At this moment, Bai Qingshuang stood before the Dawn Disc.

It appeared she was speaking to the Dawn Disc, but the disc seemed unresponsive.

The surrounding Church guards exchanged glances. As rotating guards of the Inner Ring, they were cut off from outside information while on duty. This was to maintain the purity of the Inner Ring. Therefore, although they knew the fierce battle in the Second Ring had concluded, they were unaware of the outcome.

Now that Bai Qingshuang was here, they weren't particularly surprised, nor did they intend to stop her. Under normal circumstances, Bai Qingshuang was already the highest authority within the Church. No one could refuse her desire to see the Dawn Disc.

"The Judgment Chief seems to be injured."

"Yes, I noticed too. Her clothes are entirely stained red; she's seriously wounded."

"So, the sounds of battle just now, was that the Judgment Chief and someone else? Who could that person be?"

"I don't know, but anyone who can injure the Judgment Chief must be a formidable figure."

In the eyes of these Inner Ring guards, Judgment Chief Bai Qingshuang was almost synonymous with invincibility. Anyone who could harm the Judgment Chief here must indeed be a formidable figure. However, they didn't plan to disturb Bai Qingshuang at this moment; they would simply remain vigilant at their posts. The Judgment Chief's battles would naturally be resolved by the Judgment Chief herself.

At this time, Bai Qingshuang, standing before the Dawn Disc, had not received a response from it. The Dawn Disc continued to emit pure Holy Radiance, specks of white light falling upon Bai Qingshuang, which her body quickly absorbed.

Bai Qingshuang sighed and, looking at the Dawn Disc with a complicated expression, said, "What exactly do you want?"

The Dawn Disc still did not respond. At this moment, Bai Qingshuang, the legend who could supposedly converse with and control the Dawn Disc, seemed to have completely lost contact with it. The disc's previous actions also left Bai Qingshuang baffled.

"Only I can lead us to victory. Stop interfering with me.

"Otherwise, even if it means shattering you, I will not hesitate."

Bai Qingshuang delivered these harsh final words to the Dawn Disc, then turned and left.

After her departure, the Dawn Disc continued to rotate, but its rotation seemed slightly faster than before. Particles of Holy Radiance continued to spread to every corner of the Inner Ring. This was a form of particle pollution, caused by the dispersing Holy Radiance energy. It was why most Sixth Tier beings in the Inner Ring needed the disc's final reserves of energy to reach the Seventh Tier level.

Yet, ordinary Transcendents could not sense this pollution at all. The power of the Dawn Disc gave them a pleasant sensation. But few knew that if one basked in this comfortable sensation for too long, they would completely lose the potential to achieve a breakthrough on their own.

This situation could not be said to be entirely bad, because most people would never reach the Seventh Tier. Therefore, the energy of Holy Radiance was definitely beneficial for them.

Not long after Bai Qingshuang left, Pope Fan Zhen arrived with Li Hongyun, who had just received some basic first aid.

Upon seeing the two, the guards were momentarily stunned, then immediately went on alert.

"Who are you two? This is a critical area of the Inner Ring. What is your purpose in coming here?"

The guard captain suppressed his subordinates' urge to act. Normally, as guards here, they should have attacked any intruders immediately. They refrained from attacking this time for a simple reason: Pope Fan Zhen and Li Hongyun had flown here.

Flight indicated Seventh Tier power. Their group could not hope to contend with two Seventh Tier beings. They were among the most elite Believers of Light of their generation, personally approved by Judgment Chief Bai Qingshuang to be stationed here. Despite being elites, contending with Seventh Tiers was ultimately unlikely. The fact that they could fly here without being stopped by the Church's Second Ring masters already spoke volumes. Moreover, the Holy Radiance emanating from the man before them was intensely powerful; undoubtedly, both individuals were from the Church. However, their exact identities were unknown.

"Fang Qiming?"

"Ah? Your Excellency, do you know me?"

"Of course, I know you. I even guided you for a considerable time."

