Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 629 [The Seven Luminaries of Revelation]

The Pope has fallen.

As the last ray of light rose into the sky, the body belonging to "Pope Lawrence" completely disappeared without a trace.

Luo Xiu stared blankly at the gravel ground where the Pope had just been standing.

There—the molten sand had solidified into shimmering golden crystals. Faint remnants of spirituality adorned the surroundings like petals, and among those "petals" lay the last remaining traces of Pope Laurent.

His scepter, the Grip of Saint Lawrence, has become a true "relic".

It is also the only relic left behind by Pope Laurent.

"..."

Luo Xiu remained kneeling there, his gaze fixed on him for a long time.

Until the light shone down from the sky—

The fall of a "demigod" is inevitably accompanied by strange phenomena in the world—the sky, which was originally stained red with blood, shines down from the higher "eternity," piercing through the surging, burning clouds and illuminating the sky as if it were golden and jeweled.

A mournful hymn fell from the heavens—

That was the angels' lament, mourning the fall of a truly glorious demigod, and also mourning the fall of the "Archangel" Agaran.

The hymn lingered in the air above the battlefield, growing longer and longer.

Golden raindrops were falling from the golden sky, like the fleeting tears of the sun. These golden raindrops gently landed on Luo Xiu's hair and shoulders, transforming into warm spiritual energy, enveloping and nourishing him—

【The Last Blessing (Advanced Buff, 17 days, 22 hours 46 minutes): When that divine form perishes, its blessings will spread throughout the world; this is the final offering, the final baptism.】

Due to the fall of "Divine Crowned Celestial" Lord Meyering, your "Divinity" attribute has increased by 232 points; your "Holy Light" damage has increased by 23%; your normal "Mana" regeneration rate has increased by 23%, and you regenerate an additional 1.1% of your lost mana per minute.

【…】

The following content appeared on Luo Xiu's panel—

The fall of Pope Laurent was like a whale fall for all those with a radiant destiny who had transcended the ordinary and attained sainthood.

All saints will receive this blessing.

The "fall" of a demigod, in a sense, also signifies the "liberation" of higher powers in one's destiny. Besides creating new "divine positions," it also means that saints on the path of destiny can more easily receive greater power from the Great Sun's fleeting presence.

Because He will select from among the holy beings a saint suitable to become the new "Heavenly Ruler"—that will be the new representative of the Great Sun on earth for a moment, and also a new "inheritance".

In fact, this choice had already been decided within the "Holy Court". The "Saintess" Franya was originally intended to be the sole designated successor of the Pope of Lorend, inheriting the divinity and position of "demigod" after the Pope's fall.

But Pope Laurent's true "fall" came too early—even earlier than his previous life, when he fell to the "Crimson King" Azagus in version 2.0 of the "Crimson Surge."

And Franya hadn't even had time to grow up yet... It wasn't hard for Luo Xiu to imagine what kind of turbulent waves would be stirred up in the "Holy Court" after the Pope of Lorend had already fallen and he clearly knew that there were already fallen saints.

These are all things that require careful consideration and early preparation.

"..."

Even with mixed feelings, Luo Xiu was subconsciously pondering these thoughts.

suddenly.

Luo Xiu felt a burning, stinging sensation in his palm, as if something was engraved in his palm.

That was the hand that Pope Laurent held as he lay dying.

As if sensing something, Luo Xiu slowly opened his right palm—

Within his palm, three overlapping golden inscriptions appeared. They blazed like the sun, radiating a light so intense it was blinding even to Luo Xiu!

Bah! Bah!
The inscription simultaneously emitted a series of burning sounds, disappearing into the flesh of Luo Xiu's palm, with golden spiritual threads rising from its outline.

But in Luo Xiu's perception, the burning sensation gradually subsided, replaced by a gentle warmth that deepened over time.

That was something Pope Laurent "left" for himself!
Luo Xiu already had a premonition.

Before the light truly burst forth from his palm, and before the Seventh-Level Saints outside the still-existing barrier saw the sacred inscription in their palms, Luo Xiu flipped down and clenched his right hand again.

