Chapter 430: Chapter 430: Evil
Aside from the Grand Cathedral at the center of Villiduo, the Holy Light Church also has branches in other districts.
Given the vast expanse of Villiduo, districts can only rely on steam carriages for transportation between them.
Some districts are even restricted from free entry and exit.
Thus, the Holy Light Church has established branches in many districts.
Wales is the priest of the Holy Light Church in the old district.
These small churches in branch districts generally consist of a few clergy members, along with some priests, nuns, etc.
The priest is the highest-ranking official.
Wales is already over fifty this year.
Though practicing the Holy Light Spirit Technique makes him look less aged, his thin hair has betrayed him.
Middle-age crisis.
Baiyu internally remarked in jest.
"Please forgive the lack of hospitality; inside the church, we only have drinking water."
In the reception room.
Wales brought two bowls of clear water.
The Holy Light Church in the old district is not large, about the size of a typical church.
A few scattered believers were praying in the church hall.
Baiyu reassured the somewhat uneasy Moon Lady.
She had many unpleasant memories in the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics.
Thus, places like churches naturally terrify her.
"Priest Wales, can you explain now what exactly that thing was?
Aberration.
I’ve never heard of such a thing."
Baiyu stared into his eyes.
Priest Wales sighed and said, "It doesn’t matter telling you, but Minister Bai, you must promise me not to reveal this matter to ordinary people, or it might trigger widespread panic.
Truth be told.
Aberrations and mutations are inextricably linked.
Since the spirit energy from the Spirit Realm flowed into Canglan Star, the entire world has been in constant flux.
Rapid transformations.
Countless new and curious creatures emerged.
Among humans, many martial artists and extraordinary ones have appeared as well.
However.
The influx of spirit energy is not entirely beneficial.
In my view.
It’s more akin to divine punishment upon humanity.
Since the emergence of spiritual power, mutations have started to occur among people.
Meanwhile, rifts between the Spirit Realm and Canglan Star have been increasing, with some Spirit Realm species able to physically reach Canglan Star; Shelters are suppressing these vast Spirit Realm gateways.
However.
Recent research shows that some Spirit Realm gateways may be unstable.
This is referred to as a rift.
You, Minister Bai, are certainly aware of this information clearer than I am."
Wales took a sip of water to soothe his throat.
Baiyu nodded.
Indeed.
Each Shelter is meant to suppress Spirit Realm gateways.
Even the city planning and establishment of the East Prosperity Imperial is strictly based on Shelter distribution.
Yet despite this, unstable rifts occasionally occur.
Just like the exotic beasts and races appearing in Zenith City, most came through such unstable rifts.
"How does this relate to what we encountered today?"
Baiyu asked.
Wales took a deep breath:
"Rifts are unstable, generally short-lived in existence, and typically only allow small-sized objects to pass through.
Recently.
The gigantic rift that appeared in Zenith City is a rare phenomenon.
However.
What passes through rifts isn’t just exotic beasts and races but also another type of creature.
And these creatures are the most common products of rifts."
Baiyu spoke solemnly: "Are you suggesting that the monster we encountered just now..."
"Yes."
Wales nodded: "The aberration we encountered is indeed a primary product of rifts.
Even the tiniest rift.
Might allow aberrations to slip through.
In the Spirit Realm.
Aberrations are troublesome monsters for all creatures.
They infiltrate seamlessly and are extremely difficult to eradicate, leaving destruction in their wake.
Over the years.
Aberrations have appeared with increasing frequency."
Baiyu’s eyes flickered.
This.
Listening to Wales, aberrations pose a greater threat than exotic races and beasts?
Baiyu rarely visits the Spirit Realm.
Nor has he ever witnessed the true Spirit Realm outside Shelters.
However.
He personally confronted that monster.
If such creatures swarmed through rifts in large numbers, the threat would be incalculable.
"Are these incidents frequent now?"
Baiyu asked.
Wales shook his head: "As far as I know, roughly three to four incidents occur every month.
Encountering such incidents.
For weaker aberrations, we handle them on the spot.
Stronger ones.
Like the one today.
We have to report to the Grand Cathedral."
Baiyu furrowed his brows.
The situation is more severe than imagined.
Wales certainly hasn’t revealed all details since he’s never encountered this creature in Linjiang City and Zenith City.
However.
Given his clerical status.
Baiyu couldn’t probe further.
"Minister Bai, I will report this aberration invasion to the head church. If you’re approached for further details, I hope you understand."
Wales remarked.
Baiyu nodded, "Naturally, inform me when the time arrives. If there is nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."
Leaving the church, it was already dusk.
Dark clouds loomed in Baiyu’s heart.
He increasingly felt that recent developments in both the Spirit Realm and Canglan Star were transforming.
Cult invasion, awakening alien deities.
An unknown storm is brewing.
Only by gaining sufficient strength can one survive the storm.
It’s time to intensify my power.
...
The Holy Light Church Victoria District.
On the massive clock tower, the melodious chimes of evening linger.
Within the church.
An elder with graying hair organizes various documents.
"High Priest, today another four cases of aberration invasions occurred, the frequency of aberrations this month is significantly higher than last."
A Holy Light Bishop holding newly collected information looked grim.
The elder with graying hair raised his head: "Leave it here; I will take care of it."
"High Priest, regarding these aberration invasions..."
"Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t, this is church confidentiality.
Moreover, we have discovered a method to completely eradicate aberration invasions."
"Yes!"
The Holy Light Bishop bowed his head and withdrew hastily.
Soon.
Footsteps sounded again.
High Priest Lune frowned, without lifting his head, said: "Didn’t I tell you to leave?"
The footsteps did not cease.
His brows furrowed further, lifting his head to find Ji Long standing before him.
"Don’t be so angry, calm down, look how you frightened that young Bishop"
Ji Long smiled.
"Situation is becoming increasingly severe, the breeding of Heart Fire Wolf has hit a bottleneck, how can one remain calm?"
Lune looked impatient.
"Well, I might have to bring you some bad news. The Divine Emperor, has left the Imperial Palace."
Ji Long’s smile faded.
"What...how is that possible, hasn’t the Pope always been over there?" Lune’s expression changed dramatically.