"In the past two years, the Archbishop of Thunder has invested nearly ten billion in this life science technology company... What's he up to?" Wang Lan asked, looking up from the data on the screen.
"I know about this plan," the Judgement Bishop said after reviewing the information. "Life science technology was an area where God's Country always led the world, but Jade Country has overtaken us in recent years. Thanks to Ms. Wang Qi, they've left us far behind. The Archbishop of Thunder invested heavily, hoping to spark another surge in God's Country's life science technology. There have been some effects, but they aren't very significant."
"Tonight, we'll sneak into his life science company and take a look," Wang Lan decided. He had a hunch that the Archbishop of Thunder was definitely up to something clandestine; that ten billion was certainly not invested merely to stimulate life science development.
Now, the suspicion had almost certainly fallen on the Archbishop of Thunder; all that was lacking was evidence.
「」
The night was deep and silent, yet God's Country was enveloped in a misty Holy Light, rendering it extraordinarily pure and beautiful.
As a research company under the Archbishop of Thunder, its security measures were, of course, very comprehensive. Armed guards patrolled twenty-four hours a day, and the company's interior was fitted with surveillance cameras, detection barriers, and Star Energy Fluctuation sensing technology.
Under such tight security, describing the life science company as impregnable was no exaggeration. But these defenses could only stop ordinary Star Martial Warriors.
Wang Lan was no ordinary person. To an expert of his caliber, such defense and alarm systems were practically non-existent.
Easily, Wang Lan, along with Jiang Xinyu and Yulia, infiltrated the interior of the life science company. He released Xiao Ai, and after patiently waiting for half an hour, Xiao Ai successfully obtained the company's highest level of access.
"Wang Lan, here are the research projects of the life science company over the years," Xiao Ai reported, as a list of projects appeared on the holographic projection screen before Wang Lan.
Each project was a world-class challenge, and each was a money-consuming behemoth.
No wonder such a vast amount of money was invested; compared to the Archbishop of Thunder's ambition, this sum was indeed insufficient. But... all these research projects are legitimate. Could the Archbishop of Thunder really be investing so much purely for the advancement of God's Country's life science technology?
"Check their financial reports. Are there any loopholes?"
"Yes, please wait a moment!"
In about ten minutes, the funds required and expended by each project were all displayed before Wang Lan, matching the funds injected by the Archbishop of Thunder.
"So it seems this life science company doesn't have any issues," Wang Lan mused aloud, scratching his chin. "The Archbishop of Thunder has indeed been staying at the company recently. Could it be... he's become hopelessly addicted to technological research?"
BEEP BEEP BEEP—
The notebook in his hand suddenly lit up. Wang Lan looked up as the holographic projection screen before him displayed a three-dimensional model.
"Wang Lan, I've discovered the blueprints for this research institute! However, there's a significant discrepancy between the architectural plans and the water and electricity layout. Based on my calculations, I've reached a final conclusion and constructed this three-dimensional model. Quick, praise me!"
"You don't need such empty gestures, but you've indeed done an excellent job."
Beneath the entire research institute lay a secret underground chamber of considerable size. Without needing to find an entrance, Wang Lan and the two women sank slowly, as if passing through water, into the ground beneath.
After descending about a hundred meters, they entered an underground chamber enclosed by special materials and protected by a Star Power isolation barrier. Inside the chamber were a dozen or so culture tanks, identical to those found in Martin's home.
Wang Lan, Jiang Xinyu, and Yulia approached one of the tanks. Inside was a girl who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old, an exact replica of Yulia. A nearby display indicated she was sixteen years and eight months old, with a countdown timer showing three hundred hours remaining.
"It seems those two Angels were created this way," Wang Lan said, gazing at the dozen or so culture tanks around them. With a dozen copies at once, they could easily conquer a mid-sized country.
"You're wrong. The two Angels weren't made this way," a voice suddenly interjected. In the silent, empty space, footsteps echoed, and the Archbishop of Thunder, dressed in a red divine robe, slowly emerged from a dark corridor.
The Archbishop of Thunder was very handsome, his black-rimmed glasses lending him an especially scholarly air. When Wang Lan first saw him, he could hardly believe this was a pinnacle expert of the Star Sea Realm. The Archbishop had an academic presence, looking more like a handsome, scholarly uncle presenting at an academic conference than a warrior in battle regalia, wielding a great sword and leading the Holy Knights into a charge.
They say God is fair, but His favor toward the Archbishop of Thunder almost rivaled His favor toward Wang Lan. He already possessed a handsome face that could have provided for him, yet he was also gifted with an intellect ordinary people could hardly fathom. Not only was he handsome and smart, but his Star Martial talent was also so high as to leave others far behind.
The former Pope had even said more than once that if the Archbishop of Thunder hadn't indulged so much in his hobbies, neglecting his ambitions, and had instead spent his research time on cultivation to improve his strength, he might have already stepped into the Star Soul Realm, becoming one of the world's supreme powerhouses.
