Chapter 347: Toys? Anticipating the Worst-Case Scenario from the Start

With her heterochromatic black and white eyes, Zesshi Zetsumei looked curiously at the figure blocked behind the two Archangels of Surveillance.

A brown-soled black boot stepped onto the marble floor.

Water Pontiff Xidined and Earth Pontiff Raymond were completely unable to perceive Zesshi Zetsumei’s movement.

In an instant!

Zesshi Zetsumei bypassed the two Pontiffs and the round table in the center of the hall, appearing before the two Archangels of Surveillance as if she had teleported.

The pitch-black scythe-spear was raised!

Bang! Bang!

The two Archangels of Surveillance suddenly dissolved into white specks of light.

The black shadow of the weapon paused!

Zesshi Zetsumei held the end of the scythe-spear with one hand, the two-meter-long weapon held steadily and perfectly straight in mid-air.

At the very tip of the scythe-spear, the sharp silver and black blade emitted a chilling, icy light, a mere 5 centimeters from Tang Zheng’s nose!

"—Wait!"

"Stop."

Water Pontiff Xidined and Earth Pontiff Raymond’s expressions changed completely, and they spoke up in a panic to stop her.

The "Integration Potion" developed by Tang Zheng held great significance for the Theocracy, no... for all of humanity.

Although there were still many limitations at present, as long as the timeline was extended by decades or a century, the effects of the "Integration Potion" would inevitably elevate the foundation of all humanity!

Cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the two Pontiffs; they were both nervous and extremely anxious, terrified that Zesshi Zetsumei would cause irreparable damage.

Even so.

Water Pontiff Xidined and his companion still only dared to stand where they were, not daring to make any unnecessary movements.

The young girl before them, who appeared to be only in her teens, was the most powerful existence in the Theocracy.

—She was the guardian deity of humanity!

Judging by her appearance alone, no one would likely believe it.

This girl’s true age was greater than the two old men’s combined; to be precise, she had already existed in the Theocracy before they were even born.

The status of the "Six Great Pontiffs" was the highest in the Theocracy, and on the surface, they were the girl’s superiors, but no one felt that way.

Facing this girl.

Even the high-and-mighty Pontiffs needed to steel their resolve; even if they knew she wouldn't harm them, one still had to be mentally prepared when facing a powerful predator.

Hiss—

The scythe-spear remained in mid-air, its razor-sharp tip faintly emitting a subtle hiss as it rubbed against the air!

Tang Zheng’s gaze fell upon the sharp tip not far from his nose, his head tilted slightly back, his face showing both discomfort and calmness.

This was a weapon that looked extremely sharp, similar to a Grim Reaper’s scythe!

The shaft and the three blades of varying sizes were primarily black, with parts of the sharp edges being silver-white, and the remaining surface covered in a special black metal and mysterious silver striped patterns!

Exquisite, mysterious.

Anyone could see that this weapon was extraordinary.

This was naturally a game item from "Yggdrasil," and it was the weapon of one of the Six Great Gods, the [God of Darkness].

However.

Tang Zheng knew clearly that this weapon, which looked like a warrior’s tool, was actually just a magic staff in the shape of a weapon.

It was merely a cosplay-like item from the "Yggdrasil" game, and not even the main weapon of the [God of Darkness] player.

The main weapon of that [God of Darkness] player should have been seized by the [Eight Greed Kings] after they died in battle.

But even so!

The sharpness displayed by this magic item far exceeded the strength of any magic weapon in this other world.

"You canceled the summoning of the angels yourself?" Zesshi Zetsumei asked indifferently.

"That’s right."

Tang Zheng responded: "I don't believe that someone capable of easily destroying an angel with power at the "Demon God" level would be blocked by two Archangels of Surveillance."

A very honest answer.

Zesshi Zetsumei showed no emotional fluctuation; she had already lost count of how many compliments, worshipful words, and praises she had heard.

"Is this interesting toy something you made?" Zesshi Zetsumei asked curiously, staring at Tang Zheng’s black hair.

A toy?

The highest level of angel was actually called a toy.

A bitter smile flashed across Water Pontiff Xidined’s face, followed by more worry and nervousness.

The situation before them was completely outside the plan!

"First, I only created the "Integration Potion"."

"Second, it is not a toy!"

Tang Zheng leaned forward, his nose almost touching the tip of the scythe-spear, his voice low: "Is this the goal of your Theocracy!"

