The knowledge stored in the "wilderness of knowledge" once again surprised Odis.
He never imagined that he could use "Star Sand" to simulate other extraordinary abilities.
After acquiring the relevant knowledge, Odis felt that there was no problem in theory, since "star sand" could replace spiritual materials, allowing Odis to use "witchcraft" directly without the help of external forces.
This is actually an extraordinary use of "star sand" to harness the spirituality of the surroundings.
However, if "Star Sand" uses "Garr symbols," it can directly leverage the extraordinary power of this world.
This process is somewhat similar to how a "recorder" uses abilities obtained through other means. Both involve using illusory mystical characters and, under the influence of extraordinary characteristics, obtaining corresponding extraordinary feedback to "express" the corresponding extraordinary abilities.
Odis's previous research on the "Recorder" came in handy at this moment. The instant he obtained this method from the "Wilderness of Knowledge," he was able to "express" most of the abilities of most extraordinary pathways.
However, this only applies to those below demigod level, because the abilities of those above demigod level involve divinity, which cannot be "simulated".
Other overly complex abilities cannot be simulated. For example, Odis can "simulate" the "air bullet" ability at the "Master of Mystic Puppet" level, but cannot "simulate" the ability to turn a target into a mystic puppet.
But this was enough, which gave Odis more power than a shepherd who had "herded" seven targets!
However, it is inferior to the "Shepherd" in one aspect: the switching between abilities takes time, unlike the "Shepherd" who can instantly switch between different souls to use different abilities.
Odis then came up with a solution that allowed him to switch between "Star Sand" and "Scroll" in turn, creating complementary combos.
In any case, Odis's "astrologer" must be the most powerful "astrologer"!
After carefully reflecting on the two kinds of knowledge he had gained, Odis touched the "central processing unit" again to see what new abilities he had acquired in the "wilderness of knowledge".
After becoming an "astrologer", Odis obtained two intelligent puppets in the "wilderness of knowledge"!
Odis quickly summoned the "intelligent puppet," and two more "Odis" appeared in front of him.
Their appearance and clothing were exactly the same as Odis's, the only difference being their dull eyes, which seemed to lack any spirit.
The two "intelligent puppets" have roughly the same intelligence as Odis, and their level of "intelligence" is very high. They can help Odis complete some research, write scrolls, and even help him write books.
However, they do not possess Odis's creativity; that is to say, the work they can do is limited to the scope of Odis's current capabilities.
Work beyond Odis's current level is beyond their capabilities; only when Odis makes new breakthroughs in his research can they follow suit and solve more problems.
In addition, Odis can communicate with the two intelligent puppets through thought processes. Odis's consciousness can directly obtain the corresponding experimental results and work progress from their brains.
At the same time, there is no need to worry about them rebelling, because they have no autonomy; they will only do what Odis orders them to do.
This made Odis realize that the task of creating extraordinary parts could now be entrusted to these two.
Previously, it took the combined efforts of the entire crew to create ten "extraordinary machine guns" and ten "extraordinary mortars." But that won't be necessary anymore. From producing parts to engraving runes and assembling the extraordinary weapons, Odis can do it all by himself.
Looking at the two "intelligent puppets," Odis remarked: "These are somewhat like clones that can only be used in the 'wilderness of knowledge'!"
Unfortunately, Odis had just gritted her teeth and gotten through the busiest period, and for the time being, there was nothing for her clone to do.
Odis thought for a moment and decided not to waste such manpower, so he had an "intelligent puppet" conduct the corresponding experiments to verify some new weapons.
For example, Odis designed the "neutron cannon" to defend against the "spirit wave cannon".
In theory, this weapon should be able to defend against the "Lingbo Cannon," but during the manufacturing process, some problems will inevitably be encountered that can only be discovered when it reaches the practical application stage.
Now, let's have the "intelligent puppet" produce a "neutron cannon" according to the previous plan and see the effect.
Then, Odis returned to the real world and stuffed a thick stack of parchment and various spiritual materials into the "wilderness of knowledge," so that another "intelligent puppet" could write the scrolls that were used more often.
After getting the two "intelligent puppets" busy, Odis went to the "central processing unit" to check if he had gained any new abilities.
The moment he touched the orb of light, he realized that he could use more of the power of the "Wilderness of Knowledge" in the real world, and that no one would notice.
This has brought him many benefits, such as the ability to see more information with his "Eye of Secrets," the amount of "Star Sand" he possesses compared to a normal "astrologer," and a more acute spirituality than a normal "astrologer," and so on.
