Chapter 18: Divine Power
The Lord's Train traveled across the pitch-black wilderness when suddenly, an impact struck.
Boom!
Even though the Lord's Train was moving through an alternate space, it shuddered violently, knocked back into the main space, causing the train to decelerate until it came to a complete stop.
Inside the train's bedroom, Su Xiao, who had been resting, opened his eyes.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang barked, then yawned, indicating that all the train's wheels were entangled by a thread-like substance.
Su Xiao and Bubu Wang disembarked. Bahamut stayed in the carriage bedroom to watch over Amu. Exploration Leader Afiya also got off with Su Xiao.
"It's spreading again."
Afiya looked at the surrounding area, which resembled an ocean of black threads, sighed, and called out to the train:
"Charles, aren't you coming to see Gansaru?"
No one on the train answered. Hearing this, Afiya sighed and introduced to Su Xiao and the others:
"This is the ruins of Ancient Dragon City. Not long ago, it was still... a fairly prosperous sanctuary city. Though not as grand as Doan, it was home to many. But under the instigation of Scorpion Lady and a few trusted subordinates, Ancient Dragon City fell into internal strife. Not long ago, this sanctuary city was destroyed. Strangely, the Dark Bishop of Ancient Dragon City mysteriously vanished at the time. If he had been there, the city might have had a chance."
Hearing Afiya's words, Su Xiao considered a possibility. As the leader of a city, to suddenly disappear when there was still some hope—that was quite telling.
Combined with the identity of a Dark Bishop, Su Xiao suddenly thought of someone—one of his enemies, the Archbishop of the Abyss. That individual could instantly possess and resurrect any world's Dark Bishop.
If the Archbishop of the Abyss had replaced the Dark Bishop of Ancient Dragon City, everything made sense. Su Xiao didn't believe that the Archbishop of the Abyss, once a mortal enemy of the Law Destruction Faction, had no ties with the Abyss Descendants. In that case, allowing the Abyss Descendants to destroy Ancient Dragon City was clearly doing an old acquaintance a favor. Why not?
...
Elf Kingdom: Old Dragon Church Original Site. This place had turned into a lake spanning several hundred kilometers. Two figures—one burly, one slender—stood on the water's surface. The slender figure kicked the base of a towering, woody growth in front of her and asked:
"So, this is your old friend? To be honest, your friend doesn't look very lively."
Demon Scythe: Aina stood with her hands on her hips, slightly hunched forward as if casually observing. She wore her usual outfit: a chest wrap, a loose white shirt with no buttons open, and ultra-short shorts.
Admittedly, Demon Scythe: Aina was breathtakingly beautiful, enough to make one's breath catch. However, her figure was slender and very flat—the kind that, despite possessing a peerless face, inspired no impure thoughts whatsoever.
"Archbishop, your friend doesn't seem to like talking much."
Demon Scythe: Aina lightly kicked the woody structure in front of her with her right foot and said, "Hey, buddy, wake up. How can you sleep like you're dead?"
"He is dead."
The Archbishop of the Abyss spoke through gritted teeth.
"Huh? Dead? I thought this was a new form of the Abyss Descendants. Damn, I was just marveling to myself—impressive how one of Dukain's three councilors can sleep like he's completely dead. Truly amazing."
Hearing this, the Archbishop of the Abyss was even more speechless. He simply couldn't be on the same communication wavelength as Demon Scythe: Aina.
"So, what do we do now?"
Demon Scythe: Aina grinned cheekily as she stepped forward and poked the woody structure with her finger. Suddenly, she noticed something, and her grin vanished.
"A Technique Grandmaster, huh."
Demon Scythe: Aina clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and murmured softly, "May you rest in peace."
After saying this, her expression returned to normal. This was Aina—a bundle of contradictions. She never respected others, but she respected those who pursued ultimate power and those who fell on that path, because she was one of them. Or rather, Demon Scythe: Aina didn't respect power itself; she respected unyielding and steadfast will.
"We're taking the Beast Lord's weapon."
