The Lives of 397 Souls

As Rogliff, accompanied by Zigurd, strode grandly into the hall, the final agenda item of the Assembly of Battle Gods commenced.

“Esteemed Battle Gods present! I, Rogliff, extend my deepest gratitude to you all!” Rogliff stood at the center of the podium, bowing profoundly to the crowd. His hale, yet slightly gaunt, countenance forced Du Chen to inwardly admire his acting prowess. “As you are all aware, a dear friend of mine is trapped within an eighth-level sacred artifact. Rogliff, being incompetent, is unable to rescue his friend, and thus, I must trouble all you High-level Battle Gods! You are all among the Three Continents’ finest…”

Rogliff eloquently spun a tale and delivered a masterful performance, momentarily enchanting the assembled Battle Gods, who nodded in continuous agreement.

Du Chen, however, had no interest in his drivel. He was clandestinely observing a Battle God from the Sea Tribe seated in the first row. Heh, this fellow was truly a sight to behold—a human body adorned with scales, a physique that, if you ignored the head, would be a robust and powerful man. Yet, his head resembled that of an octopus, with bulging eyes and a flat nose. Where a beard should have grown, a mass of octopus tentacles sprouted, and these tentacles, agile as human hands, were currently gripping and guzzling the specially prepared rum on the table.

Subtly gesturing toward this Battle God, Du Chen glanced at Porter, who stood silently beside him, lost in thought. He whispered a quiet admonition to his subordinate, “Keep an eye out in the future. Tell me, if you had placed a plate of sashimi in front of this Battle God just now, wouldn’t he have torn you to shreds on the spot, seeing his kin laid out on a table?”

Du Chen spoke without any ulterior motive. In his previous life, when he was a gang leader, he often mentored his subordinates. This was simply a spontaneous piece of advice for Porter, to prevent future mishaps. But as Porter heard it, a warmth spread through his heart.

Rogliff’s impassioned speech concluded amidst the Battle Gods’ enthusiastic applause. He bowed again, then turned to Zigurd, saying, “Dean Zigurd, please announce the commencement!”

With Zigurd’s command, *Dong, dong, dong!* All the specialized iron gates within the Grand Council Hall slammed shut. The Student Council members acting as servers gathered near the wall directly opposite the podium, kept far from the assembled Battle Gods. Only a few remained to serve tea and water—a measure taken for safety. After all, deciphering a sacred artifact was unpredictable; should an accident occur, the damage would be confined solely within this Grand Council Hall.

Du Chen, however, harbored a secret resentment for this action. *Damn Zigurd, why seal the Grand Council Hall? This way, the great deed I’m about to perform will be entirely limited to these three hundred ninety-seven individuals!*

After all the iron gates were closed, the chairs on the podium were removed. Following this, the wall to Du Chen’s right slowly began to move, instantly revealing a massive gateway large enough to accommodate the gargantuan “Crocodile” Sacred Artifact.

Twenty-odd servants carried the sacred artifact onto the podium. Among them were the four servants Helen had tampered with using the Soul-Ensnaring Art the previous night. One of them stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Master, the sacred artifact is safe and sound. Your servants have fulfilled their duties!”

Rogliff nodded, a cold sneer forming in his heart. *Of course, the sacred artifact is fine, otherwise I would have sensed it long ago. This is merely a show, a piece of theater.*

As the drape covering the sacred artifact was pulled away, murmurs of astonishment filled the Grand Council Hall, with some exclaiming loudly, “Wow! This sacred artifact looks just like my brother Amida! They’re both Crocodile Warriors!”

The speaker was none other than the Tentacle-Headed Battle God. His tentacles swayed vigorously from his chin as he declared, “Mr. Rogliff, this sacred artifact of yours is truly unique! I’ve never even heard of it! Where did you acquire it? I wish to find one too!”

“Haha, for you, a great octopus, to use a Crocodile Sacred Artifact, how fitting!” a Battle God, who shared a close bond with him, playfully ribbed from the side.

“Enough! If you dare mock me again, I’ll marry my ugly daughter off to you!” the Tentacle-Headed Battle God threatened fiercely, striding onto the podium. He circled the sacred artifact once and declared, “It’s rumored that sacred artifacts are formed from condensed Elemental Primal Force and are inseparable from nature. Since this sacred artifact is shaped like a crocodile, it must have some connection to the Crocodile Clan among our Water Tribe! Since my brother Amida isn’t here, I am the Battle God with the closest ties to the Crocodile Clan…”

His tentacles waved proudly. “So, I shall be the first to attempt to decipher this sacred artifact! Does anyone object?!”

