Chương 124: Chapter 124: The Immortal Society
Starlight Calendar 1254, Month of Scrolls (August).
Marquis Lake Blue was killed in his mansion.
His entire family was wiped out overnight.
The news spread, causing an uproar among the upper echelons of the Starlight Duchy.
The nobles aligned with the royal family were in a state of panic, fearing that Sunan might come for them in the middle of the night.
Lake Blue Province, with the death of Marquis Lake Blue and the annihilation of his heirs, fell into chaos without a leader.
Seizing the opportunity, Baron Stali marched north from Jinmai City, capturing four towns, including Ya'an City, in just half a month, advancing with unstoppable momentum.
If most of the Shimmer Territory's army wasn't engaged in the other two provinces, Baron Stali's forces alone might have taken the entire Lake Blue Province.
In the same year, the Month of Harvest (September).
The Shimmer army captured the central city of Soman Province, Soman City, capturing the new Marquis of Soman.
Thus, the entire Soman Province fell into the hands of Shimmer Territory.
After a three-day rest, the Marquis of Shimmer led his army, along with Baron Joden stationed in Monguang City, to attack Purple Bamboo Province. In less than a month, they captured over two-thirds of the province.
It was clear to any observer that the fall of Purple Bamboo Province was inevitable.
As for the royal family, the Redleaf Province army was still locked in a stalemate with Marquis White Tower. Despite having the upper hand, there was no sign of a quick victory.
As for Frost Province, it was still under reconstruction, with negligible military power.
At this point, the tide of the war had completely turned.
Many who previously supported the royal family and mocked Shimmer Territory fell silent.
In their place, discussions about Shimmer Territory overthrowing the royal family grew louder and more prevalent.
In a tavern, in a room.
Sunan gazed at the swirling golden light in his palm, a satisfied smile on his face.
[Divine Energy, 12 Standard Units, completely purified pure energy, capable of converting into any form of energy.]
"It worked!"
"Completely unpolluted pure energy!"
After draining all divine grace from the sacred artifacts, Sunan finally synthesized 12 standard units of pure divine energy.
Without hesitation, he twisted his fingers, entwining the golden light around them, and pressed it to his forehead.
Under the guidance of his invisible mental power, the golden light gradually sank into his forehead and disappeared.
A familiar sensation of elevation surged from deep within his mind!
This was the feeling brought on by a significant increase in mental strength in a short period.
Sunan closed his eyes tightly, patiently converting the divine energy into mental strength bit by bit.
It was unclear how much time passed, but finally, the last trace of divine energy was depleted, and Sunan opened his eyes, immediately checking his status.
[Mental Strength 41.26]
"Not bad, an increase of 3.02!"
Sunan smiled with satisfaction.
The divine energy did not disappoint him.
Without constructing a new star ring, it would have taken at least three to four years of meditation to achieve such a growth in mental strength through normal training.
Additionally, the increase in mental strength would also improve the growth rate of his Star Ring Meditation proficiency.
"The exact extent of the increase will need some practice to determine."
"But that's not urgent right now; first, I'll deal with the Spark Church."
Sunan moved to the window, opened it, and looked down at the street below.
After killing Oveich and Marquis Lake Blue, he had hurried to Giant Nan City in Redleaf Province.
This was also the headquarters of the Spark Church.
Since the Grand Duke of Starlight had declared the Spark Church as the state religion, Giant Nan City had effectively become their territory.
The entire city was under the control of the Spark Church, and even the city guards had been replaced by the so-called Holy Order.
The warriors clad in armor and starry cloaks that Sunan had seen at Marquis Lake Blue's mansion were members of this Holy Order.
Sunan had expected Giant Nan City to go into lockdown after Oveich's death, with security becoming even tighter.
But upon arrival, he found the situation quite different from what he had anticipated.
The city remained peaceful, with bustling streets and no sign of heightened alertness.
In contrast, the Holy Order soldiers stationed at the city gates appeared anxious and distracted.
According to tavern patrons, the Holy Order had been rarely seen patrolling the streets lately.
The Spark Church's thrice-weekly worship ceremonies had also been canceled several times.
All indications pointed to chaos within the upper ranks of the Spark Church, affecting those below them.