"What do you take this potion for?"

It was not a tone of anger, but rather one of disappointment.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned cold.

"Ha~?"

Zesshi Zetsumei gave a light "tsk," moved her gaze away from Tang Zheng’s black hair, and spoke maliciously: "Strange."

"You don't seem to fear me? Even though you should clearly understand the gap in power levels, you show no fear at all. Do you have some kind of trump card?"

"If you need to prepare, I can wait."

Zesshi Zetsumei spoke to herself, the corners of her mouth curling up, her heterochromatic eyes revealing anticipation.

It had been a long time since she had felt such a lively fellow; only when someone joined the [Black Scripture] did interesting people appear.

But those weaklings hadn't seen her true strength and it was normal for them to be conceited, but this guy in front of her seemed different.

"No."

Tang Zheng shook his head; he did not wish to have a conflict with Zesshi Zetsumei, at least there was no need for it now:

"Ordinary people cannot comprehend the strength of those who have stepped into the "Heroic Realm." Only those who have reached this level understand that it is an uncrossable chasm of power."

"Just like now, it is nothing more than a reversal of roles. Since neither resistance nor running away has any effect, why should I be afraid?"

"Using the doctrine of your Theocracy’s [God of Darkness], death is the final destiny of the living."

"What is this."

Zesshi Zetsumei withdrew her gaze in disappointment: "So you’ve given up on resisting, a weakling who can't even provide a bit of fun."

"I don't even have the desire to strike."

Click!

Zesshi Zetsumei bent her forearm, and as the blade of the scythe-spear cut through the air with a light ring, she hoisted the weapon back onto her shoulder.

Seeing this, Water Pontiff Xidined and Earth Pontiff Raymond felt their hearts ease, but when they wanted to speak, they swallowed their words back down.

They both had the authority to access the personality analysis files of Zesshi Zetsumei.

Therefore, they knew.

It was best not to speak at this time, otherwise, it might trigger some unknown chain reaction.

Negotiating further with this Team Leader Tang regarding the potion would likely be even more troublesome.

Water Pontiff Xidined sighed deeply in his heart.

He could roughly empathize with the despair, confusion, and powerlessness Team Leader Tang must be feeling right now while facing such a powerful existence as Zesshi Zetsumei.

"Ah~ so troublesome."

Zesshi Zetsumei turned around with her weapon on her shoulder, whispering inexplicably, a strand of white hair falling naturally from the gap between the black and white, its length nearly touching the ground.

"Sorry for interrupting your conversation."

Zesshi Zetsumei waved at the two Pontiffs, and although she said that, her tone was full of arrogance; with a movement of her feet, she jumped easily onto the frame of the broken glass window.

Her figure leaped again and disappeared! Only the shattered glass on the ground and the dissipating Dominion Authority angel proved what had just happened.

There was a brief silence in the hall.

"Team Leader Tang..." Earth Pontiff Raymond wanted to speak.

"Allow me to refuse!"

Tang Zheng’s tone was cold: "Since the Theocracy hides such a powerful existence, why care about the power of this potion."

"I am an adventurer; whether it is killing people or refining potions using the blood of demi-humans, I am no good person."

"But I will absolutely not use innocent infants as experiments. This is not a question of whether I can, or of right and wrong, or even good and bad, but the bottom line of being a human!"

After speaking.

Tang Zheng turned directly and walked toward the thick, exquisite wooden door of the temple, speaking as he walked: "If the two Pontiffs want to stop me from leaving, or want to take action, do it quickly."

Earth Pontiff Raymond’s open mouth closed, his expression shifting repeatedly.

This was clearly a sign that the negotiations had completely failed!

Furthermore.

The unexpected appearance of Zesshi Zetsumei, the Theocracy’s strongest combat power and guardian deity of humanity, had already created the possibility of an intelligence leak.

The strategic deterrence of the "God-kin" might be failing.

The Platinum Dragon Lord of the Slane Theocracy might use this incident as a probe, potentially triggering an all-out war.

A multitude of thoughts surged forth.

The Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng’s gaze gradually turned cold, and he slowly raised his arm; he had no intention of killing this Team Leader Tang.

Instead, he wanted to trap him, making it completely impossible for Tang Zheng to leave the Theocracy, which would both prevent the leakage of information and allow them to continue obtaining the "Integration Potion" from him.

At the same time.

