Chapter 48: The Deity’s Blessing and a Mother’s Secret

Castia.

Yalin was intimately familiar with that name.

Yufinika’s homeland, the Great Forest of Castia, was a place the elves had guarded for generations.

Castia itself was the deity who presided over nature and life.

Among the pantheon of gods, Castia was arguably the most widely revered.

Legend held that Castia was a compassionate goddess, always extending a helping hand to those who suffered.

Classic white magic spells, such as healing wounds and physical enhancement, drew upon Castia’s divine authority.

Of course, Castia’s power extended far beyond these simple applications.

Those blessed by Castia possessed not only potent regenerative abilities but also, to a certain degree, the power to manipulate life itself.

They could transcend the shackles of their own lifespans and even exert control over other living beings, from flora to fauna.

It was a power, one might say, that nearly everyone coveted.

Yet, across this vast continent, only the elven race had ever been granted Castia’s favor.

Some claimed the elves were Castia’s direct descendants, while others whispered of an ancient pact forged between them and the deity in primordial times.

Regardless of the truth, to this day, no other race had ever received Castia’s divine blessing.

Fulin, however, displayed absolutely no elven characteristics.

Her ears, for one, were not pointed in the slightest.

“Do you find it hard to believe? Truthfully, I don’t fully understand why I possess this power either.”

Fulin raised a hand, her fingertips lightly brushing the small potted plant nestled at the corner of the table.

The plant had long since withered, its shriveled branches bare and exposed, showing not a single trace of vitality.

Yet, with Fulin’s simple touch, the vegetation began to flourish at a visible pace; in mere moments, tender green shoots sprouted from its branches.

Such a divine marvel would undoubtedly leave even the most erudite white magic scholar utterly dumbfounded.

“As you can see, unlike ordinary people, I can tap into a higher level of Castia’s divine authority.”

Fulin pulled down her sleeve, concealing the wrinkles on her wrist, and let out a soft sigh.

“Still, I ultimately cannot receive the same abundant blessings as the elven race… my lifespan, I fear, is nearing its end.”

Even among those favored by a deity, the blessings bestowed were not always equal.

At one hundred and sixty years old, Fulin’s age was already beyond imagination for a human, yet for the elves dwelling in the Great Forest, it merely marked the threshold of adulthood.

After all, their lifespans could easily exceed five centuries.

“Professor Fulin, what is your intention in revealing this secret to me?” Yalin inquired.

A secret of this magnitude was clearly not meant for just anyone, and Fulin’s willingness to share it with him undoubtedly concealed another motive.

As a “lickspittle” (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to someone who fawns over others, often for personal gain, implying a certain level of subservience or manipulative flattery.), speculating on a client’s psychology was his usual practice, but Fulin’s thoughts were inscrutable to most, and he felt no inclination to play along with her enigmatic pretense.

“Nothing much, I simply wish for you to understand that I am a trustworthy person,” Fulin chuckled softly.

“To this day, I have assumed three different identities, and fewer than ten people know this secret of mine. You understand, of course, how many would covet magic capable of controlling life itself.”

Yalin understood implicitly.

Since ancient times, eternal youth and immortality had remained humanity’s lifelong pursuit.

Centuries ago, the then-king, in his relentless quest for the elves’ secret to longevity, had brazenly torn apart a peace treaty that had endured for millennia, marshaling the full might of his kingdom to launch a massive southern invasion of the Great Forest of Castia.

Yet, the kingdom’s soldiers, for all their proud arcane technology, proved utterly defenseless against the elves’ pristine natural magic.

That war alone cost the kingdom over half its soldiers, and the ruling dynasty of the time was subsequently annihilated.

It was precisely this opportunity that the Granshire family seized to usurp the throne, thereby becoming the new generation of rulers.

Were Fulin’s secret to be exposed, even under the academy’s protection, she would inevitably draw countless calamities upon herself.

Her willingness to entrust him with such a secret was a testament to her profound trust.

However, knowing more did not always equate to a good thing.

Overly burdensome secrets served only to create an onerous weight.

Yalin fell silent for a moment before speaking. “Professor Fulin, are you implying that if I wish to uncover the secrets within me, I can seek your assistance?”

“Precisely. You are as clever as your mother.”

Fulin nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“After all, I vouched for you, and I must take responsibility for this matter. You possess a power capable of rivaling Nabel—an incredibly potent and equally perilous existence that, if it were to spiral out of control, could very well lead to irreparable consequences.”

Yalin had to concede that Fulin’s words held considerable truth.

Had he simply allowed the malevolent deity within him to exert its influence, his consciousness would likely have ceased to exist by now.

Professor Fulin appeared to be a trustworthy individual, and in terms of both knowledge and strength, she stood among the continent’s foremost figures.

Perhaps, one day, she might even be able to unseal the malevolent deity residing within him.

“I understand. Your concern for me, Professor, is truly flattering. However, the timing isn’t convenient for me to disclose anything at present. When the moment is right, I will certainly trouble you again, hoping to still receive your assistance then.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Come whenever you wish.”

“Thank you, Professor. Might I ask you one more question?”

“Go ahead.”

“You mentioned earlier that the secret within me is connected to my mother. How so?”

This was the point that piqued Yalin’s curiosity and confusion the most.

After all, in his memory, his mother had always been an unremarkable person, merely one who frequently traveled.

He had been utterly unaware that his mother possessed such a unique identity.

“I anticipated you would ask that.”

Fulin pondered for a moment before beginning, “Where should I start… Livia, your mother, was a genius.

More than an alchemist, she was truly an archaeologist, deeply fascinated by ancient history and particularly zealous in investigating various deities.

“Not only the well-known gods, but even obscure deities hinted at in mere fragments within ancient texts—she would find a way to pursue them.”

At this, Fulin couldn’t help but shake her head with a touch of regret.

“However, divine power is uncontrollable. While its blessings might bring miracles, they can just as easily usher in disaster.

Your mother’s actions were exceedingly perilous, which compelled the academy to intervene and forcibly halt her research at the time.

Later, after completing her studies, she left the academy, and rumors about her largely ceased thereafter.”

Having finished her explanation, Fulin gazed at Yalin, her eyes holding a trace of profound meaning.

“Of course, everything I’ve said is merely my conjecture, as I didn’t know your mother intimately.If you genuinely wish to uncover the secrets within you, perhaps you should first return to your homeland. You might find some useful information among the traces your mother left behind.”