Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 647 Test?

hissing...

—That was the breath of the "Vicious Serpent"!
The source of that danger didn't even come from any of the enemies Luo Xiu had discovered, but directly from the Pillar God of [Void]!

Having noticed something, Luo Xiu immediately turned around and redirected the "Ancient Dragon's Ferocious Breath" that he was originally preparing to fire at the enemy in the withered forest to his back!

--boom!!!!!!!

A tremendous explosion resounded, and crimson light surged and quickly dissipated with the explosion. In the instant Luo Xiu turned around, he saw it—the phantom of the "snake" rose from the corpse of the Soul-Stealing Apostle he had just killed!

It was the “incarnation of the serpent” that was both visible and invisible, and that could drive people to the brink of mental collapse and spiritual disintegration simply by looking at a corner of His incarnation!
But He clearly did not fully descend. The moment Luo Xiu unleashed the "Ancient Dragon's Ferocious Breath" at the corpse of the Soul-Stealing Apostle, the corpse of the [Void] Apostle was completely reduced to ashes. The spiritual gene offered to the Void Devouring Serpent became insufficient, and the "serpent's" body quickly became dim and blurred before finally dissipating.

"..."

Having witnessed the entire process of the "snake's" phantom appearing and disappearing, Luo Xiu understood.
—The corpse of that [Void] Soul-Stealing Apostle was sacrificed as food for the "serpent" through some kind of secret ritual!

At first, he didn't realize that all these enemies around him, those with five or even six destinies, were actually just testing him... And if he really killed them, their corpses would "turn" into food, into food to summon the incarnation of the "Void Devouring Serpent"!

There is someone manipulating them from behind the scenes—that is a truly terrifying enemy, with at least the strength of "Sevenfold Fate Path", and possessing even deeper "Soul Stealing" or "Domination" power!

Did Duke Harkas intervene personally? Or was the master of the "Serpent's Candle" also nearby...?

"..."

These thoughts were racing through Luo Xiu's mind.

Before him, the afterimage of the "snake" had completely vanished, and Luo Xiu's attention had returned to the withered forest not far away, his senses locked onto the few enemies scurrying about.

Not only are there enemies of [Void], but also enemies of [Bitter Tea].

That dark and gloomy spiritual aura was indeed the work of the "Mutual Aid Society" assassins—Luo Xiu already knew this. If this was Duke Harkas's doing, then this was a joint operation by the "Mutual Aid Society" and the "Serpent's Candle" against him.

--boom!!!!!

The instant his thoughts stirred, the demonic sword in his left hand slashed down at the withered forest not far away, the crimson slashing wave cutting through a large swath of withered trees and plunging them into the raging flames of the dragon fire!

The two enemies, both at the "Fivefold Fate" stage, were unable to escape and were engulfed by the dragon flames, quickly burning into charred corpses. But at the same time—Luo Xiu also saw a dark gray thread of spiritual energy falling from the crack towards the two charred bodies.

The cocoon-like substance rapidly wrapped around and enveloped the corpse, its dark spiritual energy dispelling the surrounding surging crimson dragon flames. Then, a hissing sound emanated from the dark cocoon.
Just like the previous death of the "Soul Stealer", the two corpses that had just been killed by Luo Xiu but had not yet been completely annihilated had their hidden rituals activated, and their spirituality and souls were sacrificed to the "Void Devouring Serpent" as nourishment and food!
The breathing sound grew clearer and more eerie, and Luo Xiu's gaze was fixed on the location where the "snake" avatar was gradually coalescing. He lightly raised his right hand—

On the back of his right hand, golden patterns flashed rapidly—it was the pattern of an authority, the [Radiance] Level II authority "Redemption Seal"!

