Chapter 1523: Chapter 169: One Against Three_2
Xi Wen sighed and shook his head, saying no more. The rest of the people showed expressions of concern in their eyes. Quan Yi said disdainfully, "Ignorant of your own limits." Ah Dai didn’t even glance at him and said lightly, "When a person is speaking, please refrain from joining the conversation like a dog."
"You, you dare call me a dog."
Feng Wen, standing next to Xi Wen, said seriously, "Ah Dai, how can you call His Majesty Quan Yi a dog? Isn’t that an insult to that loyal animal?" Looking at Feng Wen’s solemn expression, everyone present burst into laughter, even the Pope couldn’t help but smile, dispelling any previous estrangement with the Tian Gang Sword Sect.
If it weren’t for Byinlog holding him back, Quan Yi might have already rushed forward. While calming Quan Yi, Byinlog said to the Pope, "Since Ah Dai is willing to accept the test, Your Holiness, may we begin?"
The Pope sighed, nodded, and said, "Oh..." He was about to instruct the four Red Robe Priests when he was interrupted.
"Wait a moment." Xuan Yue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. She raised her head, the tear stains on her face gone, glanced faintly at Ah Dai, and said to the Pope, "Your Holiness, as the person involved in this matter, to avoid any suspicion of favoritism, please have someone replace me in testing him."
The Pope nodded and said, "Very well, I will allow you to withdraw from this test. Who is willing to take over Xuan Yue’s position to test Ah Dai?" He turned his gaze to the people on the platform.
Luo Shui stopped Ballon and his son from rushing out and said to the Pope, "Your Holiness, in the Holy Church, the only one whose position is equal to that of a Red Robe Priest is the Judgment Chief."
The Pope frowned, looked deeply at Luo Shui, Luo Shui met the Pope’s deep gaze that seemed to penetrate the soul, her delicate body trembled slightly, and she involuntarily lowered her head. The Pope then turned his gaze to Xuan Yuan, pondered for a moment, and said, "Judgment Chief, are you willing to take over Xuan Yue’s position to test Ah Dai?"
Xuan Yuan’s eyes revealed a complex expression. After a moment, he shook his head and said, "Your Holiness, I am unwilling. As a senior clergy member of the Church, having so many people attack a junior is detrimental to the Church’s reputation. Although he has desecrated the Sky God and insulted the Church today, we, as representatives of justice and spreaders of God’s will, cannot deal with him in such a manner. In my opinion, having three Red Robe Priests conduct the test is already sufficient."
The Pope, not waiting for Luo Shui to oppose, nodded and said, "Very well, what the Judgment Chief says is reasonable. In that case, let Xuan Ye, Mang Siu, and Yu Jian, the three priests, test Ah Dai. Guests, please step back one hundred meters."
With one less Red Robe Priest, Xi Wen felt a bit more at ease, but he still didn’t know whether Ah Dai could withstand the challenge of three top-notch Mages. He glanced anxiously at Ah Dai, and then, along with Larthas, led everyone else to retreat. Quan Yi, while moving back with the crowd, said with schadenfreude, "Going against three Red Robe Priests, I fear he won’t even know how he died." As he was walking, he suddenly tripped over something, losing his balance and falling to the ground with a thud, "Ouch." Quan Yi, whose body had already been worn out by indulgences, felt as though he had fallen apart, crying out in pain. Byinlog was startled; he had sensed a fluctuation of magical energy just now but did not expect it was targeting Quan Yi. Being the State Preceptor of the Empire of Sunset City, his anger flared as he glanced at the guests. The guests all proceeded onwards without a sideways glance; he couldn’t tell who had made a move. These guests, none of whom had a favorable view of the Empire of Sunset City, included several high-level Mages, making it impossible to identify the culprit. Sighing inwardly, he hastened to help Quan Yi up and whispered, "Your Majesty, please be careful."
Quan Yi groaned as he climbed up from the ground, looked at the place where he had tripped, and doubtfully said, "On this flat ground, how could I fall? What the hell is going on?"
The Pope did not pay attention to the events below the platform. He looked at Ah Dai, sighed, and said, "Take care of yourself. Any unrelated clergy members, please step back."
Ballon glared at Ah Dai, his hatred reaching its peak, wishing to tear Ah Dai into pieces to relieve his anger. It was only under the pull of his parents that he reluctantly stepped off the Light Altar.
Xuan Yue lowered her head and followed her mother down the platform. Seeing her disregard him, Ah Dai’s heartache grew colder, thinking, Yue Yue, will you still not forgive me? He knew full well the might of the Red Robe Priests; he wasn’t confident he could withstand their attack for half an hour. Looking at Xuan Yue’s demeanor, his heart grew cold, and he thought to himself, even if I die here today, I will have no regrets, for I have stopped Yue Yue from marrying someone she doesn’t love. At this moment, Ah Dai resolved to fight to the death, cold rays flashed in his eyes, and a chilling aura filled the space around him. Just then, Ah Dai felt a warmth in his palm, as if something had appeared, and he was stunned momentarily. A familiar voice sounded in his heart, "Ah Dai, don’t hurt my father, be careful, I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t forget, Absolute Defense." This voice was so familiar, the caring words warmed Ah Dai’s heart, making him look foolishly at Xuan Yue, who had already left the altar, feeling waves of emotion.
