Worlds’ Apocalypse Online

The beetle was dead.

Its body turned into a layer of grey fog that shot towards the sky.

A giant tree slowly manifested from within the grey fog.

-----the Tree of Holy Wishes!

It then spoke with a booming voice:

「 We shall support you with our full capabilities, helping you triumph over your enemies------ 」

「 Apocalypse, War, Circulation, Gloom, Authority, and other Sequences 」

Gu Qing Shan opened his eyes wide and impulsively asked: "When you say 'Apocalypse', do you mean those insects?"

The giant tree answered: 「 It isn't just those insects, all entities who wish to destroy living beings and all Sequences that aim to lead living beings down a wrongful path, all of them are our enemies 」

「 And so, we absorb all sources of power and submit them to Corruption----- for the sake of all living beings 」

「 But not every living being would necessarily understand the sacrifices we have to make 」

「 Such a path, are you willing to accept it? 」

Gu Qing Shan purposely appeared excited and clenched his small fists: "I am willing!"

「 Very well 」the giant tree happily answered.

Its visage disappeared.

All the grey fog in the sky then immediately rushed into Gu Qing Shan's body.

His vision became blank.

Gu Qing Shan then noticed that everything had disappeared.

And he had returned to the venue of the ritual.

Around him, the clerics were still devoutly reciting their prayers.

While the transparent projection of the giant tree was giving off various miraculous fluctuations.

-----so I guess I passed their test?

Lines of bloody red text continuously appeared in front of his vision to explain the circumstances:

[The Tree of Holy Wishes is only a Basic Corruption-type Holy Artifact]

[This is the extent of its power]

[------congratulations, you've gained the recognition of the Tree of Holy Wishes, thus obtaining the means to form a covenant with it]

[It will help you accomplish one event, after which you will be converted to a corrupted being as established by the covenant]

[Attention: You can choose to accept the covenant, but that will result in a lot of trouble afterwards; you can also choose to reject the covenant, which would then cause the Corruption Ritual to temporarily fail, and they will perform the ritual for you again at an appropriate time]

Skimming through the text, Gu Qing Shan understood right away.

It seems like this ritual isn't guaranteed to succeed every single time.

My body is still so young after all, any other child of the same age might not even be able to say anything under the shock and fear.

Furthermore, this Holy Artifact is only of the 'basic' level.

It's quite suitable for this era, considering how this Magic-type civilization is currently also at a basic stage.

Gu Qing Shan silently asked: "Can I really form a covenant with it?"

The Sequence answered: [Your soul will turn rotten, all of your desires will be infinitely amplified only to forever plague you------- if you are willing to accept such a fate-----]

"Then can I?" Gu Qing Shan asked to confirm.

[You still cannot, since the Samsara and I are both observing you] the Sequence replied.

Gu Qing Shan shrugged.

A second later, the tree began to speak in its booming dignified voice:

「 Child of exceptional talent, there is nothing in this world that I cannot accomplish 」

「 You can ask me for anything you wish to accomplish and I will help you with it 」

「 In exchange, you will become a higher entity, from which you shall join our Holy Church and become the envoy of God who wanders this mortal realm 」

Gu Qing Shan thought briefly and stated: "I want you to help me… become the most powerful wizard in this world, for my power to reach a point that no one else could possibly catch up to, then I want you to summon all members of the church to bear witness"

The Tree answered: 「 With your background and innate potential, I shall grant that wish 」

"Then it is decided" Gu Qing Shan replied.

A single leaf flew down from the tree and began to unfurrow itself in front of him.

The leaf contained everything they'd discussed just now in the form of a covenant that emanated a strange presence.

As soon as Gu Qing Shan became the most powerful wizard, he would be converted into a corrupted being under the witness of all worshippers of Corruption.

Gu Qing Shan briefly read through the covenant and nodded.

Hoh--------

The leaf then burst into flames and burned itself to ashes.

The covenant had been set.

The giant tree then spoke with its booming voice towards the church members:

「 From this point, all of you must support his cultivation with everything you have, so that he may become the greatest wizard in this realm as soon as possible 」

「 There is no need to hesitate, as his innate talent allows it 」

After saying that, the giant tree's projection slowly faded away.

Everything returned to normal.

Gu Qing Shan turned to the cardinal.

Only to see the cardinal with a gentle intimate expression on his face, smiling as he said: "Gourde, follow me, I will take you to the grand library, where all the books related to magic will be yours to choose----- of course, we will also arrange for various experts to mentor you"

The other bishops also smiled.

-----the Tree of Holy Wishes guaranteed with its own words that this child can become the greatest wizard in the world.

Furthermore, he's going to be one of us.

What's the harm in buttering him up a bit earlier?

"Thank you for your goodwill, but before studying, I have something I need to do" Gu Qing Shan said.

"What is that?" the cardinal asked.

"I want to… eat something first"

"No problem!"

…

Time quickly passed.