Chapter 901 - 253: Temple Knight

Su Changxing seemed oblivious as he extended his left hand, grabbing the Blazing White Demon, and slammed it to the ground with a heavy crash.

The flames on the Blazing White Demon dimmed, yet the stone-brick-paved ground showed no sign of damage.

Immediately, a slender scythe appeared in his left hand, slicing down towards the neck of the Blazing White Demon. The blade split the flames, cutting through its body to reveal snow-white flesh and bones emitting a faint white glow, a sacred light.

It’s unimaginable that a Demon could exude such a sacred aura.

Even without using the rules, Su Changxing’s physical attributes and abilities were at the top tier of Tier Five, with strength and physique comparable to a Titan.

The Blazing White Demon’s head was severed, continuing to struggle, while white flames resembling holy light spread outward. Shen Jinxuan and Sean constantly retreated to avoid the white flames.

The flames relentlessly burned Su Changxing’s flesh until stark white bones were exposed, and the flesh regrew.

Given his current physique, even standing here letting the Demon attack him, it was nearly impossible to kill him. Even if he were truly slain, his Immortal ability would be triggered, reviving him once more.

Since rules abilities couldn’t be used in this space, it was even more impossible for anything here to kill him.

But there was still a problem.

Su Changxing also found it extremely difficult to kill this Calamity Level Demon. Even chopping the Blazing White Demon into pieces with the scythe, it could still regenerate and maintain ample life force.

In this space where rules can’t be employed, the great life force of a creature like a demon is particularly terrifying. People of the same tier as a human couldn’t possibly be a match, and could be worn down to their death.

The roaring of the Blazing White Demon continued, with raging flames completely concealing Su Changxing’s figure.

The battle between both sides reached a stalemate.

Even so, Sean found himself greatly shocked, as it was the first time he saw someone openly confronting a Calamity Level Demon. Previously, they had gathered twenty to thirty people to hunt one, relying on mysterious items targeting demons in the Interstice Attic, incurring significant losses.

The rewards obtained were not enough to offset the costs and losses.

Afterwards, they kept their distance from Calamity Level Demons, preferring to avoid them than to hunt them.

Sean watched in fright, ready to flee at any moment. Shen Jinxuan, however, remained calm.

"Are you so sure he can win?" Sean shrank his neck.

Shen Jinxuan thought for a moment, "In my impression, he has never lost."

Su Changxing was fully confident he could take down this troublesome demon. Even if he couldn’t kill it in the usual way, he could corrode it slowly with the plague.

However, this method was too slow, and slowness meant more potential for unforeseen changes. He sought a quicker way to resolve the Calamity Level Demon.

Otherwise, if there were two Calamity Level Demons appearing at once, it would be too much for him to handle.

...

Hero City is the largest city on the Southern Continent, built with one great city surrounded by five smaller ones.

This is also the birthplace of the Housheng Sect. At the time Wodan founded the country, a decisive war took place here, with the Housheng Sect providing significant assistance. Even when religion was later entirely banned, the Housheng Sect remained recognized as legitimate.

Though the plague spread across the Southern Continent, it was well contained here and did not spread throughout the city, as timely measures were taken for internal and external isolation.

The high echelon of the Housheng Sect unanimously agreed that post-plague might be their best time to develop, and indeed it was. The number of believers doubled during this period, and more churches sprang up in various cities across the south.

However.

An unexpected event occurred midway.

A church named the All Beings Sect emerged under the banner of the Empress, rising abruptly. They grasped the method to cure the plague, quickly conquering over ten cities, where all the believers wore white, secretly called "White Demons."

Before Nobu and the others arrived at Hero City, rumors spread like wildfire across the Southern Continent, allegedly claiming the All Beings Sect had released the plague so they had the cure.

No matter how unreliable, if enough people said it and enough people heard it, it might become real.

Apart from the All Beings Sect, more than twenty churches emerged amidst the plague crisis, most ancient and not entirely vanished in time, merely hidden away.

As the believers of the All Beings Sect grew, every other church felt uneasy. Originally jointly dividing the Southern Continent’s bounty, the All Beings Sect now seemed to want it all.

Facing such circumstances, they were unwilling to sit idly by, naturally banding together to jointly oppose the All Beings Sect, led by the Housheng Sect.

