Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 653 Divine Revelation—The Twisted Gospel (5k7)

As Luo Xiu followed the two "archbishops" to the Holy Court, his spiritual senses detected that at least four hidden superhumans were lurking around him.

There were two [Supreme] beings, and two more... Their spiritual aura was very dim and restrained, and they seemed to be on the path of [Bitter Tea], likely those who had entered sainthood on the path of assassination, and were people sent by the "Mutual Aid Society" to monitor them.

However, none of them were particularly close to him. The two closest [Supreme Ones] were roughly the distance from one end of the street to the other. After the events of last night, the [Supreme Ones'] surveillance of him was now merely surveillance; they had not yet shown any signs of opposition or obstruction.

"My fellow citizens, in the mourning for the holy and sublime Pope Laurent, is there anything I should pay particular attention to?"

Luo Xiu asked the two "archbishops" who were leading the way.

"...Piety and solemnity are essential, and then all that is needed is to bear witness, to bear witness to our beloved Pope as he walks toward that sacred and ordained end."

"It was a pious statement from an archbishop," he said. His voice was calm, but beneath the calm lay a deep sorrow.

"I understand, thank you for your explanation."

Luo Xiu responded to the archbishop who had explained these things to him, and then the three saints headed towards the Holy Court together without saying anything more along the way.

They did not travel by carriage from the Holy See—the journey to the Holy See was part of the final memorial service for Pope Laurent. About an hour later, the towering outline of the "Holy See" finally came into view, revealing its sacred and magnificent arched gates.

Two archbishops escorted the Templar Knights who were guarding the main gate of the sanctuary. Upon receiving news of the arrival of "Acting Cardinal" Rosius Carlos, the Templar Knights immediately entered the sanctuary through a side door to report the news.

After a long wait, the temple doors slowly opened into the sanctuary with a heavy rumble.

"The gates of the Holy Court have been opened for you, Your Excellency Cardinal."

An archbishop said devoutly to Rosh, “Her Highness the Holy Maiden and Lord Monigne are waiting for you in the Radiant Throne. This is your first time visiting the Holy See. I will guide you and answer any questions you may have.”

"..."

This archbishop—an "archbishop of enlightenment"—was named Zipper Alland. He looked relatively young, probably only in his early thirties, not yet forty.

In fact, on the way to the Holy See, Luo Xiu had a brief exchange with the two archbishops who were guiding him.

Archbishop Zipper Alland, for example, successfully ascended to the "Fivefold Destiny" at the age of twenty-four, becoming a new generation of saints, and was recruited by the Holy See. In recent years, he has been being trained as a "prospective cardinal".

During his brief exchange with them, Luo Xiu also thought about himself. If he had accepted the invitation to go to the Songyuan General Church or to the Holy Court for training when he had just advanced to the "Fivefold Destiny", his development path and that of Archbishop Zipper might have been similar...

Within the Holy Court, there were also several other young archbishops, sun knights, and council deacons. Indeed, for the sake of future development, the Holy Court had recruited a considerable number of talented individuals from churches across the country.

If Pope Lorient had not perished in that war of the gods—it is no exaggeration to say that the Holy See would have had an extremely bright future.

That might also be why the Supreme Being was wary of the Holy Court. For that emperor, controlling the "Tower of Sages" was actually much easier than controlling the "Holy Court."

This actually stems from the fundamental difference between loyalty and faith—the saints of [Glory] have only a fleeting, complete faith in the Great Sun, and could never be completely loyal to the [Supreme].

The essence of destiny dictates that its brilliance cannot be entirely controlled by the supreme authority.

However, for [Knowledge], the sorcerers and scholars on its path do indeed revere 'truth', but their faith is not as profound as that of [Glory]. The Empire can more easily provide the "Tower of Sages" with what it needs and even what it pursues: "knowledge" and the soil in which new knowledge can be explored.

Unknown knowledge, and the pilgrimage-like process of seeking "truth," are what travelers on the path of knowledge pursue.

It was much easier for the Empire to provide these things to them than to give the Radiant faith. In fact, the Empire often used the "Holy Court" as a tool to govern the faith of its people, but gradually the Supreme also discovered that they could not make good use of this tool.

"..."

