'Gluttonous Wolf, Abyssal Serpent, Plague Vulture...?'
Listening to Miss Adele's words, Dorothy couldn't help but frown slightly. This was the first time she had heard of other deities within the Fetal Garment Cult, and the first time she had heard of deities from other branches of the Path of the 'Cup' besides the Gluttonous Wolf.
'According to Miss Adele, it seems that every branch path, when developed to its end, can correspond to a deity. The Gluttonous Wolf is the peak of the Treading the Path of the Beast, which primarily follows the 'Cup' and secondarily the'Shadow'. The Abyssal Serpent is the peak of the Wave Path, which primarily follows the 'Cup' and secondarily the 'Light'. The Plague Vulture is the peak of the Plague Path, which primarily follows the 'Cup' and secondarily'Silence'...
'I'm already very familiar with the Gluttonous Wolf's beast branch path. As for this Abyssal Serpent's wave path... it feels like a path for elementalists who control water. I heard before that the 'Cup' cannot be compatible with the'Stone', so it has its own special way of elementalization. Now it seems that the 'Cup' needs to rely on the 'Light' to elementalize? Does some property of the 'Light' catalyze the 'Cup' to express itself elementally? That's really interesting...
'And then there's this Plague Vulture's plague path. From the description, it sounds like an extraordinary branch path that controls plagues and diseases. It seems the types of extraordinary abilities on the Path of the 'Cup' are quite rich too...
'Also worth noting is that the structure of the Fetal Garment Cult seems somewhat similar to the Shining Light Church. If the Cup Mother is placed in the position of the Radiant Savior, then wouldn't the three deities, the Gluttonous Wolf, Abyssal Serpent, and Plague Vulture, correspond to the Three Saints of Light? Both the Radiant Savior and the Cup Mother seem to be pure-colored deities of 'Light' and 'Cup', while the three deities of the Fetal Garment and the Three Saints seem to be mixed-colored deities. In the Shining Light Church, the Radiant Savior is not the main object of worship, and in the Fetal Garment Cult, the Cup Mother is also not the main object of worship because there are no divine oracles, and the objects of worship have mainly become the three deities of the Fetal Garment... Is there some connection in this?'
After hearing Miss Adele's information-rich words, Dorothy thought to herself while organizing the information. Mr. Ed, who was sitting in front of Miss Adele, also fell silent for a while. Miss Adele was not in a hurry. After lighting a cigarette, she began to smoke, watching the man in front of her with a smile. Finally, after a period of silence, Mr. Ed slowly spoke again.
"Thank you very much for your information, Miss Adele. I haven't had much contact with matters concerning the Fetal Garment Cult before. This time I've gained some knowledge."
"It's nothing~ In this secret world, information itself doesn't flow smoothly. Information that is common knowledge for some extraordinary individuals might be unheard of for others. Perhaps some common knowledge you possess, Detective, might be sufficiently new knowledge for me as well~"
Miss Adele said to Mr. Ed, and then, after exhaling a puff of smoke, continued.
"Compared to your lack of clear information about the Fetal Garment Cult, I am more interested in your Spirit Sight processing ability. Although the Spirit Sight attached to that information just now was specially treated by me and wasn't high, your quick recovery to normal was a bit beyond my expectation..."
Miss Adele said this, and it was obvious that the information just now could not have been without Spirit Sight. Dorothy, who had been tricked by Aldrich last time, naturally knew this, so when she was organizing the information, she also made Mr. Ed stare blankly and freeze for a while, giving Miss Adele the illusion that he had been affected by the Spirit Sight.
"As a Detective, collecting and analyzing various kinds of information is of utmost importance, so it's normal to have some readily available Spirit Sight prevention on hand."
Mr. Ed said calmly to Miss Adele, and Miss Adele also smiled and responded after hearing Mr. Ed's words.
"Heh... you really claim to be a Detective at all times, Mr. Ed. Alright, do you have anything else you want to ask now? I don't often owe people favors, so you should make good use of this opportunity."
"Alright, I would like to know more about the Fetal Garment Cult. According to what you said, Miss Adele, the Fetal Garment Cult primarily worships three deities... plus the Cup Mother who has no divine oracles, the structure of the Fetal Garment Cult feels somewhat similar to the Shining Light Church? Is there any reason for this?"
After Mr. Ed finished asking, he waited for Miss Adele's answer. Miss Adele glanced at him after hearing his words, and then replied with a smile.
"Heh... asking me this question seems to think highly of me, Detective. Indeed, the structure of the Fetal Garment Cult and the Shining Light Church are somewhat similar, but as for the specific reason why, that probably involves some secrets between deities, which is not something I can understand at my current level." Holding a cigarette between her two fingers, Miss Adele slowly continued.
"But if you ask me, the similarity between the Shining Light Church and the Fetal Garment Cult is actually very superficial. In essence, these two are worlds apart."
