My career aspirations have come true.

Chapter 36 Do you believe in God?

The car drove through the densely packed urban area.

The concrete jungle is gradually being replaced by sparse vegetation, and the smooth asphalt roads are turning into bumpy dirt roads, raising clouds of dust.

Not long after, the black car turned onto a weed-covered path and slowly came to a stop at the end of the path.

"We've arrived, get off the bus."

Jiang Lei extinguished the flames and was the first to push open the car door.

Lin Ze followed closely behind, and when he looked up, a dilapidated building came into view.

The walls are mottled and peeling, revealing the gray-brown bricks and stones inside. The open iron gate is covered with rusted dents, and behind the gate, several cement storage tanks with badly peeling paint can be vaguely seen, their bodies covered with dark green vines.

Clearly, this is a long-abandoned cement factory.

Jiang Lei walked in without saying a word, his footsteps making a crisp sound on the gravel.

Lin Ze didn't ask any questions, but simply followed silently, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Abandoned building materials are scattered in the desolate courtyard. The wind blows through the empty space, stirring up dust and withered leaves, carrying a touch of desolate coolness.

The two walked through the courtyard and entered the dusty factory building.

Sunlight streamed in through the broken roof and windows, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Footsteps echoed clearly in the empty space, spreading out in layers.

Jiang Lei stopped and slowly turned around, a hint of surprise finally appearing on his face.

Aren't you even a little bit curious about why I brought you here?

"You'll explain," Lin Ze said calmly, shrugging. "Won't you?"

Jiang Lei gave Lin Ze a deep look and said, "Actually, you've been wary of me for a while now, haven't you?"

Lin Ze did not deny it: "Did I make it too obvious?"

"No, it's not that. I just had a vague intuition before." Jiang Lei shook his head slightly. "But you've been too calm all the way here, as if you had expected it all along, which actually confirms my intuition."

He paused, a hint of inquiry in his voice, "What puzzles me is, if you sensed something was wrong all along, why did you follow me?"

"I'm quite curious," Lin Ze replied casually, then cut to the chase, "Let's get down to business. What's your purpose in bringing me here?"

Jiang Lei raised an eyebrow, but instead of answering directly, he posed a seemingly unrelated question:

"Lin Ze, do you believe in God?"

"Of course," Lin Ze answered matter-of-factly. "Giving human professionals a power system to save human civilization from disaster—isn't that a miracle?"

The existence that can materialize the fictional world he created into a real-world supernatural power system is worthy of being called a god.

A hint of surprise flashed across Jiang Lei's face.

He had asked many people the same question before, and while no one gave a similar answer to Lin Ze, no one spoke with such certainty as he did.

"What you're saying isn't wrong."

Jiang Lei nodded in agreement, then changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat fervent.

"But what I'm talking about isn't this unproven existence, but rather the gods who truly transcend mortals and possess power unimaginable to them."

Lin Ze's expression shifted slightly, and his gaze towards Jiang Lei suddenly became strange.

Seemingly guessing his thoughts, Jiang Lei smiled faintly and continued, "I know you don't believe it, but it is indeed true. The Federation's high command also knows about the existence of the gods, but in order to avoid causing public panic, they have blocked all relevant information. Only we and a very small number of high-ranking legion officers know the inside story."

"You guys?" Lin Ze keenly grasped this key word.

"The Holy Shepherds, that's the name of our denomination."

Jiang Lei's face showed the fanaticism and piety unique to zealots, his emotions surging and passionate.

"The gods have bestowed upon us divine power and given us the noble mission of being shepherds, to manage mortals in place of the gods, and to guide the world toward true order."

Lin Ze chuckled: "From what you're saying, it should be your Holy Pastoral Society, not the federal government, that's in charge of the people now."

Jiang Lei's expression hardened, and his tone turned icy: "That's because the federal government is too foolish and short-sighted. It simply cannot comprehend the greatness of the gods. The day the gods descend will be the day they perish."

He stared intently at Lin Ze, his tone undisguisedly seductive, "The descent of the gods is inevitable, unstoppable, and unchangeable. What we need to do is bring that day closer."

