From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

Chapter 247: Chapter 237: "Bird Expeller" The Power of Consecution and Darren's Return

In the basement of Fischer Manor, the new ritual had not yet begun.

Vanessa, with her arms crossed, looked at Lilian who stood not far away and calmly said,

"I don't know if you've noticed, but actually, in the last decade or so, the amount of extraordinary materials seems to have been continuously decreasing. There might even come a day when they become exhausted..."

Lilian nodded slightly, not disagreeing with Vanessa's view, and seriously said, "Indeed, I can feel that the resources of extraordinary power in the world are gradually diminishing."

"The reason for this is that everyone's demand for extraordinary materials has increased, and the number of Extraordinary Exponents is also growing. However, the growth rate of the 'raw materials' that make up extraordinary materials just can't keep up."

Since the Spirit Realm descended decades ago, the demand for extraordinary materials worldwide had further increased. And because of the legend about the resurrection of the demon god, the major churches had prohibited private breeding of magic beasts, so the supply of extraordinary materials had been in a steady state of decline over the years.

Originally no one had considered that there would come a day when the resources of extraordinary materials might be exhausted, yet the reality was now in front of them. Perhaps in a hundred years, or maybe just several decades, the sources of certain extraordinary materials would vanish.

Lilian then looked toward Ray, who was not far away, and suddenly said with a sense of anticipation,

"Ray, maybe your Path of Nature can help us solve the problem of diminishing extraordinary materials, otherwise sooner or later we will not be able to get the right extraordinary materials."

"Ah? Me?"

Ray was a bit simple-minded and didn't grasp what Lilian was asking; he was still worried about his dog waiting outside.

He scratched his head and then said, "So, you want me to breed magic beasts? I remember that kind of thing is strictly prohibited by the church."

"Heh, as long as it's not discovered, it's not considered a violation, and besides, should our status really fear further defying those False God Churches?"

After saying that calmly, Lilian shook her head and continued, "Never mind, let's first get you up the next step of the God Pantheon stairway. For the 2nd Rank of the Path of Nature, you will be the first to set foot on it."

She gazed intensely at Ray, saying fervently, "The great Lord of the Lost will bestow a gift upon you, be grateful for it all your life!"

The Path of Nature.

Its 2nd Rank is named "Bird Expeller."

The Bird Expeller's image in the Spirit Realm is that of a scarecrow, meant to scare away birds, yet covered from top to bottom with various birds instead.

The "Bird Expeller's" physical enhancement is 15, and the increase in Spiritual Power is 10, which seems more inclined for melee fighters among the Consecution Extraordinary Exponents.

In reality, the Bird Expeller's ability is not of the melee type. Ray obtained only one Extraordinary trait, which is "Avian Affinity."

An Extraordinary Exponent with "Avian Affinity" can establish a very good natural closeness and favor with all kinds of bird creatures, including magic beasts. By offering small favors they could even delegate many tasks to the birds.

While it may not sound like a powerful extraordinary force, it could have a huge effect if one encounters a strong avian magic beast.

Its biggest advantage is that there is no "Class Restriction." In theory, "Avian Affinity" could even work on avian magic beasts at the Heavenly Enlightenment Level, though whether or not such powerful creatures exist anywhere in the world is unknown.

When Lilian left the basement, she heard a servant say someone was looking for her.

It was a man with a face full of scars, frowning, without any reverence, looking at Lilian.

"The war has ended, and Darren has not died yet. Will he ever return?"

The man, anxious in tone, was "Old Dog," the sole Transmutation Extraordinary Exponent in Darren's small team back in Rhea.

Half a year ago, Old Dog, badly wounded, ran to Cyart and took a long time recovering before he cautiously made his way to Nasir Town to find the Fischer family.

However, by that point, the defense battle of Fein City had already officially started, and his intelligence was no longer of any importance. Hence, Old Dog simply stayed with the Fischer family, quietly waiting for Darren's return.

Old Dog was always contemplating whether Darren might have died, but all members of the Fischer family were adamant, insisting that Darren was still alive.

Now, the war that persisted for years had finally come to an end.

Old Dog couldn't help but expect, wondering whether or not Darren would return to Nasir Town. Was he dead or alive?

