Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 320: Holy Gift, Level II Authority!
Why did the Saint come here? ... Luo Xiu thought to himself as he arrived before the thrones of Archbishop Sid and Saint Franya.

He did not look directly at Saint Franya, but just glanced at her general image out of the corner of his eye.

She was wearing a pure white cloak, and her snow-white hair fell down on both sides of her cheeks, fluttering gently; she sat in a dignified and peaceful posture, with her hands folded on her knees, like the most exquisite doll or sculpture.

The veil of the cloak just covered half of her face, so her complete features could not be seen. Only a delicate outline like porcelain was left. It was not difficult to imagine the beautiful face under the veil.

Through the veil, Luo Xiu could vaguely see that the saint in front of him had her eyes slightly closed, as if she was oblivious to his arrival.

Luo Xiu could feel that there was a tranquil, peaceful, pure and sacred spiritual aura emanating from the vicinity of Saint Franya.

It was as if that was the natural domain of Saint Franya. Just by being close to her, Luo Xiu felt a faint sense of security from the bottom of his heart.

Luo Xiu was no stranger to this [Glorious] Saint.

Based solely on the memories of his previous life, Luo Xiu knew that the "Holy Maiden of Light" Franya Mayerling was a saint of the sixth level of destiny, and would soon break through that shackles and reach the true "limit of humankind."

She is the Pope of the "Holy See" and the designated successor of the "Holy Crown" Lorenz Mayerling.

When Franya was twelve years old, a cardinal of the Holy See discovered that she had a very high aptitude for light. Since then, she has been adopted by Pope Lorentz himself.

Because Franya was an orphan whose parents died early, even Franya herself did not know her original surname. Therefore, she was given a surname by Pope Lorende himself and obtained the complete name "Franya Mayerling".

Pope Lorentz and the cardinals of the Holy See have high expectations for Franya.

Under the dedicated training of Pope Lorent and a group of cardinals, Franya's growth has far exceeded the original expectations of the "Holy See" for her.

In just one year, she was promoted from a mortal who had never come into contact with the extraordinary to the fourth level of destiny; after that, it only took her two years to break through the bottleneck of "becoming a saint" and be promoted to the fifth level of destiny; two years later, she was promoted again to the "sixth level of destiny", and from then on she truly entered the core of the holy power of the "Holy Court"!

With such a fast promotion speed, Franya has left almost all the clergy of the "Holy Court" far behind.

Even Pope Lorende's promotion speed was far slower than hers. That is why Pope Lorende and a group of cardinals saw unlimited potential and a bright future in Franya.

She was therefore given the name "Saint", and was personally awarded the laurel crown by Pope Lorentz, who declared her the sole heir to the throne of the "Holy See".

Because of this, Pope Lorente had higher expectations for her - he hoped that Franya could surpass him and achieve the "Eightfold Fate". Above the demigod, there is a higher realm that can be reached - the "Ninthfold Fate"! That exists in theory, and it is also the end of [Fate] that no one has ever reached!

That may be the realm that truly belongs to the "Gods"... It is the mystery that only the pillar gods of the nine destinies can reveal at their level.

But that is something very, very far in the future.

At least now - the Saint Franya, who is the same age as Luo Xiu, has been a saint of the sixth level of the [Glory] destiny for a year.

She must have come here for something... To seek an opportunity to break through the "sixth level of destiny" and advance to the seventh level? Or for something else...

Luo Xiu kept guessing in his mind, and he glanced at Saint Franya on the throne out of the corner of his eye. She still maintained her previous sitting posture, maintaining that cold, dignified sacred feeling, and seemed indifferent and unmoved by everything around her.

Luo Xiu did not disturb her for the time being, but first performed the sacrament on Archbishop Sid and extended his sacred greetings to him.

"Greetings again, may the sun always protect you and bless you, and may your glory be forever, dear archbishop."

Luo Xiu greeted him so devoutly and respectfully, and Archbishop Sid nodded slightly.

"Um...Rosius Carlos."

"Hubert told me about you. He always said how great you were. Now it seems...well, what Hubert said was indeed right."

"You have achieved quite brilliant achievements in Red Maple City, Luo Xiu. I have always wanted to meet you, hehe... Now that the war on the border has basically settled down, you have finally arrived..."

Sid's voice was steady and heavy, yet also had a special magnetism. He said:

"Your [Glory] is spiritual and pure. I can feel it. It is like the light of the sun hidden in the clouds, always emitting a light that warms the world."

"You are the 'Apostle of Divine Glory'. I was still skeptical at first, but now it seems... what Hubert told me in the letter is indeed true..."

