Chapter 1974: The Pope's People

"This... alright then." Feilisi took the cross from Xueli's hand and nodded slightly.

The silver cross possessed the Saintess's unique magic; it was shiny and very beautiful, and Feilisi held the small cross, unable to put it down.

"It's a very beautiful cross, thank you," Feilisi said happily.

"It seems you don't have anything related to crosses in your home. Your father should know that this is quite effective against the Blood Clan." Xueli scanned the room and did not find any exorcism products like crosses.

"Moreover, whether it's the Blood Clan or Dark Creatures, they should all fear these things."

"I know, but my father has a prejudice against the Pope, so he tries his best not to use anything with the Pope's symbols," Feilisi said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, so that's how it is, I understand." Xueli nodded: "Then you must keep this cross safe; it might come in handy at a critical moment."

"Okay, thank you. Is your name Xueli?" Feilisi looked up at Xueli.

"Yes, my name is Xueli, and I am a Saintess of the Pope. I don't know what prejudice your father has against the Pope, but I think these must all be misunderstandings," Xueli said: "I also believe he will definitely understand in the future."

"Thank you. When I grow up, I will definitely change his perspective," Feilisi nodded earnestly.

"Thank you, Feilisi, you really are a nice little boy." Xueli hugged him: "We should go."

The little boy reluctantly saw Xueli and Chen Yu to the door, but just at this moment, a person rode a horse toward them.

"This is my father, Aoli." Feilisi was startled; his father had returned too early this time. Every time he went out, it was for at least three to five days.

But this time, he went out hunting last night and returned today? This seemed somewhat abnormal.

"Dad..." Feilisi ran over, and just as he was about to explain the origins of Chen Yu and Xueli, Liao on the horse suddenly tilted his body and fell off the horse with a thud.

"Liao..." Feilisi was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to support his father.

Chen Yu and Xueli also rushed over. Chen Yu stepped forward to check Liao's injuries, and his expression changed slightly; he saw several gruesome wounds on Liao's body.

Moreover, black mist was occasionally seeping out from the wounds, as if he had been injured by some kind of Dark Creature.

"He was injured by a Dark Creature. Help him inside quickly," Chen Yu said.

The group helped Liao inside, and Chen Yu began to clean his wounds, after which Xueli used the Sacred Object to dispel the dark aura within his body.

After a bout of turmoil, Liao finally regained consciousness.

"Liao, you really scared me to death." Feilisi grabbed Liao's hand, his eyes filled with tears.

"It's okay, Feilisi. Look, aren't I fine now? Thanks to these guests." Liao then raised his eyes to look at Chen Yu and Xueli. When he saw Xueli, his expression changed slightly, and he blurted out: "You are the Pope's Saintess Xueli?"

"Liao, long time no see." Xueli smiled slightly; she also knew this person before her.

He was Dewen's disciple. Originally, he had a bright future within the Pope's organization, but because his wife was injured by a Dark Creature and eventually died, she could not be saved.

He was heartbroken and subsequently left the Pope, because he believed the Pope had the means to save his wife but chose not to help.

"What are you doing here? We don't welcome you here. Leave immediately." Liao stood up abruptly, wanting to drive Xueli away.

But he was too severely injured; as soon as he stood up, it aggravated his wounds. He let out a muffled groan, clutched his chest, and revealed a look of pain.

"The wounds on your body were not caused by the Blood Clan, but by some kind of Dark Creature, and this type of creature usually travels in packs."

Chen Yu said: "More importantly, these guys will follow the scent all the way here. You are driving us away—do you want to stay behind and face these Dark Creatures alone?"

"I naturally have ways to deal with them, but you must leave here. I have sworn that I will not deal with people from the Pope," Liao snorted.

"Liao, now is not the time to be stubborn. If we hadn't saved you, would you still have the strength to stand up and drive us away?" Xueli said: "Your temper is still as foul as ever. Even if you don't care about yourself, you can't disregard Feilisi, right?"

Liao's face darkened and he said nothing, but the look he cast at Feilisi carried a hint of affection.

Yes, in this world, the only thing he could not let go of was probably Feilisi.

"Liao, please, don't drive them away. I feel like they came here to help us." Feilisi looked up, gazing at Liao with pleading eyes.

"Feilisi, there are some things you don't understand." Liao sighed: "It's not that I insist on driving them away, but the people of the Pope... are all sanctimonious hypocrites."

"But at least Xueli is not, and this friend from Huaxia is not." Feilisi's expression was firm: "They are both good people, I can tell."

Liao stroked Feilisi's head and remained silent for a long time.

"What, still considering something? You don't really think that with your own strength alone, you can deal with so many Dark Creatures, do you?" Xueli said: "Even if the Pope made mistakes back then, it shouldn't be enough to make you so hostile toward the Pope."

"Besides, you know the situation back then. If ten or more Archbishops had used their Holy Power to resurrect your wife, then the strength of our Pope would have been greatly weakened. Have you thought about what the consequences would have been?"

Liao looked up and said coldly: "It's not just that which makes me hate you. I hate that you use your true power for internal strife while neglecting the containment of the Endless Coast."

"So much so that many Blood Clan members rushed out of the Endless Coast, ultimately leading to many tragedies. My wife's death is just a microcosm of many tragedies, do you understand?"

"I understand, Liao. I know we committed many mistakes back then, but the situation within the Pope is stable now." Xueli said: "Dewen is now in charge of the Pope, and you are his disciple; don't you know his character?"

"We are going to the Endless Coast now with the goal of solving the problem of the Endless Coast, to prevent the Blood Clan from pouring out of the Endless Coast in large numbers and letting the tragedies of the past repeat themselves. Do you understand?"

Liao remained silent; his heart was struggling violently. He was thinking about whether to continue his persistence.

After all, he had lived like this for so many years, and his hatred for the Pope had never lessened, but what Xueli said also seemed quite reasonable.