*What kind of logical connection is that?* Du Chen chuckled inwardly. *This Tentacle-Headed Battle God is quite… adorable!*

No Battle God voiced approval, but neither did anyone object. The task of deciphering the sacred artifact wasn’t necessarily better handled by going first. Most held a wait-and-see attitude, so they allowed the Tentacle-Headed Battle God to proceed.

Rogliff sat in a chair against the wall, with Zigurd beside him. Watching the Tentacle-Headed Battle God ascend, Rogliff sneered inwardly. *Good, this Octopus Clan is an anomaly among the Sea Tribe, and his tentacles are a pinnacle among plant-type growth Secret Arts, perfectly suited for large-scale area attacks.*

Rogliff even maliciously imagined the upcoming scene—the Tentacle-Headed Battle God would enter the crocodile’s maw, circle around, find no method, and return empty-handed. Then, the High-level Battle Gods would take turns attempting, while the Tentacle-Headed Battle God would return to his chair, sighing and complaining about his insufficient strength! After about ten more minutes, the Undead virus provided by Philip would erupt, and the Tentacle-Headed Battle God would suddenly transform into an Undead Battle God, his massive tentacles instantly injuring all the surrounding Battle Gods…

*Heh, the Undead Cataclysm would have occurred!* Rogliff instinctively touched his chest. The necklace Philip had provided within his clothes was sufficient to allow him to thrive within the Undead Cataclysm.

The Tentacle-Headed Battle God indeed emerged as Rogliff had predicted. He concluded that the key to deciphering the sacred artifact lay in the crocodile’s massive maw, then entered, circled, and emerged helplessly. “Damn it all, my power is insufficient! Next one, come up!”

From a distance, Du Chen watched the Tentacle-Headed Battle God with a sly smile, thinking, *Brother, I just saved your life!*

Battle Gods stepped forward one after another to try, but all returned without success. Just then, Du Chen noticed Helen, disguised as a Student Council server, hand Rogliff a cup of water and a ceremonial towel, which had no practical use but was a customary courtesy.

*Has Helen begun her move too?* Du Chen inwardly shook his head.

The wall clock beside the podium ticked by, minute by minute, and the curve of Rogliff’s smile grew wider. He glanced at Jacob, who stood beside him, and gave a slight nod. The dance of The Undead was about to begin!

Five, four, three, two… Rogliff silently counted the time, then suddenly stood up, letting out a proud laugh. “I have prepared a small gift for you all, everyone…”

“A gift? What gift?” the Tentacle-Headed Battle God, who was the first to attempt to decipher the sacred artifact, eagerly asked.

*Huh? You’re fine? No mutation happened!?*

Rogliff’s heart jolted, and a bead of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

From this moment onward, Du Chen’s posterior began to itch—the wish power accumulated from the immense good deed of saving “The Lives of 397 Souls” slowly converged upon his Precious Lotus Scripture tattoo.

The servants gazed at Rogliff with confused horror. Rogliff’s mind screamed, *How is this possible? How could Philip’s virus have no effect!? Damn Philip!!*

*Today’s plan is doomed to fail. I must first figure out how to escape safely!*

Rogliff’s thoughts raced. He forced two dry laughs and said, “Heh, I’ve reconsidered. Perhaps I should present the small gift after the sacred artifact has been deciphered. We mustn’t disturb you now!” With that, he picked up the towel from the table to wipe his forehead, masking the boundless panic in his heart.

Flaying ambled over to Du Chen’s side, chuckling softly. “Any more good shows coming up?”

Du Chen smiled mysteriously. “Soon, the real show is about to begin!”

As the Battle Gods returned one after another without success, finally, a Battle God with considerable research into sacred artifacts emerged from the crocodile’s maw, puzzled. “Mr. Rogliff, based on my studies of sacred artifacts, it seems there’s an issue with yours. Its artifact spirit is exceptionally powerful, but its body seems… rather unstable. I suggest we all combine our battle qi and strike the artifact’s body!”

“What are we waiting for?” The Tentacle-Headed Battle God was the first to leap onto the podium, and dozens more immediately stepped forward.

“Dean Zigurd, this…” Rogliff looked at Zigurd with a troubled expression.

Zigurd smiled. “There will be no problem. The Battle Gods present here possess incredibly precise control over their battle qi, and this Grand Council Hall also has the ability to absorb diffused battle qi. As long as the method is appropriate, the person inside will absolutely not be harmed.”

Under Zigurd’s direction, the Battle Gods gathered, their battle qi condensing into a single mass. Initially, they dared not exert excessive force, but as the battle qi intensified, with a resounding *BOOM*, the “Crocodile” Sacred Artifact erupted as if a Fiery Detonation had been planted within it, completely shattering.