As the Archbishop of the Abyss spoke, darkness spread, attempting to pull the Beast Lord's Abyss weapon, "Chi Sha," from the woody corpse of the Beast Lord.
"Try moving it. Go ahead."
Demon Scythe: Aina grinned widely, deliberately squinting one eye larger than the other as she looked askance at the Archbishop of the Abyss.
"What's wrong with you?"
The Archbishop of the Abyss frowned at Demon Scythe: Aina. He didn't doubt that if he continued to touch "Chi Sha," this crazy woman would suddenly attack and settle things with him right here. He asked:
"Were you and the Beast Lord old acquaintances?"
"Not at all."
"Then why—"
"No reason. I just don't like it. If I don't like something, I destroy it. Besides, the Technique Grandmaster who defeated it didn't take its weapon. What right do you have to take it? The one who left this weapon called 'Chi Sha' behind intended it as a tombstone for its master. And you, an old friend, want to take it? Too ugly. Heh—pfft!"
Demon Scythe: Aina's string of mockery left the Archbishop of the Abyss speechless. He turned and walked away.
"Hey, Archbishop, you're too petty. I just said a few words. I apologize, I apologize. So, where to next?"
Demon Scythe: Aina quickly caught up. Before leaving, she waved back at the Beast Lord's grave. In truth, she was bidding farewell to "Chi Sha." The dark aura on "Chi Sha" fluctuated slightly, as if responding.
The Archbishop of the Abyss, walking ahead, couldn't be bothered to look back at Demon Scythe: Aina. He merely replied perfunctorily:
"To find another old friend."
"Who?"
"Another Dukain family councilor, the ruler of Corrupt Royal City, the Twin King."
"Oh, I see. By the way, this one better not be dead too."
"Shut your crow's mouth."
The Archbishop of the Abyss said this, then calmed his emotions—he was irritated by Demon Scythe: Aina. The two, one tall and one short, walked side by side across the lake, soon disappearing into the distant mist.
Meanwhile.
"So, our next target is the Twin King of Corrupt Royal City?"
Afiya used a device made by Bubu Wang to clean the black thread-like substance from the train's wheels. This stuff was both tough and sticky like a liquid, making it hard to clean. It wasn't impossible to force through, but it would damage the Lord's Train.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang suddenly barked, meaning someone was hiding nearby.
Boom!
Blood energy erupted from Su Xiao as the epicenter. A hundred meters away, a woman in a black, intricate, long dress with black hair trailing past her knees and black cloth wrapped around her eyes suddenly appeared. Her demeanor was composed, and despite being blindfolded, she seemed to look at the ruins of Ancient Dragon City.
Dark Bishop: Charles frowned as he observed the black-dressed woman. After a few seconds, his pupils contracted slightly. "Ancient Dragon City's Dark Saintess: Sifreya!"
Hearing this, Afiya and the Pain Priest both looked solemn. They had clearly heard of the Dark Saintess's fearsome reputation. The two quietly sensed her aura—it was... like an ordinary person.
Realizing this, they grew even more wary. In this world ravaged by the Abyss, those who seemed weak were the most dangerous. Those who felt weak to the senses were dangerous to the extreme.
"..."
Su Xiao frowned at the Dark Saintess. He was puzzled by the solemnity of the three from the sanctuary city. For some reason, he felt that this Dark Saintess was just a person of low to mid-tier constitution. He looked at Bubu Wang, who sent detection data. The Dark Saintess was indeed not an ordinary person.
Or rather, in terms of combat power, the Dark Saintess was at an ordinary person's level, but she possessed a skill that was astonishing:
"Dark Sun Healing Art, Lv. 98 (Passive): Can use specific tools, herbal preparations, etc., to perform high-tier healing effects."
The value of this ability was incredibly high. To put it simply, it was useless during battle. But after a fight, when the outcome was decided—even if someone was on the verge of death, with only a breath left, beyond the help of high-tier healing potions—the Dark Saintess could sustain their life, gradually heal them, and even restore them to peak condition.
