Chapter 156: Elham’s Backup

In the southeastern part of the Western Continent, in the mountain range bordering the Gaul Empire and the Vias Commercial Federation, there was a holy land recognized by all the nations of the continent, spanning hundreds of miles. This mountainous area was full of steep peaks and sheer cliffs that rose a thousand feet high, with only winding narrow trails connecting the towering peaks that pierced the clouds.

Between these peaks, either in caves on the mountainsides or on massive boulders atop the summits, thousands of churches and palace structures of various sizes were built as if carved by divine hands. These buildings were uniformly constructed from the local white marble, and from a distance, the white structures looked like drifting clouds in the sky, elusive and mysterious like the legendary Divine Domain.

Several fast-flowing rivers surrounded this mountainous area. Very few people could cross these rivers, which were miles wide and hundreds of meters deep. Those who attempted it were mostly devoured by crocodiles or other ferocious magical beasts in the water.

Countless large eagles with golden feathers constantly circled high in the sky. They were like the most loyal guards, watching every move within this hundreds-of-miles-wide mountainous region. Even if someone miraculously crossed the dangerous rivers, they could not evade the sharp eyes of these eagles. It was nearly impossible for outsiders to invade this place.

This was the headquarters of the Church of the Western Continent, the site of the Temples dedicated to many Deities, and the location of the Church’s highest authority. The Church, which had existed since the Destruction Calendar, had always been stationed here. Its immense influence spread across the entire continent, even reaching the Black Spirit Continent and Odin Ice Plain, where the Church’s presence had also encroached and influenced.

In the core mountainous area of the Church, a mountain several thousand meters high was densely built with countless churches and halls from its base to its summit. Numerous strong Warriors in golden and silver armor moved about in these maze-like structures. In the sky, powerful Divine Art Masters frequently flew past in groups, and occasionally, formidable Mythical Beast Knights urged their massive mounts to soar from the roofs of certain halls, proudly displaying their power high above.

This was the Dawn Temple, one of the most important Temples among the many Deities worshipped by the Church.

From the foot of the mountain to its peak, the Dawn Temple had a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine churches and halls of various sizes. Including the attached buildings, this number exceeded five thousand. Nearly one hundred thousand Clergy members were qualified to reside in the mountain’s churches and halls, while the towns and military camps below housed hundreds of thousands of believers and Warriors of the Dawn Temple.

Within the Dawn Temple, the most important structure was the Dawn Grand Sanctuary located at the highest peak, capable of accommodating thousands for prayer gatherings. This magnificent building, entirely gleaming white, was surrounded by numerous Magic Arrays. The tall circular spire at the center of the Grand Sanctuary stood four hundred meters high, making it the tallest structure in the entire Western Continent. Additionally, surrounding this spire were sixteen other subsidiary towers, each two hundred and fifty meters tall. These towers vanished into the clouds, truly appearing as wondrous and divine as the dwelling place of Deities.

At that moment, in the main hall of the Grand Sanctuary, a space large enough for thousands to gather was filled with a radiant light. The source of this magical brilliance was unknown, but under its glow, everything in the hall seemed to lose solid form, becoming shimmering, pulsating light.

The main hall was empty, except for a few men in white robes standing on the giant Holy Cross Emblem in the center of the floor. Hundreds of light orbs, as tall as a person, floated around them, and within these orbs, Divine Idols of the God of Dawn could vaguely be seen.

The faces of these men were covered by intense light, making their features impossible to distinguish. They silently gazed at the floating Divine Idols around them, and a stern, chilling aura continuously emanated from them.

One man, taller and with an aura several times stronger than the others, continuously recited incantations and cast spheres of pure white light. Before him floated a ball of white light, within which the Divine Idol of the God of Dawn had collapsed and shattered.

“Blasphemers, how dare they destroy a God’s avatar? We must find them and let their flesh and Soul be completely purified in endless light,” the man muttered angrily. “Elham, what happened to them? Why was the God’s avatar damaged? What exactly happened to them?”

The other men remained silent, merely watching as he continued to cast spheres of white light.

Suddenly, the white light spheres he had cast simultaneously shattered, exploding into countless glowing specks that drifted away. The man stepped back in shock. “God! The Divine Seal of Pursuit was neutralized. Although it wasn’t destroyed, I can sense that the Divine Seal of Pursuit was transferred from its original vessel! The opponent is powerful, very powerful—beyond what Elham and the others can handle!”

Before his voice faded, a flame slowly drifted into the hall from outside. A deep, powerful voice came from within the flame. “The Divine Idol of the Fire God in the secret chamber at No.1 Shenghui Street was destroyed. Are you experiencing the same?”

The man in the white light snorted coldly. “Who is challenging our authority? Is it the sinners from the Gaul Empire, or…”

The voice from the flame became elusive. “It seems Elham did not ask for your help. A few days ago, Ya and Ling sent back a request for aid. Due to some accident, they lost all the funds they carried when they set out, and there were other… unforeseen events.”

The hall fell into dead silence. After a long while, the man in the white light spoke gravely. “They are among the best of the younger generation. How could such mistakes happen? The youths assigned to the Caesar Empire have already successfully built connections with the Empire’s Princes. Why did they fail? Even the Divine Idols we personally placed in the designated safe houses were destroyed?”

The figure in the flame replied in a low tone, “Unlike you, who has many sons, I only have those two daughters. So, I must provide them with some assistance. I hope you will join me in sending help. After all, Elham is your most outstanding son.”

After another period of dead silence, the man in the white light said calmly, “The others from the Sacred Halls will not know about this.”

The man in the flame chuckled softly. “Of course, they certainly won’t know. Well, first, they need a little money and supplies. Then, since their enemy was able to transfer the Divine Seal of Pursuit that we personally set, they will need strong guards by their side.”

The man in the white light sighed lightly. “Strong guards who remain unseen.”

The flame flickered, as if agreeing with his suggestion, and then slowly drifted back out through the door.