Sunan found this odd.
Even with Oveich's death, the Spark Church shouldn't have been thrown into such disarray.
After all, it was only the archbishop who had died, not the pope.
Shaking his head, Sunan activated his invisibility robe and leaped from the window, heading toward the Spark Church headquarters.
Regardless of the situation, today he intended to settle things with the Spark Church.
And perhaps seize another batch of sacred artifacts.
The Spark Church headquarters was situated in the heart of Giant Nan City, originally the residence of the city's lord, now repurposed as the church's central hub.
Upon arrival, Sunan was surprised to find not a single guard at the entrance.
The doors were wide open, and an eerie silence pervaded inside.
Sunan sensed something was amiss.
This didn't feel like a trap.
His initial plan was to use golem puppets to assault the headquarters, forcing the Spark Church to reveal their full strength before making his move. But now, seeing the situation, he changed his mind and charged straight in.
He passed through the doors and corridors, arriving in a wide courtyard.
Upon entering, Sunan was greeted by the sight of countless bones scattered across the ground.
Pale skeletons lay in disarray, numbering over a hundred at a glance.
Closer inspection revealed tiny bite marks on the bones, likely left by some small creature.
Scattered remnants of fabric suggested they were once the starry cloaks unique to the Spark Church.
"It seems someone beat me to the punch."
Sunan's eyes flashed with suspicion.
Who else held such a grudge against the Spark Church that they would attack its headquarters?
Despite his curiosity, Sunan moved quickly, heading deeper inside.
Along the way, more pale skeletons were visible. Judging by the battle scars around, the intruder was extraordinarily powerful, leaving the church members with little chance to resist, resulting in a one-sided massacre.
Reaching the rear courtyard, Sunan finally heard the sounds of a battle ahead.
He slowed his pace, advancing quietly.
In the spacious central courtyard, a fierce battle was underway.
On one side were over a hundred Spark Church followers, forming a semicircle defense against a building.
On the other side, to Sunan's surprise, was a swarm of insects.
They resembled bees but with terrifying, tooth-filled round mouths where heads should be.
Despite their small size, only egg-sized, they moved with incredible speed, their teeth sharp enough to bite noticeable gaps in the church members' armor.
Sunan realized how the bite marks on the bones he saw earlier were made.
These people had been devoured, flesh and all, by the insects before him.
"Wizards' apprentices?"
Sunan narrowed his eyes slightly.
These insects seemed like the work of a wizard's apprentice.
Just then, a buzzing sound erupted as another swarm of insects flew in from another entrance to the courtyard.
Seeing this, the Spark Church followers showed despair.
They were already struggling to hold on, and now another swarm of these terrifying insects appeared, only worsening their predicament.
But what happened next surprised them.
The insects didn't attack them but charged toward another entrance to the courtyard.
"I've been discovered!"
Sunan frowned, opening his mouth to unleash a powerful sonic wave.
Shattering Sound Wave!
A visible distortion whirled out like a cannonball, striking the insect swarm, shredding many of them instantly.
The once-dense swarm seemed to have a chunk taken out, leaving an empty space.
Sunan then waved his hand, sending a surge of flames to incinerate the remaining insects.
As he acted, Sunan dropped his invisibility, revealing himself.
The nearby Spark Church followers were stunned.
The swarm that had taken all their effort to merely withstand was effortlessly eradicated by this mysterious figure, giving them a sense of disbelief as if in a dream.
Among them, a figure of some standing quickly recognized Sunan, exclaiming in shock:
"Sunan!"
The followers gasped, their gazes toward Sunan shifting instantly.
This was Sunan?
The wizard who single-handedly dismantled Lake Blue Province's military setup and killed Archbishop Oveich?
The group despaired.
Their current foe was already insurmountable, and now a terrifying new enemy had appeared. They truly had no hope of survival.
Ignoring the church followers' reactions, Sunan turned toward the courtyard's diagonal entrance.
"Come out, no need to hide."
A low chuckle echoed as a man in a gray robe stepped out from a corner.
Sunan's gaze fell on the newcomer's face, causing him to frown.
The man's appearance was strikingly abstract.
It seemed as if human and insect features were fused into a grotesque and unsettling visage, almost dropping one's san value just by looking.