Physicians and healers were two different professions. The Dark Saintess was the strongest physician Su Xiao had ever seen, bar none. His thought was: if he could have the Dark Woman bring Sifreya to the Gray Sanctuary in Eternal Light World, it would not only be a huge guarantee for the people there but also add a top-tier physician to their side.
Su Xiao glanced at Bahamut, who understood instantly.
"Your cruelty is known in Doan."
Dark Bishop: Charles spoke. Hearing this, Sifreya only smiled gently, but her inner thoughts were:
"Oh my god, another Dark Bishop. I'm doomed."
Dark Saintess: Sifreya was a core member of Ancient Dragon City's Dark God Cult, known for her smiling cruelty and cold-bloodedness. It was said she once imprisoned someone who disrespected her in a narrow metal jar filled with rotting maggots, letting them be eaten alive for years before they died in despair. Moreover, her personal servants were replaced monthly, all tortured to death by her.
She even had a basement of torture instruments, with over a thousand types she cherished. She loved hearing the screams of intelligent races. The room was filled with collected body parts from her victims, each display representing someone who had suffered cruel torture.
Others' pain brought Sifreya joy; death was her seasoning of life.
Was this really true? Of course not. Sifreya had been forcibly brought to this world. In her homeland, she was an innocent, lively duke's daughter, doted on by everyone. Until one day, members of the Dark God Cult in her city discovered her healing talent. At the time, the Dark Bishop of Ancient Dragon City was in that world for an important transaction.
Sifreya was abducted to Ancient Dragon City in this world, forced to join the Dark God Cult. When first taken, she cried every day, feeling terribly wronged. She was forced to learn a skill called "Dark Sun Healing Art." Every time she said the knowledge was simple, her temporary teacher hit her harder with a bone rod. But really, it was so simple.
As for her servants being replaced monthly, that was the work of one of Ancient Dragon City's Dark God Cult high-ranking members, Skeletal Bishop: Gansaru. He was a perverted murder addict who felt like he hadn't eaten if he didn't see blood every day. Since Sifreya was a crying coward, Gansaru simply pinned the blame on her—after all, they were her servants.
When the even more psychologically twisted Heresy Inquisitor: Diana discovered this, she was inwardly excited. Soon, the basement of Sifreya's residence was gradually expanded and remodeled.
Sifreya didn't know that some of the injured sent to her daily had been tortured by Heresy Inquisitor: Diana. The more difficult wounds made Sifreya's healing ability skyrocket.
As for what kind of person this "Smiling Death" of Ancient Dragon City, Sifreya, really was—well, the boldest thing she had ever done was go to the market to buy slaughtered chickens and ducks. Why not buy cheaper live ones? Because she didn't dare kill them. She was always crying and pitiful, so the servants in her closed-off estate ignored her, sometimes even withholding meals.
Skeletal Bishop: Gansaru pretended not to see this. Why punish a bunch of dead people? Besides, he didn't like this crying coward. If not for the Dark Bishop's orders, he would have long since tormented this tearful weakling.
Sifreya had three main traits: she cried easily, she was a scapegoat, and she loved small animals. As for how much she loved them—she couldn't go a meal without them. Yes, this noble lady had a bit of a greedy mouth, but that wasn't really a flaw.
Though Sifreya had no combat power, her healing ability allowed her to roughly gauge the strength of those nearby.
She looked at the three strong ones from Sanctuary City: Doan. This nearly made Sifreya, known as the Smiling Death, lose her smile and the cruelty in her eyes. But she quickly calmed down—after all, Ancient Dragon City had once had supreme powerhouses.
She shifted her gaze to Su Xiao and Black Leech. Sifreya almost cried out loud. What was with today? Everyone she met was a supreme powerhouse. This world was so dangerous. She regretted leaving that dark cave, but hiding inside was so hungry.
Sifreya had an idea. She guessed these people were likely from another sanctuary city, Doan. If she could blend in there, with her existing fearsome reputation, wouldn't her future be amazing? Wouldn't she get three full meals a day?
Sifreya decided: blend into Sanctuary City: Doan, pretend to live in seclusion, but actually become a slacker. At most, she would help the residents with injuries and illnesses. Treatment could be free, but patients had to bring their own herbs!