The guard captain was somewhat perplexed; he had absolutely no recollection of the man before him. Additionally, he was already over forty years old, yet the man before him clearly looked to be in his thirties. Even if he appeared younger than his actual age, adding another ten years would only make him about the same age. How could he have possibly mentored him? The claim that he had guided him for a significant length of time was even more implausible.

"Aren't you being a bit presumptuous, Your Excellency? Even if you are powerful, you shouldn't speak so recklessly."

As the captain responsible for guarding the Dawn Disc, Fang Qiming remained composed, showing neither servility nor arrogance when facing a Seventh Tier. This demeanor earned Fan Zhen's admiration. He nodded approvingly at Fang Qiming.

"I am Fan Zhen."

Fan Zhen? Fang Qiming was taken aback, and the other guards around him were also puzzled. Does the name Fan Zhen carry some special significance?

Suddenly, an expression of disbelief appeared in Fang Qiming's eyes. "You are... His Holiness the Pope?"

"You've finally recognized me!"

"But how is that possible?"

"The power of a Transcendent isn't merely destructive, do you understand?"

Fang Qiming carefully examined Fan Zhen's appearance. When he realized Fan Zhen indeed bore some resemblance to the aged Pope, he was overwhelmed with shock. "It really is His Holiness the Pope! Fang Qiming pays his respects to the Pope."

Fang Qiming knelt on one knee. After a moment of stunned silence, the other guards followed suit, kneeling as well. "We pay our respects to His Holiness the Pope."

Fan Zhen was not inclined to blame these men at this juncture; they were all promising prospects. In the future, they might become his capable subordinates. He had been in slumber for three years, and it had been almost ten years since Bai Qingshuang forced him from the center of the Church's power. Ten years! Do you know what he had gone through in these ten years? Now that he was back, he intended to reclaim everything that belonged to him. Of course, to accomplish this, he had to start with the first task: dealing with Bai Qingshuang.

"Did Judgment Chief Bai Qingshuang come here just now?"

Fan Zhen's question made Fang Qiming pause. The relationship between the Judgment Chief and the Pope was well understood by many. It represented a power struggle between the new and the old within the Church. Many believed the Judgment Chief would replace the Pope, becoming the new sovereign of the Church. In fact, Bai Qingshuang was on the verge of achieving this. Yet now, with Fan Zhen's unexpected, younger-looking return, Fang Qiming couldn't help but feel skeptical. Considering the injuries he had just witnessed on Bai Qingshuang, the future of the Church's leadership is likely uncertain!

"Indeed, Judgment Chief Bai Qingshuang did come here just now. She spoke some words in front of the Dawn Disc, then left."

A wise man adapts to circumstances. At this moment, Fang Qiming naturally understood that the victor in the conflict between the Pope and the Judgment Chief was undoubtedly the Pope. Although the outcome was surprising, Fang Qiming was quick to adapt. Indeed, experience trumps youth!

"Where did she go? Do you know?"

"I apologize, Your Holiness. The Judgment Chief's speed was too swift; she came and went without a trace. With our level of strength, tracking her is simply impossible, so..."

"I understand. Continue your guard duty."

"Yes."

Fan Zhen did not press Fang Qiming further. Bai Qingshuang's visit here didn't surprise him, and he could guess her ultimate destination: the Doomsday Sanctuary.

He had been asleep for three years. This was his greatest vulnerability, his only period of absence. If Bai Qingshuang had prepared other contingencies in addition to her own strength, she would have surely made some preparations in the Doomsday Sanctuary during these three years. After all, to inherit and obtain everything from the Dawn Church, the Doomsday Sanctuary was an unavoidable topic.

"Lord Fan Zhen, Luo Dan and the others have been notified and are on their way," Li Hongyun said, putting away his phone. Informing the other Church elites to come here was actually somewhat risky. The secrets within the Doomsday Sanctuary were not limited to only those preserved by the Dawn Church. There were many peculiar rooms that even past Popes and Judgment Chiefs had not fully understood. It couldn't be helped; some parts of the Doomsday Sanctuary seemed not to belong to them. The areas Church members could control seemed limited to those the Holy Radiance could illuminate.

