Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 433: The Final Ranking List

In Annan’s plan, competing for a ranking list position was merely a means to an end; their ultimate goal had always been the Divine Sovereign’s Wish.

The great Omniscient Weaver would personally fulfill the wishes of the wisher.

Even outsiders like Ashe, Harvey, and Igor, who showed little respect for the Omniscient Weaver, did not dare to underestimate the significance of this wish.

Although the Divine Sovereign likely had limitations, to mere mortals like them, these rulers of the Kingdoms seemed almost Universal in their capabilities. Just like ants, who, with their limited imagination, would only wish for a larger and stronger body or tastier food, Ashe and the others couldn’t possibly wish for anything beyond the Divine Sovereign’s capabilities.

Sure, they knew the Divine Sovereigns were just higher forms of ascended spellcasters. Since there were multiple Divine Sovereigns, each one probably had different focal areas and couldn’t be truly omnipotent, similar to how spellcasters specialize in specific Spellcasting Sects.

However, even a spellcaster proficient in just one sect could reflect many spells through that single discipline. For example, Ashe’s Swordsmanship could kill negative statuses (Slash Me), teleport (Rush), and defend (sword body barrier). He wouldn’t be surprised if someday his Swordsmanship could even cut chemical bonds to harness nuclear energy.

Moreover, over the long years, even if the Divine Sovereigns only honed their skills gradually, they would still master a vast majority of the Spellcasting Sects. The miracles and Divine Interventions they commanded were beyond mortal imagination. Rust Crow spent so many years and so much effort to resurrect a single person, yet in the Time Continent, resurrection services were openly available, provided at a clear price to the heroic soul commanders by the Divine Sovereigns.

The most outrageous request mortals could make would probably be something like “Make me a Divine Sovereign as well.” However, the Omniscient Weaver isn’t an artificial intelligence like Gospel that’s constrained by computational logic. The Weaver might turn you into a “Divine Sovereign Lala Fatty” (a new species created by the Weaver), thus achieving your wish while also diversifying the Gospel Kingdom’s menu.

But slightly lesser wishes, such as becoming an Angel, resurrecting someone, ruling Gospel, or having unlimited Gospel points, should be fairly manageable. Hence, obtaining the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, even if it couldn’t satisfy all desires, would at least solve all problems.

Annan’s original plan to obtain the Divine Sovereign’s Wish was as follows: people from exotic lands would strive to secure the ranking list positions on the Future Ranking. The Echoer with the highest ranking and greatest weight should be the first to receive the Divine Sovereign’s Wish.

This was why Annan was adamant about making them sign slave Pacts—without absolute control over them, if they obtained the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, she wouldn’t be able to take it back from them!

Now, the Echoer with the highest ranking and greatest weight turned out to be Annan herself!

No middleman cutting into the deal!

Ashe exhaled heavily and glanced at Lise, “Well, this works too.”

Lise’s eyes flickered, but she lowered her head to eat the roasted lamb chops without saying anything. Ashe knew it wasn’t that simple—he hadn’t forgotten that Lise had tried to conspire with him to seize the Divine Sovereign’s Wish on the first night.

By now, Ashe didn’t think Lise was just some lost little girl picked up by the Four Pillars Cult. Though he didn’t believe she could really take the Divine Sovereign’s Wish from them, avoiding trouble was always better.

Moreover, his relationship with Annan had rapidly improved recently, making Ashe fully aware that Annan would never let go of this opportunity. As representatives of greed and madness, Igor and Harvey had long been itching to make a move.

Even Ashe himself found it hard to resist the temptation. Wandering in a foreign place, tossed by the turbulent waves of fate, having nothing left, didn’t he want to dream of happiness for once?

Never test human nature, and especially not your own, lest you become the Abyss, lest you become the evil dragon.

For now, they could still work together harmoniously, enjoying dinner merrily. But as the conclusion drew near, the more brilliant the current cooperation, the more brutal the inevitable betrayal would be.

This sacrilege that began with deception would surely end with deception.

Therefore, upon hearing that Annan had secured the spot for the wish, Ashe felt some disappointment, but more was relief.

If the spot were in Ashe and the others’ hands, they might still have a chance to resist. But with the spot in Annan’s hands, they had no hope of taking it away. They remained 100% Annan’s obedient slaves.

Harvey ate the creamy sauce on his plate by sopping it up with bread, seemingly unconcerned that Annan had secured victory ahead of schedule. Igor glanced between Ashe and Lise, lowering his eyelids in deep thought.

“If I do obtain the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, I will honor our initial promises and help fulfill your wishes,” Annan said seriously. “Harvey, I will help you acquire the legacy of the Necromancy Angel and provide you with ample resources.”

“Igor, if you want money, I’ll give it to you. If you want freedom, you’ll have that too. When our Pact ends, you can choose your own path.”

“Ashe, Lise,” Annan looked at them, “trust me, I will ensure you both find happiness.”

Ashe blinked-how come the lines directed at him and Lise seemed so different? Is Annan simplifying things for Lise?

“I don’t know if these thirty-plus days have been enough for you to see through me, but I can only offer this earnest promise: I will not disappoint you,” Purple Moth paused, “as long as I succeed in obtaining the Divine Sovereign’s Wish.”

Igor caught the underlying meaning in the Young Lady’s words, “Do you have competitors?”

“Assuming all Future Ranking lists are nullified, I am indeed the highest-ranked Echoer,” Annan said. “But the problem is, the final ranking list will definitely not be null and void.”

“Not only will it remain valid, but the top rank on this list was determined even before the Weaving Festival began.”

After finishing her meal, Lise came over to Ashe and acted playfully. As Ashe wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, he asked skeptically, “But that’s just one top spot, and you have one plus ten, don’t you?”

“What if I told you that in the past ten Weaving Festivals, the Divine Sovereign’s Wish has always been granted to this top spot?” Annan said.

The outlanders were slightly taken aback, and Igor quickly realized, “This ranking list carries the highest influence weight?”

Annan nodded. “In the past ten Weaving Festivals, there have been the Legend Ranking, the Battle Power Ranking, and even the Great Men’s Ranking. But no matter who held the top position on these lists, they never obtained the Divine Sovereign’s Wish. Meanwhile, throughout all these festivals, the first nine ranking lists have always changed, but the final ranking list has never altered. The Divine Sovereign’s Wish is only granted to the first place on this final list.”

Ashe asked, “So what ranking list is it? The Omniscient Weaver’s Illegitimate Children Ranking? Do we stand a chance to get on it? …Hey, what are you doing?”

Lise gently bit Ashe’s finger, and when he looked over, she turned her head away. Ashe thought she was just being playful and didn’t give it much thought.

“It’s not the Illegitimate Children Ranking, and no, we cannot get on it,” Annan said. “It’s called the Gospel Ranking, and the criteria for getting on it are-“

“Only the purest, most innocent, kindest, and most beautiful young girls can be included on this list.”

Everyone was stunned. Igor asked incredulously, “So men can’t get on it?”

“There hasn’t been such a precedent,” Annan replied. “So, do you understand why you can’t make it on the list?”

“Because we’re not women?”

“No, if it were only about gender, it wouldn’t be an insurmountable obstacle,” Annan said, spreading her hands. “The main issue is that the Gospel has never seen an innocent Con Artist, a pure-hearted necromancer, or a kind Calamity Demon Lord.”