If the "teleportation array" is expanded, there will be no need for a special ceremony. The "wilderness of knowledge" will be able to complete the same operation that Odis had performed.
Another useful ability is that "Knowledge Wilderness" can help Odis use "Star Sand" to "simulate" another "Odis" in the real world.
It can replace "Odis" for three seconds, and it is a double replacement of identity and fate. After it disappears, all the negative effects that Odis suffered in identity and fate will also disappear.
However, there is a prerequisite: these negative effects apply to those "below the level of angels".
The simulated stardust could then return to Odis.
This was an excellent ability for Odis to escape, because three seconds was enough for him to slip away using "travel".
Unless the enemy is lurking in the spirit world.
After learning about the new abilities, Odis watched the two "intelligent puppets" work for a while before returning to the real world.
It can be said that the moment he completed his promotion, he was already more powerful than all the other "astrologers".
He re-examined his senses and felt that his spirituality had been completely restrained. So he used the "Travel Ring" and, guided by his spirituality, arrived on the deck of the "Golden Dream".
The sudden appearance of an extra person on deck startled the sailor on watch.
But when he recognized him as "Captain Gard," he immediately invited him to the captain's study.
The captain had just given the order that as soon as Captain Gar appeared on the ship, he should be taken to her study immediately.
The sailors knew that this concerned First Mate Blue's life, so they did not make things difficult for Odis and carried out the order diligently.
Upon entering the study, Odis smiled at Edwina, who looked much the same as during the day, and said, "Seeing you still so beautiful, I'm relieved."
The sailor who brought him in wanted to curse, but because the captain was there, he didn't.
In fact, Odis was not being disrespectful at all when he said this; he was simply stating the truth.
After all, in the dream not long ago, Edwina in front of Odis was still a dried-up corpse.
Edwina smiled and said, "I'm relieved that you can still be so humorous."
This just proves that Odis had no problem.
After closing the study door, the two sat down again on either side of the desk.
Edwina noticed the gold-rimmed glasses Odis was wearing. His eyes suddenly deepened, then returned to normal: "You've been promoted?"
Odis did not answer directly, but said only, "Yesterday I found the extraordinary materials I needed on that island."
Edwina nodded, somewhat surprised by Odis's "action," because she knew very well that advancing to Sequence 5 required a ritual, and sometimes that required the organization's help.
This immediately reminded Edwina of their conversation inside the sarcophagus, where Odis's first reaction was that she was Bernadette.
On the high seas, many people know that the "Mysterious Queen" is a beautiful woman, but few know that her name is Bernadette Gustave.
Edwina happened to know this, and considering that Odis said she had already rested and that her first thought upon waking was Bernadette, a logical deduction is that Odis was sleeping next to Bernadette at that time.
This made Edwina realize why Odis was able to access so many resources at such a young age—because he was the "Mysterious Queen's" bedmate.
At the same time, she realized that this was very likely the real reason why the church wanted her to try to win over Odis.
Now, Edwina naturally concludes that Odis used her relationship with the "mysterious queen" to successfully obtain the opportunity for the ceremony.
After his promotion, Odis slept with the "Mysterious Queen," but in his dream, he returned to the dark room he had explored during the day.
Odis was unaware of Edwina's conjectures. He said, "My idea for the problem we face is to cut off contact first, and then burn the bodies."
Edwina snapped out of her reverie and began to seriously discuss the issue: "That's what I was thinking too, but the problem is how do we cut off contact?"
Odis thought for a moment and said, "I need to go and check on Bru's condition."
Blue was the most severely affected among them, and the first to show abnormalities. Once Blue's problem is resolved, the problems of the others should also be completely resolved.
He paused and then said, "In addition, other people who have entered that dark room should have encountered similar problems. Call them all here."
Edwina hesitated for a moment before replying, "Okay."
The two men got up and opened the study door. "Just then," a few crew members were cleaning the corridor outside in the middle of the night. Edwina told them to call the other men who had explored the dark room to the first mate's room.
She and Odis arrived at Blue's room first.
Unlike the "craftsman" Diff whom Odis had met, Blue's room was very well organized with parts, semi-finished products, and finished products.
Although it feels a bit messy because there are too many things, the level of neatness is already quite good.
At this moment, Bru was lying motionless on his back on the bed. His skin was dry and dull. If he hadn't been breathing, Odis would have thought he was just a corpse.
The air was filled with an intoxicating fragrance, suggesting that many spiritually rich materials had been burned here.
