It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

Bai Lin sneered. Wasn't this a standard medieval scam? They'd dubbed some lucrative enterprise as divine. Presumably, that supposed goddess was either born into wealth or wealth, or perhaps they'd found a pretty girl in the countryside, given a large sum of money to her family, and tricked her into creating a perfect image, a puppet.

It seemed that humanity wasn't as precarious as Bai Lin had imagined. There were nobles, a theocracy, and the common people seemed to be living and working in peace and contentment. It was just that those in the village, with limited access to information, probably didn't know this.

Cities provide shelter for people, but in return, they must strive for a living through hard work. The politicians who preside over these affairs need careful scrutiny. What are they really doing? If all they do is exploit the people, then their existence is meaningless.

Thinking of this, Bai Lin suddenly felt a little worried about his future. People were living peaceful lives, but he came here with the intention of provoking war against the outside world. Wasn't that a bit harmful to them? Forget it. The current information was not complete. He would just take it one step at a time.

After walking for a while, the three of them arrived at the church's entrance. The whitewashed building, its construction unknown, looked a good deal larger than the Knights' Hall. The church, bathed in the midday sun, looked remarkably holy. Inscriptions of classical script were carved into the wall at the entrance. While the text was obscure and difficult to understand, it still gave it a church-like atmosphere.

After crossing a threshold, behind the main entrance, there are black walls on both sides, densely engraved with words and people's names.

"This is the confession wall. Some people, for some special reasons, dare not or are too lazy to enter the church to confess to the priests and nuns, so they leave their sins here. According to the church, they will be forgiven in this way." Andel explained when she saw Bai Lin looking at the wall.

"That's really convenient." Bai Lin expressed his opinion.

After walking down the dim path, the three of them stood before a large wooden door. Andel stepped forward, knocked three times, and then the door opened. A world of rituals and an atmosphere unfolded before Bai Lin.

Stacked candlesticks, a vast collection of tomes and scrolls adorned the empty spaces between the walls and beams. Floor lamps were casually placed on either side of the neatly arranged wooden benches, two rows of which were occupied by worshippers. Several nuns strolled about, dressed in conservative yet form-fitting black and white attire.

A faint glow shone through the stained glass windows on the wooden walls. The wooden facade of the church was a stark contrast to the white stone exterior. The only white accents inside were the two statues standing in the center.

One was a white stone statue of Saint Hierin. The so-called goddess was adorned with ornate attire, richly adorned with floral ornaments. Even the hem of the sculpture's skirt revealed a fluttering veil. Her shawl and veiled hat were adorned with unusual religious symbols, perhaps a strange combination of an "S" and a horizontal "!". The girl's eyes were closed, one hand cradling a radiant orb, the other in a gesture of prayer. Her expression was devout, and one had to admit the sculpture's craftsmanship was exceptionally sophisticated.

"A big part of the reason why the deeds of the first Saint Hilarin are praised is because she invented the modern lamps, which brought light to people. That's why there are sun-like relief decorations behind her statue." Andel pointed behind Saint Hilarin, and Bai Lin found that it was indeed as she said.

Having said that, she is indeed very powerful, this so-called goddess.

Behind the goddess stood a faceless, hooded figure, his arms raised high, massive wings spread behind him. Religious symbols dangled from his bare chest. To support these wings, the foundation beneath his feet was thick. Rather than a sacred deity, Bai Lin felt more mysterious. If anything, she felt a god wasn't as impressive as the goddess.

After Andel introduced the goddess to Bai Lin, she went to grab a nun and explained their purpose. Soon, Andel gestured for the two to come over.

"Welcome to the cathedral. Nice to meet you, my dear brothers. I am Sister Elena." A blonde nun touched her chest and bowed. She was holding a book in her left hand, probably a religious document.

Chapter 165 God's Light

A slim-fitting black dress with a white robe on the outside and a fancy shawl on the outside. It shows just the right amount of coverage and is undoubtedly top-notch in terms of both religious nature and fashion and beauty.

Although the nun was young, she was not arrogant and gave people a sense of purity like a white lotus. She was quite different from the priest she had met before.

"First of all, when you first come to church, you need to make a donation. It doesn't have to be a large amount, as long as it's sincere."

Although she had to pay the fee right away, Bai Lin could understand. After all, she said the amount didn't matter, and it was much better than some temples that charged sixty or seventy-one incense packs. So Bai Lin asked Andel, "How much did you pay at the beginning?"

"Five coppers," was the short answer.

Bai Lin then grabbed the ten copper coins and handed them to the nun, who told him to place them on the altar at the back, which was filled with candlesticks and scriptures. Divide the coins between two people and pray for them, which made sense.

"Since you two have already given your due share of kindness, the gods will naturally return your kindness accordingly." Elena continued with a smile, "Then let me guide you two in the ritual of the first return."