"Promoted to the 'Fifth Level of Fate' at the age of eighteen... You have achieved what you have now, hmm. This is quite rare in the entire 'Holy Court'."

"Haha, Luo Xiu. I was wondering what kind of young man could make Hubert praise him and say that he has a talent that is almost like a 'saint'... Now, I finally understand."

"You are too kind, Archbishop." Luo Xiu nodded slightly and responded humbly.

"You are very humble, Luo Xiu." Sid nodded, "That's good, but you should also know what kind of reward you will get for your achievements."

"——Rosius Carlos, you crushed the attack attempts of the Dark Principality Army several times, repelled the 'Executioner' Koros and the 'Hidden Elder' Baberon, and worked with Hubert to purify the 'Deathborn God' that was wreaking havoc in Red Maple City..."

"Oh, Luo Xiu, you don't know how many clergymen are inspired and excited by your achievements."

He remembered it so clearly... Even though they were far apart, Archbishop Sid knew clearly about the things related to him as a 'bishop'... Luo Xiu thought to himself.

"Even if you say that, it's my duty."

Luo Xiu remained firm and responded calmly, "It is my honor to receive such praise from you."

"Haha, very good, Luo Xiu..."

Sid smiled and nodded again.

"I have sensed your devotion and enthusiasm for the Way of Glory."

"Hubert was right about you. You are a talent worth cultivating."

"..."

This time, Luo Xiu did not respond to Archbishop Sid immediately.

His intuition told him that Archbishop Sid would soon say the next words.

As he expected, Archbishop Sid continued:

"Luo Xiu, although Hubert has already asked you once, I still want to invite you again--"

"Are you willing to stay in Songyuan City, stay in the General Church, and become a member of the 'Bishops'?"

"Rosius Carlos, Hubert should have told you that we will provide you with the most resources and the best teachings."

"Moreover, if you are good enough, we can report you to the Holy See. You may receive the Laurel Crown from His Holiness the Pope himself and be given the name of 'Holy Son'."

"What do you think, Luo Xiu?" Sure enough... before coming to meet the archbishop, Luo Xiu had thought that Archbishop Sid might invite him again.

But his ambition did not change because of this, as he once said to Hubert, he also said to Archbishop Sid:

"I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot leave, dear Archbishop."

"You know, Red Maple City is located in a key position. Even if Koros, Baberon and others have temporarily retreated, there are still powerful enemies around, and there are enemies like the 'CEO' who are eyeing us covetously."

After a pause, Luo Xiu continued:
"Therefore, the high-ranking officials of the church are not suitable for temporary replacement... Moreover, I can feel that the path I should take is 'Judgment' - the borderland, that battlefield of judgment is the most suitable destination for me."

“I can feel that because I am doing things that are in line with my own path, I can continue to make progress and receive His power continuously…”

"So, your Highness, Archbishop."

"I still hope to stay in Red Maple City. For the sake of the Empire and the Holy Court, I will judge all the heretics who come to attack until there is no more darkness and haze wherever I look."

"..."

"Alas." Archbishop Sid sighed deeply, his eyes lowered, seeming quite disappointed with Luo Xiu's answer.

"I understand, Luo Xiu."

Afterwards, Sid said slowly:
"According to the rules of the Holy See, I will respect the choice of a bishop... But remember, Luo Xiu. If you change your mind at some point in the future, the bishops of the General Church will always reserve a seat for you."

Huh... The archbishop did not insist on the invitation, which made Luo Xiu finally relieved.

Afterwards, Archbishop Sid said to Luo Xiu:

"Although you rejected my invitation, Luo Xiu, your achievements are still indelible."

"I will grant you the Holy Gift you deserve—the Legendary Sacred Artifact, the Second Level Seal of Authority, or the Secret Sacred Skill... Choose, and I will give it to you."

Legendary equipment, level II authority, or the sacred knowledge of [Glory]... Sid asked Luo Xiu to choose between the three, and Luo Xiu fell into thought.

To be honest, he doesn't have much need for equipment now. As for the "Glory" skills... In Luo Xiu's memory, most of the "Glory" skills of the fifth destiny that he can learn will not bring about a qualitative change in the improvement of strength, and they are not too rare. Luo Xiu has other ways to obtain them.

What he was most interested in was the Level II authority that Archbishop Sid had promised to grant him. This was also the most rare item - even if it was only Level I authority, Luo Xiu only had three, and Level II authority was even rarer. For Luo Xiu now, there was almost no way to obtain it.

