Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Duke flipped the cooperation proposal to the last page but did not continue reading it. Instead, he closed the booklet and gently placed it on the obsidian tabletop.

He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the faces of Selena, Baroque, and Zephiris, then began to speak in a tone slower and more solemn than when discussing the cooperation terms.

"Before discussing specific cooperation, there is something I need to clarify with you three first." He clasped his hands on the table, his body leaning slightly forward, "My backing forces have no intention of enslaving the Oracle Plane. I won’t establish colonial rule here, nor will I ask you to dismantle your Divine Halls or abandon your beliefs.

The relationship between the Light Sect and the Three Great Sects is cooperation, not annexation. I am not a tyrannical dictator either. I believe you have already investigated my actions in the Fire Sect before coming. After the Fire Sect surrendered to the Light Sect, the conquerors were integrated, and those unwilling to submit left voluntarily, with no captives executed. This isn’t out of kindness, but because it’s unnecessary."

"I have mentioned that I come from a more powerful Plane. But I also have another identity, which relates to the Oracle Plane itself. You three are the highest leaders of your respective sects, with an understanding of the nature of Gods far beyond the ordinary. You should be very aware that the Four Gods and the God of Light are all incarnations of the Oracle Plane Will.

The Oracle Plane is a whole; Gods cannot fundamentally slaughter each other, as it would mean the Plane Will is tearing itself apart." He looked into the eyes of the three Great Mages, "Therefore, the conflict between the Four Gods Sect and the Light Sect essentially has nothing to do with Gods; it is rather the struggle for resources, territories, and power among followers in the silence of Gods."

Selena’s fingertips paused at the corner of the Secret Silver Box, and Baroque’s thick eyebrows slightly knitted.

Duke’s words pierced through the sacred narrative the Four Gods Sect had been claiming for hundreds of years. Every religious war they launched was said to be for Gods to eradicate heresy, but in reality, Gods never required this, nor did they ever speak.

"The God of Light is the most special one. It fell silent the earliest, so early that even the Light Sect’s own chronicles cannot pinpoint when it began to stop responding to followers. The other four Gods fell silent later but occasionally released rule fluctuations. Your followers can still perceive their presence in prayers. Only the God of Light remained completely silent; you should also sense the Light emanating from me, otherwise, you wouldn’t have accepted the duel with me outside Stone Hammer City."

Then Duke slightly straightened, and a pale golden light seeped from his chest.

The light was not glaring but carried an indescribable majesty and sacredness.

This presence was of a more fundamental nature, like a mortal standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking an abyss; the rocks beneath remain unmoved, but the legs involuntarily weaken.

Just like standing directly under the dome of a cathedral, the dome wouldn’t collapse, yet breathing naturally lightens.

Selena abruptly stood up; her swift movement pushed the obsidian high-back chair half a foot back, causing its legs to screech on the glass floor.

Baroque did not rise, but his arms crossed in front of his chest were somehow already relaxed, and the eyes hidden under his thick brows bulged wide, his Adam’s apple rolling up and down repeatedly.

Zephiris was much calmer but equally surprised, sensing that aura.

Duke did not sustain the light for too long; he was merely exhibiting, not threatening.

After a few breaths, the pale golden light gradually receded, returning to the depths of his Spiritual Sea in his chest, like the sea calming after the tide retreats.

Duke then spoke again.

"I am chosen by the God of Light’s Will; this cannot be faked."

Selena took a deep breath, glanced at the other two, and said, "It is indeed the aura of the God of Light..."

"Since you three have confirmed my identity, I have a question to ask you. Why has the God of Light fallen silent? Although the rule fluctuations of the other four Gods are faint, they can still occasionally be perceived. Only the God of Light, before my appearance, had gone countless generations without its followers sensing any response from the God. I’ve searched all the Light Sect’s internal records but found no reasons.

Bishop Ambrose’s only explanation to me was that the Gods have their own plans, but that’s not an explanation; it’s resignation. You three are the highest leaders of the Four Gods Sect, with more complete inherited records than the Light Sect. If even you don’t know the answer, then this question likely only has one explanation: the Oracle Plane itself hides secrets unknown to all of us. For instance, those suddenly descending Blessed Ones..."

Selena’s fingers trembled slightly, she quickly withdrew her hand from the tabletop, placing it back on her knee.

Baroque and Zephiris exchanged a look, their eyes no longer showing previous hostility or caution, but a certain unprecedented bewilderment.

This question, they could not answer.

Duke observed their reactions and spiritual power fluctuations, deducing they indeed did not know.

The silence of the God of Light, the silence of the Four Gods, the silence of the Oracle Plane Will—these issues seem beyond their reach.

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