Super Righteous Player
Chapter 1054 - 112 "Prophecy of Odes to the Celestial Chariot

Chapter 1054: Chapter 112 "Prophecy of Odes to the Celestial Chariot

Though "Venomhand" did not directly divulge who that "Countess" behind him was,

yet the "Countess" who saw Annan as the "main dish" and harbored enmity towards Kafney was likely none other than that person alone.

Ingrid, the "Eternal Maiden."

She was the final competitor for the position of the Celestial Chariot, even when Annan had already obtained the complete Book of the Celestial Chariot.

Annan knew that this was not an act of folly.

In the prophetic "Odes to the Celestial Chariot," the main character, the "Madman," on his quest for the "Celestial Chariot" and in search of information about it, successively found the "Saint" and the "Sage," both of whom were qualified to ride in the Celestial Chariot.

The Saint, "born knowing the suffering of all beings," wept blind for the suffering that others had to bear. Since birth, he had never done anything to harm others; he helped others selflessly and was willing to give up everything without hesitation.

And the Sage understood all the truths of the world. He hoped he could exhaust all truths, bringing the entire world to "ascend" with him. The method (ritual) that taught the protagonist to gaze at the sun and seal the light inside his pupils was told to the protagonist by the Sage.

But the "Madman" had neither the Heart of Benevolence nor the Key of Truth.

His heart was filled with many distracting desires; he could not become a true Saint, and his own talent was not sufficient for him to become a Sage.

"I gaze at the sun, seeking to seal its light in my pupils.

"Yet when I gaze at the sun, what flows are only tears... knowing in my heart that I am but a mundane creature.

"In the furnace of the realm of light, my body finally burns away, my teeth decay, flesh and skin dissolve—

"I weep for this—realizing I am but a mundane creature!"

And when the Madman returned home in regret, he encountered his childhood sweetheart. Because of her pupils which hid stars within, the Madman fell in love with her as if she were the Celestial Chariot itself.

After the two fell in love, they married and had children.

After living a peaceful and happy life, the Madman’s "lover" aged and passed away. But it was not a painful death; it was a blissful and serene passing.

Thus, the Madman did not cry at her death. Because she died smiling — her lifespan returning to proper rest.

"I gaze at my lover’s remains, as fervently as I would gaze at the Celestial Chariot.

"But I am not seeking anything.

"Her visage aged, the pupils hiding the stars tightly closed. But the love in my chest does not cease with death; just as it did not start with birth.

"—Yet when I gaze at the grave, tears flow from my eyes. Just as they did when I gazed at the sun.

"I am indeed a mortal; a mortal who is a lover.

"My soul is kindling, and this love is the flame; my soul is seared by the fire, rising like smoke; embracing the sun, just like a moth yearning for light.

"That is my light! The beauty within the remains! The glory of my life!

"The love that burns eternally without rest! The third echo resounding from deep within the sun—

"—I already had my light, yet I was utterly unaware of it!"

When the Madman had his epiphany, he did not need the Celestial Chariot to ascend, to reach the realm of light.

Or rather, the "Eternal Maiden" was perhaps the Celestial Chariot that belonged solely to him.

An everlasting love. A love that endures through time.

If one cannot follow truth, cannot achieve supreme goodness,

then in life, one can at least cherish love for others—

This love is not merely the love between spouses or between parent and child. It refers to all the genuine and enduring love that is held in people’s hearts.

Because this love, for humans, is like light to a mirror, capable of reflecting back and returning to oneself. This love, just like light, is able to elevate mortals... to become better, more magnificent beings.

And in the final line of "Odes to the Celestial Chariot."

It is the Madman’s exclamation:

—Only the Eternal Maiden leads us to ascend.

The "Eternal Maiden" mentioned here refers to one "who can love and be loved."

Annan even suspected... The "Odes to the Celestial Chariot" did not just reveal the existence of the Celestial Chariot, nor did it merely suggest the two paths to divinity: "stigmatizing the soul and possessing the Book of Truth" and "becoming the Pope with the sacred relics"...

Its "Eternal Maiden" and "the third echo resounding from deep within the sun" perhaps hinted at a third path to ascension.

—Ascend through rituals!

That is to say, since "the lover is the Celestial Chariot exclusive to the Madman."

So, at the ceremony, if a "Madman who Ascends with Love" was born, then his lover could be considered the "Celestial Chariot."

Perhaps it was from here that Skeleton Earl drew his inspiration.

And back then, Ingrid, as the Tower Master of the Thousand-Faced Phantom Tower and the Pope of the Haoyun, had already reached the pinnacle in both these pursuits. She was one of the very few who believed "Odes to the Celestial Chariot" was a book of prophecy.

At that time, the Book of Truth had not yet completely disappeared.

Whether one wished to obtain the Book of Truth or to try to acquire the Holy Bones, it was not a difficult task.

But for reasons unknown, she put her faith in "Odes to the Celestial Chariot" and insisted on taking that third path.

Thus, she gave up her occupation at the Gold rank, resigning from the positions of Tower Master and Pope, and pioneered a new Gold-rank occupation — the Eternal Maiden, the ultimate form of an Idol Wizard.

To align with this prophecy, she even named her newly created occupation after it!

—Then, how does one fulfill a specific prophecy?

The simplest method is to collide with it deliberately... or rather, to play the part.

As long as she could cultivate a "Madman" with the element of "love" and make him fall in love with her, she could become a deity directly.

And not just any deity — Ingrid believed she would become the most important and greatest deity in the world.

The Deity of Deity Selection, the Celestial Chariot!

But Annan was competing with her for this unique position.

Since Annan had the Book of the Celestial Chariot in his hands... he was also a "chosen" successor.

Once he filled his rank at the Gold level and ascended to the Truth Rank, he could hold the sublimation ceremony at any time and achieve true divinity!

In other words,

Annan and Ingrid were both sole candidates for the position of the "Celestial Chariot."

Each had their own set of tasks at hand and both were just one step away from completion.

And once one person completed their task, the other would be completely ruined.

—There was no hatred between them.

But due to their positions, they were naturally enemies.

Annan had a large number of supporters by his side... as did Ingrid.

Just like two monarchs, they fought each other for the same piece of land.

And this "Venomhand."

He was one of Ingrid’s "subjects," as well as one of her "lovers."

"Even if it costs my life — as long as it can elevate her higher, I will spare no effort. Because you love her, just as she loves you..."

Annan sighed, "Is that what you think?"

Looking at Annan, who shone as if with a life of his own.

Although expressionless, Venomhand’s pupils suddenly contracted.

"Then let me show you... another side of the Celestial Chariot."

Annan said in a low voice, as the light in front of him suddenly dimmed.

In the instant the light faded, shadows were already forming.

And just as Venomhand tried to move, he found the tentacles of shadow had unknowingly latched onto his legs, binding him firmly in place.

There was no trace of movement.

Annan, with a look of pity, appeared directly in front of "Venomhand."

He floated in the air, his right index finger gently touching Venomhand’s forehead.

"Let me take a look... at your life."

Venomhand was frozen in place, unable to move.

He felt a strange stream of light flood into his forehead, filling his eyes.

In his consciousness, countless streams of light grasped tightly onto him like hands; they were also like feathers falling, gently covering his soul.

Then, amidst this warmth, he lost consciousness.