As he traveled with the two archbishops into the Holy See, toward the “Holy Place” and toward the “Radiant Throne,” Luo Xiu’s mind wandered as he thought about these things.

In his previous life, the separation of royal and divine power was just like this—this is the current situation of the Nolan Empire. He had a vague feeling that the Supreme One might want to mold Emperor Augustusville into the new faith of the empire, and this would require the assistance of the "Holy Court," which was completely under his control, to complete the transition of faith.

This was all foreseeable...

But thinking about these things now is meaningless; it's just a random thought.

Luo Xiu knew that he possessed more than the current empire possessed, and if Emperor Augustusville truly intended to do so, it would be absolutely impossible for it to come to fruition—the moment the "Crimson Tide" and "Abyss Hanging" arrived, all of his plans would be shattered!

"We have arrived, the sublime Cardinal."

While Luo Xiu was pondering, Archbishop Zipper Alland, the "Radiant Archbishop," had already guided him to the "Holy Throne of Radiance."

That magnificent and sacred pure white tower stood before Luo Xiu—

Last time he had secretly infiltrated the Holy See; this time, he had come openly. Archbishop Zipper respectfully and devoutly offered sacraments to Luo Xiu, then said to him:

"Now, please step into the Holy Throne on your own."

“We have not been granted permission for the Hajj and cannot enter the Holy See without authorization. Her Highness and Lady Monigne are waiting for you in the Holy See. Laird and I will prepare all the rituals and implements required for the eulogy of Pope Laurent.”

"Laird" was another archbishop who, along with "Archbishop Qihui" Zipper, guided Luo Xiu to this place.

The two archbishops then offered Luo Xiu a respectful and devout sacrament, and after Luo Xiu nodded in response, they turned and left, as they had said, to make some preparations for Luo Xiu's memorial service.

After Zipper and Laird left, Luo Xiu entered the "Radiant Throne" and followed the path from his memory toward the sanctuary where Frania and Monine were.

……

Within the Radiant Throne.

When Luo Xiu ascended to the third level of the Holy Throne, within that spacious yet empty space, following the spiritual aura emanating from Franya and Monine, he finally arrived before the sacred hall where they resided—

Luo Xiu had already seen that the "Celestial Crown" Franya and the "Supreme Sword" Monine, two saints of the seventh level of the [Radiance] destiny, were not sitting on the holy throne, but were standing silently in the center of the sacred hall.

There, a pure white stone altar, radiating a bright glow, has been erected, and a sacred statue of the sun, more than three meters tall, stands in the center of the altar.

That was the "Divine Revelation" ceremony, the core of the array where the ceremony would take place—Luo Xiu could sense that the altar and the Great Sun Ephemeral Statue were radiating an extremely warm and pure spiritual light. Having undergone the most refined holy tempering, the spirituality emanating from them was almost close to the level of "divinity".

Within the larger "altar"—the "Radiant Throne"—all the radiant spirituality surging within and without forms a field of spirituality that rises and falls in cycles.

This was indeed the most suitable environment for the "Divine Revelation" ceremony, and the two saints who would be serving as assistant priests, Franya and Monine, were also full of spiritual energy and had made full preparations for the upcoming ceremony.

As Luo Xiu stepped into the Holy Hall...

Sensing another surge of spiritual energy, Franya and Monine simultaneously "awakened" from their sacred and solemn meditation, raising their heads and looking at Luo Xiu.

"You've arrived, Luo Xiu."

A faint smile appeared on Franya's face.

"Master Monigne and I are ready. Right here in this sacred hall, I have had the saints set up the altar and performed seven holy purifications on the sacred image of the Great Sun Moment. Now, this should be the perfect environment to hold the sacred ceremony."

"Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness." Luo Xiu smiled and nodded in response to Franya.

“I’ve heard that there was some unrest in the city of Augustus last night and this day,” Monigne said to Rosh. “I’ve received the report from one of your saints, the holy deacon Hubert. There were even heretics who tried to assassinate you, but I’m glad you’re alright.”

"I was wondering if that would affect today's ceremony, but the sun is ever-present, so it seems you weren't affected at all."

At that time, Luo Xiu did indeed send Hubert to the "Holy Court" to secretly report to Franya and Monigne about his encounter with heretics in the suburbs of the capital.