As she spoke, the nun opened the document in her hand and turned to a certain page. She dipped her hand into a teacup-shaped container filled with a transparent liquid and touched the page. Suddenly, the page came alive, flying out of the book and landing in front of Bai Lin and Katie.

"What is this...?" Bai Lin asked.

Elena didn't answer directly. Instead, she put the book aside, took out two silver needles, and stood not far from the two of them. "This is the medium for you to communicate with God. Now, please leave your blood on it. This is also your introduction to God."

Hesitantly, Bai Lin and Katie chose to pierce their wounds and lightly tap on the pages. After finishing, Katie healed their wounds. Elena's expression changed slightly, but she didn't say anything.

"Finally, place the pages of the book in the fire, and you will meet God. Please be mentally prepared in advance, for God's greatness may exceed your imagination."

With a faint smile, a professional yet interesting introduction came out of Elena's young and lovely voice. After hearing this, Katie asked,

"Don't we have to come in order? Can God receive two people at once?"

"Of course not. God himself is omnipotent." Elena explained.

Katie and Bai Lin exchanged a glance, then stepped forward together, holding the pages of the book and placing them in the fire. As the flames began to spread, Bai Lin's vision blurred, and everything around her dimmed. Slowly, there was no one around her, no church either, only emptiness. She stepped on endless nothingness, and was surrounded by nothingness.

Just as she was about to ask about the situation, her surroundings suddenly lit up. A pale golden light suddenly increased in brightness, filling this empty world. The peaceful and serene light embraced Bai Lin, its warmth filling the gaps in her thoughts. It was like hearing the chimes of a distant temple bell, a feeling of infinite emotion yet a sense of inner peace, immersing her in this wonderful world.

Although light must have a source, Bai Lin didn't see it and didn't want to look for it. Streams of light gently drifted in from all directions, flowing together like a thousand threads, gradually forming rings that encircled Bai Lin, as if flowing with her at the center.

Gradually, pure feathers began to fall from the sky. The noticeable change naturally triggered a reaction in Bai Lin. She reached out to touch the massive feathers, but they were ordinary in size. They felt like goose down, yet possessed a strange quality. Just touching them, she could hear a faint voice somewhere, chanting praises and hymns.

"Though the falling of feathers is movement, yet it is also stillness. Though the hymn is noisy, yet it is also tranquil." With this feeling in mind, Bai Lin unconsciously recited these words. After all, short verses that only use rhymes, without rhyme, are something that the Chinese can easily create. When she regained her composure and looked ahead, a completely different scene unfolded before her eyes.

A pair of immense, pure white wings spread freely in the air, yet their wings were scattered in the golden light. The owner of these wings wore a dress primarily white. The dress fluttered freely in the air, the floor-length skirt embellished with gold ornaments, revealing long, slender white legs that were not meant to be easily seen.

Above the white knee-high socks was a skirt hidden underneath. Her top wasn't conservative either, revealing her midriff while also having an opening just below the neck. Above that perfectly undulating figure were naturally golden religious ornaments. Her long sleeves fluttered freely behind her, resembling wings.

Regardless of the design concept or the reason, it was clearly ahead of its time. While possessing a sense of sacredness, it also had a modern wedding feel. However, Bai Lin's inner thoughts weren't quite like that at the moment. Her pupils constricted, her mouth slightly open, and she was genuinely stunned.

Though her hair was inky black, it shone a similar hue within the holy light. Her hair, draped to her waist, was also covered by a veil. The hazy, swaying white veil couldn't obscure her golden eyes, which resembled Bai Lin's. Yet, in this atmosphere, her face was incredibly lovely. Childlike, pure, or perhaps, the somewhat ethereal word "holy" might be a more accurate description.

The black-haired girl landed on the ground level with Bai Lin with a faint smile, her wings completely dissipated. She spoke slowly, and from her seemingly young yet mature and charming face came a voice that matched her, with a hint of a queenly air.

"Are you okay, Bai...oh no, should I call you Bai Lin now?"

The tone was light and cheerful, yet it also carried a touch of maternal care. After hearing this voice, Bai Lin finally uttered the question she had been desperately trying to ask.

"Ajun?"

Standing amidst the floating light, seemingly a young woman, she possessed a body called holy. Rather than simply standing amidst the floating light, it was the dark-haired woman who brought the light, the one who brought everything. Her mere presence created this sacred environment.

And for Bai Lin, her face has some special meaning, because that name is...

This is what she called her girlfriend in her original world.

Chapter 166 God's Embrace

A Jun showed a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, and answered Bai Lin's question with certainty, "It's me. Thank you for your hard work these days."

