Diablo traveled through time and became a necromancer

The bustle of Kurast Harbor washed away the lingering chill and silence of the Spider Forest's depths like a warm tide. The setting sun stained the sea like molten gold, casting a false warmth over this weathered eastern port. Yet, the heaviness weighing on Wu Ye, Liya, and Vera's hearts was not entirely dispelled by the port's vibrant energy. The two "packages" in their backpacks, tightly wrapped in thick oilcloth and emitting a faint chill, along with the rusted scimitar and half-empty vial of murky medicine, weighed heavily on their hearts like cold lead.

"Let's go to the Seagull Inn first." Wu Ye's voice was slightly fatigued, but his eyes were determined. The matter of the Gray Weasel Squad must be resolved.

Pushing open the familiar, creaking wooden door of the Seagull Inn, the mingled scent of ale, stew, and sweat hit me. The clamor of voices temporarily masked the gloom in my heart. From behind the counter, the proprietress Martha's booming voice boomed, "Hey! You're back! Look at all the mud... Go wash it off! We didn't get any fluorescent squid ink sacs today, but we do have fresh sea snake soup!"

In the shadows of the corner, the unshaven, hollow-eyed man—Huck—was still huddled in his old spot. A few empty wine glasses lay on the wooden table before him. His head was buried deep in his arms, his shoulders hunched slightly. He seemed even more haggard than he had been a few days ago, like a piece of rotten wood that had been completely drained of its vitality.

Wu Ye walked over to his desk and, without a word, gently placed the heavy, carefully wrapped package in thick oilcloth on the table. The package wasn't large, but it was oddly shaped, emitting an indescribable, complex aroma, a mixture of a faint chill and deep humus. Next came the scimitar, chipped and stained with dried stains, and the half-shattered glass medicine bottle, its murky liquid only remaining at the bottom.

Huck's body suddenly stiffened! He slowly raised his head, his cloudy eyes first scanning the items on the table blankly, then his pupils suddenly contracted! He recognized the scimitar—it was the weapon Cook never left behind! He also recognized the medicine bottle—it was the antidote he had personally given to Wu Ye, and Wu Ye had returned to him at the inn, with his last hope!

"Ku...Ku...Old Jack..." Huck's voice was dry and hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against the surface. He reached out a trembling hand, his fingertips touching the cold oilcloth wrapping, then jerked back as if burned. He seemed to have a premonition, a surge of fear and despair gripping him.

"We found it deep in the tree hollow... in a corrupted place." Wu Ye's voice was low and calm, not exaggerating the horror, simply stating the facts. "Cook... was encased in something like resin, and we brought back... one of his arms." He pointed to the package. "Old Jack... he had merged with the core of the corruption... We could only bring back... the hand that once grasped hope." He pointed to another, smaller package. "And this... and Cook's knife."

Huck's body trembled violently! He flung himself on the table, clutching the two oilcloth packages with both hands! The cold touch pierced through the cloth, and the strange shape silently told of the tragic fate of his companions! He picked up the scimitar, his fingers stroking the familiar marks of the rope on the handle, soaked in sweat and then dried by the wind. Tears burst out like a flood! The grief, fear, self-blame, and despair that had been suppressed for several days completely erupted at this moment!

"COOK!!!! Old Jack!!!!!" Huck howled like a wounded beast! His voice was shrill and desperate, instantly drowning out the din of the inn! He clutched the two packages and the scimitar tightly, as if holding the last remnants of his companions. He curled up into a ball, twitching violently on the table, sobbing! Tears mixed with snot and saliva flowed freely. He clutched the half-full bottle of potion tightly in his palm, unaware of the blood oozing from the edge of the glass shards that pierced his palm.

The entire inn fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the sudden, heartbreaking grief. Landlady Martha opened her mouth, but ultimately sighed and silently handed over a clean, coarse towel.

Wu Ye, Liya, and Vera stood silently by. No words of comfort were offered; any language seemed pale and powerless at this moment. They simply stood there, like silent tombstones, bearing witness to the weight of this loss and the cruel truth behind it.

After an unknown amount of time, Huck's cries gradually turned into suppressed, intermittent sobs. He raised his head, his bloodshot eyes looking at Wu Ye and the other two, filled with endless pain, despair, and a hint of...unspeakable gratitude.

"...Thank you..." His voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible. "...At least...I brought them...home..." He struggled to his feet, clutching the two oilcloth bundles tightly to his chest. He placed his scimitar at his waist and carefully placed the half-full bottle of potion in his closest pocket. He bowed deeply to Wu Ye and the other two, his body hunched as if he were carrying a heavy burden. He staggered out of the inn door, his steps halting, and he disappeared into the gathering dusk over the harbor. His back resembled a ghost heading toward his own grave.

The foreshadowing of the Gray Weasel Squad finally came to a heavy and cruel end with the return of Cook and Old Jack's mutilated remains. The air seemed to freeze for a long time before it was broken by the deliberately subdued voices of conversation that once again echoed in the inn.

