Chapter 426: How Could That Be, Haha (Request Subscription)

「……」

In the solitary demi-plane filled with ancient texts, the last keeper sat quietly on the ground.

Ash Bishop Ophidia lowered her head, half-closing her eyes, in a state bordering on meditation.

She was not daydreaming—she was thinking.

Just now, Ophidia had another dream.

This time, she “dreamed” of that unexpected person.

The two did nothing special—merely stood side by side, sitting quietly in the demi-plane reading books.

Throughout the entire dream, neither spoke a word, yet she felt a spiritual resonance with him.

“Herbert… why you?”

Why had she dreamed of him?

To Ophidia, Herbert was merely the most interesting among countless promising juniors.

Logically, she felt no emotion toward him beyond “expectation”—she shouldn’t have dreamed of him.

Yet, his figure appeared in her dreams.

…No.

Or rather—was that truly a dream?

Since taking on their burden and becoming this way, she had not dreamed for many years.

In dreams, only endless knowledge tormented her soul.

After growing accustomed to the noisy nightmares of the past, this long-absent quiet dream stood out vividly.

After waking, she felt confused, wondering if she had been dragged once more into Herbert’s dream… but she knew it wasn’t true.

But why?

If the first time was because of that potion, what caused this second occurrence?

That had clearly been his dream—why had she become the one trapped within it?

She didn’t understand.

For this reason, Ophidia had been pondering the reason all along.

Where had things gone wrong?

What exactly had caused this situation?

“Mmm hmm hmm…”

She concentrated all her focus on thought, unaware someone was slowly approaching her demi-plane.

Only when the visitor actively sent a request to enter did she snap back to awareness.

Here he comes!

She opened the passage and said coolly to the person outside: “You’re here? I thought you’d wait longer… hmm? Who are you?”

Before her, Rust Nail Bishop, who had just entered the demi-plane and was about to step forward and bow, froze in place.

“Eh!!?”

Rust Nail Bishop: ?

Rust Nail Bishop, who had come to report to the Keeper, was momentarily stunned.

Shit… did I do something wrong?

He didn’t know whether to step forward or pull back his foot.

Huh???

The tone suggested the Keeper was not in a good mood… did I come at the wrong time?

No—was it the wrong moment?

Should I not have come?

He hesitated, standing on one foot, and asked weakly: “My Lord… uh… should I not have come? Are you waiting for someone?”

Who was she waiting for?

Rust Nail Bishop felt awkward—but one person in the room felt even more awkward.

Ophidia showed no outward movement, but clenched her teeth tightly inside.

Shit!

How could she have done something so foolish?

How could she have so casually assumed the visitor was Herbert?

She had grown too lax—this carelessness was unacceptable.

No, the real problem wasn’t even here… this was just a minor issue.

The true major problem was—why had she so casually assumed Herbert would come to her?

Why had she believed he would surely face her directly?

What if that coward chose to hide?

Ophidia maintained her calm exterior, but her mind raced wildly.

Her strange silence made Rust Nail Bishop even more uneasy.

The Keeper is silent… did I say something wrong?

Did I do something wrong?

Though Ophidia had said nothing, he was already drenched in sweat.

After a long pause, Rust Nail Bishop finally regained his composure and asked slowly: “My Lord?”

My Lord, look at me?

Whether you kill me or spare me, just say something!

Tell me what I did wrong!

Don’t keep me hanging like this.

Give me a quick answer.

“Hmm?”

Hearing Rust Nail Bishop’s timid call, Ophidia finally snapped back, paused, then said coolly: “No, nothing… hmm.”

She fell silent again, then slowly shook her head, offering no explanation, and moved on: “Speak. What brings you here? Again about the candidates?”

Phew!

Though curious about why the Keeper was upset, Rust Nail Bishop seized the chance to breathe and did not press further—he simply nodded.

“Yes, this is one of the two matters I must report to you.”

Hmm?

Upon returning to serious matters, Ophidia resumed her usual calmness, raising an eyebrow: “Didn’t I already tell you? Let your own group decide—whoever you choose.”

She paused, then realized Rust Nail Bishop’s visit must conceal something, and frowned: “Has something gone wrong?”

“There are minor issues, but I’ve already chosen the final candidate. I hope you can offer some advice,” Rust Nail Bishop said with great humility.

“Speak. Who did you choose? Though I can already guess.”

Ophidia tilted her head, teasing: “Someone so ordinary wouldn’t make a rigid fellow like you hesitate and come to ask me—must be someone unusual.”

“Is it Herbert?”

Though phrased as a question, Ophidia already had over ninety percent certainty of the answer.

Yet she felt strange.

Herbert had already been mentioned once before—she had given advice then—why come again?

“Yes, the final choice is still Herbert.”

Rust Nail Bishop nodded slowly, his voice grave: “But he has a small issue.”

“What kind of issue?”

“His power level… doesn’t match our original expectations.”

Power level?

Hearing this, Ophidia grew even more confused.

What was wrong with Herbert’s power?

Didn’t we already say to send a high-rank cultivator below Legend?

Wasn’t Herbert exactly suited for that?

He couldn’t have been severely injured and dropped to mid-rank, could he?

That would be too coincidental… she strongly suspected he was faking illness to avoid going.

“…Hmm?”

Wait—could there be another possibility?

If his power hadn’t dropped, then it must have—risen?

He ascended?

“Huh???”

Ophidia suddenly realized another possibility, her eyes widening in shock: “Wait! You mean… Herbert has ascended to Legend?”