Bai Lin froze in place, a moment of unbearable shock swirling through her mind. She didn't know what to say. Should she complain about the other person's arbitrary decision? Or accuse her of the pain she'd endured along the way? Or perhaps wonder if she was an imposter? Amidst a tangle of complex thoughts, a sense of peace and tranquility also mingled, creating a tangled mess. So, she came to this conclusion.

sluggish.

While she was still in a trance, Ah Jun had almost clung to her. Bai Lin's armor vanished, revealing her tight sportswear. The girlfriend, wanting to comfort her overworked boyfriend, naturally embraced Bai Lin.

The familiar and soft warmth softened Bai Lin's whole body and soul. Her dull eyes slowly came back to her senses. She lowered her knees slightly, her head pressed against the other's chest, and asked calmly again,

"Is that you?"

Her tone was no longer turbulent, but the trembling excitement in her throat would not change even with a change in her mentality. With his eyes slightly closed and a peaceful expression on his face, Ajun was like an angel descending to the world, blowing warm wind gently on Bai Lin's reddened ears.

"It's me, it's really me, idiot."

Hearing another affirmative response and the call of "idiot," Bai Lin's body regained its vitality. She folded her arms and hugged Ajun tightly. Standing upright again, she aggressively launched an attack. Their lips met, doing the most common thing for many couples. Ajun also closed his eyes, enjoying this moment without any resistance.

After the storm, their lips parted, drawing out the liquid of love. Ajun helped Bai Lin wipe the corner of her mouth, while the latter also looked at her calmly.

"Don't you want to say anything? I feel like you probably have a lot to ask." Ajun asked.

"Now that I'm done asking questions, I should probably go back. I just want to hold you like this right now."

Simple sweet words, although they have been narrated for many years, but Jun also smiled.

"When everything is over, you can hold me as long as you want. Where did that brave and resolute warrior go? Why did he turn back into a fool who can only show off his power in games?"

Bai Lin heard his girlfriend say this, smiled at her, and slowly released his hands. Indeed, in just a few months since arriving here, Bai Lin had already changed a lot. While there were pains, there were also joys. Meeting new people made Bai Lin feel like he had returned to his sunny and ambitious days.

"You... are a goddess?" Bai Lin asked tentatively.

Arjun shook his head. "In their terms, I am actually a god."

"Is the god's name really Jun Yanhua?" Bai Lin said half-jokingly. Even if she was a god, she was still his girlfriend. There was no need to be so nervous here.

Ah Jun shrugged. "As a god, I really don't have a name, but in that world, I must have a name."

"Then why do you want to go to that world..." Bai Lin had just said this when Ah Jun raised a finger and stopped at Bai Lin's mouth. "Enough of the small talk. Time is running out. Let's get to the point."

Yes, she is a god after all, so she must have a lot of things to do. Bai Lin thought of this and stopped talking about those special family matters.

"Have you taken care of my family at home after sending me here?" Bai Lin asked.

Jun Yanhua shrugged. "Actually, the hero I originally summoned to save the world was Long Yucheng. But as for you, fate has it that you were destined to die the day you came here."

Bai Lin smiled and said, "Are you kidding me? Although I have a lot of old health problems, they won't kill me."

"Tsk, believe it or not." Ajun said nothing more, "Although I helped you escape death, your family will of course know that you are missing, so I considerately sealed their memories temporarily, don't worry."

Bai Lin opened his mouth slightly, and just as he was about to say something, Ah Jun spoke again, "As for your online friends, I certainly took care of them, but I used a different method. I told them that you were doing your military service, so it wouldn't be a problem for you to come back in a few years."

"Ah? Can I really go back within a few years?" Bai Lin asked.

"One year here, one day there." Ajun's short eight words solved Bai Lin's confusion, and now she understood.

Given that, Bai Lin still had plenty of time to waste. Since his girlfriend was a deity, losing his youth wasn't a big deal. It just felt like their relationship wasn't as strong as it used to be. Was it because of her status? It didn't seem like it. Bai Lin simply felt a slight bitterness in his mouth, and he didn't know why.

"Now that you've finished asking, it's my turn to speak." Jun Yanhua declared, "I've been watching you since you came to this world. I turned you into a woman because, on the one hand, you wanted to experience it, and on the other hand, I didn't want you to cheat. I didn't expect..."

"That blonde girl is a twist."

Bai Linyi said sternly, "I've already rejected it."

"You can fool yourself, but you can't fool me." Ajun rolled his eyes at Bai Lin. "Listen carefully, Katie is actually the so-called Holy Child. As a person favored by God, she has the ability to communicate with the world since birth. Whether it's observing through magic or easily mobilizing various elements, it's not something that ordinary people can do."

"My original plan was to make her your teammate, but some things aren't something a god can directly interfere with, so I can't go into detail. Anyway, she had an unexpectedly tragic childhood, and her identity has been woven into your body, so you have to treat her well."