This serves as a safeguard. If the Supreme One refuses to take responsibility for this, or if other problems arise as a result, then Luo Xiu will have the Holy Court endorse him.

"It's nothing," Luo Xiu said with a smile, looking at Monine.
“I often encounter this. Heretics, or the fallen ones hiding in the empire, often see me as a thorn in their side. However, at least I am still standing here intact, and their schemes against me have not yet succeeded.”

"Let's not talk about that now." Luo Xiu looked at the altar in the center of the sacred hall and the sacred statue enshrined on it. The smile on his face gradually faded, and his expression became solemn. He said:
“Then, we shall proceed with the ‘Divine Revelation’ ceremony.”

“I will ask the Great Sun Moment to reveal to me the whereabouts of the First Cardinal, and to whom the truly ‘fallen’ saint in the Holy Court refers.”

"..."

"let's start."

Franya nodded slightly, her hand already gripping the sacred scepter, the [St. Lawrence's Grip] inherited from Pope Lawrence, its tip beginning to emit a faint, pure white glow.

Luo Xiu had arrived at the center of the altar, while Franya and Monine stood on either side of him, waiting for him to complete all preparations. Luo Xiu put on the [Divine Crown], grasped the [Divine Grip], and together with Franya and Monine, opened the divine domain to the maximum extent, completely enveloping the entire space in [Radiance].

At the same time, Luo Xiu had already entered the state of "Holy Wing Incarnation" and opened his highest domain, opening the [Pilgrimage to Heaven]!
All the angels who were summoned by Luo Xiu and descended from the sacred gate were the holy beings who replaced the clergy as priests. They sang hymns, and the sacred melody resounded in the hall and echoed throughout the hall!
At this moment, Luo Xiu was already the embodiment of Zhu Ri Xu Yu!
The sacred hymns gradually rose in pitch—Luo Xiu's gaze was fixed on the visible sea of ​​radiance that filled the sanctuary, and the spirituality of [Radiance] gradually rose, filling it to its fullest extent.

Then, the technical knowledge of the "Divine Revelation" came to mind, and he achieved a spiritual and divine connection with the pillar god of [Radiance]—and the moment of casting the sun.

This is the beginning of the ceremony.

Franya and Monine had also turned their spirituality of [Radiance], and the golden light surged from their bodies, then gently drifted down like golden fluff.

The spiritual golden fluff had already sprinkled onto Luo Xiu's body. It rose and fell with Luo Xiu's will until almost all the radiant spirituality formed a pure and bright pillar of light, which completely illuminated and enveloped Luo Xiu!

This is a ritual of "divine revelation" where the person has reached the highest level of status!

If one wishes to receive revelation from the fleeting moment of the Great Sun, there is no ritual that can provide a clearer revelation than this one.

A brilliant golden light has now appeared on Luo Xiu's body outline. This light, along with the spiritual light emanating from Franya and Monine, has stirred up an even purer divine spirit, which spreads and dissipates in waves to the surrounding area!
The light grew ever brighter and more dazzling. Finally, shimmering rings, like angelic halos, appeared and coalesced in mid-air, eventually forming a gigantic halo—a sacred gate leading to the holy land.

The most sacred being resides on the other side of that sacred gate—this "divine revelation" ceremony points directly to the true divine kingdom of [Radiance], the origin of the "angels," and the true "Eternal Kingdom" where the Great Sun Moment truly resides!
The time has come.

- Om!

——Buzz!
The spirituality of that [Radiance] had reached its peak, and it had even begun to challenge a certain extreme point. Luo Xiu maintained the posture of holding the scepter [Divine Grip] high, and began to sketch in his mind.

He sketched in his mind the portrait of the "First Cardinal," Finlake Saint-Léon, and then asked the sacred question to the Great Sun Moment—

Regarding the current whereabouts of "First Cardinal" Finlake!
——Wow! !

