[Chapter 133: Seraphic Arbiter of Lesser Ascendant Order]
Daniel smiled faintly and retracted the spiritual sense that had spread out.
He opened his eyes, and for a brief moment, two flashes of lightning streaked across them, startlingly bright. After a moment, the brightness in his eyes gradually returned to normal.
"This is my Spiritual Consciousness."
Daniel already understood.
He glanced at the System again, checking his current level.
[Exorcism Level: Crowned Ascendant (Lesser Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 453,700]
One who wields exceptional power at the personal level is regarded as a master of the Foundation Order.
One who can command the shifting structure of the world and direct ambient spiritual presence belongs to the Authority Order.
One who governs the greater forces of creation itself -- storm, motion, and natural law -- stands within the Ascendant Order.
Yet the scope of that power is vast, far beyond a single classification.
Thus, the Ascendant Order is divided into two stages: the Lesser Ascendant and the Greater Ascendant.
At present, Daniel had reached the level of a Lesser Ascendant.
At this stage, his spiritual authority could extend beyond the body, forming a field of perception -- allowing him to sense the movements and changes within the surrounding world.
With just a thought from Daniel, his entire body floated up, soaring into mid-air as if weightless.
During the process, magic power in his body was being consumed.
Though it was his first time flying, Daniel felt no awkwardness. A Minor Ascendant's control over the magic power inside their body is already deeply profound and precise. There wouldn't be a moment where they lost control over their magic power or body.
Daniel activated his magic power and flew out the window.
Once outside, he began to ascend.
Although it was past 11 p.m., many places in the wealthy community were still brightly lit.
He flew higher and higher, seeing even more lights below.
When he ascended into the clouds, the temperature began to drop and the oxygen grew thinner. The howling wind whipped against him, making his hair whip backward. Fortunately, with the protection of his magic power, he resisted the cold. An ordinary person at this altitude would have limbs frozen stiff instantly.
He looked up even higher, feeling the wind grow stronger.
If he ascended further, the rate of potential consumption would rapidly surge.
Daniel abandoned the idea of going higher and began to descend.
Nothing unexpected happened as he returned to his room.
"Continue to upgrade!"
[Exorcism Level: Dominion Ascendant (Lesser Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 433,700]
...
[Exorcism Level: High Ascendant (Lesser Ascendant Order)]
...
[Exorcism Level: Seraphic Arbiter (Lesser Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 153,700]
After reaching Seraphic Arbiter (Lesser Ascendant Order), the upgrade button turned gray. He didn't have enough Merit Points to upgrade his Exorcism further.
He checked the Spell column.
This time, he had acquired a new powerful Spell, the Five Thunder Doctrine.
The Five Thunder Doctrine can unleash five types of thunder: Celestial Thunder, Terran Thunder, Abyssal Thunder, Pyric Thunder, and Tempest Thunder. Each has distinct, powerful abilities.
Five Thunder Doctrine, upgrade!
[Five Thunder Doctrine: Fourth Tier]
[Merit Points: 142,600]
Spending 11,100 Merit Points, Daniel upgraded the Five Thunder Doctrine to Fourth Tier. Upgrading further would require 100,000 Merit Points.
He still had enough Merit Points left to upgrade one more Spell.
Daniel's gaze swept over the other Spells, finally resting on the Five Thunder Doctrine and Seal Crafting Art.
After pausing to think, he made a decision.
Seal Crafting Art, upgrade!
[Seal Crafting Art: Fifth Tier]
[Merit Points: 42,600]
The Five Thunder Doctrine is a thunder Spell. Upgrading it to Fifth Tier would significantly enhance Daniel's combat power.
However, upgrading Seal Crafting Art would give him the ability to create more Seals.
These Seals possess various functions. While they increase Daniel's combat strength, they also make his approach to battle more flexible and versatile.
'Status!'
[Host: Daniel Cross]
[Body Constitution: Thunder Body]
[Exorcist Level: Seraphic Arbiter (Lesser Ascendant Order)]
[Skills:]
[Sanctum Blade Technique: Fourth Tier]
[Prayer Seal Crafting Art: Fifth Tier]
[Spiritual Perception Technique: Fourth Tier]
[Rite of Divine Empowerment: Fourth Tier]
[Artifact Forging Art: Fourth Tier]
[Sacred Alchemical Transmutation: Fourth Tier]
[Five Thunder Doctrine: Fourth Tier]
[Spells:]
[Divine Incantation for for Purifying Souls]
[Golden Aegis Rite]
[Inner Sanctification Rite]
[Body Absolution Rite]
[Merit Points: 42,600]
...
Exiting the System interface, Daniel's face broke into a smile.
This time, he fully experienced what it meant to have a major breakthrough.
Although he hadn't earned money from Francia, what he gained was priceless.
Daniel sat cross-legged on the bed, gently closed his eyes, stilled his thoughts, and entered a quiet, controlled state.
Within this state, his exhausted spirit recovered rapidly.
He no longer needed long hours of sleep to regain clarity and strength as before.
But soon, Daniel exited this state.
Since there was usually nothing to do, it was better just to sleep normally. At least, he could take comfort in actually sleeping.
Of course, when he need to spend night time with Amanda, Megan, Miranda, or others, that would be different.
...
With a wave of his hand, Daniel took out the Slender Man's skin. This piece of skin had already been treated by him with special Materials. Now, after cutting it, he could try drawing Seals.
Daniel left the bedroom and went to the study.
Closing the door behind him, he stomped his foot.
A large amount of spiritual energy flowed, sealing off the entire room. This way, spiritual energy and sounds inside the room would be difficult to transmit outside.
Daniel took out a carving knife and cut the entire piece of skin to the sizes he needed.
Actually, Seal sizes weren't fixed.
Sizes varied among different Schools.
Common Seals were mostly around an inch or two wide and six or seven inches long. However, some special Seals were enormous -- several times larger than ordinary Seals. Such Seals generally carried powerful forces and extraordinary effects.
After cutting the Seal paper, Daniel took out the highest-quality cinnabar.
Ordinary cinnabar was fine for drawing low-grade Seals. For high-grade Seals, the standard power in ordinary cinnabar wasn't enough. In addition to cinnabar, many rare materials had to be added.
Looking at the prepared cinnabar ink, Daniel felt a bit of regret.
This small bowl cost over $100,000.
However, the Slender Man's treated skin, if valued, would certainly be even more expensive.
...
Gradually, dawn broke.
Daniel had been drawing Seals all night.
As a Seraphic Arbiter of Lesser Ascendant Order with a powerful soul and abundant spirit, even after an entire night of drawing, he felt only slightly tired, unlike before, when he had to force himself to rest after drawing for a while.
Setting down the Seal brush and looking at the finished Seals beside him, Daniel couldn't help but smile.
This night hadn't been wasted.
The Slender Man's skin could indeed be used to draw Seals.
Daniel stretched, his joints cracking softly.
With a snap of the fingers, all the energy retracted and returned to its source.
Immediately, he heard the familiar clinking sound from downstairs.
He was used to this sound.
Every morning, it heralded Francia making breakfast.
Although Daniel had reached the Lesser Ascendant Order, meaning he didn't need to wash up as much and it was hard for his body to accumulate dirt, he still kept the habit of washing normally.
When he went downstairs, breakfast was already ready.
"Mr. Cross, good morning," Francia greeted him with a sleepy smile.
Daniel replied, "Morning, Francia. Eat up, and after you're done, I'll accompany you to cancel your lease."
"Oh, okay," Francia nodded, her usual cheerfulness returning.
*****
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