That was a brand new authority that Luo Xiu created through "Inscription of Authority"—

Its effect is to allow the user of authority to unleash a large-scale "Redemption" sacred domain—the "Sacred Redemption" domain will last for ten seconds, nullifying most non-[Radiant] destiny skills, while greatly enhancing the strength of the [Radiant] skills that the user of authority will use within the "Redemption" domain!
Under the effect of the Divine Birth feat [Avatar of the Sun], the authority level of the authority "Redemption Seal" has been raised to level III - which can completely nullify all non-[Radiant] Fate skills that are not "authorities", and can even nullify some low-level authorities!
Wow! ! !
The sound of flowing water echoed around Luo Xiu, and brilliant golden light rippled outwards like waves. The holy light enveloped the two phantom "snakes" and quickly covered them, dissolving them from the outside in.

The ability to summon the projection of the "Void Serpent" avatar by sacrificing the corpse of the "Void" apostle is indeed the authority of the "Void"—but it is clearly not a very high-ranking IV or V authority, and can indeed be neutralized by the "Sacrifice Seal".

In fact, Luo Xiu had anticipated that the authority of "Redemption Seal" and "Radiant Seal," which could negate authority, would be enough to negate all the incarnations of the "snakes" summoned by the other side. However, the true mastermind behind the scenes had not yet appeared. Nevertheless, Luo Xiu was happy to continue to wear him down.

Since summoning the projection of the "snake" comes at a huge cost, is the other side really willing to bear the price of the death of all the "fivefold" and "sixfold" saints in this operation?

--boom!!!!!!!

While Luo Xiu was pondering, he had already swung his scepter and unleashed more than a dozen annihilation spells, which had already completed their prayers, towards another grove of withered trees!
Holy light descended from the sky, and within the duration of the "Redemption Holy Seal" domain, the light surge gathered from the dozen or so annihilation holy spells had already annihilated the forest they were pointing at!

Hidden in that forest is a "Soul-Stealing Apostle" with a sixth-fold destiny of [Void]—

He had already lit the white candle in his hand, intending to use the spirituality of "nothingness" to permeate the surrounding atmosphere, immersing the surroundings in an illusion where the truth was hidden. However, before the spirituality could fully spread, it was purified and dispelled by the domain of the "Sacrifice Seal".

Golden meteors fell from the sky, striking precisely where the Soul-Stealing Apostle was, illuminating the entire withered forest as if it were daytime.

In Luo Xiu's perception, the Soul-Stealing Apostle was already dead—and the spirituality of [Void], just like the previous times, probed towards the golden light surge and towards the corpse of the Soul-Stealing Apostle.

However, it is still within the duration of the "Sacrifice Seal" domain—once the spirituality of the [Void] invades the domain's range, it begins to rapidly disintegrate from its tip, thus failing to truly touch the apostle's corpse and therefore failing to truly activate the ritual embedded within the apostle's corpse.

In that very instant, the apostle's body was consumed by the blazing holy flames, and his very spirit was swallowed up by the ocean of holy light.

At this point, in Luo Xiu's extended perception, only four enemies remained.

The two [Void] and two [Bitter Tea]—which were located relatively far from Luo Xiu—had stopped all their movements, as if they had suddenly been given a standby command.

Luo Xiu retreated step by step, not daring to enter the withered forest rashly. He quickly performed a new holy spell prayer while keeping an eye out for any new and powerful enemies that might appear around him.

Until he retreated back to the carriage.

Under the protection of the "Golden Barrier," the carriage, the horses, and the manor servant who was still unconscious inside the carriage were all unharmed.

As Luo Xiu retreated to the carriage, he also saw that the last vestige of the illusion in the now completely distorted "Auston Street" had finally faded away.

Meanwhile, the four enemies from [Void] and [Bitter Tea] in the distance also fled towards the edge of the forest. They had received orders to halt the operation.

"..."

Luo Xiu knew that this was the first "probe" aimed at his actions.

The mastermind behind the scenes has not yet shown up, but they probably already know that those who have entered sainthood with only "five or six destinies" have no chance of threatening them.

They therefore had to go back and prepare again, to devise a plan for their next move—but today they had to retreat and lay low.

"..."

The illusion had completely dissipated, revealing the true scene of a desolate woodland all around.

The sky was already deep, and this suburban woodland was shrouded in darkness. Within a few hundred meters, apart from the unconscious waiter in the carriage, there was no sign of any living person.

