Chapter 617: Cooperation of the Blood Clan

The "World" GerMan Sparo glowered, glanced back at Leonard once, and said in an even tone:

"Perhaps."

But the probability is low; the contradictions among the True Creator, the Lord of Storms, the Eternal Blazing Sun, and the God of Knowledge and Wisdom are irreconcilable, and it may later become a situation where the gods split into opposing camps.

As the "World", "Star", and "Chariot" each gave their accounts, the members of the Tarot Assembly learned the recent events on the Southern Continent, and everyone fell into a hush.

Until the "Moon" Emrin spoke, breaking the silence:

"Everyone, a high-ranking figure from our clan will soon arrive at Beckrand, specifically requesting to see me. How should I deal with Him?"

Him? A blood clan angel? A blood clan angel famed for its longevity is most likely a being who has survived from ancient ages.

The "Hanged Man" A'erjie let his thoughts wander, then considered before speaking:

"This is both a test and observation; just act as you normally would, and later there may be some challenges and missions directed at you."

"Such a test will likely involve probing the forces behind you; you cannot do it alone and must rely on the power of our Tarot Assembly."

The "Moon" Emrin was silent for a moment, then gently nodded and said, "I understand."

Based on the possible direction and content of the blood clan's test, the group exchanged brief words, until the "Fool" Kraine signaled the gathering's end; after everyone rose and paid their respects, streaks of deep red light rose, engulfing their silhouettes.

On the south bank of the Pas River Valley, in a hotel monopolized by the Night Church for the Insnis family, Leonard rose from his chair at the desk and stretched his body slightly.

In his mind, Parles' slightly hoarse voice echoed, "Your spirit just left the body to attend that gathering?"

"Exactly," Leonard replied, then muttered, "So everyone who appeared there was just a spirit."

He paused, tilted his head, and said in a low voice:

"Old man, can you block perceptions like 0-08?"

Parles scoffed, then said:

"What do you think? Why are you suddenly concerned about this, after learning about Adam at the gathering?"

Hearing Parles mention Adam's name, Leonard was momentarily stunned, his gaze unconsciously shifting left and right, but quickly regained composure; the old man's carefree demeanor indicated he could block the other's sensing.

In Leonard's mind, Parles let out a chuckle, his tone odd:

"Mentioning Him is fine; He will think it's just an ordinary person speaking, but you can't."

Leonard's expression stiffened; the words at his mouth were neither said nor unsaid.

"Really can't stand being scared, say whatever you want, I will subtly shift the concept, making your words become the unconscious babble of nearby passersby in Adam's ears……"

Leonard was stunned for a moment, then quickly recovered and said hesitantly:

"Why didn't you do this when you faced 0-08 back then?"

"That's your own matter, and too many actions would inevitably be noticed as abnormal by Adam."

Parles snorted coldly, his tone showing impatience.

Leonard was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh, composed himself, and said, "Adam and the True Creator are the same being; they have rejoined, now lie in slumber, and when they awaken, they will be a normal true god who masters both paths."

"Enough, no need to continue."

Parles suddenly interrupted Leonard's narration, and without waiting for Leonard's confusion, continued, "Fortunately, He is still asleep; otherwise He might already be standing before you now."

"Why? You already—"

Leonard's question was not finished when Parles cut him off again:

"The True Creator sleeps in the Pas River Valley; at such a close distance, my interference is essentially useless."

"Unless there is secret assistance, you must never again discuss topics related to Him."

"Secret?" Leonard muttered softly, suddenly recalling the divine realm of Mr. Fool above the Gray Mist, when they discussed such topics boldly at the Tarot Assembly.

At that thought, he lowered his head, his voice betraying curiosity as he asked, "Does Mr. Fool also wield the secret authority?"

"Of course not; otherwise the identity issue of Daoen Tangtais back then couldn't have escaped me."

Parles' voice quickly sank.

The "thump thump thump" of knocking sounded then; Leonard paced to the door, turned the knob. With a creak, the hooded black‑robed Daili appeared, her face painted with the usual blue eye shadow and blush, looking much more lively.

Seeing Leonard open the door, Daili smiled lightly and said:

"I thought you'd leave the church; too many secrets, a person of your stature doesn't fit in such a place."

Leonard was stunned, lowered his head, and let out a complex sigh:

"I... I have already gotten used to staying in the church."

Daili nodded lightly, skipped the topic, and continued, "'Goddess's Eye' Ilya, Your Excellency, has already reached cooperation with the Moss Ascetic Society here in the Pas Valley, and the rebranded Aurora Society."

