Chapter 134: Sacred Immortal Power

This cheating method brought Link a sense of profound relief, banishing his fear of the torture. However, he did not immediately trigger the system’s intervention. Instead, he chose to endure for a while longer, seizing the opportunity to temper his willpower, as such intense agony was exceptionally effective for honing the spirit.

In the end, Link held out for a full hour and a half before allowing the system to assist. Do not underestimate this duration; mere seconds of this agony would cause an ordinary person to collapse. Even battle-hardened soldiers with iron wills could typically last only about half an hour, and even the most determined super-powered beings rarely exceeded an hour. To surpass ninety minutes was the mark of a truly extraordinary individual with an unbreakable spirit. Link had proven his willpower to be on par with the greatest figures in history.

This tempering process was the first time Link had truly seen himself clearly, realizing that in terms of willpower, he was no longer inferior to those legendary figures. According to Yuuka, many had attempted to force such power fusions in the past, but few survived, and most had used special means to mitigate the pain. Link, having withstood the full ninety minutes—even if the system eventually numbed his senses—could rightfully stand tall among the elite. He had successfully completed the tempering, though the long hours of being unable to do anything but think had been quite tedious.

Twelve hours into the fusion, a change occurred. The grotesque distortions on Link’s body vanished, and his form returned to normal. Then, the system’s voice echoed:

【Ding! Congratulations to the host. Power fusion complete. A brand-new power has been acquired. Consciousness and body have been reconnected; the host may now resume control.】

Link’s eyes lit up. As he regained control, an unprecedented wave of comfort washed over him, drawing a satisfied groan from his lips. He realized his mana, internal energy, and holy power had all vanished, replaced by an entirely new, mysterious essence.

This power was vast and boundless. It could drive any skill or technique he knew, amplifying their effects significantly. It resembled the rumored "Holy Origin Power," yet Link knew it was something far more potent. This was not merely a fusion of battle aura and magic, but a synthesis of mana, internal energy, and holy power.

The fusion of three distinct energies—one of which was the holy power rumored to be possessed only by Sages and Holy Spirits—created an effect far beyond simple addition. Furthermore, the energy Yuuka had forced into him, which had triggered the initial volatility, proved to be an extremely domineering and superior force. It acted as both a lubricant and a catalyst, transmuting his previous energies into something that had never existed before.

It was not a power from the Solaco world, nor from the world of martial arts or cultivation, yet it was undeniably of a higher order than the three systems provided by the system.

This was a power that truly belonged to Link.

"A new power without a name? I feel like an omnipotent immortal with this strength. So be it, I shall call it 'Holy Immortal Power'." Link named the power in his heart and took a deep breath. An incomparable pressure erupted from his body.

This was the same nature of pressure as that released by a Seventh-Order powerhouse using Holy Origin Power, but the intensity was worlds apart. The moment Link released it, the members of the Father God Church and the Phantoms knelt instantly. Mercury Lamp, in Alice’s arms, felt the strain, while Alice and Yuuka looked on with surprise.

Alice remarked in astonishment, "To have just acquired this power and already be this strong? It’s almost comparable to a Sage."

Yuuka stared at Link for a moment before a look of realization dawned on her face. She smiled playfully, "Interesting. Is this the effect of the power bestowed by the True God? His actual strength is on par with someone who has just obtained Holy Origin Power, yet his aura transcends the limits of mortals. By mortal standards, his presence rivals that of a peak Ninth-Order being, yet when a Ninth-Order mortal meets him, they would still feel inferior."

"You mean Mr. Nil’s strength remains at the Seventh-Order, but his aura has surpassed the mortal limit?" Alice asked, looking at Yuuka, who nodded slightly.

"Impressive. You saw through my true state at a glance," Link thought to himself, amazed. As a Holy Spirit, Alice had failed to see through him, but Yuuka had discerned it almost immediately. It was clear that Yuuka was several tiers above Alice.

Link withdrew his pressure, and the others, who had been pinned down, breathed a sigh of relief. Aside from Reimu, who grumbled about Link’s trickery, everyone else gathered around him with excitement. They were thrilled that Link had survived the ordeal and gained such immense power, offering him their congratulations and admiration. Though they hadn't experienced the pain themselves, the descriptions from Alice and Yuuka were enough to convey the intensity.

They knew that while they might have lasted an hour, twelve hours was beyond their reach. Their admiration for Link deepened; it was no wonder he was the spokesperson for the Father God—his sheer willpower alone set him apart.

Link blushed slightly at the praise, knowing the "cheat" behind his success, but he accepted it with a smile. He was secretly delighted by the system’s power; even with Yuuka’s keen eye, she had not detected the system’s presence, proving the system stood at a higher level than these powerful Holy Spirits.

After speaking with everyone, Link walked up to Yuuka and thanked her solemnly. "Thank you, Lady Yuuka. Though you acted on your own initiative, I must thank you. Without you, I might have waited a long time to achieve this power."

Yuuka replied calmly, "No need to thank me. You earned this yourself; I was merely a guide." She paused before asking, "When do you plan to leave? Although your fused power is not Holy Origin Power, it is even stronger and can easily traverse the boundary between the two worlds."

Link pondered for a moment. "Tomorrow. It is getting late, and I have things to attend to tonight. I will set off tomorrow."

Yuuka nodded and returned to the mansion. Alice followed suit, leaving with Mercury Lamp, who was still clinging to her.

Once they were alone, Link called everyone back to the mansion to give instructions and finish their conversations. Facing separation, everyone felt heavy-hearted. Even Reimu looked despondent; she was the one who despised the Wasteland world the most, finding the lack of natural energy stifling.

Moreover, despite her usual devil-may-care attitude, Reimu was actually quite sensitive. Having spent months with Link, and with the three bishops arranging their engagement and constantly instilling the virtues of a wife in her, she had long since developed genuine feelings for him. These feelings were simple and sincere, cultivated through the small, sweet moments of daily life. Facing his departure, even she grew emotional.

The same was true for Lin Xi, whose feelings for Link were even deeper. The complex blend of sisterly, maternal, and romantic love, compounded by eight years of guilt, made her attachment profound. Yet, she was a strong woman; she refused to show weakness or fear, not wanting to worry him.

Link was aware of these feelings, but he had to leave. He knew the Father God Church could not be left leaderless for long, as the outside world was on the brink of chaos. He carried the fate of everyone in the church on his shoulders.

He spent the night cherishing every moment with the two women. The atmosphere was perfect, though the presence of both made it difficult for him to act on any romantic impulses. Reimu was easygoing, but Lin Xi was conservative and shy; he knew that any attempt at intimacy would likely result in her blushing furiously and fleeing to her room. Consequently, the night passed without any physical intimacy, which Link felt was a wasted opportunity.

The next morning, Link approached Alice again to ask for her help in caring for the others. Alice gladly accepted and offered him good news: "Mr. Nil, you need not worry. I looked through my library last night and found a method to allow others to pass through the boundary safely, even without sufficient strength. It will take about six months to prepare, but after that, I will be able to send them to you."

Link was overjoyed. Regardless of whether this was merely to comfort him, he chose to believe it. Six months was a wait they could afford, and perhaps, like him, they would see significant growth during that time.