"Let's go." Wu Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. "Let's go to the Cathedral of Holy Light. We must inform the Pope as soon as possible about the corruption of the Holy Tree."

As night fell, the lights of Kurast Harbor gradually lit up. The three of them left the Seagull Inn and walked along the familiar streets toward the Cathedral of Light, perched high on the harbor's western plateau. The salty sea breeze blew in, and the bustle of street taverns, the aroma of herbs from alchemy shops, and the clanking of blacksmiths intertwined to create this port city's unique nocturne.

Vera walked steadily, her newly acquired Tyrant's Sting quietly tucked into the javelin pouch on her back, the tip occasionally reflecting a faint arc of blue electricity under the light. Leah followed Wu Ye's side, the light of her ice crystal staff fading, the colorful bird feather bracelet on her wrist swaying gently in the night breeze. Wu Ye walked forward in silence, the Spider Queen's Web headband in his backpack, now unusable, weighing like a heavy expectation. Skeleton Brother's tall frame, like a silent shadow, followed closely behind.

Passing through the bustling commercial district and approaching the West End heights, the streets became noticeably quieter and cleaner. The air was filled with a faint scent of incense and holiness. The majestic spire of the Cathedral of Holy Light, constructed from massive white stone, was clearly visible in the night. The massive holy emblem atop it emanated a soft, steady glow, like a beacon in the darkness.

Okay, this is a continuation strictly following your request, focusing on the encounter in the safe zone and the meeting with the Pope, without adding any combat scenes:

Chapter Name: Echoes of the Holy Light

Even as night deepened, the bustle of Kurast Harbor persisted, taking on a new kind of vitality under the lights. A salty sea breeze blew through the streets, carrying the stench of salt and the clamor of distant taverns. The clanging of blacksmiths and the cries of vendors closing their stalls intertwined into a unique nocturne. Yet, this din couldn't completely dispel the heaviness emanating from the depths of the Spider Forest. The two cold, oddly shaped oilcloth packages in their backpacks were like two blocks of ice, a constant reminder of the cruelty they had just endured.

Vera walked steadily. The Tyrant's Sting in the javelin pouch behind her occasionally reflected a subtle arc of blue electricity under the streetlights, the subtle electric light wrapped around the spear's body barely perceptible in the night. The colorful bird feather bracelet on Leah's wrist swayed gently in the night breeze. The light of the ice crystal staff had completely faded, but a hint of fatigue still lingered in the depths of her icy blue eyes. Wu Ye walked forward in silence. The Spider Queen's Web headband in his backpack, temporarily unusable, emitted a faint purple light, like a heavy expectation, and also like a silent urging.

Passing through the brightly lit and bustling commercial district, we gradually approached the West End. Here, the streets became noticeably wider and cleaner, and the air was filled with a light, soothing scent of incense, replacing the fishy, ​​bustling atmosphere of the harbor. A solemn atmosphere began to permeate. The majestic white spire of the Cathedral of Holy Light towered majestically in the night. The massive golden holy emblem atop it emanated a soft, constant glow, like an eternal beacon in the dark ocean, shrouding the surrounding area in a sacred and peaceful aura. The broad white stone steps leading to the cathedral's main entrance were spotless under the holy light, like a stairway to the kingdom of God.

Just as they were about to step onto the first stone step, they heard a burst of hurried and orderly footsteps, accompanied by the clanging sound of metal armor plates colliding lightly, from a relatively secluded alley in front of them, which was lined with neatly trimmed laurel trees.

"Hmm?" Vera was instantly alert, her Amazonian instinct causing her to pause. Though her javelin remained unsheathed, her hand was already on the holster. The skeleton's hollow eye sockets turned toward the alley entrance, its soul fire flickering slightly.

Wu Ye and Liya also stopped and looked towards the source of the sound vigilantly.

Shadows flickered at the entrance of the alley, and several figures walked out quickly, bathed in the soft light cast by the church's holy emblem.

The leader, clad in exquisite plate armor gleaming with a restrained golden glow, its lines flowing with divine brilliance, a solemn holy seal engraved in the center of the breastplate. She wielded a kite shield rimmed with sacred runes and a longsword brimming with pure holy flames. Her dazzling golden hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and her azure eyes, piercing like an eagle in the holy light, were none other than Paladin Juliana! Her delicate face bore a faint trace of weariness, and a dark green stain, half-wiped, stained her forehead (perhaps the product of some demonic fluid). Yet, her gaze remained bright and resolute, and she exuded a calm and powerful aura of holy light.