As Luo Xiu fully articulated the question in his mind, a deafening roar, like a torrent, surged into his ears—

It was a series of deep, chilling hissing sounds of snakes, the painful wails of an old saint, and the mocking laughter of another deity who was neither angel nor demon!
The old sage was none other than the "First Cardinal" Finlake, and the illusory hiss of the serpent—that was the Serpent of Nothingness, the countless offspring of the "Serpent of Devouring Nothingness," and its countless incarnations!
[Nothingness]! It's actually [Nothingness]!
Luo Xiu wouldn't be mistaken—the snakes that entangled Finlake, as seen in the revelation given to him by the Great Sun in an instant, were indeed the power of [Nothingness]!

Finlake has also been tainted by nothingness?!

And that's not all. The shadow of the "god" that vaguely appeared in the hallucination—although it looked like both an angel and a demon, its aura sent chills down Luo Xiu's spine. That was the "demon"!
Unlike Tatia, who is a fallen angel in demon's skin, the demon in the vision... is a demon in angel's skin!

Even that aura...

That aura was definitely not that of a "True Ancestor Demon"... it was even greater than that of a "Primordial Demon"!
That's the "Primordial Demon"!
Finlake has also fallen into the Abyss?!

Luo Xiu was able to confirm these things even from that blurry illusion alone.

Fortunately, he did not attempt to give divine revelation to the "First Cardinal" Finlake himself, but instead had Tatia and Monigne do it together; otherwise, it would have been impossible to see such a clear revelation!
The intense stimulation, like needles, began to prick Luo Xiu's soul. Amidst the deep hissing, mocking laughter, and wailing sounds, Luo Xiu even felt that his soul was dimming, and his body trembled as a result.

The blurry scene then faded away like a gust of wind and finally disappeared.

The next moment, the divine revelation given by "The Great Sun in an Instant" finally descended—

A divine will enveloped him, manifesting as clear yet fragmented images and ancient, low murmurs that flickered before Luo Xiu's eyes and echoed in his ears.

Luo Xiu saw it: a desolate, dilapidated "dead city" devoid of any living beings.

"First Cardinal," "Fenlake," he hovered high above that dead city, a golden halo of thorns suspended above his head, though the halo's edges were black, dripping with thick, black liquid, already tainted—

Behind him, the undisguised demon pressed close to Finlake's body, whispering incessantly in his ear.

In the calamity manifested by the Great Sun in an instant—Fenrike and the "Primal Demon"—they seemed to have just completed a "sacrifice".

An entire city, all its lives and souls, were sacrificed. And the eyes of the "First Cardinal" Finlake in that scene were completely dim and empty; he seemed to have been "possessed" and was no longer the holy saint he once was.

These images only appeared in Luo Xiu's field of vision for a brief few seconds.

Then, the image began to distort and spin, quickly becoming unreal and blurry.

Sacred and ancient characters, radiating golden light, appeared in Luo Xiu's vision, and at the same time, he heard a solemn and heavy resonance, like that of amber.

【Agus City…】

Accipile... the city of Agrus... Accipile...

"..."

On Luo Xiu's interface, the divinely granted quest panel from this "Divine Revelation" and information related to "First Cardinal" Finlayk Saint-Lerran appeared simultaneously.

He grieves with mercy and compassion—

[The once most devout saint—now a blasphemous, degenerate vessel, destined to be born as the embodiment of calamity.]

[The primal evil seduced him; his heart was devoid of faith, filled only with desire and the fleeting pleasure that only filth and blasphemy could provide.]

He will be tainted by the divinity of the martyrs, plotting to seize the radiant divine status. And the first step in that blasphemy will be the sacrifice of the 'City of Pilgrimage'—the holy city to which he once converted and was baptized.

A twisted demigod will be born from blasphemy.

He will proclaim that distorted gospel, and open the long-broken door for the black tide descending from heaven!

The city of pilgrimage will crumble, the sons of blasphemy will rise, and the abyss of calamity will hang high!

Therefore, the radiance will guide you—

Go to that city on the verge of destruction—go to the city named 'Agus'.

While we wait, it's still too early for the inevitable end.

[May the blasphemy of primordial evil end, may the fallen souls awaken from darkness, and may the radiance once more save the sublime city.]

[Those who were originally sacred and sublime, and that sacred and sublime city, should not have met such an end!]

【…】

[Complete it, and soon a divine reward commensurate with your achievement will descend.]

[Countdown to the Manifestation of Calamity: 14 Days]

【…】

……

(End of this chapter)