Chapter 724: Earth and Moon

"Moon" Ai Mulin glanced around, then fixed his gaze on Lei Kedun, and, unable to hide his curiosity, asked:

"So, who exactly is the current 'Earth Mother Goddess'?"

Lei Kedun looked at Ai Mulin and retorted, "Didn't the many blood clans in the Earth Church give you any ideas?"

Ai Mulin fell silent for a moment, shook his head vaguely, his mind already forming some ideas and guesses, yet he dared not believe them.

Ke Lai En, seeing everyone interested in the topic, manipulated "World" Ge Erman·Spalo with a chuckle and said:

"I can give you some hints."

"'Earth' and 'Moon' are two adjacent paths."

"It is rumored that in the Second Era, the ancient god Lilith representing 'Moon' fell due to the Giant King's betrayal, but He occasionally still answers the blood clans' prayers, seeming not to have completely perished."

"Star" Leonard was stunned for two seconds, then, with a dawning realization, spoke:

"No wonder; the Night Church no longer promotes the goddess title 'Crimson Lord'."

Ke Lai En, still manipulating "World", continued, "Perhaps, before long, we'll hear relevant descriptions within the revered name of the 'Earth Mother Goddess'."

Ai Mulin, trying to digest the fresh information, suddenly burst into laughter; seeing the other Tarot Society members looking his way, he quickly suppressed his expression, lifted his chin slightly and said, "I knew it—the progenitor wouldn't fall so easily; He merely changed identity, watching us blood clans more covertly."

With the dual identity of blood clan and Mother Goddess follower, has this vampire finally become Lilith's fanatic? Ke Lai En silently muttered in his mind, then, looking from "World" toward "Sun" Dairik, asked:

"Where has your exploration squad reached?"

The voice of "World" pulled everyone's scattered thoughts back, and "Sun" Dairik promptly replied, "We've arrived at Afternoon Town; in less than two days we can reach the Giant King's Court."

Ke Lai En lightly nodded and said:

"Hmm, at that time you can contact me through Mr. Fool; the sea of ruins where the Divine War Relic evolved has undergone a mutation, making it hard to find a safe passage quickly. I will go personally then and lead you out of the Divine Abandoned Land."

"Understood, many thanks for your help, Mr. World." "Sun" Dairik bowed earnestly toward the lowest-ranking "World" Ge Erman·Spalo in gratitude.

Ke Lai En, using a duplicate of "World", gave additional instructions, telling the little Sun to pray to him periodically and constantly watch for any team members or monsters parasitized by A Meng.

The matter in Silver City concluded, and the Tarot Society fell silent again.

After the brief quiet, "Justice" Aodaili hesitated before asking:

"Everyone, I have a question: if from the start you know the final outcome is completely unrelated to yourself, and you only observe the result of certain entities' games, should you still do anything?"

Leaning against his seat, "Chariot" Anderson chuckled and said in a somewhat lax tone, "There's a saying in the Southern Continent: death is everyone's predetermined end, but that doesn't mean living lacks meaning."

"If you think you can't change the outcome, there's only one reason: you're too weak."

"One tier after another, rising from ordinary person to demigod, from demigod to angel—only with enough effort and luck will we someday become one of those who sway the situation."

"Our current powerlessness is merely the drive to keep moving forward; but if we do nothing, there will be no future to look toward."

"Mr. Chariot" seemed deeply moved by such matters, speaking at length. "Justice" Aodaili subconsciously nodded toward Anderson, indicating she had heard him.

Thud! Thud! Lei Kedun raised his hand and knocked on the table, interrupting Anderson's unfinished words: "Speaking of the future, I just thought of something."

"Everyone, you probably know the apocalyptic rumors; because of certain events in the Divine War, the originally set apocalypse was advanced—perhaps ten years, maybe less than ten, the end will arrive."

"At that time, all people and things, even the gods and the world itself, will be destroyed."

"Advanced?" "Hermit" Jiade Li Ya slightly frowned. Regarding the apocalypse, she had learned some details from Bernadette; though not exhaustive, she knew the timing was firmly agreed upon across many true-god churches and secret societies.

"The apocalypse advanced? Then what exactly happened in the previous Divine War?" As the thought drifted, Ke Lai En, manipulating "World", asked aloud:

"Why was it advanced?"

