Lu Cang shook his head.

’It wasn’t an absolute emergency.’

The original plan was to not leave the city at all this month, to just stay put. But now, it seemed he’d have to make a trip out for his promotion after all.

"Kumironi, has this month affected you too?"

"Yes... It’s actually had a huge impact."

"I can only resurrect five people a day now, and each person only once. On top of that, the window for resurrection has shrunk to just ten minutes."

"My other healing abilities have also been weakened to some extent."

’The impact really does sound huge.’

’Should I advance my Profession now, or wait until this month passes and go out on a safer day?’

Lu Cang mulled it over for a moment.

"Sister Kumironi, let’s just find a time that works for both you and Iz."

’Increasing my strength is a crucial part of ensuring my own safety.’

In the end, Lu Cang decided to go.

No matter how dangerous the month of Death and destruction was, a single trip out of the city wasn’t a guaranteed death sentence. Besides, he was only going to advance his Profession, not hunt Demons or explore a Dungeon.

Plus, he would have Iz and Kumironi with him.

’There shouldn’t be any major issues.’

If a crisis arose that even Iz couldn’t handle, hiding anywhere would probably be useless.

Kumironi looked up and said, "Actually, any time after the 10th should be more convenient. The expedition team should be back by then, so things should be clear on that end."

"I also need some time to sort out some personnel matters."

’Why does this sound more and more like we’re planning something illicit?’

Lu Cang considered this.

’My Magic Staff has been with Ai Jin for a while now, so it should be about ready. And he should have made a decent Magic Robe from those Tier Six Submerged Land Level Demons by now, too.’

’My gear will be more complete then.’

Lu Cang confirmed, "The 10th, then?"

Kumironi said, "Yes. Ask Iz. If they’re fine with it, the 10th it is."

"By the way, Sister Kumironi, is there anything I can help with at the Church?"

"I’ve advanced to a Level 3 Decryption Scholar now, so I should be able to solve more puzzles."

Kumironi thought for a moment before replying, "Actually, there are some encrypted texts..."

...

Lu Cang picked up a few more encrypted texts from the Life Church before heading back.

’So there are several off-limits areas within the Life Church as well.’

They were all protected by incredibly powerful Restrictions.

Lu Cang swept his Perception over them and discovered they were all Restrictions with a decryption difficulty above Level 6. Whoever placed these Restrictions must have been at least a Level 6 Reincarnator.

’Seems like Iz’s handiwork.’

’But as for the other Churches...’

As Lu Cang passed by the other Churches, he swept his Perception through their interiors.

To his surprise, he found a Restriction within the Dark Church with a decryption difficulty of Level 7 or higher...

’Who placed it?’

The thought of going to take a look crossed Lu Cang’s mind.

’But this is the Dark Church’s territory... It would be better to plan this carefully.’

’Even if I can break the Restriction, I still have to worry about being discovered... I might really need to coordinate with a Profession with strong stealth abilities, like an Assassin.’

...

Two days later, Ai Jin sent word.

His Magic Staff had finally been reforged. Ai Jin hadn’t expected to get his hands on so many rare and precious materials in such a short time, allowing him to truly practice the principles of an Enchanter.

Lu Cang held the Spiritual Star Ring Staff once more. The staff’s primary effects hadn’t changed much.

However, its hardness and tenacity had been massively improved.

It was less a Spiritual Star Ring Staff and more a Void Spirit Star Ring Battle Spear.

Lu Cang spun and brandished the Magic Staff, slashing out a faint ripple of Magic Power that transformed into Ice and blazing Fire.

Now, most Magic could be directly imbued into the Void Spirit Star Ring Battle Spear.

The War Spear was now strong enough to withstand a direct frontal assault from a Tier Six Submerged Land Level Demon without breaking.

"And don’t forget this."

With a flourish of his hand, Ai Jin produced a robe and laid it on the table.

All over the robe, eyes swiveled and blinked.

The robe’s material resembled the hide of some creature. Though the eyes were on its surface, they seemed like living things embedded deep within the robe’s very space.

"The Robe of Evil Gaze."

"If you wear this Magic Robe, anyone who so much as looks at you will be instantly afflicted with a Curse."

"Furthermore, if someone scans you with their Perception, you’ll be able to detect them because their Perception will make contact with the Curse."

"The Curse will also prevent their Perception from penetrating the robe to see your body. Instead, the Curse’s effect will expose their position and inflict them with weakness, fear..."

"This hide is also tenacious enough to block the vast majority of attacks—stabs and slashes shouldn’t be able to damage it. However... against blunt impacts, like from a hammer, the force will transfer directly to your body. This robe probably won’t do much to nullify that kind of damage."

Lu Cang nodded.

’So the robe’s material is the hide of that Ten Thousand Body True Soul Demon.’

"But the Curse’s effect is extremely powerful, so be careful with it in your day-to-day life."

"I’ll give you the Curse Removal Potion as well. Be careful. Removing this particular Curse is no simple task."

Lu Cang accepted the two pieces of equipment and put them away. He wore the Robe of Evil Gaze as an inner layer, underneath his other Magic Robe.

After all, it was a robe that triggered a Curse just by being seen.

It wouldn’t do for ordinary civilians to see it.

’I’ll wear it on the outside during battle.’

"Yes, thank you, Uncle Ai Jin."

"Don’t mention it. In fact, you bringing me so many materials from Submerged Land Level Demons has been a huge help..."