But for such a genius, one really couldn't ask for too much. Even by dedicating only half or perhaps a third of the time others spent on cultivation, the Archbishop of Thunder's strength rapidly reached a level his contemporaries could only look up to in awe, a height they could never attain.
It is said that theology is the culmination of science, but before touching the realm of theology, a scientist's faith is knowledge. The Archbishop of Thunder was likely the least steadfast in faith among the twelve Bishops. Yet, to become a Bishop, one's faith must be stronger than that of an average person; his was just more easily shaken.
"It really is you!" Yulia exclaimed, her face turning cold as she watched the Archbishop of Thunder emerge from the darkness. "Why did you betray our faith? Why did you frame Mr. Martin?"
"Frame?" The Archbishop of Thunder shook his head. "I didn't frame Martin. To uncover the truth of the Creation Code, he violated doctrine by lending the Genesis Bible to me. He was then caught red-handed by Judgement and killed for resisting. Weren't those his just deserts? I merely allowed this hidden affair to come to light."
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"Why else? We were accomplices. If one was exposed, the other couldn't escape. The best way to keep a secret... is for everyone who knows it to die. Isn't that simple logic? Why even ask?"
"Even now, you show no remorse?" Yulia looked at the Archbishop of Thunder, a faint smile on his lips, and silently shook her head with a sigh.
"Remorse? Why should I feel remorse? What have I done wrong?" The Archbishop of Thunder spread his hands with a laugh. "The God of Heaven has long since fallen, and the seven-day resurrection is an enormous lie. Why should I dedicate my faith to a god who has perished? Lucifer, though he betrayed the Kingdom of Heaven, is the only god who lives on. If we wish to enter Heaven, who else should we believe in, if not him? Should we believe in you, Lady Yulia?"
"You were raised bathing in the Holy Light; how could you harbor such thoughts? Don't you know Lucifer intends to destroy human civilization and turn humans back into beasts?"
"I don't care about those things; I only want to enter Heaven," the Archbishop of Thunder said with a slight smile. "Heaven, that dreamlike place instilled in our minds from the first day I accepted the Church's teachings. A place without troubles, pain, aging, sickness, or death, where all human needs and fantasies can be fulfilled.
"It's a place the God of Heaven uses to entice believers, yet He doesn't allow us to pursue it. I used to think Heaven was only in our hearts. But twenty years ago, the Pope himself summoned Heaven; he even entered it with the Saintess.
"He doesn't want to go to Heaven, nor does he let others enter. He is such a selfish person! I thought I'd never be able to enter Heaven in my lifetime. But two years ago, Lucifer's appearance reignited the spark of hope within me. As long as I offer my soul to Lucifer, when he enters Heaven, I will enter with him.
"Even if you kill me now, my soul will return to Lucifer's side. I haven't discarded my faith; I've merely redirected its target."
"That... Archbishop of Thunder, you must be among the foremost scientists of this era, right?" Wang Lan coughed lightly and asked.
"Naturally. My achievements in life engineering and genetic engineering are no less than those of your aunt, Ms. Wang Qi."
"So, if Lucifer intends to destroy human civilization, he would first need to eliminate those who master scientific and technological knowledge... You seem to fall into that category, don't you?"
"..."
"Don't you think you were a bit rash?"
"It's different. My soul is already entrusted to Lucifer. Once he becomes a true god and gains Divine Might, I will be his subordinate. Once freed from this mortal flesh, I will no longer belong to humankind," the Archbishop of Thunder quickly retorted, regaining his composure.
"Enough. I don't want to debate these useless things with you here. I have just one question: where is Lucifer?"
"I cannot tell you. Mr. Wang Lan, I know you are powerful, and I am aware you are the world's foremost Spiritual Engraving Master. But if you intend to probe my memories, then forget about it. I am also a Bishop who wields authority from the Kingdom of Heaven. I can easily alter memories. Spiritual Engraving is useless against me…"
Suddenly, the Archbishop of Thunder's words ceased, and his body instantly began to distort.
Wang Lan's expression changed dramatically. He quickly unleashed his Divine Might, attempting to lock down the space around the Archbishop of Thunder and drag him out.
"AH—" A bloodcurdling scream tore through the air as blood exploded into a mist. The Archbishop of Thunder vanished, and a severed, bloody arm fell from the void.
"Was that Lucifer?" Yulia asked, moving to Wang Lan's side.
"Who else but him could snatch someone away from right under our noses without even showing his face? It seems Lucifer has come to God's Country too."
"Let's go. We need to report back to the Pope."
「」
The three returned to the Pope's Palace, where the Pope was already waiting anxiously.
"Since the Archbishop of Thunder has already offered his soul to Lucifer, this means it's Lucifer, not the Archbishop, who wants to find Heaven," the Pope concluded after Wang Lan and Yulia shared their deductions. "According to the Genesis Bible, only by obtaining Divine Might can one become a true deity, and the Divine Might of the God of Heaven resides within Heaven. Therefore, Lucifer's next step is to achieve godhood."