Seeing she finally understood, Rust Nail Bishop exhaled in relief and nodded slowly: “Yes. He has successfully ascended to Legend, but now he no longer fits our original concept of a messenger.”

The former Herbert was a perfect candidate—but now, he no longer meets our prior requirements.

He cannot express the Mist Monastery’s measured discontent toward the Sun Church.

"Yet despite this, I still wish for Herbert to serve as the envoy for this journey to the Sun Church. He is young and well-suited to endure such trials and witness the true power of a divine church."

Though it may seem slightly unfair to others, Bishop Rustnail, as a high-ranking official, both from a strategic perspective and personal preference, believes the opportunity should be given to those who need it most.

In any case, Herbert is the best candidate.

He is the most promising among them; good resources should naturally be directed toward him.

"Though sending a Legend might make our stance less clear and lead the Sun Church to believe we are yielding, this minor drawback is negligible compared to the benefits."

"So I still hope you will understand my position and allow Herbert to become the envoy."

After expressing his thoughts, Bishop Rustnail suddenly noticed the Ashen Bishop’s shock.

"Huh? Could it be... Your Grace did not know about this?"

Huh?

You didn’t know?

Bishop Rustnail was surprised—he had assumed the Grand Bishop had already informed the Ashen Bishop, yet these two had clearly not communicated beforehand.

Upon hearing this news, the Ashen Bishop fell silent.

The news was too sudden; it left her mind momentarily stunned.

Herbert... a Legend?

Is this real?

"..."

After half a minute of shock, Ophidia finally came to her senses and shook her head slightly.

"He really is surprising..."

Surprising, yet not entirely so.

Unexpected, yet perfectly reasonable.

It was reasonable because she had always been certain Herbert would one day enter the Legend realm; she never once thought he would be stuck before it.

It was unexpected because it came far sooner than she had anticipated.

"...The last time I saw him, he had not yet become a Legend. What happened after that?"

"Because of the [Noise and Silence]?"

Though lacking concrete evidence, the Ashen Bishop’s first instinct was that Herbert had gained a blessing during this trial and successfully ascended.

The truth likely did not differ much from this.

After piecing it together, Ophidia still offered no further explanation to Bishop Rustnail, simply nodding calmly:

"Fine. I agree. Do as you wish."

She had no special requirements for the envoy’s strength; whether he was a Legend or not mattered little—as long as the Mist Monastery’s stance was clear, everything else was irrelevant.

To a Shi Shi-level powerhouse like herself, a newly ascended Legend Holy Knight and a Gao Jie peak cultivator were essentially the same.

Both were minor pests.

"What about the other matter?"

After receiving her approval, Bishop Rustnail exhaled and continued: "The second matter also concerns Herbert."

"After he ascended to Legend Holy Knight, the Grand Bishop contacted me and instructed me to gather materials."

"The Grand Bishop wishes to hold a Sacred Baptism ceremony for Herbert one month from now, and will personally preside over it."

Ophidia raised an eyebrow, teasing: "Personally preside? That old thing really favors him."

That old thing doesn’t even try to hide his favoritism toward that boy.

Doesn’t he fear others will be hurt?

Hmm... well, he truly doesn’t care.

As the strongest in the entire Mist Monastery—and indeed one of the pinnacle powers of the mortal realm—the Grand Bishop need not consider anyone else’s thoughts.

He acts as he pleases, without restraint.

As long as he does not cross his own inner line, others’ opinions are irrelevant.

"Alright, I understand. I’ll cooperate. Send me a list later—I’ll compile some of the materials."

"Understood."

With both matters approved, Bishop Rustnail did not linger and promptly took his leave.

"Though I don’t know which Lord she’s waiting for, it’s best to leave quickly."

Though Bishop Rustnail was rigid and cold, he was no Bai Chi—he knew the longer he stayed, the more the Ashen Bishop would resent him.

Thirty-six strategies, escape is best.

Gone, gone. The Lord’s affairs are none of my concern.

As soon as he left the semi-plane, he had not gone far when he saw the white-haired youth walking toward him.

"Lord Knight-Captain, are you here to see the Keeper?" Herbert greeted him with a bright smile.

Seeing Herbert, Bishop Rustnail regarded him with a sigh, sensing the difference in him.

Though Herbert concealed himself well and still appeared to be only Gao Jie level, now that he knew the truth, he could detect subtle distinctions.

"Hmm, Herbert, I must congratulate you... hmm?"

Before he could finish, he paused suddenly, realizing something, and asked suspiciously: "Are you here to see the Keeper too?"

"Yes, I have urgent news to report to her. I must take my leave."

Herbert smiled, offered no further explanation, gave a simple farewell, and departed naturally.

"Hmm, alright. We’ll talk later."

Though he longed to ask Herbert about the details of his ascension, since the youth had a legitimate reason, Bishop Rustnail did not obstruct him.

"Wait..."

Just as Bishop Rustnail was about to step away, he halted, turned back thoughtfully, and stared at Herbert’s calm retreating back.

"He’s going to see the Keeper?"

"Is the Lord... waiting for him?"

"Could that be possible?"

"..."

He stood there, thinking for a long time, then finally... nodded firmly.

"It can’t be!"

"Hmm!"

"The Keeper is waiting for him?"

He shook his head repeatedly at his own thought, laughing bitterly.

"How could that be? Hah!"

Within the semi-plane.

As soon as Herbert entered, he shouted loudly:

"Ophidia!"

"I’m here!!!"

Ashen Bishop: ???

"Shut up!!!"

(End of Chapter)