"Although it seems that you feel the structure is somewhat similar, in fact, there are great contradictions between the three major factions of the Fetal Garment Cult. There are often internal conflicts and mutual attacks between the Taiyi Three Teachings. Rather than saying they are three denominations of the Fetal Garment Cult, it is better to say they are three independent Churches."
"The Wolf Blood Society, which believes in the Gluttonous Wolf, the Sea Abyss Church, which believes in the Abyssal Serpent, and the Order of Rot, which believes in the Plague Vulture, are nominally part of the Fetal Garment Cult, but in essence, they are all independent, and no one can control anyone else. In this regard, it is very different from the Shining Light Church. Although the Three Saints of Light have their own factions within the Shining Light Church, they can maintain unity and act in concert to build the Church, which is very different from the Fetal Garment Cult, which is rife with internal strife."
"If the three deities of the Fetal Garment could act in concert, they might be able to confront the Shining Light Church head-on, but unfortunately, this is impossible." Spreading her hands, Miss Adele said this. Listening to Miss Adele's words, Dorothy's understanding of the Fetal Garment Cult deepened. She learned that these deities in the 'Cup' domain seemed to be at odds with each other, and the Fetal Garment Cult in essence seemed more like an empty shell, with the real power and strength residing in the three denominations under its name.
'Looking at it this way, the Shining Light Church is quite united. It seems that it is precisely because of the tacit cooperation between the Three Saints that the Shining Light Church has the largest influence today. I don't know what factors can make the Three Saints so unified. Is it because they are all truly incarnations of the Radiant Savior, essentially one, that they are like this? The three offspring of the Cup Mother of the Fetal Garment next door can even fight among themselves.'
Dorothy thought this in her heart. After thinking for a while longer, she continued to speak to Miss Adele.
"Thank you for your answer, Miss Adele. However, I still have some questions. You mentioned three branch paths within the Path of the 'Cup' before, but your ability to control desire, Miss Adele, doesn't seem to fit with any of these three branch paths. Your branch path is not among those three, is it..."
Dorothy continued to make Mr. Ed ask Miss Adele, and after hearing Mr. Ed's question, Miss Adele smiled slightly and spoke.
"Oh~ you're even asking about my branch path. Asking an Extraordinary about his branch path is a very impolite behavior, just like asking a lady her age, Detective."
"I'm just purely curious. I think the goodwill I showed before was sufficient and won't cause any misunderstanding. If you feel offended, Miss Adele, then I can apologize."
Mr. Ed said in a very polite tone, and Miss Adele flicked the ash from her cigarette into the ashtray, then continued to respond.
"Heh... it's okay, I was just joking. The Detective helped me a lot tonight. How could I refuse such a request to learn more about me? I can tell you, but don't tell the reporters~"
Miss Adele said jokingly, her tone still full of playful meaning. Seeing this scene, the corner of Dorothy's mouth twitched slightly, thinking that this woman wouldn't really want to seduce Mr. Ed, and just as Dorothy was thinking this, Miss Adele spoke again.
"My branch path is the Path of Depravity, which primarily follows the 'Cup' and secondarily 'Qi'. I am currently a Chalk level Desire Dancer. Among all the Extraordinary individuals on the Path of the 'Cup', Extraordinary individuals on my branch path are very rare."
Adele described her branch path to Ed. After hearing this, Dorothy paused slightly in her heart. Although she had expected it, she didn't think it would be true. Adele was an Extraordinary assisting in "enlightenment"!
"Assisting Spirituality for 'enlightenment'? Heh, Miss Adele, I think not only on the Path of the Cup, but even among all Extraordinary, those assisting in 'enlightenment' are quite rare, aren't they?"
Ed spoke. At the same time, Dorothy's heart began to grow eager. One must know that meeting an Extraordinary assisting in "enlightenment" meant it was possible to obtain information about the Xing Shu Xiu Shu Hui (Star Numerology Scripture Society). The Xiu Shu Hui ruins below the King's Campus were told to her by Aldrich, who was primarily "Stone" and assisting in "enlightenment". Now that she had met Adele, she might be able to obtain some important information.
"Indeed... there are not many Extraordinary assisting in 'enlightenment' in the entire hidden world. I was also accidentally guided onto this path by my teacher, and it was also by chance that I embarked on this branch path."
Adele responded. After listening to her words, Dorothy's eyebrows twitched. After noticing the key point in the words, she had Ed speak.
"Miss Adele's teacher? So Miss Adele, you were also guided onto this rare branch path? I wonder what kind of existence your teacher is?"
"It seems Detective is quite interested in my teacher."
"Indeed, I am very interested. To be honest, Miss Adele, the society I belong to is collecting information on all aspects of 'enlightenment' Spirituality. I think a truly experienced Extraordinary assisting in 'enlightenment' is exactly who we need to consult."
Ed said directly. After hearing Ed's words, Adele paused slightly, her expression sinking a little. After a moment of silence, she spoke again.