Lei Kedun leaned back, speaking calmly, "Two reasons: first, too many of the Seven Gods have fallen or lost their status, leaving the astral realm weakened; second, all the righteous and evil gods previously fought in various places, leaving little attention for the astral and mortal realms, giving some opportunists a chance." "Then why—" Ke Lai En opened his mouth but never finished his question.

Lei Kedun tilted his neck upward, laughed, "The atmosphere's built up to this point; without a fight, how can we wrap it up?"

"Moreover, although some gods have fallen or lost status, others have advanced because of it; in Adam's words, it's a necessary sacrifice, trading the early apocalypse for more power to resist the end."

"The Divine War in your mouth is turning into a bunch of thugs fighting," "Chariot" Anderson retorted, paused, inhaled deeply, and asked, "Everyone, does anyone know the War Bishop's demonic elixir formula?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on a red Priest card that Ke Lai En had placed upside down to his right.

Ke Lai En lounged back in the high-backed chair, offering no reaction; such matters weren't suitable for Mr. Fool to address personally.

"World" Ge Erman·Spalo cleared his throat lightly, speaking calmly, "I can obtain it, and I can even help you hunt a 'War Bishop' from Indis or Vhsak, as the main material for your promotion."

Anderson chuckled, unsurprised, turned his head toward "World" and asked, "What must I give?"

"World" said in a low, hoarse voice:

"Go to the Rosside Archipelago, find the followers of the 'Sea God', help settle those who will emerge from the Divine Abandoned Land, teach them to adapt to the current world; they are all followers of Mr. Fool."

"No problem," Anderson nodded, then suggested:

"Actually, placing them in South Indis or the northern provinces of the Southern Continent would be better; post-war reconstruction lacks manpower, and through mutual exchange they'll integrate quickly."

"They have been isolated from the outside for millennia."

Ke Lai En calmly said a sentence, unfinished, but Anderson already grasped his meaning: "You're basically making a bunch of primitives build a steam engine."

Afterwards, another ten or so minutes of free discussion followed; today's Tarot Society gradually drew to a close. After everyone rose and bowed, strands of deep crimson light rose, dissolving the participants' silhouettes, vanishing into the space above the gray mist.

In the Intersea County, Konston City, during the earlier invasion wars of Vhsak and Fenebote against Luen, this major metropolis north of Luen was the first Vhsak stronghold to fall, using it as a base to continuously advance southeast, straight into Beckland.

Because Vhsak used it as a temporary outpost, aside from the initial battle, Konston City suffered no severe damage thereafter.

Wave after wave of information surged from the void, coursing through streets undergoing orderly post-war reconstruction, finally converging and reassembling in a detached villa near a public school.

On the villa's second floor, an elderly man standing by the window suddenly sensed something; a faint blue radiance flashed, and his figure instantly appeared in the spacious first-floor living room.

Lei Kedun, just emerging from the information torrent, reconstituted his body with massive pure knowledge; before him stood an elder clad in a black wool coat, wearing a semi-high black hat.

He gave a slight nod and said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Lawrence."

Lawrence likewise nodded in return, "Good afternoon, Mr. Thanes, apologies; due to the previous war, many valuable and useful items in this villa have been cleared, leaving nothing to host you."

"If you don't mind, you can wait a moment; I'll go to Eastchester County to fetch some tea and coffee. For a 'traveler', this won't take much time."

Lei Kedun shook his head, "No need for that; I'm tracking a steam train and won't linger here long."

After a brief pause, he continued:

"I just heard your prayer to ascend to 'Mystic', you don't mind me watching from the side, do you?"

"Of course, that's exactly what I want." Lawrence nodded, seemingly unsurprised by Lei Kedun's request.

Lei Kedun raised his hand, one after another pale blue starlight flew out from the void, quickly constructing a double-door gate covered with mysterious patterns and symbols.

In the midst of the floating pale blue brilliant light, the two figures simultaneously disappeared inside the room.

Outside Kang Si Dun Cheng, in an unmanned manor, brilliant starlight suddenly appeared out of nowhere, constructing an illusory door; Lei Kedun and Lao Lunsi walked out one after another from behind the door.

After the surrounding starlight faded, Lao Lunsi raised his hand and traced out an illusory door in front of him, a gate connecting to a certain place in the Spirit Realm, from which he took out a rolled-up oil painting.

(End of chapter)