The "Four Elements," who had just been kicked unconscious, had stood up at some point and were watching the developments here.

Whoosh!

Water Chief Priest Xineiding’s aged face wrinkled, and he raised his arm to block the Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng, causing the other’s movements to pause.

"Tang, we did not mean that; what happened just now was also an accident."

Water Chief Priest Xineiding spoke with a bitter smile.

Tang Zheng had already walked to the wooden door, with no intention of looking back.

With a "click."

The door closed with a dull thud.

"Do you know..." Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng suppressed his anger and spoke in a low voice.

"People from the Holy Kingdom are still in the Theocracy."

"The other two members of the 'Free Will' squad did not follow along to the Theocracy either," Water Chief Priest Xineiding said gloomily:

"Of these two, one possesses the power to kill a legendary undead, and the other has already gradually gained control over most of the demi-human forces in the Abelion Hills."

Silence.

"He anticipated the worst-case scenario from the very beginning." Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng took a deep breath.

Water Chief Priest Xineiding first shook his head, then nodded, his wise eyes flashing: "Tang is a smart man."

"Moreover, anyone who sees her power will only be immersed in that fear."

He waved his arm.

"My lords, the Chief Priests, I shall take my leave." The "Four Elements" bowed, one hand slightly covering their chest, and chanted in a low voice:

"Teleportation."

Magic power surged, and their figures vanished.

Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng’s expression remained ugly, his sharp gaze fixed on Water Chief Priest Xineiding: "Why hide such an important matter!"

At the meeting half a month ago.

When Water Chief Priest Xineiding submitted the experimental data for the "Integration Potion," he had noticed that the other party must have been hiding something, but he hadn't paid it any mind.

He hadn't expected them to hide the "infant integration"!

"What if you knew?"

Water Chief Priest Xineiding spoke calmly and faintly: "Even if this matter had been brought up at the meeting at that time, it would only have led to pointless arguing."

"You and I both understand the plight of humanity; we are always hovering on the edge of extinction. If sacrificing a few infants could increase the possibility of human survival, why not do it?"

"The final result would still have been passed. For us, if it allows humanity to survive, what does it matter if we sacrifice ourselves?"

Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng fell silent.

This only further illustrated the importance of the "Integration Potion."

"I think I know why that child appeared here," Earth Chief Priest Lei Meng suddenly said.

"That child" naturally referred to Zesshi Zetsumei!

The attack on the [Earth God] temple did not cause any impact or ripples.

Night.

In the guest house.

Tang Zheng sat on a soft leather sofa, clearly a high-end item, eyes slightly closed as he quickly pondered the series of events that had occurred today.

"What will the Theocracy's next move be?"

Tang Zheng was not certain.

The sudden appearance of Zesshi Zetsumei had rendered his previous deductions completely invalid.

Under normal circumstances, given Zesshi Zetsumei's status and influence, it was absolutely impossible for her to appear before him.

"Has some kind of change occurred within the Theocracy? Those two Chief Priests clearly didn't seem to be feigning their astonishment."

He wanted to confirm some information from Clementine at this moment.

Unfortunately.

Tang Zheng opened his eyes and swept a glance, without leaving a trace, over the walls to his left and right; in the rooms on either side of this one.

There were several individuals with not-weak auras, roughly at the level of 25.

"Detection Interference!"

Tang Zheng expressionlessly activated the magic, which could hinder certain detection senses.

"Third Tier · 'Paper Creation'!"

Magic power surged.

A large amount of white paper appeared out of thin air, and in the blink of an eye, hundreds of sheets condensed in front of Tang Zheng.

Low-tier "Paper Creation" produced a vast quantity of paper.

"Ever since I seized the 'Orb of Death' from Khajiit, I haven't made third-tier scrolls in a long time."

Tang Zheng picked up the sheets of paper one by one, continuously crafting magic scrolls.

In a moment's time.

Dozens of third-tier magic scrolls had appeared on the table.

"Magic Infusion!"

"Third Tier Magic · 'Summon Monster'!" Tang Zheng expressionlessly injected the magic into the magic scrolls one by one.

As the 50 scrolls were completed, Tang Zheng tore them all apart.

One, two, three, fifty gray, fist-sized Banshee Birds appeared in the room.

These Banshee Birds were silent.

Tang Zheng, however, felt a bit dizzy at this moment; a massive amount of visual information flooded into his mind, as if he had gained countless perspectives out of thin air.

(End of chapter)