Currently, it's still version 0, and the "Phantom Demon Si Zhu" has not yet descended and been defeated, so the level cap for the Path of Dedication is only Level 49. The highest-level individual is the Eternal Pope of the Eternal Church.
Aiwass conservatively estimated that Cardinal Mathers should be at least Level 39.
In Avalon, that's the top-tier level in the Arbitration Hall. One level higher would be the top strong individual in this world's current version – if one were to estimate boldly, Cardinal Mathers might already be Level 40 or above, the strongest individual who has touched the power of the Fifth Level.
The Cardinals of the Eternal Church are nothing more than this.
But Aiwass thought about what his foster father had told him before he left, and he felt relieved.
Cardinal Mathers is the highest Cardinal of Si Zhu Cathedral. In other words, he is the highest administrator of the Nine Pillar Gods Church within Avalon.
Such a strong individual, if he didn't perish due to direct impact during the upcoming turmoil in Avalon…
Then he most likely changed his name and identity later.
Because Aiwass truly had no impression of anyone named Mathers.
The Eternal Church is governed by elves, as their pace of life is very slow. Not all humans can adapt to life there.
Two-thirds of the high-ranking officials in the Nine Pillar Gods Church are female, and over ninety percent are elves. The Pope who rules the Church State rotates every three hundred years; the outgoing Pope automatically becomes a Saint and continues to travel among the nations on Earth as an agent of the Church State, bestowing Blessings and mediating disputes, until they become old and infirm, only then returning to the Church State. Therefore, to serve as Pope, one can only be an elf.
Mathers, being both male and human, is a very rare minority among the high-ranking officials of the Church State. Aiwass remembered that there shouldn't be such a person among the Church's high-ranking officials.
Because the Nine Pillar Gods Church also has a rather special characteristic.
That is, it's all about appearance.
One doesn't necessarily need astonishing beauty, but at the very least, one absolutely cannot be ugly.
Because the healing of the Path of Dedication requires physical contact with others; if the other party resists treatment, the healing efficiency will be greatly reduced. Additionally, "Sacrificial Fire" has a significant cosmetic and anti-aging effect on the body, so high-ranking Church officials would certainly not be ugly.
But Cardinal Mathers…
Is it because he's too old?
Aiwass's expression was a little subtle.
"Don't look at me, Aiwass. Look at the candle."
Noticing Aiwass suddenly looking at him, Cardinal Mathers, who looked like a rigid and strict homeroom teacher, naturally spoke in a rather stereotypical stern voice: "There's no light or fire on my face, looking at me is useless."
"Yes."
Aiwass came back to his senses and obediently replied.
Pay experience.
He confirmed in his mind.
And Cardinal Mathers, seeing Aiwass come back to his senses, softened his tone and continued to instruct:
"You need to imagine that the negative factors within your body, such as injuries, Curses, and deficiencies, are not 'something you originally had less of,' but rather 'something negative that has appeared in a state of physical balance and health.' You need to perceive it as a flowing, dark liquid, and then move it to the middle finger of your left hand with your spiritual power.
"It is an existence like fuel, like smoke. It will hiss and dissipate upon contact with fire…"
Saying this, Cardinal Mathers touched the flame with the middle finger of his left hand.
The ordinary flame suddenly brightened.
A faint flame extended from his fingertip to his entire body, as if he were coated in a film of flame, shining with light.
The old Cardinal's injuries and aging disappeared as if time were flowing backward
The wrinkles on his face were smoothed out, his unnaturally pale hair regained its dark brown luster and elasticity, returning to its naturally curly state. And his old, turbid, dark pupils, like congealed blood, became bright, like slightly darker amber.
His back straightened, and his skin became fair, clean, and elastic.
His entire being visibly grew younger at a rapid pace, stopping only when he reached approximately thirty years old
It wasn't burning away the disease or dissolving the pain. Instead, it completely restored his body to its "ideal state." It was like a completely refurbished electronic product apart from the inevitable wear and tear of battery life, there would not be the slightest trace of use.
And in this state, Mathers could in no way be called an "old Cardinal" anymore.
He pushed up his hexagonal black-rimmed glasses, revealing a smug smile. Even his voice became younger:
"…Just like this, Aiwass. This is Si Zhu's gratitude and Blessing to us for being willing to walk the Path of Dedication.
"Except for the natural wear and tear of lifespan, one will not be troubled by illness throughout their life. The body will always be in peak condition, and therefore lifespan will also be much longer than that of normal people because even if they die of old age, it is not because their lifespan has completely naturally run out, but because they aged prematurely due to fatigue and wear, and then acquired irreversible illnesses after their bodies became fragile.
