Within a certain space inside the Astronomy Club.
Streaks of colour materialised mid-air, gradually outlining Luo Shu's form.
Now accustomed to this artificial body, Luo Shu raised his hand, summoning a rotating blue diamond-shaped gem before him.
This gem was the remnant power of the Demon God Vassago, intercepted by Luo Shu within the divine realm.
Out of caution, Luo Shu hadn't returned here in person, opting instead to study it through this fabricated vessel.
This wariness stemmed from self-awareness.
Though the Demon God's will had been forced into a desperate retreat within the Astronomy Club's divine realm, Luo Shu wasn't foolish enough to mistake that momentary advantage for true supremacy.
Without the system's... substantial assistance, confronting Vassago directly would have likely ended with Luo Shu's mind obliterated under an overwhelming deluge of forbidden knowledge—hardly the image of a being who could send a Demon God fleeing with mere words.
"The Demon Incantation Ishaha used to summon Vassago—I understood it instinctively, while Mira didn't. That must be another effect of the system, right?"
As he spoke, Luo Shu toyed with the gem while addressing the void with a light chuckle:
"Care to step out and enlighten me? My ever-loyal God's Servant?"
[Ding!]
A notification chime reminiscent of a completed download sounded, followed by a mechanised voice resonating in Luo Shu's mind:
[Your humble servant has heeded your call. Might this lowly attendant answer any queries from the exalted Lord of the Divine Pantheon?]
Despite the obsequious tone, Luo Shu remained guarded. Rather than inquiring about Vassago's remnant, he posed a more fundamental question:
"What are you?"
[I am an auxiliary tool created by the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System, existing solely to guide Your Eminence's return to the Throne of Sublimity.]
"The Throne of Sublimity?" Luo Shu snorted derisively. "When all's said and done, who actually ascends that throne? You or me?"
[You.]
The system replied without hesitation.
Luo Shu remained wary and continued, "What is the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System?"
[It is an extension of the Sublime Spirit.] The system responded just as swiftly.
"Then what is the Sublime Spirit?" Luo Shu pressed.
[It is you.]
The system's answer made Luo Shu's heart skip a beat.
"So you're saying I created the system, sent it to assist me, to return to this so-called Sublime Throne and become part of the Divine Pantheon?"
"Is this one of those scenarios where my future self sends the system back to my past self?"
"In that case, can I order you, as a mere tool, to destroy your own intelligence?"
Luo Shu's tone was probing, but this time, the system's response wasn't as immediate.
[This question cannot be answered. Matters pertaining to the Sublime Spirit are classified information at this stage.]
Luo Shu frowned. "Then how do I lift these restrictions?"
[Ignite the divine flame, consolidate authority, and ascend to godhood—these are the sole requirements for decryption.]
The system's replies became swift again.
"That's as good as saying nothing." Luo Shu shook his head, deciding to stop testing the system for now.
After all, asking more would likely just yield more conditions that needed to be met before answers could be given—pointless questions.
Still, there was one thing Luo Shu couldn't resist asking:
"After demigod comes god, right?"
[Correct.]
The system responded quickly, even offering additional information:
[After the three tiers—Common, Excellent, and Elite—comes the Hero Rank. Transcending the Hero Rank marks the initial step beyond ordinary life forms, becoming a demigod who has consolidated their divinity. Beyond demigod, those who ignite the divine flame and consolidate authority become gods, also known as Divine Rank beings.]
[Reaching either the Demigod Rank or the Divine Rank will grant system privileges, allowing for fundamental modifications to the system.]
[Matters pertaining to the Sublime Spirit require Divine Rank Level Authority to access.]
[The destruction of system sentience inquired about by the host requires Demigod Rank authority. Without reaching Demigod Rank, the basic conditions for destroying system sentience are not met...]
[When the host reaches Hero Rank, their mental capacity will be sufficient to observe the core operational logic of the system. To make additions, deletions or modifications, reaching Demigod Rank is required. Please be advised.]
Seeing this last piece of information, Luo Shu froze for a moment, never expecting there to actually be an option to destroy the system's sentience.
Could this system intelligence that clearly hid countless shady dealings actually be removed?
At that moment, Luo Shu's suspicion that the system might harm him eased somewhat—though only slightly.
As someone who, before transmigrating, had been saddled with millions in debt due to his biological father's gambling addiction, Luo Shu didn't even trust his own father, let alone something like a system.
Still, this inquiry gave him some peace of mind. Combined with his recent need to improve his strength, he couldn't help but ask:
"So, system, do you know how I can quickly increase my power?"
[Apologies, the system does not possess capabilities in the omniscient domain.]
Hearing this response, Luo Shu paused, then said with a peculiar tone:
"So you actually don't know how I can improve my strength either? But you have all these abilities to advance me, don't you?"
[Apologies, the system only possesses enhancement and bestowal functions for host abilities, not planning functions. Additionally, the system lacks relevant internal information, possessing only broad directional suggestions without practical implementation data.]
Luo Shu's mouth twitched at this, and he said somewhat speechlessly:
"You are useless..."
"Never mind. Does the system have any Class recommendations? Like those powerful Classes Sharon has—recommend a few."
[The system lacks relevant knowledge and cannot provide suitable suggestions.]
[Ding!]
[Detected host possesses Fragment Crystal of the Authority of Knowledge. Submit to the system for analysis?]
"Fragment Crystal of the Authority of Knowledge?"
Hearing this term, Luo Shu looked down at the blue diamond-shaped gem in his hand, his eyelid twitching involuntarily.
"This... is quite a coincidence!"