Everything about the suspected reclusive monk of Saint Kuanti was becoming clearer.

His figure grew more vividly visible, and his surrounding environment was also changing.

Those decaying, ancient houses dripping with thick green water were regaining vitality.

They transformed back to their newly built state, with bricks and tiles shining like new.

Underneath these new buildings, some plainly dressed natives were bustling about.

Whenever they saw Saint Kuanti passing by, they all greeted him. Saint Kuanti responded to each, sometimes stopping to chat.

It was evident that these natives were full of respect for Saint Kuanti, and even an air of reverence.

This must have been the scene when Saint Kuanti was first established.

Ethan speculated.

Soon after, those vivid images abruptly stopped.

Everything returned to a state of dead silence.

Only the orb of light extending from the 'True God's Name' was left, shining.

What did all this represent?

Ethan fell into contemplation.

It was the first time he encountered this situation, with the 'True God's Name' splitting apart not into a true name, but an illusion.

He then observed the others.

Whether it was Anya or Huoyan, neither seemed to notice any changes happening around.

That was a scene only he could see.

The current hypothesis is that collecting more of those azure auras could allow this light point to continue growing, thus revealing more things.

Then, find Saint Kuanti's treasure?

From that leather-bound book, it was known that Saint Kuanti had something the Sun God Sect desperately desired.

However, looking at that light point, Ethan felt that what he could obtain wasn't as simple as an illusion.

He continued to peruse the leather-bound book.

Ethan saw things completely different from the history he knew.

Before coming, Ethan had read extensive historical information about the northern part of the Kingdom.

The information stated that the pioneers of the Kingdom forged the northern territories with their life and blood, enduring hardships and pioneering the land.

But from the leather-bound book, it seemed that during the Kingdom's northern expansion, the Sun God Sect played a major role.

They might even have been the main force.

Because one section was written like this:

"... Solar Calendar year 3426, Month of Rising Sun, Ninth day.

Bishop Dominic dismissed my plan for a full-scale assault on Saint Kuanti during the meeting, because he pointed out that the Church had already suffered heavy losses in its eastern expansion and was under considerable pressure, and the expedition army was already unmanageable. We couldn't give them the opportunity to grow stronger.

The revocation of Saint Kuanti's sainthood was naturally also rejected.

The times are sensitive, and open conflict with Saint Kuanti might cause him to side with the expedition army, let alone the fact that he possesses that item.

The expedition army must not learn this secret.

I cannot accept this outcome..."

The full name of the expedition army is the New Continent United Expedition Army, which was the predecessor of the Kingdom.

Previously, Ethan couldn't quite understand why religious forces were so weak in the Kingdom. This diary seemed to reveal part of the reason.

And the subsequent contents of the diary confirmed Ethan's speculation.

From the subsequent diary entries, the conflict between the Kingdom and the Church grew increasingly sharp, eventually leading to war.

In the end, the Church suffered a devastating defeat. The last entry in the leather-bound diary was written:

"... Solar Calendar year 3434, Month of Sunset, Thirteenth day.

It truly has come to an end.

We have been utterly defeated.

The knights' regiment was completely routed on the frontline, and Lord Bishop Dominic was killed on the spot.

Our plans at sea also fell apart.

Apparently, not even the entire cathedral supports us.

That prince has already reached his loyal New Continent, and those damned commoners have acquired legitimacy and are about to establish their nation.

I must leave now.

Before I leave, I don't know if this counts as good news. Although Saint Kuanti ultimately did not surrender that item and sided with those commoners during the war, he wrote a letter swearing by his faith that after his death, he would seal that item completely in the place where he built everything, so that no one would discover the item's existence.

We have no choice but to believe him, to believe that he's still a believer, even if his faith is heretical.

Everything is over.

What will be the future of the Church?"

Sealed in the place where he built everything.

No wonder... from the very beginning, the sunlight wanted to head towards the deepest part of the church.

The place where Saint Kuanti built everything is none other than the church, isn't it?

He started from the church, establishing the entire city.

This leather-bound diary's author is unknown, but it might be an ancestor of the sunlight.

But what exactly is that item?

——————————

Compared to Ethan and their seemingly leisurely state, the situation with the other two groups was much more dire.

Aside from those who perished at the hands of ancient people, disputes over food also led to new deaths.

The team in which George and Danny were a part found themselves in such a predicament.

The only one carrying food in their team was the one they mistakenly identified as Ethan.

Thus, they took advantage of the opportunity, incited others, killed him, and stole his food.

Although they killed the wrong person, they now had food.

They found a spot to rest and eat.

As the leader of their group, their captain, a third-tier true namer known as Shadow Monarch, codenamed the Puppeteer, was consuming the most food.

His shadow lay hidden beside him, ready to strike at any moment.

Just as he was feasting, a strong wind suddenly blew from a corner.

Upon inspection, it was not a strong wind at all, but two men like beasts charging at him.

He immediately unleashed his shadow to counterattack.

However, his elusive shadow was torn apart by a flash of silver light, and the two men closed in and beat him to death.

The ambush was incredibly swift, taking less than a minute.

As the Puppeteer's body hit the ground, everyone was stunned.

"You... are you Klei?" While the others were terrified, George recognized one of the two men.

Though at that moment, both men were drenched in gooey green water, looking almost like ancient beings.

But their eyes still held some humanity, and George found one of their faces familiar.

"Who are you?" Klei looked at him.

"I'm George! George of the Evans Clan, we're here to rescue you! And Ethan is here too!" George couldn't hold back any longer and removed his mask, revealing his face.

The man with Klei, upon hearing the name Ethan, also looked toward George.

It was Vincent.

And at that moment, the bells tolled again.

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