"They have a request to obtain the rights to publish books, newspapers, and magazines in Luen, and to receive the church's promotion; 'Goddess's Eye' has asked me to first learn the types and contents of the books here, and to remove the unsuitable parts for dissemination."

"Does the Storm Church object?" Leonard asked, puzzled.

"Thus our cooperation in Luen is limited to the Moss Ascetic Society; the Steam Church might have objections, but after all it's not their main venue, so they can only painfully suppress their desire to vent."

Daili, while speaking, lowered her gaze, causing subconscious associations with her previous words.

In the Knowledge Cathedral on the north bank of the Pas River Valley, massive pure knowledge surged, reconstituting the figure of Recktorn.

He had just finished today's Tarot Assembly and was about to handle the backlog of the Knowledge Church's affairs.

Sitting at the desk piled with documents, a vague, ethereal door etched with many mysterious symbols materialized on the other side of the room.

A scarlet, hazy moonlight shot from the door, shattered instantly, and rapidly reassembled.

Wearing a long tailcoat, hair jet black, eyes bright red, posture upright, the "Full Moon" Duke Olmer appeared in the bishop's lounge of the Knowledge Cathedral.

He looked at Recktorn, a flash of surprise in his eyes, then said, "I cannot see through you; your life has fundamentally changed, not by divinity but a deeper transformation; essentially, you have surpassed the angel."

"It is the protection of the Secret, so I didn't notice this special life essence in you before?"

"Isn't the big figure Emrin mentioned the 'Full Moon' Grand Duke?" Recktorn looked up at the suddenly appearing "Full Moon" Duke Olmer, a hint of doubt.

He did not answer the question, but instead asked, "Is this the Creator's perception and judgment of life?"

Without waiting for Olmer's answer, he continued, "What happened that would cause a blood clan grand duke to storm into a god's cathedral?"

What happened that would cause a duke of the blood clan to directly barge into a true god's church?

Ao Er Mo lifted his hand, causing the "Summoning Gate" behind him to vanish, then dragged a chair from across the desk and sat down, speaking calmly:

"Ba Lan Ka has not yet returned to the Rose Sect."

Leikedun gave a slight nod; he knew this information, because the Ge Lan who had previously been tasked with restraining the Rose Sect angel also had not returned to Pas River Valley. He had been monitoring Ge Lan through the Hidden Sage, and she held the upper hand in the chase with Ba Lan Ka.

Ao Er Mo let out a heavy sigh, his tone carrying a faint sense of melancholy as he said, "The Rose Sect has seized an important seal belonging to the Blood Clan, which was formed from a trait of the Beauty Deity."

"I suspect that the 'Mother Tree' they worship interfered with the followers of the 'Primeval Moon' through this trait, causing them to join the Rose Sect as well."

"This trait was lost in the Second Era, because the Giant King Ao Er Mi Er betrayed, and the progenitor was ambushed by the Destruction Demon Wolf and the Aberrant King. They succeeded in assassinating the progenitor at the cost of their own lives, and after the three ancient gods' traits were separated, the remaining demigods on the scene collected them."

"At that time, the Spirit‑Beast God Tuo Er Zi Na whisked away that Beauty Deity trait before I arrived. He was very cautious; the Blood Clan has never succeeded in reclaiming it."

With a light sigh, Ao Er Mo continued:

"I would like to invite you to cooperate; the Rose Sect is the greatest tumor on the Southern Continent for you, and the Blood Clan wishes to retrieve that Beauty Deity trait."

"During the Rose Sect's earlier assault on Pas River Valley, this seal was placed under Ba Lan Ka's command. The Divine Heretic Si E A, after being repelled by Sasilier, was inevitably in poor condition, as the Spirit‑Flesh Blade from the Fallen Realm is especially restrictive toward aberrations that indulge desire."

Leikedun placed both hands on the desk edge, leaned back against the chair back, and looked at Ao Er Mo, saying calmly, "Perhaps Si E A's condition is poor, but the Rose Sect still has the Bound God, and the Desire Mother Tree that can affect reality from afar."

Ao Er Mo returned his gaze to Leikedun calmly, stating firmly, "As far as I know, the Hidden Sage also holds some secret authority."

"If we can invoke the protection of the Hidden, we can swiftly kill Ba Lan Ka before the Rose Sect reacts."

He paused briefly, then added:

"If I'm not mistaken, you intend to promote reform on the Southern Continent; the Blood Clan can further cooperate with the Moss Ascetic Order you represent."

After two seconds of silence, Leikedun let out a light laugh, "I don't think I have any reason to refuse."

(End of Chapter)