Chapter 2420: Love of the Evil God's Faith 25

The Elf King knelt reverently on the grass, holding in both hands a treasure box formed naturally from the gnarled tree roots.

He chanted the ancient Elf prayer, his fingertips brushing over the intricate leaf‑vein patterns on the box.

The box opened silently, revealing the treasure lying still inside.

An ancient‑style key, showing a deep bronze hue.

The key's surface was covered with fine patterns, emitting fluctuations of Spiritual Power.

Jin Chen felt a little surprised upon seeing that key, being quite certain that the Spiritual Power inside was his own power.

He couldn't help but think that, if not for having faced a terrible crisis requiring him to devote most of his power to deal with it, his former self could never have separated his vital origin Spiritual Power and condensed it into a key to entrust to the Elf Tribe.

Then the question arose: what exactly had he been opposing before?

He'd seen a ghost.

Jin Chen raised his hand, and the ancient‑bronze key, as if summoned, floated up lightly and landed in his palm.

The object returned to its rightful owner.

Jin Chen merged the key into the golden light, feeling the regained power surge within his body.

His gaze turned again to the Elf King: "Elf Tribe priests, why do they keep dying?"

The Elf King's face showed deep sorrow as he said, "Father God… this is the curse that has plagued our tribe for hundreds of years."

"Generation after generation of priests, no matter how powerful, die after receiving the priest's feather crown."

"Our tribe has exhausted all wisdom and tried every inherited purification method, yet we cannot break this vicious curse!"

His voice was filled with despair and bewilderment.

Jin Chen's golden eyes narrowed slightly; something was very strange.

"The priest succession ceremony will be held here; I will personally witness it."

The Elf King trembled with excitement—Father God personally present to witness the priest's succession, what an honor!

Perhaps… the hope of breaking the curse is right before our eyes!

"Yes!" the Elf King immediately ordered the preparations for the ceremony.

Soon, the ancient Elf altar was lit.

The volunteer Norman, clad in a plain green robe, knelt before the altar.

The Elf Tribe's priest feather crown, woven from the toughest Elf vines, symbolizes the connection with the mother tree and nature.

According to the Elf Tribe's most sacred tradition, this crown must be placed on the new priest by the most honored person.

Norman stepped forward, bowed deeply to Jin Chen, his voice clear and his eyes filled with affection and reverence: "Supreme Father God, to be witnessed by you is our tribe's highest glory; this honor of crowning the new priest with the feather crown belongs only to you…"

Before he finished speaking, Samuel, standing at Jin Chen's side, flickered his gaze, extended a slender fair finger, and gently tugged at the edge of Jin Chen's wide golden sleeve.

Jin Chen lowered his eyes slightly, caught sight of Samuel's lowered lashes, and instantly understood.

"The ceremony details can be handled by the divine attendant," Jin Chen interrupted Norman's request, turned slightly aside, and signaled for Samuel to step forward.

Samuel gave a slight nod and walked to the altar.

The Elf attendant reverently presented the feather crown.

Norman's hopes were dashed; seeing Samuel's expressionless eyes, he muttered softly, "You're going too far…"

"We're all Father God's believers—why are you different?"

Samuel seemed not to hear, gracefully placing the feather crown on Norman's head.

He turned back to Jin Chen's side and resumed his attendance.

The priest succession ceremony officially began.

The new priest knelt at the altar's center, the ancient Elf prayer flowing through the quiet woods.

All the Elves held their breath, sensing the mother tree's aura.

Jin Chen slowly closed his eyes.

Vast divine sense blanketed the entire Elf holy land, seeping into every inch of soil and every leaf.

As the divine sense swept over the deepest part of the Elf Mother Tree's vast root system, a chilling aura was triggered.

Jin Chen opened his eyes and reached out, grasping at the mother tree from empty air.

In the Elves' astonished gaze, a thick clump of eerie black mist was forcibly pulled from the mother tree's trunk.

The golden holy flame completely devoured that struggling black mist.

"The curse is removed," Jin Chen said, then, doubtful, he glanced thoughtfully over the great Elf Mother Tree.

Only a god could accomplish such a curse.

If he had once saved the Elf Tribe by being able to separate his origin Spiritual Power, then only Zephyros could have done that.

But what could he be after? Merely to prevent the Elf Tribe from praying?

Isn't that sick?

The Elves wept with joy, all kneeling devoutly toward Jin Chen, tears of gratitude flowing: "Thank you, Father God! Thank you for your grace and salvation!"

Jin Chen halted his inner scolding, raised his hand slightly, and signaled everyone to rise.

After settling the Elf Tribe's affairs, Samuel was personally escorted back to the Holy City Curia by Jin Chen with divine light.

This scene was again witnessed by countless clergy and lay believers, symbolizing divine favor and grace.

——

A few days later, one morning.

Samuel alone went to the temple for morning prayer, his holy visage in the dawn light like a newly bloomed snow lotus.

As he passed through the secluded side corridor, a beggar suddenly rushed out from the shadows beside him.

Samuel's brows furrowed slightly, and he instinctively stepped aside.

But the beggar's target seemed to be him, and instead he slammed straight into him, wildly grabbing at the hem of Samuel's spotless holy robe.

The beggar hoarsely shouted, his voice muddled, mixed with heavy local slang and an extremely awkward ancient language.

Sai Miuer furrowed their brows, "What are you saying?"

But that excited language didn't seem to be a plea for help.

Amid the beggar's incoherent rambling, Sai Miuer caught a few common words hidden in the unintelligible delirium.

And those words that Sai Miuer could understand, when strung together, were:

Your faith, the deity, is not a deity, but darkness, a false god, a deceiver, one who imprisons the true god, Ze Fei Luo Si's, god-slayer.

Sai Miuer stood frozen in place.

His eyes instantly lost focus, the morning light fell on his face, yet reflected no blood.

In the corner's shadow, Bu Lan Wen tightly covered their mouth, barely suppressing a cry of ecstatic joy.

His heart pounded wildly, almost bursting his chest.

Success! The method the Father God spoke of really works!

Using a beggar who completely lacks faith in deities, is illiterate, and knows only slang, mixing truth into chaotic utterances.

The dark evil god cannot perceive such an existence!

Seeing Sai Miuer's lost and disoriented state, Bu Lan Wen could no longer hold back, rushing out from behind the pillar where they hid.

"Sai Miuer! Do you hear me? Think clearly now—what exactly is it you believe in?"

"He is called Jin Chen, the dark evil god! And the true light god is Ze Fei Luo Si! He is......"

After the beggar's revelation, Bu Lan Wen's words could also be heard.

But before the words faded, Bu Lan Wen spat blood, eyes rolled back, and fainted just like that.

By the time Jin Chen heard it, it was too late; he could only appear beside Sai Miuer.