"Darren! Is he still alive? Can he return?"

Lilian remained silent for a while, then shook her head and said, "He's certainly still alive. As for where he might be, and when he can return, I do not know..."

——

Outside a village on the border of Cyart, a battered cart made its way silently towards the south. A farmer doubling as a coachman, tempted by the large sum of money promised by the Iron Mask Man, was planning to take him to Nasir Town.

"Finally back, tsk."

The Iron Mask Man lay calmly on the cart, looking up at the pale blue sky.

He let out a breath and yawned.

"A bit dull, huh, the war just ended abruptly like this. Heh, it wasn't interesting enough."

During Darren's escape, he had been caught by the enemy's lieutenant, and just when he thought he was about to face death, Destiny's Trajectory suddenly came into effect.

Suddenly, a person appeared and saved his life.

However, that was all – he was merely saved from death.

The woman couldn't interfere with the war because of the church's lack of authority, and still handed him over to the Rhea army, after which Darren was imprisoned for an entire half-year.

After the war ended, just before the exchange of prisoners of war between both sides, he escaped all on his own.

"I don't know what the family has turned into now, if they can still recognize me as I am…"

Darren took a deep breath and then fell into a heavy sleep at the back of the carriage.

"Humph."

After some time, the carriage came to a quiet stop, and the driver in front, with a very cold expression, turned and coldly snorted at Darren lying at the back of the carriage.

"I've finally waited for you, bloodline of the Fischer family, Darren Fischer; I'll make you a sacrificial offering to the gods!"

He was a follower of the Stars Embrace Order, though not dressed in the Order's garb, but in fact, he had joined the Stars Embrace Order for more than twenty years. By killing Darren Fischer, he would have a chance to advance to Transmutation!

"The great constellations have issued a supreme oracle that every bloodline of the Fischers must be sacrificed to Him."

"The Fischer family is destined for destruction!"

"You will be the first!"

The carriage driver cautiously approached, drew out his knife, and stabbed ferociously. The next moment, the cold blade passed through without any sensation of touching flesh or blood.

He was momentarily shocked, then heard the Iron Mask Man's chuckling voice come out.

"So our family has caught your attention, sounds interesting, at least it makes things lively again."

"Why didn't you die?"

The carriage driver stared at the Iron Mask Man lying above him, utterly stunned.

Darren laughed out loud and then suddenly pressed his hand on the carriage driver's face, igniting flames that rose high, causing the driver to wail as his entire face was scorched by the searing fire.

"Aaaaaagh! Aaaaagh!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Darren burst into manic laughter as he saw several more followers of the Stars Embrace Order approaching, seeming to enclose him gradually.

"Good, good! The more who come, the better!"

The next moment, Darren ethereally extended one hand into the driver's body, then extracted a blood-drenched spine with a nearly insane yank to use it as a weapon.

"Hahahahaha! Come at me, all of you!"

Darren sneered, brandishing the spine as a weapon at the slowly approaching followers of the Stars Embrace Order, who stood there agape with fear, unable to move.

A few days later.

At Nasir Town, in front of Fischer Manor, stood a carriage reeking of corpses.

Darren, covered in burn scars, removed his Iron Mask and sat at the back of the carriage, a bone still in his mouth, gazing at his family's manor.

He was finally back.

"May I ask who you are... Aaaaagh!"

"Quick, get someone! There's a monster!"

The servants who came to the manor gates were greeted by his terrifying, fierce countenance and the horrid pile of corpses in the carriage, prompting them to panic.

Darren remained calm, silently waiting for his family to arrive.

As the doors of the residence opened, a woman in a black robe came out and was immediately moved to tears upon seeing Darren, unable to control herself.

"Darren!" Find more to read at mvl

Lilian rushed up without hesitation and embraced her brother, Covered in the stench of blood and gore and marked with burn scars, she was overwhelmed with emotion, and warm tears flowed down her cheeks.

"You're finally back, I missed you so much, it's great, Darren, it's good you're back!"

Darren inhaled deeply and smiled for the first time in years as he felt a true sense of relaxation.

He hugged his younger sister tightly in return.

"Yeah, I'm back."