"What?" Bai Lin hadn't anticipated this development. Katie was the Son of God, and he had stolen her identity? Thinking about it, it was true. Their oracle said that the priestess would follow the Son of God for life, so Klein must be that priestess. Thinking about it this way, he really felt guilty towards her.

Ah Jun glanced at Bai Lin, whose expression had changed a little. "You don't have to think too much. Some things are not your problem. In general, what I mean is..."

"Since you both have some... desire to fall in love, then just try harder and fight for it. I don't mind having one more..." Although Ah Jun didn't show any dissatisfaction, her face flushed as she spoke. It seems that even gods can blush.

Chapter 167 God's Gift

Bai Lin was a little confused by what Ajun said.

"What did you just say?" she asked.

"Don't make me repeat it again, don't go too far." Ajun glared at Bai Lin and said so.

"..." Bai Lin said nothing, instead falling into deep thought. In her experience, a woman's words were like riddles; at least seven out of ten were not the original meaning. Although her girlfriend rarely played riddles with her, she still wasn't sure if she was testing her.

But as everyone knows, a woman's mind is hard to guess, so Bai Lin weighed it carefully and asked directly,

"You're not testing me."

"What the hell are you trying to do, idiot! I'm serious, there's no point in saying more. First of all, this world allows polygamy..."

"Then I don't need to go back to the original world, right?" Bai Lin interrupted.

"I'm a god, I have my own arrangements, and returning home won't be a problem at all. But you still need to put in a lot of effort on Katie's side, so I ask you to work hard."

Bai Lin frowned after hearing his words, lowered his voice, and said calmly but with dignity,

"Jun Yanhua, you look down on me too much. Why don't you think that I just want to be with you?"

Although the blush on Ajun's face rose a little after these words, she also realized that the atmosphere had become more serious. Perhaps her self-centered choice was wrong, but there was no doubt that as a god, she was giving the right guidance, so she once again denied Bai Lin's words.

"My current relationship with you is not without the connotation of long-distance love. I made this choice only in the hope that you can have a smoother journey back home."

Bai Lin smiled bitterly, "We are all adults now, so this little bit of hardship is nothing."

"Your words don't sound very convincing..." Ah Jun lowered his tone and said so, but was interrupted by Bai Lin's resolute eyes and words.

"I am now the warrior Bai Lin, I am different from before." After saying that, Bai Lin winked and smiled at Jun. Jun Yanhua shook his head helplessly.

"Anyway, if you truly make a choice, I'll naturally support you. But if you dare to let this cause even a small rift between us... I'm a god now."

Ah Jun smiled evilly and gloomily, wiping her neck, but her expression didn't reveal any malice. Bai Lin simply smiled casually and placed a hand on Ah Jun's shoulder. The other raised his head slightly, and their eyes met again.

"Don't worry, I've never been that kind of person, otherwise we wouldn't have been together for so long. Besides, not only did I disobey the gods, I also married her home. Isn't that cool?"

A cool smile showing white teeth, the first time using this body to make this expression, I don't know how many years it has been since I showed such a sunny smile. Even the gods couldn't help but be stunned for a moment by Bai Lin's change. Then A Jun also smiled and said to her boyfriend,

"If you say that to this god's face, the outcome might not be so cool."

"You won't, I know." Bai Lin said, and was about to hug him, but was gently pushed away by Ajun.

"Don't forget, time is very tight. We won't have much time to meet in the future, so you have to concentrate on saving the world." Ajun raised a finger.

"There are a few more issues we need to discuss. The first is your surname. My original plan was to give you a powerful surname when you arrive at the church. Surnames in this world carry magical powers, which can help to compensate for your lack of magic."

"But since you've already inherited Klein's, it's your choice. But if you want to change it, there are ways."

Bai Lin shook his head. How could he change it? This surname involved a matter of principle.

"Of course I won't change it. Although I don't know how powerful it is to change my surname, I don't think I'm that weak now."

"Good." Ajun gave Bai Lin a thumbs-up gesture, then raised his second finger, "The second question is about your followers. I originally planned to grant you God's followers, but you..."

"That's all fine. Without Cress, I wouldn't be able to defeat the dragon. Who knows how much damage it would cause to the world. I'd better not change this one. I promised her I'd talk to her more, and she's pretty powerful, isn't she?"

Ah Jun sighed, "That's true, but I didn't say I'd help you get a replacement. All I have to do is directly elevate your divinity accordingly, even if it's just as small as a needle in the seabed, I can achieve the corresponding goal."

"Does divinity have any effect?"

Ah Jun flicked his sleeves, and a ray of light emerged from his palm. With a speed that Bai Lin couldn't even see clearly, he slapped her heart. In an instant, Bai Lin's vision was instantly occupied by the white light, her head was dizzy, and she felt a huge energy flowing through her body.