"I see... If it were in the past, I might have introduced you to her, but now I'm afraid that's not possible. The society 'Joyful Dance Assembly' established by my teacher has been destroyed by the Wolf Blood Society. She has died in the claws of those wolf pups, and I am a remnant of the 'Joyful Dance Assembly'."
Adele said slowly, her tone no longer as flippant as before. After hearing her words, Dorothy's heart also sank slightly.
"I'm sorry to make you mention these, Miss Adele."
"It's alright, Detective, I'm not that fragile. About my teacher... I think I still have some understanding. If you are really interested in her affairs, you can also ask me." Looking at Ed in front of her, Adele said, covering her chest. After a moment of silence, Ed also continued to speak.
"Then allow me to be presumptuous... Miss Adele, may I ask how your teacher embarked on The Path of Depravity? Or rather, where did she find the method to assist with 'enlightenment'?"
"Ah, about that... I'm not very clear either. I heard my teacher say before that the main reason she was able to embark on this branch path was because of a certain opportunity, but she never told me what this opportunity was..."
Adele responded. After hearing her words, Dorothy felt a little disappointed. At this moment, Adele thought for a moment and continued to speak.
"However, for the advancement on The Path of Depravity, my teacher often conducted various studies on her own. These involved a lot of knowledge about 'enlightenment'. For these studies, she once consulted many secret transmission about 'enlightenment', visited many ruins related to 'enlightenment', and left behind a lot of information... I think, if your society, Detective, is also researching 'enlightenment', you will definitely be interested in my teacher's materials."
Tapping her chin, Adele continued to speak. After hearing that her teacher had left behind materials, Dorothy's heart couldn't help but stir, and she immediately controlled Ed to speak.
"Then, where are those materials now? If possible, our side might have an intention to purchase or borrow them."
"That's really unfortunate. My teacher's materials are not in my hands. After the Joyful Dance Assembly was destroyed, almost all the remaining property was seized by the Wolf Blood Society. Now, those materials are probably still in the hands of the Tivian Wolf Blood Society. Detective, if you want to get them, the difficulty might be a bit high...
"Of course, if you, Detective, or the society behind you, want to take action against the Wolf Blood Society for those materials, perhaps we can also help~"
Adele said this to Ed, her eyes containing a hint of unusual brilliance. Dorothy understood the other party's intention at a glance.
'This woman... wants to use the materials as bait to tie me and her together to fight against the Wolf Blood Society? She's quite calculating.'
"If you, Miss Adele, can truly confirm the whereabouts of those materials, even if we are facing the Wolf Blood Society, we will give it a try. Of course, this is on the premise that the information can be clearly and accurately confirmed. We don't want to waste energy on some unfounded matters."
Ed continued to speak. Dorothy's meaning was also very clear: as long as Adele could confirm the whereabouts of those materials, their side would be willing to help them fight against the Wolf Blood Society.
After hearing Ed's words, Adele smiled slightly and replied satisfactorily.
"Since that's the case, we will definitely do our best to search for relevant information and confirm the whereabouts of the materials. But I don't know how I should notify and contact you after the information is collected? Detective?"
Adele asked Ed this question. After hearing this question, Ed paused slightly on the spot, and then opened his mouth to reply.
"You can find us through the White Stone Craftsmen's Guild. You just need to pay a little money and apply to them for letter delivery service."
"White Stone Craftsmen's Guild? Delivering letters? When did those unscrupulous merchants start a new paid service?" After hearing the White Stone Craftsmen's Guild, Adele said with a frown, while Ed replied with a smile.
"It's just recently. They're probably still promoting it now. If you go early, there might even be discounts." Ed said this, and the fact was indeed so. After Dorothy asked Beverly to help anonymously send things to the An Yin Bureau last time, Beverly immediately discovered a business opportunity. As an organization that has contact with various hidden societies, the White Stone Craftsmen's Guild is perfectly capable of being a hidden world post office in addition to being hidden world merchants. Now, the White Stone Craftsmen's Guild has launched a postal service between hidden societies. Even with initial discounts, the price is still considerable.
"Heh... Those unscrupulous merchants always have new tricks when it comes to making money. Alright, if we have news about the materials, we will send you a letter through the White Stone Craftsmen's Guild. However... when sending a letter, you also need to fill in the recipient, right? What should I fill in to get the letter to you?"
Adele continued to ask. At this moment, Ed smiled slightly, straightened his clothes, and replied.
"For the recipient, you can fill in, Rose Cross—Detective."
"Rose Cross..."
Adele murmured the name, seeming to be thinking about something. Just then, the sound of a bell echoed in the room. Turning to look at the standing clock in the room, she saw that the current time displayed was nine thirty, which was exactly when the performance ended.
"It seems the performance has ended, Miss Adele. I should take my leave now. I look forward to the day when we cooperate again."