Chapter 1597: Chapter 185: Dark Saint Invasion_4
The Pope sighed lightly and smiled at Xuan Yue and Ah Dai, saying, "It’s good to return, grandfather is fine. It’s just that the continent is chaotic now, all forces are in a precarious state, the situation is not good!"
Ah Dai said, "Grandfather Pope, actually this isn’t all bad. Rather than letting those traitors hide in the dark, it’s better they are exposed like this. Although things are a bit chaotic for now, it’s beneficial to our future action towards the Death Mountains. I wonder how the losses of various forces are now, whether any leaders have been assassinated because..."
The Pope said, "The losses are quite significant, like the Continental Mage Guild with two elders betraying us, though they were eventually eliminated, two elders died in the unexpected attack. The Guild’s powerful ones lost almost half their strength. You must know, when dealing with the Dark Forces, powerful ones are the most important. Hm? Listening to your words, you’ve confirmed the Church of the Dark Saint is indeed in the Death Mountains?"
Ah Dai nodded and said, "Basically it’s confirmed, it’s like this..." Then, he concisely recounted the events of everyone heading to the Death Mountains to inquire the whereabouts of the Church of the Dark Saint’s headquarters.
After listening to Ah Dai’s recount, the light in the Pope’s eyes flashed continuously, finally having received definite news of the enemy, even his cultivation couldn’t help but show an excited expression, "Good, you did well this time. As long as the target is clear, it’s much easier to handle."
Ah Dai said, "Grandfather Pope, what about the other forces, are there other damages? How is the Tian Gang Sword Sect?"
The Pope said, "The Tian Gang Sword Sect is extremely strict in accepting disciples, and many are direct lineage of senior disciples, so there haven’t been any traitors reported. As for other forces, all have suffered varying degrees of damage. Larthas, the Magician of the Empire of Sunset City, was injured, though it’s said the injuries aren’t severe. King Quan Yi now fears assassination and has deployed the army to guard around Sunset City, causing panic in the Empire of Sunset City. The King of the Empire of Tian Jing was assassinated, lost many experts before the assassin was completely eradicated, now with Magician Larthas personally stationed at the royal palace, not daring to relax at all. Those Dark Forces are pervasive, almost all forces have been subjected to varying degrees of attack. This has made the continent very tense, I once sent clergy to contact various sides, not counting the Empire of Sunset City. Even those forces which made an agreement with us last time in the court all responded waiting for accurate news, unwilling to dispatch elite forces to the court early. Sigh—, they are so shortsighted, they may delay our final decisive battle with the Church of the Dark Saint! You know, giving them an extra day means an increased chance of success for the Church of the Dark Saint. Once the entrance to the Demon Realm is opened, it will cause immeasurable losses. Fortunately, you timely brought accurate news back, now it’s January 999, we still have time."
Ah Dai nodded solemnly, saying, "Brother Yan Shi and the others have already returned to their respective forces. I think all those supporting us this time should not hesitate anymore, after all, they should know the threat of the Church of the Dark Saint."
The Pope turned to Xuan Ye and commanded, "Ye’er, immediately pass my orders, dispatch the most elite subordinates to various forces, invite them to immediately lead elite forces to the court. We must gather forces in the shortest time to fight a decisive battle with the Church of the Dark Saint. At the same time, notify all clergy to intensively train, ready to be dispatched anytime."
Xuan Ye went after taking command. The Pope turned to Ah Dai and said, "Previously you said you wanted to return to the Tian Gang Sword Sect once, but haven’t gone yet."
Ah Dai nodded and said, "There’s nothing to hide now. The main reason I want to return to the Tian Gang Sword Sect is to participate in the twenty-yearly Four Sword Saints competition."
The Pope was taken aback, "Four Sword Saints competition? What’s going on?"
At that moment, Ah Dai explained the competition rules previously set by the Four Sword Saints, "...Grandfather Pope, actually, my master Sword Saint of the Tian Gang has passed away. I’m returning to the Tian Gang Sword Sect to represent him in this competition. This is extremely important to our Tian Gang Sword Sect. I have reported the matters of the Church of the Dark Saint clearly to you. Tian Gang Mountain is very close to the court, rest assured, once the competition ends, I will immediately lead the people of the Tian Gang Sword Sect to meet up with you. It should not delay our trip to the Death Mountains."
The Pope showed a trace of sadness, murmuring, "Sword Saint of the Tian Gang, he, he has passed away? Unexpectedly, after parting years ago, it has become a final farewell. In the continent, he’s also the only person I admired. Sigh— years ago defeated by Sword Saint of the Tian Gang, the Pope has harbored this feeling, although his strength improved rapidly after taking office as Pope, due to the burdens of court affairs, he always lacked the opportunity to compete with Sword Saint of the Tian Gang again. Now hearing that the only opponent considered has passed away, it’s inevitable that he feels a bit of wistfulness.
Tears flashed in Ah Dai’s eyes, as if the shadow of his master appeared before him again, he took a deep breath and said firmly, "Grandfather Pope, I definitely won’t lose in this Four Sword Saints competition. I won’t let down Master’s expectations for me. The other three Sword Saints are also top figures of the continent, I will try my best to persuade them to join us as the strongest support for our journey to Death Mountains. This side depends on you, time is tight, I think I’ll return to the Tian Gang Sword Sect and prepare."
