CHAPTER 359: CHAPTER 4: LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT! PEERING INTO THE FUTURE_3

But it is also incomplete. According to Duncan’s estimation, completing the content on it would roughly be equivalent to a three-star level.

Approximately equivalent to a late-stage Severus, with a profession level of 10+ as a Druid.

However, to learn the spells and rituals of Esoteric Buddhism, the first step is to convert to their faith, as this is the only way to obtain the primordial magic power bestowed by the Divine Spirit. Almost all Esoteric traditions require faith as the key to unlocking what they call the ceremony of opening the ’Door of the Extraordinary’.

If Duncan practiced according to the Esoteric rituals, he would already be a member of the Earth Secret Sect.

Most transcendent individuals in this world originate as oilers because the Holy Oil from the Mechanical Divine Sect is the easiest advancement material to obtain, and even general believers of the God of Machinery can acquire it through black market channels.

Oilers have unique supernatural abilities when operating machinery.

The woman who interacted with Duncan earlier, Tassia, had a scent of perfume mixed with oil on her body. Although deliberately concealed, Duncan could still smell it, which is one of the marks of someone who has applied the Holy Oil of the Mechanical Divine Sect.

To put it bluntly, it’s like being marinated in oil.

"Did this world experience a technological explosion?"

"Though the Earth Secret Scripture does not record it explicitly, from the fragmentary words, it can be inferred that the other gods retired around the same time."

Duncan opened the Earth Secret Scripture before him and found a small passage of text.

— AD 2260 to AD 2323.

Probably around this time, all other Divine churches transformed into Esoteric traditions, and the Mechanical Divine Sect became the sole ruler, and commenced a rule lasting thousands of years.

In the Earth Secret Scripture, there is also a passage belonging to the ’Mysterious Era’.

During that era, spells were not uncommon, and many who believed in Divine Spirits could cast various spells until technology and mysticism combined, giving birth to a new True God—the God of Machinery!

As soon as He was born, the whole world’s industrial revolution was triggered, directly impacting and destroying many ancient Primitive Religions.

Sweeping through like a force of nature, almost crushing everything to become one of the most powerful Divine Spirits.

The final result was the retreat of the gods, with only a single True God remaining in this world, and His seven Angels.

The ancient Esoteric Buddhism continued in the crevices for a millennium in this way.

The Mechanical Divine Sect executes heretics without exception, but mostly turns a blind eye to Esoteric practitioners as long as they do not openly proselytize, because in history, the destruction of an Esoteric tradition by them directly triggered a terrible chain reaction, leading to a global catastrophe.

Of course, as the price for all this, a certain ancient True God perished completely along with His Esoteric Buddhism.

Long after.

Duncan put down the Earth Secret Scripture in his hand, fell into contemplation, and murmured, "Esoteric Buddhists believe in the True Gods of a bygone era, heretics believe in the Void Creatures invading reality."

"Did the Mechanical Divine Sect suppress the gods back then?"

It is highly possible.

In the Middle Ages of Human Form No. 1, Monotheism sought to destroy other religions. With the strength of the Mechanical Divine Sect, and the explosion of productivity brought on by technology, suppressing all other gods is not impossible. It’s just that later, it seems the Mechanical Divine Sect also went astray, as normal technological development would not result in the current societal shape.

To put it bluntly, Duncan feels that humans are like captive faith batteries.

At least everything he sees over at the prayer room gives him this feeling, but he needs to explore further to understand this world better.

Dimension Space.

Duncan switched the projection page, attempting to gather information about the Law of Cause and Effect through ’retirement’.

With his current level of authority and ability, he can already actively deduce the future.

The projection page quickly changed.

— "Law of Cause and Effect [Trial Settlement]:

Branch One, you joined the Mechanical Divine Sect and became an apprentice of a Mechanical Priest. Over time, you quickly showcased extraordinary talent and advanced to become a true Mechanical Priest.

But the penetration of the Void into reality grew increasingly severe.

From the moment when the seven Guardian Angels under the God of Machinery committed Godslayer, the world was thoroughly exposed to the gaze of the Chaos Void. Endless Void Creatures began to invade reality, with unknown existences from other dimensions eyeing their chance.

A year later, the region you are in erupted into a Dark Blood Sacrifice. Numerous Void Creatures gained physical vessels in the real world through the Dark Ceremony.

You led the Mechanical Cult to suppress the heretics, but the ensuing battle far exceeded your capabilities. Corrupted by the Void Creatures, the Mechanical Bishop had no choice but to activate the Steel Angels’ ’Purification Agreement’.

Around a hundred thousand lives in the entire region were exterminated, and you, also affected by the corruption, perished under the Blade’s Feather of the Steel Angels."

Damn.

I knew with so many heretics, trouble was going to happen sooner or later!

Duncan’s presence accessed Human Form No. 1, using the power of the Immortal Heroic Spirit to deduce possible futures once again.

— "Law of Cause and Effect [Trial Settlement]:

Branch Two, you joined the Earth Secret Sect, crossed the Door of the Extraordinary with ancient rituals, and became a Secret Art Master of the Earth Sect.

Relying on your powerful talent, you quickly completed your advancement and received the Divine Grace of the Earth Mother Goddess.

A year later, the region you are in erupted into a Dark Blood Sacrifice. Numerous Void Creatures gained physical vessels in the real world through the Dark Ceremony.

You foresaw the danger early and managed to escape this region.