Fang You wasn't unable to keep the skill book 'Gui Yu' for himself.
He believed he would eventually reach the accumulated value of spiritual power and the mysterious, but...
The problem was, how long would it take?
The organization was in its nascent stages; one step faster meant every step would be faster. Conversely, letting this precious skill book rot in the warehouse would be a waste.
Of course, the main reason was that he couldn't learn it, nor could Old Brother Black Blade. But it seemed...
"The 'Gui Yu' skill book clearly lists various difficulties and learning conditions, but between the lines, all it cryptically states are four words – custom-made!"
This skill book was almost tailor-made for the new apostle, 'An Jian You'.
It could make her stronger, allowing her to quickly embark on the path of a laborer and contribute to the organization.
"Forget it."
"The path of a ghost master sounds beautiful, but if these 'ghosts' refer to the ugly and grotesque specters that affect sanity when kept nearby, then... it's not so wonderful."
It wasn't quite the kind of ghost he wanted to control.
Even if it wasn't a cute, loli ghost or a cool, mature sister ghost, couldn't it at least be a money-making butterfly or a fire-breathing raven?
But there were none.
These specters were either ugly or even uglier.
Thinking this way, Fang You felt a sense of balance, and most importantly...
"Perhaps An Jian You can control specters, but I'm one step ahead; I control people."
He painstakingly nurtured his apostles to become strong, and Fang You felt it was reasonable to call himself a person controller. Who would argue?
An Jian You might become very strong, but since she was his, that wasn't much of a problem.
Of course,
"An Jian You is different from Black Blade; even when bestowing abilities upon her, it can't be too direct."
"Hmm, the most important thing is that with the arrival of the second apostle, the Salvation Organization has reached its full complement of three. My authority seems to have been elevated, unlocking some brand new game modes."
Without rushing to develop An Jian You, Fang You opened the game log.
"Ding!"
"Notification: The Salvation Organization currently has three Fate Apostles. Conditions met, the Organization Base has been unsealed."
"Notification: Base details can be viewed from the Base module, and an entrance/exit linked to the outside can be established."
"Notification: Base module unlocked, Fate Points +5."
"Notification: Savior of Destiny's authority has been elevated. Additional operational options for apostles acquired, and the exclusive Savior's Authority – Apostle's Heart – has been obtained!"
—
"Apostle's Heart: The ability to borrow one skill from any Fate Apostle. Borrowed skills cannot be leveled up and only one can be held at a time. Can be replaced. This Authority can be used once every three days. Current Authority cannot borrow awakened abilities, talents, or skills of Purple rarity or above."
"Note: Borrowing skills will not affect the apostle in any way. Simultaneously, leveling up the Salvation Organization will enhance the Savior's Authority."
"Evaluation: As the Savior, it's reasonable to know a little bit of your apostles' abilities!"
Fang You: "!!!"
He had initially just been casually browsing, wanting to see what new functions the game had, mainly curious about the newly added Base module.
But now, Base? What was that? He, Fang, only wanted to properly study his exclusive Authority.
Fang You clicked on his own character.
At the very bottom of the information section, a new Authority button had appeared. A gentle press brought up an option – the ability to borrow one skill from the following apostles.
"Black Blade: Basic Saber Technique (Proficient), Specter Tracking (Proficient), Blade Slash (Mastered)"
"An Jian You: None"
He chose to borrow Blade Slash from Black Blade.
Instantly, on the game interface, a line appeared in his character panel's skill list: 'Blade Slash · Mastered (Temporary)'.
The usage of the Mastered Blade Slash flooded into his mind.
It wasn't much content. Unlike learning Palm Lightning or Specter Tracking, this replication was painless. However, the replicated skill was still rather hazy.
He didn't understand.
He completely didn't understand, yet was greatly shocked... but he knew how to use it.
Specter Tracking and Palm Lightning both had a learning process, starting from nothing. The temporary Blade Slash did not, making him feel somewhat hollow, like a temporary attachment.
But his instincts told Fang You he could use it, and use it he would!
He took out the beginner's wooden sword, gripping it in his hand, the tip pointed diagonally upwards.
"Blade Slash!"
Accompanied by a low shout, the power within his body seemed to boil, surging into the blade. Instantly, a dazzling red light erupted, covering the entire blade and extending forward with his intent.
A red saber aura! Half a zhang!
Its persistence and ability to change and extend confirmed it was the Mastered Blade Slash!
With this, this Savior also possessed Black Blade's saber might...
Whoosh—
The red light on the blade quickly extinguished. Fang You collapsed onto the ground, feeling weak and empty.
His body felt hollowed out.
The entire Mastered Blade Slash only lasted for a second, maybe two?
Fang You lay on the ground, his mind blank.
"I was careless."
"Before awakening, Black Blade was also a 'three-second man'. It was only after awakening and gaining a mana bar that he could sustain the perfect execution of Mastered Blade Slash."
"And me..."
It was just too fast. Fang You hadn't intended it.
But to be fair, after using the Mastered Blade Slash once, he seemed to have gained a slight understanding of life energy utilization. Fang You foresaw that his proficiency with Palm Lightning would increase slightly.
This was not an illusion.
Furthermore, his understanding of Blade Slash had become clearer.
"If this continues, I might be able to learn the Blade Slash skill without a teacher. Other skills too."
"The more apostles I have, the more skills I can learn, and the stronger I will become."
Thinking this, Fang You became somewhat eager to arrange a skill learning plan for An Jian You.
Then he could just copy 'Gui Yu' over.
It didn't matter if he couldn't learn it himself; copying was enough.
But this couldn't be rushed.
Rushing wouldn't help.
He, Fang You, the Savior of Destiny, the Game Player Who Knows a Little Bit of Skills, the Guiding Light of Apostles, was still lying on the ground unable to get up.
...
While Fang You was still unable to get up, in a cafe in Bai Jiang, An Jian You held her head, lost in thought.
"You have been chosen by destiny, An Jian You."
"From today onwards, you will become a member of the organization."
The voice seemed to come from a distant shore, as if a great, unnameable existence was speaking to her, echoing in her ears, fading away only after a long, long time.
An Jian You thought she was hearing whispers again, but it didn't seem like it.
The voices she had heard before, the roars from those terrifying monsters, were chaotic and hoarse. The voice echoing in her ears was loud and clear.
It was a young male voice, gentle yet majestic.
Immediately after,
An Jian You seemed to see this scene.
The shadows of the old days were approaching, the filth of the world was breeding, the countdown to the end had begun, the entire world was plunging into the abyss, and disasters would be everywhere.
"Are you ready to fight for the future of the world?"
I...
An Jian You was dazed and helpless, but a surge of impulse was born from the depths of her heart.
She, a person chosen by destiny?
To fight for the future of the world?
If a normal person heard such a voice, such words, they wouldn't have any reason to believe it.
But An Jian You...
She looked out the window. On the street, people shuffled like walking corpses, weaving through the crowds. The sky was dim and grey, terrifying monsters perched atop the buildings, exhaling ominous breaths.
The entire world was plunging into the abyss.
She did not doubt it.