"I understand, Miss Sifreya. You appeared now to take revenge on the Dukain family, right?"
Dark Bishop: Charles spoke. Hearing this, Sifreya was inwardly confused. Dukain family? Never heard of them. But it seemed that not answering yes might cause her persona's prestige to plummet. She said:
"Everyone must pay for what they've done, isn't that right?"
"Understood."
Dark Bishop: Charles continued repairing the train. Afiya smiled and extended her hand, saying:
"Welcome to our team, Smiling Death, Miss Sifreya. But you'll need to temporarily suppress your cruel desires. Or perhaps catch a dark creature to let off some steam?"
Afiya's words made Sifreya's heart tighten. She calmly shook her head and said softly, "No need."
With that, Sifreya boarded the train. To maintain her persona, she didn't dare look around too much. But when she sat down on a single luxury seat, she almost let tears spill. This seat was so comfortable.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang controlled Little Bu to deliver a piece of cake. Seeing the beautifully crafted, fragrant cake, Sifreya really wanted a bite. But to keep up her persona in front of this obviously dangerous team—like a pack of wolves—she had to refuse, as this food didn't fit her image.
"One should always try new things. Or are you afraid we poisoned it?"
Hearing this, Sifreya's hand, which was about to push the cake away, paused. She glanced casually at Bahamut, then picked up the utensils, pretending to be displeased. In truth, she was nearly crying inside, thinking, 'You big bald bird, you're so kind!'
If Bahamut knew her thoughts, he would definitely unleash a stream of profanity.
After cleaning the Lord's Train, everyone reboarded. Su Xiao didn't get on. Instead, he looked toward the thick darkness to the south. He could sense a powerful and massive Abyss entity there, partially revealing its body. It bore no ill will.
It must have been this entity that stopped the Lord's Train, even altering the flow of alternate space to bring the train here and pick up Sifreya.
Su Xiao nodded toward the darkness. He vaguely guessed who that entity was.
In response to Su Xiao's nod, ripples appeared in the darkness. After a moment, the powerful and massive entity gradually faded, returning to the Abyss.
The Lord's Train started, heading toward the sanctuary city.
When they returned to Sanctuary City, it was already the next morning. The city was still dim.
Su Xiao returned to his temporary residence on the sixth floor of the Gloomy Grand Cathedral. He had just sat down to enjoy breakfast when he felt a ray of early morning sunlight gradually illuminate the window. Going to the window, he saw that atop the thousand-meter torch tower in the central square of Sanctuary City, the [Flame Core] had been initially lit.
It seemed Dark Bishop: Charles and the others had thoroughly studied the [Flame Core] and discovered that activating it to different degrees could mimic the early morning sun, the midday blaze, and the evening twilight glow.
In the past, the central torch tower of Sanctuary City was only lit for five days a year, each time for different festivals. But from today onward, for the next two eras, Sanctuary City: Doan would bask in sunlight every day.
Why hadn't Charles and the others used the [Flame Core] when Su Xiao first presented it? The answer was simple: they wanted to but dared not. This concerned the entire sanctuary city. Logically, they would have observed Su Xiao for over a decade before even considering using it.
But now, only a few days had passed. Why did the three supreme powerhouses of Sanctuary City trust Su Xiao so much? The reason was simple: in just a few days, Su Xiao, as a Law Destroyer, had first slain the Beast Lord and then forged an irreconcilable blood feud with Scorpion Lady.
If, under these circumstances, they still hesitated over the [Flame Core] Su Xiao provided, then the three supreme powerhouses of Sanctuary City would be cowardly indeed. Compared to the benefits, the risks they now bore were negligible.
The morning sunlight streaming into the windows of buildings naturally caught the attention of all Doan residents. Though this was an isolated sanctuary city, it had a population of several hundred thousand. After the fall of Ancient Dragon City, Doan was the last hope for the world's living beings.
One by one, Doan residents walked out of their homes, dazed, standing on the streets. They looked at the pale morning light radiating from the central torch tower. A feeling deep in their blood told them this was safe—the light of hope they had always longed for.