Meanwhile,

there was also a surge of church armies, as cities controlled by religions restructured their city armies into church armies for better control.

Real strength is what gives confidence to speak up.

They are indeed afraid of being swallowed by the All Beings Sect.

During the expansion of the All Beings Sect, seven or eight Ancient Churches, both big and small, have already been annexed, many of which had Divine Spirits supporting them.

Yet, any church worth mentioning has Divine Spirit support; some churches share the same Divine Spirit, thus fostering closer relations.

Nobu did not enter the main city of Hero City but stayed in the eastern small city. The main city is the territory of the Housheng Sect, where a large number of believers wearing black iron masks display extreme hostility towards them.

If they were to enter, it could spark conflict at any time.

Nobu paced back and forth in the chapel, a face full of worry, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. A single misstep could lead to war, but they came not to fight but to spread their faith.

"They know that they cannot compete with us solely based on faith, so they would rather start a war," Yifa said coldly, anger evident in his eyes. Just earlier, while walking on the street, they were attacked by assassins, resulting in several deaths.

Nobu stopped and turned to Yifa, asking, "Did we catch those assassins?"

Yifa shook his head, replying, "No, they are all dead. The two that were caught committed suicide with poison hidden in their mouths; they had no intention of living."

Adis, dressed in a gray fur-lined coat, looked up and interjected, "Everyone knows it’s the Housheng Sect’s doing."

Nobu glanced at him, took a deep breath, and said, "The Empress just sent a message from Wodan, hoping we resolve things peacefully, since too many have already died, and conflict escalation is not desired."

Nina, with brown long hair dressed in her Executor uniform, agreed:

"I think the same. If possible, we should avoid war, as too many would die. I believe the Lord wants us to act this way."

Antusen, wearing the same blue and white outfit, glanced sideways at her, with a smile on his lips: "How do you know the Lord doesn’t wish for it?"

Nina frowned slightly: "The Lord is merciful."

Antusen smiled, "Mercy is unnecessary for heretics, don’t you agree, Adis?"

Adis scanned the expressions around him, nodded, and with black pupils looked calmly at Nobu, saying:

"High Priest, I believe we mustn’t hesitate. They have already acted and provoked us like this. If we do nothing, we will appear weak and tarnish the Lord’s glory."

"Those who forsake the Lord should be severely punished!"

Nobu’s expression was indecisive, knowing any decision would have significant impact. Once Adis takes action, war would inevitably break out, leaving no room for maneuver.

Yifa glanced at Adis and spoke up: "The situation indeed has reached an unavoidable point."

Nobu breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly having made a decision, nodding: "That’s indeed the case. Adis, you should prepare, ensure everything goes flawlessly."

How did they arrive at this point step by step?

It seems eliminating the Black Rope Sect sealed this fate.

After leaving Du Lan.

The Holy Maiden Church in Gondo, beside Du Lan, launched a fierce attack upon their arrival, forcing them to suppress it with bloody means.

Though bloody, it was swift. They conquered Gondo faster, beheaded all heretics, and filled the city with believers.

This was proselytism, seemingly another form of war as well.

Upon hearing Nobu say this, Adis calmly nodded: "I will ensure they receive their deserved punishment, this is their due!"

Although joining the church later, Adis has stood alongside the entire large-scale faith expansion since the beginning.

Eight Ancient Churches have fallen.

He cut off the heads of seven Great Sect Leaders with his blade, elevating his status within the church, side by side with Yifa as a Temple Knight.

A not-too-long meeting, yet determining matters affecting the fate of the Southern Continent.

Before the meeting began, Adis had already orchestrated the grand assassination; he intended to have the Pope of Hero City killed in plain view.

Entering the Shadow Knight’s headquarters, here called a chapel, more resembles a military camp, mostly filled with believers in leather armor and black outfits, carrying customized crossbow arrows and firearms, exuding a rugged atmosphere.

Antusen followed from behind, a smile spreading across his previously calm face: "Everything is prepared; it’s time for those beasts to pay the price."

Adis paused, leaning both hands on the wooden table, and looked back: "Are the assassins handled?"

Antusen nodded, with a confused look, asked quietly: "We didn’t need to do this, right? Even if not spoken, I believe the High Priest would agree."

Adis shook his head: "It’s necessary; the High Priest is too indecisive. Missing the optimum timing might render us passive."