“Take cover!” The Tentacle-Headed Battle God’s tentacles rapidly elongated, weaving a large net in front of him to block the scattering fragments of the sacred artifact. Then, he casually glanced at the exploded sacred artifact and cried out, “Battle Gods protect!”

Inside the shattered sacred artifact, there was no one, only an upright wooden plaque.

The front bore a column of large characters: “A mere eighth-level sacred artifact, yet it requires a hundred men to decipher? Shameful, laughable, lamentable! Pathetic!”

The back had a line of smaller characters: “No True Gods Remain After the Godslayer Wars; My Longsword’s Edge Now Serves No Purpose, Better to Return to Naught! Wealth? What use is it to me?!”

Silence. The Grand Council Hall fell into an endless hush.

After a long while, the Tentacle-Headed Battle God suddenly walked to the wooden plaque. “Mr. Rogliff, it seems your sacred artifact was long ago deciphered by an Esteemed Luminary, and your friend should have already been rescued. The one who deciphered this sacred artifact is immeasurably powerful, unfathomable as ghosts and gods. I am not his equal, so I shall not remain here to disgrace myself!” With that, he bowed deeply to the wooden plaque, turned, and strode out.

Another person stepped forward, bowed to the wooden plaque, and sighed, “Hundreds of us High-level Battle Gods could not only not decipher this sacred artifact, but we couldn’t even perceive that an Esteemed Luminary had tampered with it! I am utterly convinced!” He, too, departed.

“My Longsword’s Edge Serves No Purpose! Senior, your peerless skill is unmatched in this era. This junior is ashamed to wield a sword in this lifetime!” Another bowed and then turned to leave.

…

One by one, the Battle Gods stepped forward to admire the wooden plaque, then departed in shame.

Rogliff let out two dry laughs and cupped his hands toward the wooden plaque. “Though the powerful Esteemed Luminary has not revealed himself, Rogliff is grateful for saving my friend. All you Battle Gods, please tarry a moment to bear witness for me: my promise before the Assembly still stands. Should this master find me, Rogliff will respectfully offer half his fortune!”

While he spoke these fine words, his heart was filled with trepidation. *Heavens, this sacred artifact of mine is eighth-level! To casually decipher it and leave a wooden plaque inside, what level of power does that require!?*

*Could it be that a reclusive master discovered my scheme, and, unwilling to cause panic, chose this method to teach me a lesson!?*

*Highly likely!*

*No, I must immediately report this to the leader! The organization’s plans must be significantly altered! The focus must shift from Phil and the Yessar Church to this master who so easily deciphered my sacred artifact!*

*Such a person, if possible, it’s best not to offend! Unless absolutely necessary, one must not create an unrivaled adversary of this caliber!*

In a corner, Deboning cast a bemused glance at Du Chen. “Young Master’s move here has likely dumbfounded this group of ignorant Battle Gods!”

Du Chen’s smile was enigmatic.

Flaying shook his head slightly. “Francis may enjoy acting like a pretentious expert, but this time, he’s pretentious in a very amusing way!”

“Why? Also, when are we going to deal with Rogliff?” Deboning asked curiously.

Du Chen pursed his lips and chuckled softly. “Deal with Rogliff? Unless we’re insane! He and Philip are allied, belonging to the same organization. Thus, the power of this organization is beyond our imagination. Leaving others aside, Rogliff, Undead Philip, Tendon-Severing, and Corpse Dissolution—if these four unite, we wouldn’t be their match! Unless absolutely necessary, one must not create an unrivaled adversary of this caliber!”

Flaying nodded. “Exactly. Right now, the enemy is stronger than us, so we must play dirty and take our time. The Young Master setting up this scenario also serves to divert the organization’s attention, making them focus on a completely non-existent peerless Battle God, thereby reducing the pressure on us!”

Du Chen rubbed his nose. “The only loophole is Helen. She knows I did this. However, we share a common enemy, so she likely won’t, and wouldn’t dare, betray us!”

“So, the Young Master didn’t seize the sacred artifact this time, but rather let Rogliff go, because you didn’t want to alert the serpent!” Deboning looked somewhat worriedly at Helen, who was in disguise in the distance. “But Helen has already poisoned Rogliff.”

“Don’t worry. Rogliff has Philip, an Alchemical Prodigy, backing him. It would be a miracle if he could be poisoned to death! Heh, but I won’t tell Helen any of this. Let her rejoice for a while longer, thinking her poisoning was successful!” As Du Chen spoke, he became a little restless. His posterior was unbearably itchy.

“You two monitor the follow-up developments. I’m going out for a bit!” Filled with boundless anticipation, Du Chen quietly slipped out of the venue to inspect his harvest.