Chapter 2943: Wet Nurse

Keep distinct matters separate.

In the eyes of others, this might seem like Serana's unequivocally lucky night.

She had been utterly clueless, yet was forcibly elevated straight to Tier 2.

But as far as Fu Qian was concerned, she didn't owe him anything in return.

His goal for this trip was clear, and Serana's role had always been strictly defined—a key to forging a connection with the Red Moon, a tool to explore and verify ancient mysteries.

This role actually carried a hidden caveat: there was no upper limit on how she could be used.

While the most extreme scenario hadn't come to pass, Fu Qian wouldn't have minded working her to ruin if it had been necessary.

As far as Serana was concerned, tonight was simply a deal with the devil.

Her current achievement ultimately boiled down to her own fortune.

For instance, facing the psychic impact of the Progenitor deep in the Bottom Layer of the Dream, or the potential aftereffects from a violent injection of Cord Blood...

The risks involved far more than merely spitting up a little blood. Even for someone in the Demigod Realm, a bit of bad luck with either of those trials would have spelled eternal doom.

Life-threatening work commanded life-threatening pay, and attaining Tier 2 was exactly what Excellency Serana deserved. As for the fact that she already possessed the devotion to gladly lay down her life for the Progenitor?

Even a coerced deal was still a deal. Using "fulfilling her wish" as an excuse to get something for nothing fell completely outside the realm of business.

In short, Fu Qian thoroughly welcomed Serana's willingness to share her newfound insights.

If she hadn't wanted to, he wouldn't have forced her.

But what if he was genuinely curious? Simple. He would just offer up a new bargaining chip to trade.

"Unlike other Paths to Godhood, the title for Tier 2 of the Blood Clan is incredibly simple. It is the Divine Child."

However, it seemed Excellency Serana was an honest person, or perhaps the heavy uncertainty weighing on her compelled her to vent. Either way, she immediately began to share the secret.

"I don't know exactly why it bears this title, but aside from sharing more of the Progenitor's authority, the Tier 2 Form possesses an extremely little-known ability. The secret codices of Gulade refer to it as the 'Wet Nurse'."

...

'Wait, you people actually compiled all this into official codices?'

Serana's voice was low and solemn, as if she were violating some sacred taboo.

While he completely understood the gravity of her confession, that didn't stop Fu Qian from complaining inwardly. He had previously guessed that an inheritance as stable as the Blood Clan's, built on such a pure bloodline...

...likely possessed a comprehensive set of reference materials for every single step of the Godhood Sequence.

The only thing truly limiting them was probably the luck-dependent collection of the Starry Sky Roses.

Serana's words just now had definitively proven that point.

The proof was just a little too absurd. It sounded like these texts were not only formally compiled into volumes, but that each family's gospel might even differ?

Perhaps this was simply the heritage of the ancient nobility.

"That sounds quite fitting."

Of course, this was just a minor inward sigh. Serana's information was incredibly valuable, so Fu Qian played the perfect conversational partner with a straight face.

'Tier 2 of the Blood Clan is straight up called the Divine Child?'

Had he heard this before today, he might have assumed Annalise had casually slapped the name onto her kindred just to save herself the trouble of thinking.

But after their trip to the Bottom Layer of the Dream—and especially after witnessing the Blood Nova forged from the "Offspring" with his own eyes—the title sounded frighteningly apt.

Behind that title lay a precise interpretation of the core power belonging to this Divine Path.

Not to mention that a Divine Child pairing with a Wet Nurse was an almost perfectly themed ability.

The only oddity was wondering exactly what kind of ability would warrant the name "Wet Nurse."

"It is actually far more fitting than that. Such an entity truly exists."

To his relief, Excellency Serana didn't leave him in suspense, answering his comment instantly.

"And you don't even have to do anything. The moment you successfully ascend to become a Divine Child, this special caretaking presence appears.

"A formless, invisible force constantly accompanies you, providing warnings, warding off harm, and even healing your wounds."

...

'Is it really that miraculous?'

Although the name had offered some clues, Serana's description still left Fu Qian clicking his tongue in marvel.

'So it's a passive skill that effectively equips the user with an omnipotent, external support?'

While racial pride might play a part, Serana was clearly not the type to boast. For a moment, Fu Qian imagined the "Wet Nurse" she described and figured that most of those in the Transcendent Tier would be weeping with envy.

"But it isn't controlled by the Divine Child?"

He immediately pressed to confirm the details.

If Serana's description was accurate, aside from providing a shield, healing, and danger perception, there was one critical takeaway: the Wet Nurse was an entirely separate entity.

That meant anyone picking a fight with a Divine Child would run into considerable trouble.

Setting aside situations of overwhelming power disparity, clever little tricks like confusion or misdirection would be rendered almost entirely useless.

It was the equivalent of always having an objective, watchful guardian at their side. They could constantly use this entity as a mirror to verify their own condition, ensuring they wouldn't easily succumb to disorientation.

In short, it really did mimic the state of growing up enveloped in love and care. The title of Divine Child was becoming increasingly fitting.

"Yes. It constantly follows you, but it cannot be controlled... It is not your puppet, but a special, independent will."

Serana's tone remained firm.

"Rumor has it that there's even a singing voice, though the lyrics are entirely indecipherable."

However, her confidence wavered slightly on this point. She hesitated for a moment before adding that detail...

'What a coincidence. This seat just heard a song like that too.'

Serana's confirmation was far less interesting than her added detail. Fu Qian instantly recalled the scene of gathering herbs by the sea not long ago.

If that were true, this Wet Nurse was even more incredible than he'd thought.

"That does sound miraculous... Could it be some sort of projection from your Progenitor? Could she be granting her protection in this manner?"

But Fu Qian wasn't in any rush to share his recent bout of music appreciation. He merely nodded slightly and voiced a hypothesis.

There was no need to even bring up the singing. Didn't the entire Blood Clan already view themselves as Annalise's offspring?

Who else could such mysterious protection possibly come from, if not the Progenitor herself?

Judging from Chief Yuan's expression beside them, she clearly shared the same thought.

"No... It is indeed an easy conclusion to draw. However, in the handful of recorded cases, there is one thing I can say with relative certainty—and that is that they genuinely felt the concept of a 'Mother' from it."

Despite how entirely logical that deduction sounded, Serana shook her head instantly.

"Mother, but not the Progenitor... I think I understand what you mean," Fu Qian noted thoughtfully.

"But that isn't necessarily a contradiction, is it? Could it be that because they all belonged to the very first batch created by your Progenitor, they considered her their Mother since they were the first generation?"

Still, he put his logical reasoning to work, trying not to overcomplicate the issue.

"Unfortunately, that isn't entirely the case... The father of one of those individuals wasn't even at the Demigod Realm."

Serana shook her head again, ruthlessly shattering that hope.