Chapter 1544: Chapter 174: Immortal Undead
As they walked towards the temple, Ah Dai said in a low voice, "It’s all my fault, bringing you so much trouble, even your own people in the church..."
Xuan Yue replied sadly, "How can you blame yourself? It’s all just fate playing tricks on us. Brother Ba Buyi is truly pitiful. I don’t care how others see me; as long as you treat me well, that’s enough. Anyway, we’re about to leave the church and head to the Death Mountain Range. Perhaps all these troubles will be left behind." As she spoke, they had already reached the center of the main hall of the Temple of Light. Representatives of various forces had long been gathered there. In front of the many elders, Ah Dai no longer felt comfortable holding Xuan Yue’s hand. He stepped forward, bowed to the Pope at the front beneath the Angel Statue, and said, "Ah Dai greets the Pope." Turning around, he also bowed to the emissaries, saying, "Greetings to all respected elders."
The Pope smiled slightly and said, "Savior, there is no need for formalities. I heard from Priestess Xuan Yue that your power has been restored, is that so?"
Ah Dai nodded and said, "Thank you, Pope, for your concern. My injuries have fully healed, and my powers have returned to normal. Everything before was Ah Dai’s fault. Please forgive me, Pope."
The Pope said, "Since it’s already in the past, let’s not mention it again." At this time, Xuan Yue had already walked to the Pope’s side and stood respectfully there with the other three Red Robe Priests. The Pope continued, "I asked Priestess Xuan Yue to bring you here mainly to discuss the issue of the dark forces. Priestess Xuan Yue should have already talked to you, right? Are you willing to represent humanity in searching for the whereabouts of the dark forces?"
Ah Dai firmly nodded and said, "I am willing, Pope. For the peace of the continent, for everyone to live a calm and peaceful life, I am willing to find the lair of the dark forces."
The Pope smiled and said, "Ah Dai, you can be said to be the one everyone trusts! These elders present have all recommended you as the leader of the expedition to Death Mountain Range. We believe that since you are the Savior, you can lead humanity out of difficulty, thoroughly sweep the darkness off the continent, and let light always shine upon the world. Those who will accompany you have already been decided. They are Priestess Xuan Yue of the church, Yan Shi and Yan Li from the Pu Yan Clan, Elf Envoy Zhuo Yun from the Elf Clan, Kino Magician from the Tian Jin Mage Guild, and Olivia Magician from the Continental Mage Guild. These should all be familiar friends of yours. I hope you all can find out the accurate situation of the dark forces and report back using the shortest time possible. Upon confirmation, the church will unite the four nations on the continent to mobilize the most elite warriors and magicians to thoroughly exterminate the source of the dark forces. Do you have any opinions on this?"
Ah Dai said, "Pope, I think the trip to Death Mountain Range is quite dangerous, so fewer people going might be better. It should just be Priestess Xuan Yue and me."
The Pope was taken aback and smiled, "I know you are concerned about the safety of these friends. Don’t worry; I’ve already prepared thoroughly. Priestess Xuan Yue will inform you when the time comes. They have to go because they represent the various forces on the continent. Only by seeing it with their own eyes can they make everyone believe in the threat brought by the dark forces."
Ah Dai looked at Xuan Yue, and Xuan Yue nodded at him, indicating that the Pope was speaking the truth. "Pope, I am duty-bound in this action. However, regardless of whether we truly find the lair of the dark forces, I must return to the Tian Gang Sword Sect within three months because of an important matter awaiting me. I hope you can understand."
The Pope frowned and said, "What could be more important than finding the whereabouts of the dark forces? But three months should be sufficient. Ah Dai, you should know that now there’s only a little over a year left until the millennium of the sacred calendar. To strive to eliminate the dark forces early, we must seize all available time."
Ah Dai nodded and said, "Pope, rest assured. My return to Tian Gang Mountains is indeed to enhance our strength against the dark forces. But for now, I can’t say what specifically I’ll do. Please forgive me." Among those present, only Xi Wen and Xuan Yue know that what Ah Dai refers to is the once-in-twenty-years competition of the four Sword Saints.
The Pope nodded and said, "Alright then. Tomorrow morning, you will set off. After the meeting here disperses, those of you representing various forces who are going to investigate Death Mountain Range please stay; I have instructions for you."
Ah Dai agreed and retreated to the side. The Pope addressed everyone, "According to the church’s records, when the blood-red sun hangs in the sky, calamity will emerge, and when blood rain falls upon the world, disaster shall ensue. Some years ago, the blood-red sun appeared once. That time, I united all the priests in the church, exerted all my strength, and managed to postpone the arrival of that calamity, but when the blood-red sun appears a second time, it may not be so easily dealt with. You are all humans living on the Tian Yuan Continent; everything that needed to be said has already been spoken. I hope you can set aside all previous grudges and unite together with the goal of eliminating the dark forces."
Xi Wen nodded and said, "The Pope is right. We must unite not only for ourselves but also for our descendants who will continue the generations. I represent the Tian Gang Sword Sect in announcing full support for the church’s fight against the dark forces, and we will not retreat. Today, I shall immediately return to Tian Gang Mountains to await the church’s news."
