The Ande Fulei Grand Temple is divided into two parts, front and back. Ordinary people entering this temple for worship will usually stop at the front hall. However, Brand is quite familiar with the rear part of the temple, such as the place he currently resides. It is actually the training area for Knights within the temple, divided into accommodation areas, three halls for training, and a meditation room. He currently finds himself within the meditation room designated for career change.

The steps for Holy Temple Knight’s career change are simple; it requires an experienced Priest to perform a ceremony on the recipient with Holy Water. What is special is that the Holy Temple Knights can obtain a few blessed ranks during the initial transition. Generally speaking, the higher the rank of the Priest performing the ceremony, the higher the blessed ranks obtained. These blessed ranks are essentially free levels, equating to bestowed varying degrees of Strength for natives upon career change.

This aspect is greatly enticing to ordinary people, and thus many nobles spend large amounts of money to bribe the temple in hopes that their offspring receive the ceremony from a high-ranking Chief Priest. Of course, typically the ceremonies are performed by lower-ranking Priests. Although the chief and deputy Chief Priests in the Ambeser diocese are held in high esteem, they are aware of their subordinates accepting bribes but will not partake in such corruption themselves.

The Guard brought Brand an elder Priest. Upon seeing the red trim on the elder’s white robes, Brand couldn’t help but twitch. This old man is a high-level Priest, second in rank only to regional Chief Priests like Anman and Wood, yet still a revered existence. Turaman’s reputation is evidently substantial, enough that even the temple must honor him.

He saw the Guard whispering something to the ear of the elder Priest, likely explaining his identity and origins. The elder Priest’s eyes showed an expression of uncertainty and disbelief. Brand knew the procedure well and hurried to present his letter of introduction. After the elder Priest finished inspecting the letter, only caution remained in his eyes.

In fact, Turaman’s brilliance is too conspicuous, few people know he once held the current position of Liwu. Living in Brags, although Turaman distanced himself from the role of Royal Library Director and relinquished his title as Chief Court Mage, he rarely appeared in Erune’s noble circles. Nonetheless, his name remains resounding within those circles.

Although Turaman was born in Erune, he is actually a Bujia, as known to all.

In those years, the four Sages all received favors from the Bujia. The Wizards of Bujia now hold a transcendent status, not solely because of their remarkable strength as Silver People, but also because they never intervene in the disputes of the Four Great Sanctuaries, causing all four to respect this neutral organization.

"May I ask what relation Your Excellency has with Master Turaman?" the elder Priest remained composed. Despite Turaman having been secluded for years, now someone arrives with his letter requesting transition to Holy Temple Knight. While he found no issues with the inspection of the letter, he still needed to inquire about certain details.

"I have no relation with the Master, but earlier, the Master had a slight connection with my family," Brand replied, trying to keep the matter vague. He knew no one would validate with Turaman, and even if someone did, Turaman might fabricate on his behalf.

The elder Priest nodded. The relationships among nobles are intricate, and many people prefer not to clarify them. Brand’s statement suffices as long as the letter isn’t fake. In any case, the young man merely seeks to transition into a Holy Temple Knight, not to join the temple.

He pocketed the letter and replied, "Originally at Master Turaman’s request, the Chief Priest was supposed to conduct the ceremony personally. However, you came at an inconvenient time; the Chief Priest happens to be away. Would you wait and return later for this?"

Upon the elder Priest’s proposal, Brand saw the nearby Holy Temple Guard’s expression become peculiar. By Martha’s grace, many prominent figures in Ambeser yearn for their offspring to receive the ceremony from the Chief Priest, willing to exhaust all means, yet all know it is impossible. More than a mere gain of Strength, it is a prestigious honor; over the past decade, the Chief Priest has only conducted a ceremony for one person at the behest of Oberg the Seventh, aimed at improving relations between the temple and Erune, the one who received the ceremony now commands a Territory, as the Commander of the White Lion Legion.

The Holy Temple Guard couldn’t help but look somewhat stunned at Brand, seemingly wanting to see what marked the young man as distinct.

Revealing concern, Brand hoped to remain low-profile, intending merely to transition to Holy Temple Knight, avoiding unnecessary commotion. He didn’t care about free levels, hoping for any priest to conduct the ceremony. Brand regretted prompting Turaman’s introduction letter review. If Wood conducted his ceremony, he might become headline news within Ambeser’s noble circles by tomorrow morning, prompting investigations into his identity.

Brand doubted the presence of true secrets within this world. His advantage was remaining concealed while the adversaries were exposed. If the Temple pursued the matter, he might flee back to Tonyger by tomorrow. To have a district Chief Priest conduct the ceremony for a rebel leader, not only he but the entire Flame Temple and Turaman himself would suffer reputational damage. Brand dared not imagine the severity of such a scenario.

Fortunately, by Lord Tomasa’s grace, Wood’s absence provided Brand relief. Shaking his head, he replied, "No need, my heart merely yearns for the Golden Flame Path (1), as to who conducts the ceremony, that’s trivial."

Brand spoke with righteousness, which brightened the elder Priest’s eyes, causing him to nod repeatedly, remarking, "Indeed, young people thinking like this are rare now. The nobles... eh, not worth mentioning. Very well, let me personally oversee the ceremony."

At this point, the elder couldn’t help glancing at Antitina and Qian beside him, then asked, "But your attendants cannot accompany you inside. Would you have them wait here?"

"Certainly," Brand replied.

...

(Note 1, core doctrine of Flame Temple) (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)