"But we will not encounter such a situation. As long as the Sacrificial Fire Method is skillfully mastered, one can achieve health and longevity Si Zhu has said, 'Those who live for others need not suffer.' And health is the most important thing, something that those who walk other Paths cannot obtain. Nor can we share this Blessing with them.
"I am already forty-six years old this year, yet after using 'Sacrificial Fire' to recuperate my body, my appearance can return to that of someone even under thirty. My bones, muscles, nerves, and internal organs can all recover to this extent.
"If a person undergoes sufficient training and meticulously takes care of their body and mind, then by my age, it is theoretically possible for them to be this young. This is the 'positive' change that 'Sacrificial Fire' can bring about of course, ordinary priests still cannot reach my level. They can only turn negative numbers into zero, but they cannot turn zero into positive numbers."
Seeing Samuel Mathers's skillful use of the Sacrificial Fire Method, which had an almost rejuvenating effect on himself.
Even Oswald showed an expression of astonishment and admiration.
The rejuvenated Cardinal Mathers, seeing this, revealed a smug smile.
Cardinal Mathers had a very good impression of Aiwass and was full of expectations for his future.
So he deeply hoped that Aiwass would steadfastly walk the Devotion Path.
Earlier, he had deliberately consumed his own lifespan, making himself appear exceptionally old and that was for the purpose of performing this act at this moment. Only when his appearance was old and weak could this "rejuvenation" leave a deeply ingrained impression.
"Of course," to avoid damaging Aiwass's confidence, Cardinal Mathers quickly added, "you don't need to rush. Generally, a priest who has just come into contact with 'Sacrificial Fire' will be doing well if they can slightly replenish their body's deficiencies. You were just sacrificed by a demon, so your body's vitality must have been depleted, which is why I prioritized teaching you 'Sacrificial Fire.' This way, you can slowly replenish the vitality, blood, and lifespan lost due to the sacrifice.
"The mastery of holy techniques is very simple, but it cannot be mastered immediately. Generally speaking, it's normal to master 'Sacrificial Fire' within five days; I think you should be able to initially learn it within two days. Illumination is much simpler and can be mastered immediately, so we'll cover that last. Blessing is the most difficult and usually takes about a week to learn.
"So, this time I will only teach you how to practice, and once you go home…"
Cardinal Mathers's words suddenly caught in his throat halfway through.
Because he saw Aiwass's pupils suddenly turn hollow.
From his deep blue, ocean-like pupils, a hint of sunset-like deep red suddenly seeped out. It was like the sea at dusk; the closer to the top, the deeper blue it was, while the lower part was like the setting sun half-submerged in the sea, shining with a nearly golden red halo.
Aiwass, holding out his left hand towards the candlelight, touched the flame with his middle finger.
The flame instantly ignited and flowed into his bloodstream along his fingertip.
Aiwass suddenly felt a relaxing warmth.
It was like soaking in a hot spring with aromatherapy and flower petals after a long day, listening to soft music. Feeling the heat soothe his entire body, a strong sense of drowsiness and contentment surged into his heart.
In the world of Pure White light that he envisioned, a deer slowly walked by.
The deer was transparent, with a pure and dazzling red, like the finest ruby. The moment It appeared, Aiwass's gaze was irresistibly drawn to It.
That was Si Zhu! The Supreme Being of the Path of Dedication, the God of Dedication!
Unlike the immense pressure that the Silver Crown Dragon of the Authority Path brought to Aiwass, gazing at Si Zhu did not cause Aiwass to experience hallucinations or pressure. This was because She restrained Her divinity, allowing Herself to come into contact with mortals
Her body was entwined with black thorns. These thorns pierced Her skin, causing Her to bleed red. As She walked, blood continuously dripped onto the ground, causing clusters of eternally burning red flame footprints to rise from the ground.
And Her massive, crystal-red antlers were like candelabras piercing in all directions, with dozens of clusters of Pure White flames burning.
The deer slowly walked towards Aiwass, who was motionless like a statue, and gently licked his outstretched left hand.
Then, She raised Her head and gently extended a wound below Her neck, pierced by black thorns, towards Aiwass's palm.
A drop of blood fell into Aiwass's hand and transformed into a tear-shaped ruby.
In Aiwass's mind, three lines of text appeared.
Those were the three-choice entries obtained each time he advanced on a Path
[Flame Affinity LV1 (Blue): You crushed the blood of Si Zhu and comprehended a bit of the essence of flame.]
[Lasting Health (White): You were cleansed by the blood of Si Zhu and are better able to resist disease.]
[Flame Vessel LV1 (Blue): You consumed the blood of Si Zhu, and your soul expanded.]