." - Filip nodded.

"Hm. Have the other elders come over later. If I feel they don't have ill intentions, then I will accept them. However, they only have one chance. Do warn them." - Iver said.

"Yes, Sir Iver." - Filip said respectfully.

"Hm. Oh, by the way, have this." - Iver thought for a moment and conjured a futuristic computer.

"This is a computer storing a century of technological advancement. Do with it as you see fit." - Iver said while tapping it.

Of course, this was the library computer he got from the Ascended World.

Before Filip could reply, Iver also took out an AR assistant he got from the computer store.

"And this is an AR assistant. Register it to yourself here. It will serve you well." - Iver said and handed it over.

Filip blankly took the futuristic AR assistant, his hands shaking.

He knew that what he was holding was worth more than a billion, or even a trillion dollars. Its worth could not be quantified by mere money.

"I... Will use it with care, Iver. I promise." - Filip said solemnly.

"Hm. Right... did you take good care of Elian?" - Iver asked.

Elian is the shapeshifter Iver was worried about several weeks ago and then restrained using Basic Energy. During his escape to China, Elian was captured and detained. However, he soon got released after Iver requested it from Filip. Iver then secretly met Elian and removed his curse. Also, he requested Filip to arrange something cozy for Elian, but nothing over the top.

"Yes, we arranged for him a decent job and he is living a peaceful life with his lover." - Filip smiled.

"That's nice." - Iver smiled.

Iver was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something.

"Hey, Filip. I need you to help arrange something for me."

.

.

.

The next day, Zeng Wei and Liao Lan had a tragic accident on a yacht. Their bodies were found floating in the ocean.

Zhu Li, 'taking the loss badly', decided to move to America to have a 'fresh new start'.

After going on an off-the-grid vacation for several weeks, Gulliver Goodman and Tess Hudson returned to their lives. Gulliver also 'won' the double Power Ball and became a billionaire, but his identity remained anonymous.

After buying a mansion, they hired Zhu Li as their live-in maid.

With everything settled, Tess decided to 'pay a visit' to her 'beloved family' for a 'happy family reunion'...