348: The spiritual test of death

Chapter 347: The Rite Trial of Ten Deaths and No Life

Ten minutes later, Dick followed Vivian to the summit of Snow God Mountain, where there was a spacious and flat circular plaza.

The Rite Trial will be held here later!

Fama also followed. After confirming that he could not obtain the purple longevity divine flower, he could only grit his teeth and participate in the Rite Trial, as this was the only chance to extend his life.

His time was running out. Losing the purple longevity divine flower and giving up the Rite Trial, Fama didn't know where else he could find a way to extend his life at this stage.

He no longer had time to plan another longevity extension scheme!

Dick looked around, feeling everything was so familiar; he had been here dozens of times.

The ancient stone bricks on the ground were covered with inscriptions and large amounts of ancient Elf text, obscure and difficult to understand. Dick knew these were all hymns praising the Snow Goddess.

Next to the circular plaza, there was also a smooth platform several meters high, where Vivian usually performed the sacrificial kiss dance, communicated with the divine, and listened to divine sounds.

If he could successfully pass the Rite Trial, Dick would enjoy the same treatment as the Snow Goddess, watching Vivian perform the sacrificial kiss dance on the plaza.

After the dance, Vivian would offer the sacrificial kiss, gifting the Ice Mist Lotus within her body!

Of course, it doesn't have to be that complicated.

As long as one is strong enough, there's no need to go through these procedures; they can directly force Vivian to give the sacrificial kiss.

However, that's for later. At this stage, Dick isn't strong enough and temporarily can't defeat Vivian, so he can only honestly undergo the trial and follow the rules.

"Regarding the precautions for the Rite Trial, I believe you are already aware, so I won't elaborate further. If you have any other questions, you can ask them now."

Vivian stood barefoot on the sacrificial platform. She wore a white mask and held a giant magic bow, her voice cold and clear.

Upon hearing this, Dick gently shook his head, indicating no questions, while Fama, like a curious child, pestered Vivian with questions.

Is the sacrificial kiss only once, or multiple times?

Can you get the Ice Mist Lotus just by being kissed?

Can absorbing the Ice Mist Lotus really extend life by a thousand years?

Vivian was very patient, answering all of Fama's questions one by one, as this was an obligation she had to fulfill as a Snow Maiden.

Standing on the sacrificial platform, Vivian's social phobia symptoms were somewhat relieved because this place made her feel one with the Snow Goddess!

"You, you don't know if the sacrificial kiss has a limit on the number of times?"

Hearing Fama's incredulous question, Vivian gently shook her head and said, "I really don't know, and no one knows, as no Snow Maiden has ever given two sacrificial kisses."

Historically, only four people have passed the trial, and each was separated by hundreds of thousands of years.

Therefore, no one knows how many times a Snow Maiden can offer the sacrificial kiss or whether the Ice Mist Lotus can be repeatedly obtained.

Dick, being a person who had gone through it, naturally knew the answer to this difficult question.

Actually, just thinking about it makes it clear: a Snow Maiden can definitely only offer the sacrificial kiss once in her life; subsequent kisses are 100% ineffective.

Because they only store one Ice Mist Lotus in their bodies, and it won't regenerate once consumed!

If the Ice Mist Lotus could be given infinitely, then the Snow Maiden would be too heaven-defying.

Just imagine, if a Snow Maiden's crimson lips were tasted by ten thousand people, wouldn't it allow ten thousand people to extend their lives by a thousand years?

Moreover, the effect of the Ice Mist Lotus is far more than just extending life; the sacrificial kiss brings all-around attribute enhancement, which is very desirable.

Hearing Vivian's uncertain answer, Fama hesitated.

He originally planned to let Dick undergo the trial first and observe the situation from behind.

But now, Vivian's sacrificial kiss might only be effective the first time, and there might only be one Ice Mist Lotus.

Although the Rite Trial is one of ten deaths and no life, this kid Dick is strangely evil. What if he actually succeeds?

Thinking of this, Fama immediately said loudly, "Vivian-sama, I want to participate in the trial first. Let's start now!"

Hearing this, Vivian said the order didn't matter, but still glanced at Dick, and Fama did the same.

However, Dick just smiled slightly and said indifferently, "You are an elder, and I am a junior. Naturally, I should yield. Being at the back is fine too."

Seeing Dick's humble and gentlemanly appearance, Fama frowned, and a wave of suspicion arose in his heart.

After all, Vivian had just clearly said she didn't know if the sacrificial kiss was only effective the first time. If so, then one should definitely snatch the first taste.

Could this kid Dick know some secret again?

Or is he saying he knows he will definitely fail?

But this isn't right. Dick is just a youth. Why would he know more than Vivian-sama?

Fama was filled with concerns. Dick's straightforward act of yielding made him suspicious in various ways.

"Wait, Vivian-sama, regarding the order of participation in the Rite Trial, I want to think about it more..."

Saying this, Fama looked at Dick, trying to see some flaw on his face.

"Hehe, since you have concerns, then I will be the first trial challenger. You can be a spectator on the side..."

Dick still smiled, as if the Rite Trial was just a pop quiz in the Academy, easy and pleasant.

Fama was completely stunned. What was Dick planning? Why was he indifferent whether he was the first to trial or not?

No, he must be trying to trick me!

Dick cannot know more than Vivian-sama, so the first challenger to undergo the trial is definitely the best!

"No, stick to the original plan," Fama directly interrupted Dick, his face resolute, "I'll go first!"

"Okay, then you go ahead."

Dick looked indifferent, slowly walked out of the circular plaza, and didn't argue with Fama at all, as if he didn't care about the order.

"Hmph, I'll go first then!"

Fama thought Dick was just pretending and was actually extremely nervous inside, his acting was quite skillful.

Soon, Fama sat cross-legged in the center of the circular plaza. After several deep breaths, he looked up at Vivian on the sacrificial platform, "Come on, I'm ready!"

Hearing this, Vivian nodded, then drew the ancient giant bow in her hand, but without nocking an arrow, she simply pulled the bowstring to its limit.

Buzz—

A few seconds later, a faint blue translucent arrow slowly appeared. It was neither solid nor condensed from magic power.

Even Vivian, who was drawing the bow and nocking the arrow, didn't know what substance this arrow was composed of.

Vivian only knew that every Snow Maiden throughout history, as long as they stood on the sacrificial platform and drew this bow called "Sacrificial Divine Mercy," this kind of translucent faint blue arrow would appear.

Snap!

Vivian released her fingers, and the arrow shot straight towards Fama, disappearing into his head moments later.

In just an instant, Fama lost consciousness. His head drooped, as if he had fallen asleep.

Dick knew that the arrow would not cause any harm to Fama because it was condensed from divine power!

Just now, when Vivian drew the bow, countless wisps of white mist gathered from all directions, forming that translucent arrow.

Undoubtedly, this arrow was a miracle, a miracle from the Snow Goddess!

And as the arrow struck Fama, the Rite Trial officially began.

As someone who had been through it, Dick knew that Fama's consciousness had been pulled into a certain domain, where he was undergoing the cruel Rite Trial!

For every minute that passed in reality, Fama's consciousness would spend a month in the domain, experiencing various incredibly realistic illusions.

These illusions came from memories, all incredibly painful and real, capable of easily crushing a person's will.

Not only that, but Fama would also forget that he was undergoing the trial, just like a person dreaming doesn't know they are dreaming.

As long as Fama's inner self wavered, leading to collapse, the Rite Trial would be considered a failure.

And the price of failure was that Fama's consciousness would be forever trapped in the domain, repeatedly experiencing various painful illusions.

He would never wake up until brain death.