Luo Xiu stood beside the carriage for a long time, his spiritual energy still scattered after the illusion shattered. Even though the battle was over, Luo Xiu waited, wanting to see what the manipulator behind the scenes planned to do next. ...

Until half an hour later.

The crows of the night were already making hoarse cries from the nearby withered woods.

Luo Xiu confirmed that the other side's action was indeed just a "test" and there would be no follow-up.

He then gathered his scattered spiritual energy back into focus, dispelled the golden barrier, gently placed his hand on the horse's neck to soothe it, and simultaneously opened up a domain of "pure radiance" around him.

The purifying and tranquil spirituality quickly dispelled and subsided the churning mist. Until the remaining spirituality of the surrounding "nothingness" had been completely purified, Luo Xiu lifted the curtain of the carriage again and looked at the unconscious waiter, who was lying in a position like a crab.

Luo Xiu gently raised his hand, his palm already resting on the waiter's chest. A faint [Radiant] spiritual energy flowed into the waiter's body, dispelling the drowsiness that had enveloped his consciousness and allowing him to return to clarity.

"……Well."

The waiter groggily opened his eyes, a muffled murmur, like that of someone experiencing a wet dream, escaping his throat—

"I...how..."

"..."

"You suddenly fell asleep just now."

Luo Xiu smiled and said to him.

When the new sound reached his ears, the waiter's still somewhat drowsy eyes snapped open—

"I fell asleep?!"

"I...how..."

"..."

"That's not your problem." Luo Xiu said to the waiter with a smile on his face, "I encountered some trouble just now, but it's all over now, I've taken care of it."

"Now, from here... well, I don't know where we are, let's go back to Austin Manor."

"..."

A bewildered expression appeared on the manor waiter's face—he truly didn't know why he, who should have been driving, was sleeping in the carriage; he had no idea what had just happened around him.

The waiter had already... or rather, had passively "forgotten" the memory of Luo Xiu pressing heavily on his shoulder. That memory seemed to have been expelled and purified along with the [empty] spirituality within him, and thus forgotten. He now only knew that, as the waiter serving Luo Xiu, he had seriously neglected his duty.

The fact that the distinguished guest did not blame him at all was already a testament to the guest's magnanimity!
"Okay...Ok..."

The waiter hurriedly said.

Luo Xiu nodded slightly, straightened his robes, and sat calmly in his seat in the carriage. The attendant hurriedly returned to the driver's seat, and soon the creaking sound of the wheels turning could be heard again.

The carriage continued onward, and the waiter knew where they were and the way back to Austin Estate from this seemingly dilapidated suburb.

Even though the waiter had seen that there were many obvious signs of damage and burning around the area, he didn't dare to ask too many questions and just drove the car cautiously.

……

Inside the carriage, Luo Xiu leaned back slightly.

He knew perfectly well that the action taken against him was orchestrated by the Duke of Harkas.

Whether it was a test or a long-planned attack by Duke Harkas, the "Mutual Aid Society," and the "Serpent's Candle," it remains to be seen.

anyway--

Luo Xiu also understood the principle of "it is impolite not to reciprocate."

So……

"..."

At this moment, Luo Xiu's spirituality had extended to another place, beyond the imperial capital "August City," above a wide city avenue.

On the other side of that main road lies another vast forest.

"Imperial Royal Gardens"—these were originally beautiful garden landscapes that nobles could enjoy along the way when traveling by carriage to the capital or from the capital to various territories.

The "shadow of fog" in the foggy night was now clinging to a flock of crows.

Its—or rather, "them"—eyes filled the entire forest, watching every single corner without missing a single one.

At that moment, on a driveway through the royal gardens, a magnificent carriage without any family crest was heading into the woods.

The Earl of Hayek, who was in a hurry to leave the capital and seek refuge in the Duchy of Austin, was in that carriage.

The curtain of the carriage had been pulled back.

Accompanied by three beautiful women, Hayek gently swirled the ruby-red wine glass in his hand, gazing out of the room and admiring the scenery.

The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.

His expression was comfortable and relaxed.

……

(End of this chapter)