The pale skin exposed on his body occasionally bulged and writhed, as if something was moving beneath.
"A wizard's apprentice fused with some insect beast bloodline."
Sunan understood slightly.
"As expected of a wizard's apprentice who could kill Oveich, you indeed have some skill."
The gray-robed man's eyes, resembling insect compound eyes, coldly stared at Sunan.
"You came for the divine remains, didn't you?"
Divine remains?
Sunan's expression shifted.
Could this be the reason behind the Spark Church's possession of divine blood and sacred artifacts?
But who was this man, and how did he know the Spark Church's secrets?
His mind raced with thoughts, but Sunan remained composed, calmly replying, "What if I am?"
The gray-robed man's lips curled into a disturbing grin, revealing an eerie smile.
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to give it up. The divine remains of the Spark Church are what the Immortal Society seeks."
The Immortal Society?
A wizard's apprentice organization?
If true, judging by the name, these wizard apprentices seemed to have grand ambitions.
"You're trying to steal the fruits?" Sunan sneered.
The Spark Church's fall was almost entirely his doing. This so-called Immortal Society's wizard apprentice had done nothing but appeared at the last moment to seize the fruits of his labor. How could he tolerate such a thing?
"So, you're not giving up?" The gray-robed man chuckled.
Sunan didn't waste words, immediately firing a spell missile.
Seven spell missiles roared toward the gray-robed man, who exploded into a swarm of insects, scattering out of the courtyard with a cold parting shot.
"You'll regret this!"
Sunan was momentarily taken aback by the man's audacity, speaking so brazenly yet fleeing so decisively.
His words and actions were completely inconsistent!
After confirming the gray-robed man had truly left, Sunan shook his head, turning his gaze to the remaining Spark Church followers.
With the departure of the gray-robed man, the insects also flew away, leaving the church members collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath and looking at Sunan with fear.
One menace had left, but another remained.
Sunan approached the elder who had first recognized him, asking, "Who was that just now?"
"I-I don't know," the elder replied fearfully. "He infiltrated the headquarters once before but was driven off by Archbishop Oveich."
Mentioning Archbishop Oveich, the elder's gaze toward Sunan was even more fearful.
After all, it was rumored that Oveich had died at the hands of the man before them.
Sunan realized that the gray-robed man had left so promptly because he knew he couldn't win.
Was he planning to bring reinforcements?
But to escape Oveich unscathed, the gray-robed man must have been a formidable level three wizard's apprentice.
It seemed the Immortal Society wasn't a second-rate faction; he needed to ask others about it at their next gathering.
"Where are the divine remains?" Sunan asked next.
"I don't know about any divine remains," the elder replied, bewildered.
Sunan frowned, casting a Charm Person spell and asking again, receiving the same answer.
The others were equally clueless.
After some thought, Sunan asked, "Where is your pope?"
"The pope is still in seclusion," the elder glanced at the building behind him.
Clearly, that was where the Spark Church's pope was secluded.
Sunan sneered, "With all this happening, your pope still has the mind to remain in seclusion. Quite composed."
In the Spark Church, below the pope were Archbishop Oveich and the three chief priests: Jensen, Yorris, and Brack.
Now all four had fallen to Sunan, leaving the church's upper echelons virtually wiped out.
Yet their pope hadn't stepped out to take charge, remaining in seclusion. It was incomprehensible.
No wonder the Spark Church was in disarray, even having their headquarters invaded and nearly all followers slaughtered.
"The pope's chamber is made of refined steel, impervious to even legendary knights, and only Archbishop Oveich had the key. We can't open it or contact the pope."
The key?
Sunan recalled and shook his head.
He had struck Oveich too hard during their fight, leaving nothing but sacred artifacts. Even if there had been a key, it was long gone.
It seemed he needed to curb his tendency to overdo it.
Refocusing, Sunan looked at the building.
His curiosity was growing.
According to these followers, the pope of the Spark Church was rarely seen, with Oveich handling most church affairs.
Only Oveich could meet and contact the pope.
This was undoubtedly abnormal.
It was almost as if Oveich had complete control over the Spark Church, rendering the pope a superfluous figure.
This was not how a normal church should operate.
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