"Lin Ze, you are an orphan with no background or connections. Even if you have good talent, without sufficient resources, it will be difficult for you to go far on the path of a professional, let alone climb to a high position in the legion."

"But as long as you join us and contribute your strength to the gods, when that day truly comes, you will become the gods' agent and gain power and status far beyond your imagination."

"That sounds wonderful." Lin Ze's face showed no emotion. "But I still don't quite understand, what exactly are these gods you're talking about?"

"You'll know once you join the Holy Priests," Jiang Lei said mysteriously.

"Without proof, how can anyone believe you?"

"Of course, it's not just empty talk."

Jiang Lei smiled, slowly extended his right hand, and his eyes held a sense of superiority.

"The gods have endowed us with divine power, allowing us to strip professionals of their power and use it for our own purposes."

"It is because of this divine power that I was able to escape an ordinary life and have my current power and status."

"This is proof that the gods are above mortals, and it is also the power that the gods have given to the shepherds to manage mortals on their behalf."

"You can also master this power if you join us!"

Lin Ze raised an eyebrow, seemingly lost in thought.

He recalled the resume of Jiang Lei that he had seen before.

Jiang Lei joined the army in 2015, but made no achievements until 2011 when he began to stand out. He then made many merits and was promoted to warrant officer and then to leader of Special Operations Group 8.

Based on this, it seems that Jiang Lei most likely joined the Holy Priests around 20.

By supposedly stripping other professionals of their power, their strength increased dramatically, and they gradually rose to prominence.

"So, all the previous members of Group Eight died at your hands?" Lin Ze asked calmly.

Jiang Lei made no attempt to hide anything and frankly admitted, "That's right. Since they refuse to join the Divine Shepherd Society, they can only become the foundation for me to become stronger."

He looked at Lin Ze, a deep look in his eyes, "And you, what do you plan to choose?"

Lin Ze smiled slightly and said, "Of course I refused."

He didn't believe a single word of those bullshit gods.

If someone dares to call himself a god simply because he has the ability to strip professionals of their power, then wouldn't someone who can create multiple clones and hold multiple professions also be considered a god?

Even if what Jiang Lei said was true, Lin Ze had no liking for this kind of mysterious and illegal sect.

He has a bright future in the legion and doesn't want to become a pariah.

After hearing Lin Ze's answer, Jiang Lei stared at him for several seconds before suddenly sighing.

"As expected, you're not the kind of person who's easily persuaded."

"But that's fine too. I didn't really want to recruit you into the organization anyway, since you're a rare and excellent candidate."

Jiang Lei completely tore off his disguise, abandoning his usual gentleness. His expression became ferocious and ruthless, and his gaze towards Lin Ze was filled with greed, as if he were looking at prey that had fallen into a trap.

"I've been eyeing those two excellent-grade skills you have for a long time."

"I'd rather you become the nourishment that makes me stronger than having more companions."

"It's a pity that Tang Wangyan has already set her sights on me. Otherwise, I would have preferred to wait until you've grown stronger before making my move; the gains would have been greater."

Jiang Lei licked his lips, making no attempt to hide the greed in his eyes.

"But so be it. There's always something going to happen if I wait. I'll absorb your power sooner so I can leave Red Lotus City and continue my work under a different identity."

"It sounds like you've got me figured out?"

With a flick of his wrist, Lin Ze conjured a standard-issue longsword in his palm, its blade gleaming with a cold, sharp light in the dappled light.

Jiang Lei also took out his weapon—a dagger that was completely black and gleamed with a cold light, with a hint of eerie dark red at the tip.

"You, a level 2 professional, think you can escape from me?"

Jiang Lei scoffed, his tone full of disdain.

"Don't forget, I'm a Level 4 Shadow Striker."

"Escape? I have no intention of doing that." Lin Ze sneered, his eyes suddenly turning sharp as swords. "I'd rather kill you here."

The moment the words fell, a sharp sword light pierced the air like lightning, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound, heading straight for Jiang Lei's face.

The sharp clang of swords suddenly echoed throughout the abandoned factory.