Before Blue's bed stood a small altar that had not yet been removed. He was covered by a curtain with many mysterious patterns, and on the curtain was a green lamp.
This is Edwina's approach: as long as the light stays on, Blue is temporarily out of danger.
Odis took a deep breath, took off his glasses, and glanced at Blue in front of him with his "Prying Eyes".
Blue's spirit was extremely thin at this moment, and it seemed to contain some unknown power, making it appear lifeless and as if it would disappear from Blue's body at any moment.
Fortunately, a halo of light protected Blue's spirit, thanks to the efforts of "Iceberg General," which temporarily kept his spirit safe.
Then, Odis saw a black line connecting to the illusory world at the location of Bru's ankle.
The black line seemed to lead to nothingness, but Odis's "Eye of the Secrets" suddenly expanded, and he saw a desiccated corpse in the void pulling hard on the black line.
However, because Edwina took some measures, the mummified corpse could not be moved no matter how hard she tried.
Suddenly, the surroundings of Odis also darkened, as if they had returned to the dark room beneath the church.
Just as Odis was about to put on her glasses, the mummified corpse seemed to notice Odis's gaze, looked at her, and suddenly put down the black thread in its hand, running towards Odis.
Odis quickly put on his glasses, and the corresponding occult connection was severed. Odis felt as if he had instantly traveled through space and returned to the first mate's room on the "Golden Dream".
His "Peeping Eyes" were sealed, so he no longer needed to worry about the mummified corpses rushing over.
After letting out a sigh of relief, Odis pondered for a moment and said, "I do have a way to sever the connection, but after using that method, Blue will only be able to stay within the area I have designated for the time being."
Edwina nodded: "Let's solve his problem first."
"good."
Just then, the other crew members who had participated in the exploration of the dark room during the daytime also arrived at the first mate's room.
Odis then called them to clear a space and moved Bru's bed to the center of the space.
Odis took out "dust of vengeful spirits" and several spiritual materials from the "wilderness of knowledge" and mixed a special kind of "ink" on the spot.
Then he bent down and began to draw a magic circle around the bed. The magic circle he drew was called the "Spirit-Trapping Magic Circle," which could trap evil spirits and other creatures within a fixed area.
However, Odis made some modifications to this magic circle, which not only trapped Bru's spirit, preventing it from being harmed, but also cut off other spiritual attacks.
Odis drew the magic circle extremely quickly, completing a very intricate and complex magic circle in just two or three minutes.
Edwina had been observing from the sidelines, only to find that she couldn't understand most of the characters. This made her exclaim, "The Elemental Dawn has a very profound understanding of the mystical. For a young man like Gar, who is only in his twenties, to be able to 'memorize' the magic circle so quickly is enough to demonstrate the organization's depth."
What the "Iceberg General" didn't know was that even if the "Mysterious Queen" were watching, she wouldn't recognize most of the characters appearing in the magic circle.
After drawing the magic circle, Odis infused it with spiritual power, and the magic circle immediately emitted a pale white light, enveloping Blue's bed and his entire body.
Odis took off his glasses again to confirm that he had severed the thread on Blue's ankle, but the black thread was still floating outside the magic circle, seemingly searching for a target.
Therefore, as long as you don't leave this magic circle, you won't be entangled by this line again.
Odis then removed the lamp and black cloth from Bru's body, and Bru's skin visibly replenished itself, quickly returning to normal skin.
A few seconds later, Blue woke up in terror. When he saw the captain and the other crew members, he finally breathed a sigh of relief: "I had a long and terrifying dream."
"Perhaps it's not a dream." Odis smiled. "Until we solve the problem, you shouldn't leave your bed… sorry, that's not quite accurate. It should be, don't leave the circle I've drawn."
Although Blue wasn't quite sure what had happened, he saw that Captain Gar had saved him, so he immediately nodded and agreed, "Okay."
Odis said to Edwina, "It seems my method worked. The other members should stay in the magic circle. The two of us will go and solve the problem."
Seeing that the others seemed to object, he added, "I need to make some preparations in a bit, so I can only take one person on the 'trip'."
Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!
The other crew members were speechless; they had no way to solve the problem, nor did they have the ability to "travel."
Odis then said to Edwina, "Please bring two umbrellas."
Because Odis's magic circle could sever the connection with the corpse, Odis took the lead in issuing commands in resolving this incident.
Edwina nodded and told the crew to get an umbrella.