New content has also appeared on his panel—

[Your Divine Authority Slot +1]

【…】

— "Divine Authority" slot!
That is the "authority of God" that truly transcends the authority of level V!
Generally, those who have reached the pinnacle of the "Sevenfold Fate" path below demigod level and are destined for sainthood can only actively acquire authority up to the rank of V. However, there is an exception—when a "demigod" voluntarily relinquishes or bestows upon others their authority!
This is the special situation we are in now—the "Holy Crown" Pope Laurent has inscribed the "slot" that carries authority, as well as the authority it carries, and passed it on to himself!

On Luo Xiu's interface, after a dazzling display of light and shadow, new content appeared—

【…】

[Gained the skill "Seven Luminaries of Revelation (Radiance, Divine Authority, lv.5)"]

【The Seven Luminaries of Revelation (Radiance, Divine Authority, lv.5): The Great Sun bestows divine revelation—and you are the agent of revelation.】

After a brief incantation, the user's "divinity" attribute increases by 50%, "magic attack" attribute increases by 100%, and the "Sun" is summoned from beyond the heavens, bringing down the "First Sun" to deal "holy light" damage of 500% physical attack * 10 + 2000% magic attack * 10 to a very large area.

After casting "First Radiance", continue with holy chanting. After consuming 50% of your current mana, you can summon "Second Radiance" - which deals "Holy Light" damage equal to that of "First Radiance" and reduces the "Holy Light" resistance of all targets affected by this "Second Radiance" damage by 50% and increases the "Holy Light" damage they receive by 50%.

After that, each time a holy incantation is performed, a new "Great Sun's Radiance" will be cast after consuming 50% of the current mana. Starting from the "Third Sun's Radiance", each repeated casting will additionally apply "Primal Wound" equal to 20% of the "Holy Light" attribute damage, up to a maximum of 50% additional "Primal Wound".

After the "Seventh Luminary" effect ends, the "Seven Luminaries of Revelation" skill goes on cooldown. The effects gained from this effect, including increased "Divinity" attribute and attack power, as well as reduced "Holy Light" resistance and increased "Holy Light" damage taken by the target, last for 300 seconds after the effect ends.

(This authority can only be used once every 7 days)

【…】

—The authority of God, the seven luminaries of revelation!
This is what Pope Laurent left for himself—

Luo Xiu was no stranger to this authority.

That was the "divine authority" that Pope Laurent displayed when the final battle of the "War of Judgment" began!
The radiant sunlight that "descended" from the heavens carved seven enormous craters into the battlefield. This was the most powerful force that had initially suppressed and even annihilated the Dark Army, which Pope Lorend had reserved for himself.

In fact, Luo Xiu had been thinking that since the Pope had entrusted him with the dying wish to purge the blasphemers from the Holy Court, he should also have left him some means to contend with those truly high-ranking "cardinals" and "dragon-blooded knights".

This "divinely bestowed authority," the seven luminaries of revelation, is the "weapon" the Pope has left for himself. If the time comes, it will become a true symbol representing the "holy crown" Pope's identity and capable of carrying out "purification."

"..."

Luo Xiu was thinking about these things.

His golden eyes were still fixed on the gravel field where the Pope had finally turned into radiance and vanished. He bowed his head in the direction of the scepter for a few seconds, reminiscing.

Get your mind in order.

Luo Xiu picked up the scepter left behind by the Pope, stood up, turned around, and walked out of the barrier that Pope Lorend had finally placed.

...until the barrier formed by the divine spirit finally dimmed and dissipated.

Before Luo Xiu stood the other "Sevenfold Destiny" saints, who had been standing silently and waiting there, following the final instructions of Pope Laurent.

They also witnessed the Pope's final moments—the final moments of Pope Laurent's transformation into radiance, his guidance to "ascend" into the eternal Kingdom.

"...His Holiness the Pope has fallen."

Luo Xiu had arrived in front of Franya. He placed his left hand lightly on his right chest, nodded to Franya, and said with a serious expression:

"Please accept my condolences, Your Highness. The future of the Holy Court, and the future of our comrades, you need to... shoulder this sacred responsibility."

“We will continue to follow you, Your Highness. Please guide the Holy Court and show us the way forward.”

"Finally... this is what His Holiness the Pope left behind last."