Without thinking too much, Luo Xiu said to Archbishop Sid:
"Thank you for your gift, Archbishop."

"In that case, I hope to obtain a second-level Holy Seal of Authority."

"Okay, I agree to your request." Archbishop Sid nodded.

Then, as Luo Xiu watched, Archbishop Sid raised his arm and extended two fingers upwards.

A golden light burst out from his fingertips, and golden threads filled with the spiritual energy of [Glory] surged, lingered and gathered above them, eventually forming three streams of light that followed each other.

Sid pressed down his finger, and the three streams of light flew towards Luo Xiu, stopping in front of Luo Xiu and unfolding into a golden light curtain with complex patterns.

There seemed to be ancient inscriptions written on it. Luo Xiu did not recognize them, but his panel did.

[Holy Seal of God’s Announcement], this is the first inscription, representing the ‘intermediate authority’.

That is the authority of the Holy Seal that can use a non-God body to declare God. Those who are declared by the [Holy Seal of God's Announcement] will be forcibly stripped of 3 to 6 status gains or losses that are not [Glorious] Destiny, lock the current status, and ignore the "unpurifiable" and "unremovable" effects attached to the status.

[Holy Seal of Redemption], this is the second inscription, representing the "intermediate authority".

That is the power of the Holy Seal that allows the holder of the power to expand a large-scale "redemption" sacred domain. The "redemption" domain will last for 10 seconds, which can invalidate most non-【Glorious】 fate skills, and at the same time, greatly enhance the strength of the 【Glorious】 skills that will be used in the "redemption" domain.

[Seal of the Soul], this is the third inscription, representing the ‘intermediate authority’.

That is the authority of the Holy Seal that can seal the spirituality, and can suppress the spirituality of extraordinary people who are not destined to be "glorious" for a long time within a certain threshold range. If it exceeds this threshold, the overflowing spirituality will turn into "violent spirituality", causing extremely serious backlash to them.

……

Generally speaking, these three imprints of authority correspond to the three aspects of "purification", "territory" and "weakening" respectively.

The [God's Holy Seal] among them made Luo Xiu suddenly realize the threat.

If this Level II authority had not been obtained from the [Glory] path, it would actually pose a huge threat to Luo Xiu - because the "Crazy Devout" status of the "Apostles of the Holy Abyss" can be lifted by the "divine proclamation" of this authority. Fortunately, Archbishop Sid, who currently holds this authority, is [Glory], and he cannot lift the effect of "Crazy Piety" who is also [Glory].

As for the second item, [Seal of Redemption], it is relatively okay, it is a relatively standard domain-type authority.

As for the third item, [Seal of the Soul], Luo Xiu felt familiar with it - because after arriving in Sina City, he had heard Bishop Fabion mention it more than once. The former Bishop Alfonso Durant once held this Level II authority, and the "Lord of Blood Sacrifice" was also deeply tormented by this holy seal of authority and has not been able to get rid of it until now.

Because it was related to Bishop "Alfonso Durant", Luo Xiu originally wanted to choose [Holy Seal of the Soul], but after thinking about it, he realized that there didn't seem to be many occasions where he might use it, so he finally gave up the idea.

Suppressing spirituality is equivalent to solidifying the opponent's bottleneck, which is more suitable for a protracted war, or making it more difficult for a seriously injured opponent to recover from the injury... But that is not Luo Xiu's fighting style.

In the end, he chose the first authority, the authority of [God’s Holy Seal].

He then mobilized his own spirituality, allowing it to "fit" the light curtain of the first holy seal, gradually "melting in", "digesting" and "understanding" the content of this authority.

At the same time, the other two light screens engraved with the holy seal that appeared in front of Luo Xiu gradually dimmed and eventually disappeared.

After Luo Xiu chose the second-level authority [Seal of God's Word], a new second-level authority skill also appeared in his skill bar.

[Obtain the skill "Seal of God's Word (Glory, Level II Authority, lv.1)"]

[Seal of God's Word (Glorious, Level II Authority, lv.1): After applying the 'Seal of God' to the designated target, 3 to 6 non-[Glorious] status buffs or debuffs will be forcibly stripped away, and new buffs or debuffs will not be obtained within a certain period of time (currently 1 hour), and the "unpurifiable" and "unexpellable" effects attached to the status will be ignored. (This authority can only be used once every 24 hours)]

【…】

"You chose 'God's Word'..." Archbishop Sid looked at the light curtain that dissipated in front of Luo Xiu and nodded lightly.

"A good choice," Archbishop Sid said:

“It will definitely help you go further.”

……

(End of this chapter)