During this time, Odis drew the same "spirit-trapping magic circle" in the restaurant, which had a considerable space, and hid the five crew members inside.
After the umbrellas were brought, Odis drew magic circles on the inside of each umbrella. This way, Odis and Edwina could sever their connection with the dark room simply by opening the umbrellas.
However, if you do that, you'll need to free up one hand to hold the umbrella.
After everything was ready, Odis entered the spirit world, with one hand holding an umbrella and the other hand supporting the "Iceberg Admiral's" shoulder, amidst the reluctant but patient gazes of the crew.
Guided by their spirituality, Odis and Edwina arrived directly outside the burial hall. Previously, there had been crew members carrying lanterns, but now, in this ancient building, there was no one else but the two of them.
The thought of rows of corpses inside the stone door in front of him made Odis feel as if he were in a ghost story.
Edwina's expression also turned serious. Treasure hunting often involved dealing with corpses, but they usually worked in large groups. It was rare for them to be like this, where they didn't have any hands free to carry lanterns, so they started their exploration without even a light.
As the two reached out to push the door open, Odis said, "I just thought of a good way to deal with those corpses. I'll test my new ability. You hold the umbrella for me while I try to see if my method works."
Edwina hummed in agreement: "No problem."
Both of them had excellent eyesight, and after opening the door, the neatly arranged coffins came into view once again.
It was so quiet here that it felt like ghosts or monsters could leap out of the darkness and attack them at any moment.
Odis smiled and said, "I'd better make this place brighter."
As he spoke, he took out a "Spirit Storage Crystal" from the "Wilderness of Knowledge." The spiritual energy in this small crystal had not been completely consumed, and the light it emitted was about the same as that of a normal energy-saving light bulb.
That's enough; it can illuminate a large area around it.
Odis summoned "stardust" with star-like light in his palm and cast a "flight spell" on the "Spirit Storage Crystal," making it float in mid-air and illuminate the way as the two moved forward.
As they walked forward, Odis said, "Before humans learned to use fire, countless wild beasts and monsters would suddenly rush out and attack them in the night."
"Therefore, the human fear of darkness is etched into our genes."
"You don't need to explain," Edwina smiled. "I also feel more at ease when there's some light in the sky."
Odis said "Oh" and didn't continue the topic.
The two quickly arrived at the door of the secret room. Odis looked at Edwina, and the two exchanged glances to make sure the other was ready. Odis then opened the secret door and hid to the side.
It was very quiet inside; no bodies rushed out.
So Odis went first, followed by Edwina, and they entered the short corridor and quickly arrived at the stone chamber.
The two men noticed that one of the stone coffins had been opened by someone. Before they could even approach to check, the corpse inside suddenly sat up and turned to look at the two captains who had barged into the stone chamber.
Odis immediately noticed that the corpse was the same one that had been pulling the black line off Blue's ankle.
As planned, Odis handed the umbrella to Edwina, then opened her hands, revealing a cluster of glittering "stardust" in her palms.
Ordinary astrologers usually only have "star sand" in one hand, but Odis has a large amount of "star sand" in her body, so it can appear in both hands at the same time.
The "star sand" in his left palm suddenly floated toward the open stone coffin, forming the shape of a giant hand that pushed the coffin lid open, knocking over the corpse inside.
After the stone coffins closed, the "star sand" that formed a giant hand burrowed into the seven coffins, and flames immediately ignited inside the stone coffins.
These are extraordinary flames; they can burn intensely even with little oxygen in the sarcophagus.
Instantly, the lid of the stone coffin began to shake.
Odis scattered the "star sand" from his right hand, covering the coffin lid. In an instant, the stone chamber was filled with starlight, forming a huge "starlight prison".
Edwina suddenly had a strange feeling, as if she were suddenly in the midst of a vast ocean of stars, and the chill and terror around her vanished instantly.
But then she also noticed that Odis's abilities seemed a bit off, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong. After a few seconds of thinking, she realized: "Astrologer" can create such a large "star cage"?
Then she realized that this "starlight cage" seemed to be lasting for too long. Ten or twenty seconds had passed, and Garr was still able to maintain it!
Half a minute later, Odis seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and took back the "star sand". By this time, most of the stone coffins had been burned and cracked, and two stone coffins were even burned into lime because flames came out of them.
Odis also considered using "star sand" to turn the corpses into powder, but he still felt that burning would be a more thorough solution.
At the same time, in order to test my abilities and spiritual reserves, I came up with this method.
That flame, made using the sorcery employed by "Star Sand," not only had greater power but also more extraordinary characteristics.
