In the dimly lit chamber of Igwynt late at night, a heavy scent of blood filled the air.
This was a small, blood-soaked secret chamber. At its center stood an altar constructed from blood-stained human bones. Atop the altar rested a skull, on which wriggled a patch of bloody flesh adorned with various strange organs.
Below the altar lay a dark red carpet, while around it stood bookshelves, desks, and display racks. A large basin filled with blood-soaked human limbs rested ominously in the room.
In front of the desk stood two figures. One was a thin, gloomy middle-aged man with a mustache—Buck of the Crimson Eucharist. The other was an elderly, slightly hunched man named Clifford, also a core member of the Communion.
The two men gazed solemnly at each other. Clifford’s demeanor betrayed a sense of urgency.
“Buck, hurry up. It’s about time,” Clifford urged impatiently. Buck, however, said nothing in response. Instead, he moved silently toward a painting hanging on the wall.
After staring at the painting for a few moments, Buck reached out and pushed it aside, revealing a safe. He input a code, turned a key, and retrieved the items stored within.
Returning to the desk, Buck placed two objects upon it: a bracelet set with an orange gemstone and a small, smooth fragment of stone, inscribed with densely packed, unfamiliar symbols on one side.
Seeing the objects, Clifford’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Yes, the divination instruments. Precious tools... With these, we can transcend the confines of space and time to gather information from dimensions within the inner world,” Buck replied calmly. Clifford’s astonishment grew.
“Transcend space and time to gather information? What exactly are these things that they can accomplish something so incredible?”
“Heh… In truth, they’re merely spiritual reservoirs,” Buck remarked with a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the two items on the desk as he explained.
“According to the Mentor, what is essential for divination is not the objects themselves but the spirituality stored within them. Generally, regardless of the form of divination, two types of spirituality are always required.”
“And which types of spirituality are necessary for divination?” Clifford asked eagerly. Buck, unhesitating, provided the answer.
“‘Latern’ and ‘Revelation.’”
“‘Latern’ and ‘Revelation’...” Clifford repeated, deep in thought.
“Yes,” Buck continued. “The Mentor explained that ‘Latern’ represents illumination, while ‘Revelation’ signifies information. Using the ‘Latern’ to perceive ‘Revelation’ allows us to transcend space and time to acquire the desired information.”
As Buck spoke, Clifford nodded in understanding, murmuring to himself.
“Using ‘Latern’ to perceive ‘Revelation’—this is the essence of divination? One symbolizes illumination, the other information. It’s completely different from the ‘Chalice’ we revere.”
Gazing at the objects on the desk, Clifford mused aloud.
“I’ve been a Beyonder for so long, yet this is the first time I’ve learned about the principles of divination. Does this mean that as long as I obtain the spirituality of ‘Latern’ and ‘Revelation,’ I too could perform divination?”
“Indeed. As long as you master the method and have the necessary spirituality, you can perform divination. The method itself is usually simple; the key lies in obtaining the spirituality, which is exceedingly difficult,” Buck explained as his gaze shifted to the bracelet set with the orange gemstone.
“Among these, the spirituality of ‘Latern’ is relatively accessible. Many items from the Radiance Church contain it. The Church is vast, and many artifacts flow out of it. Furthermore, secret societies with religious roots often produce ‘Latern’ spirituality through their rituals. Additionally, numerous Beyonders associated with the ‘Latern’ have defected from the Church and collaborated with craftsmen of the ‘Stone’ path to create mystical items containing ‘Latern’ spirituality for trade. Thus, obtaining items imbued with ‘Latern’ is not particularly challenging.”
Buck’s eyes then shifted to the stone fragment inscribed with ancient symbols.
“However, ‘Revelation’ is far more elusive. Due to the dangers associated with its path, Beyonders linked to ‘Revelation’ are exceedingly rare in the realm of beyond. Those who begin directly on the ‘Revelation’ path are like needles in a haystack. Moreover, ‘Revelation’ spirituality is the most difficult to imbue into objects. Currently, only ancient relics such as inscribed stone tablets or murals can contain small amounts of ‘Revelation.’”
“For instance, this stone fragment was excavated from some ruins. It contains precious ‘Revelation’ spirituality and is a key legacy of the Mentor,” Buck explained, pointing at the fragment. Clifford sighed in admiration.
“This fragment holds the precious spirituality of ‘Revelation’…”
“Indeed. The Mentor went to great lengths to acquire it. I wasn’t keen on using something so valuable, but at this juncture, we have no choice. We must locate those individuals,” Buck said grimly before beginning preparations for the divination ritual.
“Phosphorus lime powder… silver powder… blood of a red-winged bird… bronze ink…”
Buck worked quickly, mixing materials into a shimmering gray-yellow ink. Using the ink, he drew a circular ritual array on the desk. The upper half of the array featured the symbol of ‘Latern,’ while the lower half displayed the symbol of ‘Revelation.’
He placed the bracelet and stone fragment on their respective symbols. Then he retrieved a large sheet of paper from a bookshelf and spread it in the center of the array between the symbols. Upon closer inspection, it was a city map. The word “Igwynt” was inscribed at the top.
It was a map of the city of Igwynt.
“I’ll use pendulum divination to ensure those people have nowhere to hide!”
Buck declared as he retrieved a single-chain crystal pendant from a small box on the desk. Holding the pendant, he positioned its crystal over the center of the array, directly above the map of Igwynt.
“By the all-seeing Latern, illuminate the sea of Revelation…”
He chanted softly, swinging the crystal over the map. The orange gemstone in the bracelet shattered, and cracks formed on the ancient inscribed stone fragment.
Invisible spirituality poured out from the objects, swirling within the ritual chamber.