6 Baptism

After diving into the pool, the first thing Xu Feng felt was a cold sensation erupting throughout his body. It was as if he had gotten frostbite, but even that was an understatement to his current situation.

The icy chill of the water seeped into every pore of Xu Feng's being, sending shivers racing down his spine. 

He had expected the baptism to be intense, but nothing could have prepared him for the sheer magnitude of the sensation coursing through him. 'Damn, those people really aren't exaggerating about this baptism being the same as undergoing hell.'

As he submerged himself deeper, the frigid water seemed to envelop him in its embrace, pulling him into a realm of pure elemental energy. His senses heightened, and Xu Feng could feel every molecule of water swirling around him, each carrying a potent charge of divine power.

With each passing moment, the cold became more intense, bordering on unbearable. Yet, despite the discomfort, Xu Feng remained resolute. He knew that this was a trial he had to endure if he wished to unlock his true potential.

"This little bit of pain is nothing!" He gnashed his teeth, clenched his fist tightly, and continued to endure. 

As the seconds ticked by, Xu Feng's vision began to blur, the edges of his consciousness fading into darkness. 

Soon, he felt as if the world was threatening to consume him, but he fought against it with every fiber of his being, clinging to the hope that this ordeal would soon be over.

Just when he thought he could bear no more, a surge of warmth washed over him, cutting through the icy veil that had enveloped him. It was a sensation, unlike anything he had ever experienced, a pure and radiant energy that filled him with renewed strength and vitality.

'This is…' Xu Feng was astonished inwardly at the sharp change. 

With a gasp, Xu Feng broke the surface of the water, his chest heaving as he gulped in lungfuls of air. He had emerged from the baptismal pool reborn, his body pulsing with newfound power and purpose.

As he stepped out of the pool and onto the sacred ground of the Baptismal Altar, Xu Feng felt a sense of clarity wash over him. He had undergone a transformation, both physically and spiritually, and he knew that he was no longer the same person who had entered the sanctuary mere moments ago.

"I feel like I'm a part of this world now," Xu Feng murmured, having felt his connection with the Divine World had increased tremendously. 

"No wonder those who managed to baptize themselves are so powerful and have such quick reactions. The difference is like heaven and earth." 

Back then, he had scoffed at them and was even somewhat envious of these lucky individuals. After all, who didn't want to become stronger in the Divine World whose influence would soon affect their real world? 

The stronger an individual is in the game, the more influence and power they will gain in the real world. He had attempted to reach such a stage in the past as well, but he was just lacking that little bit.

It was merely that little bit of obstacle he needed to overcome, yet that little bit seemed more massive than the largest mountain. 

"Adventurer, your time is nearly up. Please evacuate the area in due time, otherwise, there will be punishment." 

Xu Feng snapped out of his daze when he heard the Guardian giving him a warning. 

'It didn't feel like many minutes had gone by.' Despite the confusion about how he nearly reached the time limit, Xu Feng quickly tidied his clothes. 

Due to the magical effect of the seemingly ordinary water, his clothes were completely dry, almost as if they had never been soaked before. 

Not trying to test his luck any further, he exited the area and was greeted by the sight of the Guardian.

The Guardian merely gave a glance at Xu Feng before nodding its head. It was clear that the Guardian didn't care whether or not Xu Feng had succeeded in the baptism. The only thing it cared about was the time limit not being crossed. 

Nevertheless, Xu Feng still gave his thanks with the utmost respect. 

"Thank you for the opportunity, Guardian of the Sanctuary." He calmly said and left in a smooth manner. 

As soon as he exited the building, Xu Feng could finally breathe a sigh of relief. It was indeed nerve-wracking to be in the presence of such a formidable being as a mere newbie. 

"There's less than half an hour," Staring at the timer in the sky, Xu Feng didn't realize how much time he had lost for this baptism. 

Although regrettable that he failed to capitalize on the time to its best value, he was still grateful for the opportunity. 

Being thrown into an unexpected location, it was difficult to plan what to do on the spot. Hence, Xu Feng started pondering over what kind of benefits he could gain in the Holy Sanctuary. 

Information revolving around the Holy Sanctuary was limited, and most of the players were a stingy bunch that kept any critical information to themselves. 

Had it not been for some who simply wished to be noticed and gain fame, then he would have been clueless about the baptism. 

"Wait a minute… There should be quite a lot of magical herbs in this sanctuary. If I can snatch some of them, then I can easily concoct a few rare potions." Almost like a bolt of lightning had struck him, Xu Feng suddenly thought about the possibility of stealing some rare magical herbs. 

Normally, the rare magical herbs could only be seen in the latter stages of the game. 

Therefore, the potions that could be concocted in the early stage of the game were considered irrelevant. After all, they were low-level potions with minimal effects. 

Potions that could buff a player's stat were practically non-existent. 

"Hehe, it's time to milk those rich players dry." A creepy smile appeared on Xu Feng's face as he lifted his glasses up a little bit, causing a sharp glint to reflect on the lens.