The emergence of the Prayer Talisman has made the use of high-level Dao Artifacts possible.
The Prayer Talisman can solidify Divine Arts; as long as there is enough Power of Faith, the talisman can manifest the effects of Divine Arts. The method Tai’er and the others found was to use the "Purification Skill," a Divine Art that can dispel curses, to remove the Power of Mystery from the Dao Artifact, thereby allowing high-quality Dao Artifacts to be used normally.
This idea is good, and Richard also thought of it; however, he intended to return to the Wizard World to find a few Great Wizards from the Curse School to trade for a couple of witchcraft spells that can dispel curses and apply them to the Dao Artifact.
But for now, it seems he doesn’t need to do that.
"Very good, this idea is spot on," Richard said to Tai’er. "Given the progress to this point, your analysis of the Artifact Refining Technique should also be nearing completion, right?"
Tai’er nodded: "Indeed. The books you brought back have been analyzed by nearly half. As for the remaining portion, we’re essentially seeing the same thing over and over. In a few more years, we should be able to compile a comprehensive Goblin Artifact Refining Guide."
Richard nodded approvingly: "Not bad. As expected, you’re still suited for research. There’s no need to rush the compilation of the refining guide—ensure that its contents are error-free.
Your guide will be used as teaching material and shared with other races, so making mistakes would be terribly embarrassing."
Upon hearing this, Tai’er stood upright and said earnestly to Richard: "Rest assured, we won’t let any problems occur!"
Richard smiled and nodded, then shifted the conversation elsewhere.
"I just heard you say that the new equipment developed by the Floating City Research Institute is greatly beneficial to you. What equipment is it? Take me to see it?"
Hearing Richard wanted to see the new equipment, Tai’er’s expression froze, hesitatingly answering, "My lord, this machine is still just a prototype—it’s very rudimentary. Ansen plans to perfect it before presenting it to you. If you see it now, I’ll have a hard time asking Ansen to lend it to me in the future."
"Oh? So it’s meant to be a surprise for me."
Richard laughed heartily and waved his hand.
"Since it’s a surprise, I won’t look at it now. I’ll wait until Ansen finishes it."
Subsequently, under Tai’er’s guidance, Richard met several goblins who made significant contributions to the Dao Artifact research. Some of these goblins had been around for the past twenty-five years, and had not experienced the days of working directly with Richard. Thus, upon seeing him, they were exceedingly excited, forcing Richard to use witchcraft to calm them down.
Throughout this journey, Ulysses on Richard’s shoulder remained silent, quietly observing Richard’s conversations with the researchers, occasionally offering modest help, watching Richard speak in the square, and observing the goblins’ excitement and cheers below the platform.
Leaving the research institute, the man and bird returned to the Secret Realm.
In the Secret Realm, Richard noticed Ulysses, who, apart from making a few comments when the Prayer Talisman was found, had been silent along the way. Somewhat puzzled, he asked: "You’ve been awfully quiet on this trip."
"Gah, I’ve just been observing the results of these years. To be honest, I find some of your actions hard to understand."
"You’re too approachable, almost unlike a god. Moreover, your followers lack hardship."
"What kind of statement is that? Don’t you have approachable gods on your side? And what do you mean by lacking hardship?" Richard puzzled.
"Gah, no." Ulysses looked at Richard earnestly and said, "I’ve never seen a god like you. You must realize you’re not in the role of a Divine Son, Saint, or Prophet.
You are a God, one who has walked the path of deification. You should remain mysterious; only your chosen ones and very few fanatics should be able to communicate with you.
A god should be mysterious and dignified, only then will people revere and worship them. But you..."
"Stop, let me clarify something," Richard interrupted. "Only a handful of people can see me; ordinary citizens can’t. The ones you just saw are the smart individuals selected from the goblin world’s tens of billions of goblins. Each has exceptional talent, even if I’m just slightly more knowledgeable than them."
"Gah, and that’s exactly what I mean. Intelligent individuals are the hardest to convert with unwavering faith. Their minds are too agile; the more they know, the less mystery the divine holds in their eyes, weakening their faith."
"Why should it be mysterious?" Richard countered.
"I am the Savior hailed by the goblins, the towering hero. Any goblin with a normal worldview would respect and cherish me. Being close to them wouldn’t damage my image. On the contrary, they would feel honored.
Even if a few individuals hold differing views, it doesn’t matter, because I don’t need their minor faith."
"Gah, you can actually tolerate a goblin with flimsy faith working in such a critical institution?" Ulysses incredulously asked, "Shouldn’t you quickly kick such people out?"
Richard lightly shook his head and replied blandly, "I don’t need to kick them out; Tai’er and Ansen will handle it themselves. Moreover, a lack of strong faith is not an unacceptable issue as long as they continue to provide value."
Richard extended his hands and humorously said, "There aren’t any rival forces here for them to defect to."
