Chapter 344

To be fair, Anthony might actually succeed, because the current "Dai Sen" is in quotes—if Dai Sen cooperates, overthrowing the Church of Light is genuinely possible.

But the risk is huge; don't forget, his power also comes from the Church of Light, and those beneath him still worship the Light.

If Anthony stirs up division within the Church's territory, people might follow him—but if he shows signs of overthrowing the Light, they may not follow at all; they might even bind him and deliver him to the Holy Court.

In short, this is not a good idea; Anthony won't act rashly unless cornered, so he tried to brush it off with empty words.

Bundles of grain were packed into sacks and transported by various means to areas suffering from famine.

…

In a hidden world, two colossal torches burned—one radiating holy light, the other black as ink, one white, one black, eerily strange.

Gulianni stood before the black torch, looking slightly helpless, while the black flame coalesced into a face, cursing and spewing flames that nearly scorched Gulianni's body.

"How are you doing this? Why are the sacrificed souls dwindling? Are you a pig-headed fool? Last month you said it was almost done, the month before that you said it was almost done, and now with harvest season coming, you still say it's almost done—famine's already 'almost' over, is that the 'almost' you mean? …￥*#（@…￥#" The black flame erupted in a torrent of curses.

Gulianni sighed helplessly: "I can't help it—Anthony somehow got another batch of grain back, and for months now, his supplies keep flowing endlessly. My people told me the granaries were empty, yet the next day, grain somehow reappeared. I even suspect he's discovered the agents I planted and is deliberately fooling them."

He sighed again, seeing the black flame about to erupt again, and said: "Stop cursing, or I'll smash all your reception seals."

The black flame froze, its flames momentarily still, sizing up Gulianni's smile as if sensing he wasn't joking. After a pause, it said: "Did pig-headed souls invade your mind and lower your intelligence? Can't you use your ass to think of a solution? How's this? No curses."

Gulianni took a deep breath and growled low: "I mean, don't curse me—or I'll turn on you."

As he spoke, divine power surged through his entire body, making the growl piercingly resonant; tiny stones before him cracked under the pressure.

The black flame froze in place, then finally said: "You yelled at me? I granted you your power—and you dare yell at me?"

"Fine, fine. Wait until the Light Face wakes up, then you can say that—and I won't yell at you," Gulianni retorted irritably.

Hearing the term "Light Face," the black flame glanced at the other pillar of light and quickly changed the subject: "Then you must solve this problem—the sacrificed souls are dwindling. When will the Light Face awaken?"

"I know, I know—I'm thinking! You don't know how slippery Anthony is—he's like a thousand-year-old undead, always scheming. He sees through every trick others use. Do you know how many of my people he's killed?" Gulianni clearly had a massive headache.

"Besides, the Arbiter God hasn't died—I dare not touch your power, or I'd use it to eliminate him. Darkness opposes Light; with elemental suppression, I could crush him outright."

The black flame nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes—how come that stubborn Arbiter still isn't dead?"

"Though I dare not use your power, I've found you a vessel—a high archbishop named Dai Sen. He's long practiced divine arts, and I even ignited his divine flame. His body should withstand your power."

"Oh? Ignited a divine flame? How?" asked the black flame.

"Of course, with the Dark Face of Light. He needs time to stabilize it—now should be about right. Dark Face, here is the imprint." Gulianni presented a crystal stone, inside which a flame-like shape was frozen.

The black flame stared at him: "This isn't for me—it's for you, isn't it?" A hand formed of flame reached out and snatched the imprint.

Gulianni made no denial, only smiled faintly: "I'll order Dai Sen to visit Anthony. Then, Dark Face, you must act personally and eliminate this nuisance—otherwise, time will run out."

The black flame fell into deep thought. Damn it—"time is running out" had just trapped the Dark Face God.

Act? If Dai Sen, an enemy disguised as an ally, comes to visit, he'll be heavily guarded—Dai Sen will die, and the Dark Face will suffer some loss, but it doesn't matter. The Dark Face fears only the Arbiter God—if he stirs him, peace will be gone forever.

Besides, being manipulated like this made the Dark Face resentful: all the risk was his, all the gains were Gulianni's, and now he was being yelled at. Annoying! Humans were too cunning—he didn't want to deal with them at all.

But if he didn't act? Time was running out. Once harvest season arrived, the famine would end.

With this year's weather, it would be a bountiful year—meaning no such opportunity would come again for years.

After much deliberation, the Dark Face clenched his teeth.

Gulianni withdrew, satisfied—he had achieved his goal.

Though the Dark Face God was clearly angry, it didn't matter—as long as it still craved sacrificed souls, it wouldn't stay angry long. After all, sacrificed souls were so sweet—if Gulianni smashed all its reception seals, it would get nothing.

At the final moment before leaving, Gulianni gazed at the distant holy torches: among the Light and Dark Gods, the Light Face was the true master; the Dark Face was merely the shadow of Light. It didn't matter if he offended it—just don't offend the Light Face God.

But the Light Face God had been asleep for decades—no one knew when it would awaken.

…

"Dai Sen," having received Gulianni's order, went to visit Anthony under the pretext of discussing grain supplies.

Had it been the real Dai Sen, he would never have dared such a move. But this one? No problem—he had even contacted Anthony in advance to report the visit.

Fearing Gulianni's plot, Anthony prepared thoroughly on the day of the visit: thousands of men were hidden outside the tent, ready to kill even a god if necessary. Yet nothing happened.

Something did happen—but not with "Dai Sen." The Dark Face God timed it perfectly, instantly projecting through the imprint—and the first thing he saw was not Anthony, but Xiao Youhun's enormous mouth.