My Professions Have Too Much Personality - Chapter 311 - 189: Life Burner Inauguration

That’s about the same as the normal lifespan for a Tier Four.

Su Chen estimated silently. ’If it weren’t for the harmful effects of the Nether Fog, based on the fragments of information from Qing Cang and the others, I’d be a Tier Four Professional. A thirty percent loss of lifespan means I could probably live to be around two hundred.’

’But, according to that logic, if a High-tier Professional who wasn’t contaminated but was near the end of their natural life suddenly came into contact with the Nether Fog, would it just reduce their remaining time, or would it kill them outright…’

The sensation of his Spirit Core being outside his body was mystical. Once the initial, unanchored feeling faded, it was replaced by a sense of being a fish in water. A subtle, euphoric lightness caused his thoughts to drift.

Previously, his Spirit Core had always resided within his body, with his Spiritual Power radiating outward as a mere extension of his consciousness. He had never experienced anything like this.

“Don’t get lost in it,” You Shan’s voice suddenly cut in. “It’s an illusion, your consciousness feeling free from the shackles of the body. Without a physical form to anchor it, your spirit and consciousness are like rootless duckweed, easily devoured by the Nether Realm.”

Su Chen had already noticed the environment outside the Talisman Array quietly changing. It had become a gray, hazy expanse, resembling the landscape of the Nether Realm, but the array was holding it back, preventing it from encroaching.

’So the seductive pull was this intense…’ When Su Chen commissioned the carving of this Talisman Array, he had been warned this might happen.

A consciousness, trapped within a body for its entire existence, would feel an intoxicating pull on its first taste of release. It was like a desire to dissolve into water and achieve true freedom. But this was an illusion. If it truly dissolved, it would only lead to complete annihilation.

Quickly reigning in his thoughts, he refocused. He had only seen the Life Fire, but the Profession’s requirement was to *touch* it.

The Spirit Core drifted forward, its energy faintly outlining an illusory figure. The figure reached out, touching the Life Fire that burned on the surface of his physical body.

In an instant, Su Chen felt as if he were being scorched by flames, plunged into a fiery hell. It was like being thrown from a frozen tundra into a volcano of molten lava. The spiritual projection instantly disintegrated, recoiling back into the Spirit Core.

“That…” Su Chen’s heart throbbed with fear. The pain of touching the Life Fire had been fleeting, but it was an agony that struck the very essence of his spirit, as if he were about to melt.

You Shan explained, “The more vigorous the Life Fire, the greater the damage to one’s Spiritual Power. Even though it’s normally invisible, it also serves to protect the body.”

Su Chen’s heart stirred. He wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence, but it strangely aligned with some of the ghost stories from his past life.

Perhaps this was also one of the reasons why Mental Type abilities were less effective against High-tier Professionals. They had Spiritual Resilience to counter Mental Attacks, and the Life Fire to stop physical corruption.

You Shan explained to him, “To control a body like this requires an immense price. This is also why, among deceased High-tier Spiritual Professionals, very few choose to possess young people.”

“Is this thing indiscriminate?” Su Chen couldn’t help but ask.

“Your Spirit Core is currently intermingled with my Spiritual Power.” As she finished speaking, You Shan withdrew the Spiritual Power that had been guiding Su Chen’s Spirit Core.

Instantly, Su Chen felt a pull emanating from the body before him. His Spirit Core was involuntarily drawn back into it.

The moment his core re-entered his body, the euphoric, floating sensation vanished. It was like planting his feet firmly on the ground; a sense of security washed over him.

Su Chen subconsciously took a breath. The cool air filling his lungs made him feel much more at ease.

He glanced at his panel. The second requirement for Life Burner was now complete.

“As you raise your Professional Tier and your Life Level evolves, your lifespan will also increase. Don’t become too preoccupied with it,” You Shan urged again.

This wasn’t the first time she had helped someone see their Life Fire. The heads of some powerful families in Yingfeng City had been decisive, ruthless, and disdainful of others in their youth.

But once they reached a certain age, they would inevitably become obsessed with their lifespan. Watching it dwindle away, they would try every method imaginable to extend it by another year or two, eventually setting their sights on the Deceitful Gods.

“Don’t worry. Besides, I’ll most likely be going to the Royal Court. Once the threat of the Nether Fog is gone, I’ll suddenly have a very long life ahead of me. I won’t fret over it.” Su Chen knew what was worrying her and gave her his repeated assurance.

“The Royal Court…” You Shan’s expression flickered as she recalled this. “I never would have expected it.”

After a moment of thought, she looked at Su Chen again. The elegant woman hesitated before asking, “If it’s possible, could I ask you to take Ming Lin with you as well?”

“Hmm?” Su Chen was surprised. “You’re not planning to leave?”

On the way back with the Chief Judge, he had already explained the whole situation, including what Qing Cang had said about being able to take the families of the high-ranking officials with them.

Although Qing Cang had made the offer on the condition that the Holy Banquet problem remained unresolved, if they did manage to solve it, they would still have the option to leave.

“Sigh…” You Shan sighed, her gaze filled with a complex emotion. “I was born here, I grew up here, and it is only right that I die here. The Royal Court may be wonderful, but it is not my home.”

“If Ming Lin were to be taken by anyone else, I wouldn’t be able to rest easy.”

’There was a hidden logic in her words. It concerned those who would choose to accept Qing Cang’s offer and leave if the Holy Banquet couldn’t be stopped.’

’You couldn’t say they were all just cowards clinging to life, but You Shan was unwilling to entrust Ming Lin to them.’

“I understand.” Su Chen nodded, accepting her request.

After seeing the Chief Judge off, Su Chen’s heart felt heavy. If the Holy Banquet couldn’t be stopped in the end, it wouldn’t be just Ming Lin he had to take with him.

’That Qing Cang definitely has a solution. He’s just unwilling to pay the extra price. How can I convince him?’ Su Chen frowned.

’The man seemed to want him as an apprentice, but there were different kinds of apprentices. Qing Cang was clearly not in a hurry. If Su Chen pushed his demands, it might very well backfire.’