"...Alright, what about hardship then?" Ulysses continued to inquire, "While a good life can momentarily boost faith, without contrast, these fleeting mortals will soon take everything for granted, significantly reducing the quality of their faith in you. How will you address this?
Without hardship, there’s no faith."
"No solution," Richard said calmly, "I am a sage who eradicates suffering; there should not be suffering by rights. With all the necessary education and social atmosphere in place, those who choose not to believe probably wouldn’t believe even if there were suffering."
"...Alright," Ulysses said helplessly, "You are already a qualified Divine; my experience is only of reference value to you. Besides, that Prayer Talisman is quite an important technique; you might want to pay particular attention to it. Many of our Divine Artifacts make use of Prayer Talismans."
"Oh? Aren’t you worried that the Divine King might suspect you of leaking the technology?" Richard smiled.
"Ha, that talisman I looked at, the method is quite immature and significantly different from our talismans. Though important, this technique isn’t very challenging at the lower-level talisman stage.
The further you go, the harder this technique becomes."
Richard nodded slightly but then shook his head.
"Why are you telling me this? I’m about to retreat for research; the Church matters will be yours in the future. As for the Prayer Talisman, arrange it at your discretion, according to your mood. Low-level Dao Artifacts are dispensable to us; it’s the Spiritual Treasures, Magic Treasure Level Dao Artifacts that we need."
Although Dao Artifacts are powerful, they don’t surpass the Wizard’s Magic Equipment before becoming Spiritual Treasures and are sometimes even cheaper.
The greatest use of these Dao Artifacts will be to cooperate with the Spirit Soldier Legion once Richard uncovers its mysteries. Other than that, they can only be used to arm elite squads on a small scale.
Ulysses listened to Richard’s tone as if he were shirking responsibility, and couldn’t help but sigh. Even after becoming a Divine, Richard at heart was still that Wizard.
"Alas, who would’ve thought that after losing the Crow Realm, I, Ulysses, would manage so many believers. This journey turned out to be well worth it, a blessing in disguise."
After completing the coronation ceremony for Martin, Richard immersed himself in research. There was so much for him to study.
Not to mention the rare and exquisite treasures he acquired from the Supreme Sect Treasury, even his own body had many research-worthy aspects. While developing the Battle Body, Richard unexpectedly discovered that the Power of Abyss could conduct Life Editing more quickly and efficiently. Moreover, the Abyss Energy itself had a kind of beneficial inducement ability.
Under the guidance of Abyss Power, cells adapt themselves better to the environment or gain a level of power strong enough to withstand the environment.
This appears to be a manifestation of the Abyss Rules.
The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest.
Additionally, Abyss Power has a strong amplifying effect on the body. Through simple Energy Manipulation, Richard could significantly enhance his body’s statistics, including strength, agility, endurance, and recovery ability. The cost was his combat instinct would become extremely strong. Even as a Wizard, Richard was almost overwhelmed by this combat instinct.
Besides that, the advanced application of Abyss Power was also on Richard’s research list.
The complex characteristics of Abyss Power surpassed what could be expected from a single type of Energy. Richard suspected that the Abyss Power itself might actually be some external manifestation of the Abyss Rules.
Besides the Abyss, Richard also had the Dao Technique left unresearched. The Spirit Soldier Legion as a superior Dao Technique was as complex as any Divine Skills. But surprisingly, the twist of the Dao Technique reflected in its difficulty in cultivation. Once the Soldier Beans were cultivated, the Spirit Soldiers could operate normally. Surely, there’s a great mystery hidden within.
Moreover, he had a pile of things left undone, such as the Pioneer’s relics, the composite Rule Body, optimization of Sealing Skill, and research and improvement of witchcraft.
That’s why he so readily handed over the affairs of the Church to Ulysses.
Time flew by, with Richard immersing himself in the mysteries of truth inside the laboratory. Meanwhile, outside, Ulysses began a series of reforms within the Church.
The Priest system of the Miracle Sect inherited from the Master of All Machines Church, thus appeared very simplistic. Upon taking charge of the Church, Ulysses restructured the Physique of Priests.
The original Pope and Red Cardinal positions remained unchanged, while the lower-level Priests were re-categorized based on functionality. Various rituals were standardized, and ineffective rituals were completely abolished.
Furthermore, he established a Monastery specifically for the research of Divine Arts, along with an ecclesiastical tribunal to supervise the behavior of Priests and pass judgment when necessary.
The Church’s reform caused significant upheaval, but since the upper echelons were unmoved and many lower-level Priests gained increased power,
the upheaval remained just that—an upheaval.
Once the Physique of Priests was standardized, the quality of believers quickly improved. Although the Sage’s grace was not fully repaid, people felt dissatisfaction towards Priests who acted irresponsibly or arbitrarily.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a hundred years had passed.
In the laboratory, Richard looked at the Rune Model before him, shimmering like a galaxy; his weary face was filled with excitement.
"I can finally advance to a Five Rings Great Wizard!"