The so-called "extraordinary characteristics" refer to the fact that it does not depend on the surrounding natural environment and can burn even without fuel or sufficient oxygen.
Previously, during Sequence 7, the "magic" used by Odis was subject to many limitations imposed by natural conditions.
At this moment, Odis summoned "Star Sand" again to push open the stone coffin, and a corpse that was burning like a red-hot iron block suddenly sat up.
Its features were burned beyond recognition, but Odis seemed to still be able to sense its gaze. It slowly turned its head, and its head suddenly fell off and rolled a long way.
The other corpses were still moving, but they had been burned and broken, so they were no longer afraid of being attacked.
The flames burned for another minute or so before the bodies were reduced to ashes.
Odis remarked, "The corpses of demigods are truly difficult to burn."
Edwina echoed this sentiment: "After all, they once possessed a degree of divinity."
Then, Odis stepped out from under the umbrella, used his spiritual sense to perceive his own state, and only put the umbrella away after confirming that the problem had been completely resolved.
The two waited in the dark room for a while longer, until the corpses were completely burned to charcoal and powder. Then they closed the hidden door and left together.
Back on the "Golden Dream" via "travel," Edwina announced that the problem had been solved. Everyone looked at Odis with some wariness and gave a token cheer.
Odis said to Edwina, "Now that the problem has been solved, I'll head back."
"Iceberg General" asked, "Aren't you staying for breakfast?"
The eastern sky was already turning white, and dawn was approaching.
"No need," Odis yawned. "I'm going back to catch up on my sleep."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, summoned a phantom door, and pushed it open to enter.
At this moment, the crew of the "Golden Dream" burst into a heartfelt cheer.
Edwina immediately grabbed the umbrella and opened it, wanting to study the magic circle. But as soon as she opened the umbrella, the characters on it spontaneously burst into pale white flames.
Not only on the umbrellas, but also in the restaurant and in Blue's room, all the characters caught fire and burned to nothing in a very short time.
Edwina watched the flames burn quietly. She didn't think Odis was stingy. It would be strange if such an important magic circle didn't have any sense of secrecy.
Although she could draw the magic circle using "secret techniques," she could no longer study the original magic circle.
...
Odis returned to the Argo, didn't think about anything, and went straight to sleep.
He slept until after nine in the morning before waking up. He first went to the "Knowledge Wilderness" to take a look at the work of the two "intelligent puppets".
Seeing that their work was progressing well, Odis was about to leave when a question suddenly occurred to him: Could yesterday's exploration be related to Adam?
He hadn't thought of this yesterday, and the two times he had entered the "Knowledge Wilderness" before, once to figure out how to digest the magic potion and once to observe his new abilities, he hadn't had time to think about this issue.
Logically speaking, since Adam once incorporated that church, it seems reasonable for him to use it to "write a story" or something.
But then Odis realized that what happened yesterday was probably not a "story" made up by Adam, because the person Odis was exploring with was "General Iceberg".
If Adam were to intervene in such an action, the "god of knowledge and wisdom" might intervene.
Thinking this through, Odis immediately felt relieved, because even if it was a story made up by Adam, there was nothing he could do to Adam.
He got the spoils and established contact with "Lieutenant General Iceberg"—that's a pretty good "story."
Then there's no need to worry about whether you've entered Adam's story.
Odis returned to the real world, ate breakfast, checked the course in the cockpit, and then returned to the workshop with a pot of tea.
He had to think about one question: how to digest the "astrologer's" potion.
Sitting in the chair and taking a sip of tea, Odis used her spirituality to confirm once again that the "astrologer's" potion in her body was showing signs of being digested ahead of schedule.
But very few, perhaps only one-tenth.
The good news is that the potion is showing signs of being digested ahead of schedule, which means Odis is currently in pretty good condition.
The bad news is that, having digested this little bit ahead of schedule, my "rapid promotion" journey may be coming to an end.
Therefore, it is necessary to seriously consider how to digest the "astrologer's" potion, unlike when we were "the scroll professor," where we only started to consider this issue after we had been promoted for some time.
In Odis's mind, the image of an "astrologer" was similar to that of a "diviner," roughly like a charlatan holding a crystal ball.
So Odis's first approach to the role was to study the "Diviner's Code" summarized by Klein and see if there were any signs that she could digest.
The second approach is to focus on "knowledge." Compared to "fortune tellers," "astrologers" are more erudite. One could try researching mysticism and see if there are any signs of them being absorbed.