Close behind were her teammates: the mage Selina, her dark blue robes stained with scorch marks along the edges, as if scorched by flames. The magical radiance of the tip of her staff, inlaid with a massive sapphire, dimmed slightly, evidently depleted. And the barbarian warrior Grom. His towering frame, thick plate armor covered in fresh scratches and dents. His sturdy, bare arms were wrapped in bandages of holy light that emitted a faint healing glow. A claw mark deep enough to see the bone was faintly visible beneath the bandages. He shouldered two massive battle axes, their blades still stained with lingering dark red blood. All three bore the unmistakable marks of recent battle. Dusted and dusty, their strides remained powerful, their purposeful steps moving towards the church.

Juliana's gaze swept across Wu Ye and the other two people at the foot of the stone steps. A hint of obvious surprise flashed across her sharp eyes, and then turned into gentle kindness and a hint of understanding.

"Wu? Leah? Vera?" Her clear voice was a little hoarse from the battle, but still clear and powerful. "What a coincidence, meeting you here."

Her gaze lingered for a moment on the uniquely shaped javelin behind Vera, then swept across Wu Ye's slightly tired but calm face, and the colorful bird feather bracelet on Leah's wrist that was incompatible with the holy light atmosphere but full of vitality, and finally fell on the silent Skeleton Brother.

"It seems you've also been through a tough battle."

"What a coincidence, Juliana." Wu Ye nodded in greeting, his voice calm. "We just returned from the depths of the Spider Forest. We have important intelligence that requires us to see His Holiness the Pope immediately."

"Important information?" Juliana raised her heroic eyebrows slightly, and then her expression became serious. She glanced at Selina and Grom, who also bore scars of battle. The latter also cast a concerned look at her.

"Just in time! We've just wiped out a demon infiltration team that tried to sneak into the church crypt area through the sewer system, and are preparing to report to His Holiness the Pope." She pointed to the stains on her armor and the bandage on Grom's arm.

"It seems that the shadows under Kurast are more active than expected. Let's go up together!" She turned sideways and made an inviting gesture, indicating that Wu Ye and the other two should go together.

"It's related to the Kurast Rainforest," Wu Ye said in a deep voice as he stepped onto the white stone steps. His voice was particularly clear in the silent church area. "Deep in the Spider Forest, we discovered an ancient sacred tree completely corrupted by the power of Hell—Karastrei, the 'Mother of Green Shades'. It was once the source of life for the elves, but now it has become a nest of evil."

"The Corrupted Sacred Tree?" Selina repeated softly, the sapphire on the tip of her staff flickering slightly, signaling her concern. Grom hummed softly and tightened his grip on the axe handle.

"Yes," Wu Ye continued, his tone solemn. "More importantly, deep in the core of the Corrupted Sacred Tree, we discovered a source of contamination suspected to be... fragments of the World Stone being used by demons."

"Worldstone Fragments?!" Juliana, Selina, and Grom almost lost their voices simultaneously! Juliana's grip on the sword suddenly tightened, and the light on the Holy Flame Sword suddenly brightened for a moment! Selina's staff glowed brightly with blue light! Grom's eyes widened like bells, and his heavy breathing was clearly audible! The meaning and terror implied by this term were enough to make any warrior who knew its weight instantly tense up!

"Are you sure?!" Juliana's voice was unprecedentedly solemn and filled with a hint of unbelievable horror, her blue eyes fixed on Wu Ye.

"I saw it with my own eyes." Wu Ye met her gaze and spoke in a decisive voice. "A dark red, angular crystal, embedded in the core of the Corrupted Sacred Tree's roots. It exudes extremely powerful evil spiritual pressure and polluted energy, and its form is highly consistent with the contaminated worldstone fragments described in ancient texts. We can't even get close for long. Its power level far exceeds any demon lord we have encountered before."

Julianna took a deep breath. Her paladin's keen sense allowed her to instantly grasp the gravity of the situation—it far surpassed the demonic squad they had just eliminated! A contaminated fragment of Worldstone had appeared in the heart of the Kurast rainforest, posing a threat powerful enough to upend the entire region and potentially even serve as a gateway for an invasion from Hell!

"Let's go!" Julianna said no more, turned around and quickened her pace, her white cloak fluttering behind her. The light of the Holy Flame Sword stabilized, but it carried an urgent sense of mission.

"This matter is of great importance and must be reported to His Holiness the Pope immediately! There is no time to lose!" Selina and Grom followed closely behind, their faces filled with unprecedented solemnity and worry.

Wu Ye and the other two immediately followed. Brother Skeleton's tall frame stepped on the stone steps, making a dull but firm "click" sound.

The two teams met at one place, and under the eternal soft and solemn light of the Cathedral of Holy Light, they walked quickly along the wide and clean white stone steps towards the magnificent church door made of thick oak and inlaid with a huge golden holy emblem.

The Gray Weasel Squad's sorrow was temporarily suppressed. A heavier, more terrifying cloud lay ahead—the shocking secrets of the corrupted sacred tree and the fragments of the Worldstone—waiting for them to reveal to the Supreme Being of this holy land of human faith. The night in Kurast Harbor was still bustling, but on the stairway leading to the Holy Light, the atmosphere was as solemn as the dead silence before a storm.