"..."

As Luo Xiu spoke to Franya, he noticed that Franya's face was somewhat pale, and she just stood there blankly, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Luo Xiu presented the Pope of Lorend's scepter, the long, slender scepter wrapped in gold and white, to Franya with both hands.

"..."

Frania remained silent, but she had subconsciously raised her hands and taken the Pope's scepter from Luo Xiu's hands.

At this moment, she was lightly biting her lip, unaware that it was bleeding, staring blankly in the direction where the Pope had fallen, silent for a long time.

Perhaps she was too sad.

To Franja, Pope Laurent was like a true "father." He had raised her from childhood and nurtured her into the "saint" she was today. Yet now, Franja had witnessed the Pope's demise—a grief that was not easily overcome.

Luo Xiu knew about Franya's current condition.

Therefore, he said nothing more to Franya, nor did he speak of "inheritance" or "responsibility" to her. He simply looked at Monine, the "Supreme Sword," beside Franya, who was equally sorrowful and grief-stricken but not too deeply immersed in it, and said to her:
"Lord Monigne, Your Highness... I beg you."

“I know.” Monigne nodded somewhat hesitantly.

She took Franya's hand, glanced one last time at the crater where Pope Lorend had fallen, then looked at Luo Xiu, and said in a low voice:

"I'll take...Your Highness away first."

“In any case, we have won. But… Your Highness and I do not intend to meet His Majesty the Emperor. Now, we must return to the Holy Court.”

"Rosh...and Lord Azler and Lord Hardy, I entrust all matters concerning the war to you."

"..."

Done.

Without waiting for Luo Xiu's response, Monine, along with Franya, walked step by step toward the edge of the battlefield, eventually disappearing into the billowing smoke and from the sight of Luo Xiu and the other saints.

With Monine by his side, Luo Xiu was somewhat relieved about Franya's condition and safety.

Now, only three saints remain: Luo Xiu, "Red Deacon" Hardy, and "Second Cardinal" Yazler.

"...I'll stay here for now."

Hardy said to Luo Xiu in a low voice:

"His Holiness the Pope called upon you only in his final moments; he had something he hoped you would accomplish. As for me... I have no other task. I will stay here and wait for His Holiness the Pope's final resting place."

"..."

"I am also with His Excellency Hardy."

"Second Cardinal" Yazler, he said silently:
"We have witnessed the fall of His Holiness the Pope, which was not our wish. His Excellency Hadi and I will keep vigil here until the expeditionary force returns in triumph."

"Lord Luo Xiu. We cannot accept that our colleagues from [Supreme] are singing and praising their triumph at this moment. We will have to trouble you with the relevant negotiations."

"..."

Rosius stared at the “Second Cardinal” Yazle Saint-Léon, pondering what he had said.

He is a descendant of Saint Leron – the first Pope of the Holy See, a descendant of the original apostles of the Sun.

To be honest, Luo Xiu doesn't trust any of the other "Sevenfold Fate" Saints in front of him, except for himself.

"I understand."

Luo Xiu nodded slightly, but did not say anything to Yazledo at the moment.

Then, after offering sacraments to Hadi and Yazle, he turned and left.

The "final battle" is not yet completely over; it's just that this battlefield has been prematurely cleared away due to the fall of Pope Lawrence. Discussing anything else now would only be a waste of time.

As Luo Xiu stepped forward to leave...

"Lord Luo Xiu—"

Behind Luo Xiu, the "Second Cardinal" Yazler called out to him.

Luo Xiu stopped and turned around.

Is there anything else?

"..."

"His Excellency Hardy and I will keep vigil here."

Yazler repeated himself, looking at Luo Xiu, and then continued:

"Afterwards, Lord Luo Xiu, once the decisive battle is over and you and your colleagues from [Supreme] have settled into the Dark Capital and taken care of the relevant matters, we hope you can spare some time to come out of the city and see us again."

"I'd like to talk to you."

"..."

"it is good."

Luo Xiu nodded.

He gave Yazler one last deep look, and seeing that Yazler had nothing more to say, he turned and left.

They went to another place of fall—the battlefield where the "Black Duke" fell.

……

(End of this chapter)