It felt as though only a thin paper screen stood between him and understanding.

"The so-called Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, which is now the fallen Abyss Genealogy, involves transforming a portion of Miracles into a Source through recording, then recreating it," Raven explained. Seeing Huai Shi still completely bewildered, she couldn't help but sigh. "Alright, let me put it more simply: the Abyss Genealogy records and inherits what is created by humans."

In an instant, Huai Shi was dumbfounded. "Created… by humans?"

"Correct. If we consider divine creations to be Miracles, then the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy records 'human traces'—powers obtained, wielded, utilized, and ultimately concluded and documented by humans over millennia."

Raven's tone grew complex. "The true meaning of the name 'Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy' is to forsake the dead gods and create a Heavenly Kingdom Paradise with human hands.

"However, it was precisely because of this arrogance that after its downfall, it came to be known as the Abyss Genealogy, right? But these things are too far removed from you now.

"To be honest, I've never really wanted you to know about these things. But now, it seems pointless to keep hiding them; you have the right to know."

Raven looked at him deeply. "Now you know what 'Heavenly Kingdom' really intended to preserve, right?"

In his stupor, Huai Shi took out the Book of Fate, staring blankly at its title page for a long while before lifting his head stiffly. "Are you saying… all the paths of ascension and advancements of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy?"

"Ah, that's right." Raven slowly nodded. "Aside from the massive number of Soul copies, until Utopia completely splintered, the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy developed seventy-seven types of Stigmata and nine complete paths of ascension, all preserved within it. And with the disappearance of the previous chairman, all of this vanished along with the fall of the Heavenly Kingdom.

"The Remnants of Utopia that have fallen into the Abyss might still retain a part of it, I suppose. But their days are not easy now, worse than Green Day's, and they hardly dare show their faces in the Current Circumstances.

"After all, they've been listed as an 'Element of Destruction,' morphing from protectors of the world to destroyers. What on earth was Golden Dawn thinking?"

Huai Shi's expression had become rigid. He didn't know what sort of face he should make. Now he began to consider whether he should pack up his belongings and flee to a remote border to lay low. If people discovered he possessed the Book of Fate… his fate would be too gruesome to contemplate.

"Don't worry. Only Heaven, Earth, you, and I know about this. Besides, you're just a nobody right now; who would possibly know you have the Book of Fate?" Raven said, selectively ignoring KP and the others as she consoled him. "And while there aren't many people from the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy these days, there aren't exactly few either. Having one or two around is normal. Besides, even if you don't claim to be from the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, no one could tell just by looking at you!"

Huai Shi was utterly disheartened and didn't want to pay her any more attention. But since this related to his future progression, he could only continue to look at her, hoping to hear some good news.

"You must have noticed that throughout history, human and divine achievements often complement each other. The boundary between the two isn't as clear-cut as definitions suggest; it's just a matter of emphasis." Raven paused, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "This means that sometimes, their territories might overlap—"

Huai Shi was stunned for a long moment, then it dawned on him. He burst out in anger, "What the hell! After all that, aren't you just talking about being a Second fifth?!"

"Why put it so crudely? Can an official Second fifth even be called a Second fifth?" Raven retorted vehemently. "This is called being an FBI agent!"

"…" Huai Shi was left speechless.

"COUGH, COUGH. Where was I? Oh, right, the Second fifth…" Raven continued, "From its very inception, the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy pursued versatility and adaptability to Hell. It absorbed almost all the Source texts from the six major Genealogies, consolidating the collective power of humanity to replicate… ahem… to construct it.

"Therefore, all its foundational Stigmata have corresponding prototypes in other Genealogies. Of the nine paths of ascension, five and a half are mirrored in the current six major Genealogies.

"That is to say, although these paths of ascension carry the essence of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, they still possess characteristics and signs of other genealogies."

"Why only five and a half?" Huai Shi asked curiously.

"Because half of one was never completed. The previous chairman in charge disappeared before finishing the work…" Raven shrugged, revealing a mysterious smile. "Anyway, rest assured. As long as you choose your advancement well, even though you're essentially a Second fifth at heart, no one will be able to tell on the surface."

After all, the exploration of Hell hadn't stopped over the years. New Stigmata were frequently discovered, and each Genealogy was constantly collecting and organizing them.

Besides, the Abyss Genealogy has merely fallen; it's not as if it's some taboo. There are still quite a few of its members wandering about, and it's not like they're universally hunted.

Although the existence of the Book of Fate was a critical matter, as long as Huai Shi could keep it a secret, no one would use it to cause trouble for him.

After Raven's explanation, Huai Shi finally began to feel somewhat relieved. But he couldn't help but worry; the carriage was already in motion, and it was too late to jump off now. His only concern was what model Raven intended to 'upgrade' his 'illegal vehicle' into.

"I've been mulling over this issue myself lately," Raven said with a sigh. "Considering you'll be active in Dongxia and its surrounding borders long-term, and that one of the paths of ascension for Yin Soul corresponds to the Dongxia Genealogy—meaning you could potentially lean on the Social Security Bureau for support in the future—I went ahead and made an executive decision.

"Having you participate in the Chef Demon competition to get the Jug of Tree Blood was all preparation for this.

"Next, we just need to adjust Yin Soul's structure slightly, modify it to match the prototype of that path of ascension, and then we can consider your advancement."

Hearing her description, Huai Shi was completely floored. So, this 'illegal vehicle,' Yin Soul, could actually be custom-modified and processed to fit a specific path at any time.

"No matter what, the idea is to first slap a Dongxia license plate on it, right?" Huai Shi sighed helplessly. Finally, he asked, "So, which path of ascension is it? What kind of advancement? You have to give me some details now, don't you?"

"Hmm? So impatient? I was planning to give you a surprise." Raven raised non-existent eyebrows in a human-like gesture, a smile on her face.

"In Dongxia, 'Stigmata·Yin Ghost' should actually be called 'Ceremony Soul.' Those endowed with this Miracle are assigned the mission of serving death.

"The advancement that corresponds to it is called 'Mountain Ghost.'

"And in the catalog of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, this path of ascension originating from Dongxia is called 'Celestial Inquiry.'"

Celestial Inquiry? For a moment, Huai Shi was captivated by the stylish name, but then it hit him.

"Wait a minute!" He widened his eyes. "Mountain Ghost—isn't that supposed to be female?!"

Raven didn't speak, just looked at him.

And began to smile.

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