Chapter 82: Third Cycle, Altar Sacrifice!

"No, I'm serious—over the past few missions, Mr. Lin Han, your ability to take action has been astonishing. I've worked here for so long, and you're the first person I've ever seen with such drive and execution."
"And besides, it's been such a short time since you awakened your class, and you're already preparing for your third advancement. Very soon, you'll become a priest of the third rank."
"I doubt there's anyone in the entire empire who can match your speed of leveling and changing classes."
The receptionist's eyes brimmed with admiration, as if she would agree to anything Lin Han asked of her in the next moment.
"And soon, we'll witness the world's very first priest to reach the third advancement."
Lin Han smiled and said, "Let's not exaggerate. My abilities are modest compared to those so-called geniuses. I only hope to quickly grow stronger so my family can live a better life."
"With your talent, Mr. Lin Han, once you finish your third advancement, you could become a mercenary. With your qualifications, the mercenary groups would be desperate to have you join."
The receptionist spoke non-stop as she operated the computer, her words flowing freely.
With each of their meetings, their conversations had grown longer and warmer, as if they were no longer strangers but old friends reunited after many years.
"I hope things go smoothly from here on," Lin Han replied with a smile. "That's all I wish for. I won't ask for anything else."
"Mr. Lin, your missions have all been submitted. Next, I'll take you to the advancement site. To help you adapt, shall we use the same place as last time?"
"And everything will be as it was before. Just calm your mind and focus on your power—most people succeed this way."
Lin Han nodded in satisfaction. "Let’s do as you say."
The two of them went to the previous advancement site. With experience, Lin Han stepped in, and the receptionist took her leave.
Lin Han placed two sources of calamity on the ground. Instantly, they soared up, transforming into fine threads of energy that coiled around him.
Countless forces merged into his body, and this time, Lin Han felt it extremely clearly.
This was the power of the source of calamity. After absorbing it, it was as if both sources of calamity exploded simultaneously within him!
Pain flooded every cell of his body; he fell from his seated posture, sprawled flat on the ground.
Agony!
Never in his life had he experienced pain like this.
So this is what it’s like to absorb the source of calamity?

When he first absorbed a single source, he barely felt anything, but now, with two at once, his body was nearing its limit.
If next time he advanced to the fourth rank, he would need three sources of calamity—wouldn’t that pain be enough to kill a person outright?
And after that?
Four sources?
Five?
...
Lin Han dared not imagine further, but suspected the reason for such intense internal conflict was that the two sources were fundamentally different.
If all three were of earthquake calamity, perhaps the process would be gentler?
As he pondered this, the pain in his body gradually faded.
After all, his physical constitution far surpassed others his age, so his endurance was much greater.
All in all, it wasn’t a major problem.
Ordinary priests who lack enhanced strength would never survive absorbing two sources of calamity, so even those of the healing class must constantly train themselves.
Only in this way could they withstand the double bombardment of calamity sources.
No one in the world had ever become a priest of the third advancement.
At this moment, Lin Han understood: for those backed by powerful conglomerates, reaching the third, fourth, or even fifth advancement was not truly difficult.
Lin Han boldly guessed that most chosen individuals died during their second advancement.
This seemed the most reasonable explanation.
The conglomerates likely believed it impossible for an ordinary person to survive the trial of the third advancement, so they gradually withdrew from supporting this path in the market.
Since then, the priest class lost its popularity.
"What terrifying power, but my physical strength far exceeds others. If they think the source of calamity can kill me, they're dreaming!"
Lin Han murmured with a cold smile.

He sat up again, feeling the power of calamity within his body. Now, his cells had been fully activated, and the energy from the two sources of calamity was gradually merging into them.
It was as if, at this moment, all his strength had fused with him.
Lin Han now understood why priests needed the source of calamity.
Priests typically lacked strong bodies; he was an exception. The source of calamity was required to temper the body, to constantly hone oneself.
He had not yet completed his third advancement, but Lin Han already felt his physical attributes rise to a higher level.
After the tempering of two sources, even a simple punch contained the force of calamity.
The effects of the source of calamity were well known—some powerful warriors even purchased it to strengthen their flesh.
Lin Han had even heard of a high-level warrior who absorbed a thunder calamity; after that, every gesture he made carried the force of lightning.
Now, Lin Han instinctively punched out and felt a wave of vibrations.
That was the earthquake calamity!
Moreover, the earthquake calamity he possessed was of an extremely high grade, a treasure among treasures, and its fusion manifested tremendous power.
Within the tremors, he also sensed the force of a hurricane in his fist.
That was the hurricane calamity!
The same disaster that triggered the tsunami before.
His first advancement had used the volcano calamity, but its effect was not to temper his body, but to awaken his abilities.
It was thanks to the bodily tempering of the first advancement that allowed these two calamities to merge successfully into his cells, fully integrating this overwhelming power.
The power of calamity—fusion complete!
Advancement begins: third advancement, Priest of the Sacred Altar!