On streets filled with Doan residents, many unknowingly shed tears. The damp, cold air of this sanctuary city, with its strange musty smell, seemed to have cleared a bit.
Why were Charles and the others so eager to activate the [Flame Core]? The reason was that Sanctuary City: Doan actually had plenty of vacant land. It lacked food. In the past, too many people starved, leaving more land. Now, with light, there was a chance for planting.
As for obtaining food with huge hidden dangers through dark abilities like "Farmers" and "Livestock Masters," as Ancient Dragon City did—Ancient Dragon City's fate said it all.
[Tip: You have brought hope to Sanctuary City: Doan.]
[You have gained 195,000 Sanctuary City Reputation.]
[Tip: Since "Sanctuary City Reputation" and "World Source" are fundamentally different, there is a cap for "World Evaluation" settlement, i.e., a maximum of 200,000 Sanctuary City Reputation can be included in the final world evaluation settlement.]
[As the provider of Sanctuary City's light of hope and the holder of notarization level, for each subsequent natural day that the [Flame Core] is activated during daylight, you will receive a corresponding amount of Sanctuary City Reputation based on the happiness level of Sanctuary City: Doan's residents.]
[Current happiness level of Sanctuary City: Doan's residents: 20/100 points.]
[You can gain 10,000 Sanctuary City Reputation per natural day.]
...
Su Xiao had long anticipated that "Sanctuary City Reputation" had a cap for world settlement. However, he needed to amass a massive amount of it for the top prize on the leaderboard notarized by the Void Tree this time.
The Ancient Dragon Kingdom wasn't opened every world progression; it was only opened once every several progressions. Coupled with the special circumstances of this world, the top prize on the reputation leaderboard this time was ten or even dozens of times greater than that of other supreme-level world leaderboards.
Su Xiao checked the reputation rewards corresponding to the happiness level of Sanctuary City: Doan's residents. He found that happiness increased in increments of 10 points, each tier a step up. At 10 happiness, it was 5,000 reputation per day. At 20 happiness, it was 10,000 per day.
By this logic, at 30 happiness, it would be 20,000 per day. If it reached the maximum of 100 happiness, it would be 2.84 million Sanctuary City Reputation per day. Of course, there was another calculation method, but that was not considered for now.
He glanced at the top of the leaderboard. Soul Master had 3.57 million reputation—no, it was already 4.19 million. That guy certainly had means.
As for how to raise the happiness of Sanctuary City: Doan's residents, Su Xiao had some experience. First, the residents had lived in darkness for a long time, suffering hunger and disease. So, gradual improvement wouldn't work.
The best approach was a single explosive boost, pushing happiness directly to 100 points. Even if it gradually declined a few days later due to human nature's endless desires, those few days of 2.84 million reputation per day would be enough to give Soul Master a run for his money.
The first issue to solve was the sanctuary city's food problem. Su Xiao's strategy was to trick... ahem, recruit the Insect Queen: Silver Queen into cooperation. Using the insect race's powerful biological genetics, she could build insect nest organs to cultivate fresh meat from livestock and poultry. For an insect race mother queen, this was no challenge.
Su Xiao planned to have Dark Bishop: Charles take full responsibility for this. As for the risk of attracting Silver Queen—please, don't be ridiculous. This world was heavily invaded by the Abyss. Would Silver Queen be crazy enough to try mass-producing troops here?
Moreover, this was for Sanctuary City: Doan. Dark Bishop: Charles might seem cunning and unserious, but for this matter, he would give 120% effort even if he only had 100%.
The plan gradually took shape. Su Xiao had other things to do. He needed to go to the third kingdom ruled by the Dukain family, the "Corrupt Royal City" at the end of darkness.
Additionally, Su Xiao had the "Side Mission: Ancient Divine Power."
[Mission Brief: Kill the four Heavenly Gods of the Pantheon (after accepting this mission, you can sense the location of the four Heavenly Gods once per natural day).]
The target area for this mission was also over there. This involved hundreds, or even more, Golden Skill Points.