Fan Zhen was well aware that many secrets in the Doomsday Sanctuary remained undiscovered. Under normal circumstances, allowing others here was not advisable. But now he had no choice! Secrets, after all, are not as important as Bai Qingshuang's life. As long as Bai Qingshuang died here, Fan Zhen was confident he could reintegrate the Church. He was very confident because he controlled the power of Life Return. New-generation Seventh Tiers like Luo Dan might still resist the temptation of Life Return. But those old-timers, having tasted power and strength, would likely find it impossible to refuse him. He didn't need to sway everyone; influencing a portion of them would suffice. Bai Qingshuang was already seriously injured. Now was the perfect opportunity.

"Alright, let's wait here for them for a few minutes. Once most have arrived, we'll reveal the secrets of this place."

"Lord Fan Zhen, is this really a good idea?" Li Hongyun looked at Fan Zhen with some hesitation. The Doomsday Sanctuary was underground in the Inner Ring, but it was not entirely under their control. Letting all the Seventh Tiers know about this place seemed to diminish its reverence.

Fan Zhen, of course, knew this wasn't ideal, but at this point, he couldn't afford to care. Only if Bai Qingshuang died could everything return to the right track!

"It's not a matter of good or bad. Just the two of us might not be enough to capture her. Bringing these people here now is naturally the best choice."

Li Hongyun frowned slightly, again hesitating, "But if so many people learn about the Doomsday Sanctuary, it contradicts our desired style of returning to how things were."

Fan Zhen looked at Li Hongyun with a touch of surprise. Why is this subordinate, who has always been obedient, questioning me twice in a row now?

"Hongyun, are you questioning me?"

"I apologize, Your Holiness."

Li Hongyun said no more, and Pope Fan Zhen gave a slight nod. "Good, then go carry it out."

"Yes!"

Fan Zhen looked at Li Hongyun, a trace of confusion in his eyes.

Lu Luo and Qi Xinzhu passed through two more halls and traversed three corridors, arriving at a room filled with colorful bubbles. The place had a somewhat dazzling quality, which seemed out of place compared to the solemn halls they had encountered before.

"Lu Luo, I feel something is odd here!"

"Hmm, you don't need to feel it; this place clearly looks strange. Be careful, and don't touch these bubbles."

"Okay, I understand."

Qi Xinzhu was walking in front of Lu Luo. Now that Lu Luo lacked strength, she naturally had to protect him. Therefore, Lu Luo didn't object to her walking in front, merely cautioning her to be careful.

They moved forward cautiously. Though curious about the bubbles, both knew what was important. They didn't indulge their curiosity excessively in this place. An outburst of curiosity can kill more than just a cat. It can kill a person too.

The room was large, making it somewhat difficult for them to navigate through the bubbles. Just as they reached roughly the middle of the room, a rustling sound emerged.

"Lu Luo!"

With her strength, Qi Xinzhu naturally heard the distant sounds and instinctively alerted Lu Luo. But Lu Luo's expression was blank.

"What? What's wrong?"

Only then did Qi Xinzhu remember that Lu Luo had lost his strength, including his perception-type Sequence. He was just an ordinary person now. Therefore, Lu Luo hadn't even noticed the hidden things in the room yet.

"There's something here, and likely quite a few of them."

Hearing Qi Xinzhu's words, Lu Luo's expression also turned grim. He hadn't expected to become so dull one day. Fortunately, though Lu Luo's perception was dulled, his mind hadn't lost its basic judgment.

"Here, take an energy grenade."

"A grenade?" Qi Xinzhu was startled. With their increased strength, they hadn't used grenades in a long time.

"Yes, let's use the grenade to attract their attention first."

"Oh, okay."

Qi Xinzhu took the grenade from Lu Luo, pulled the pin, and threw it towards the things in the darkness.

BOOM!

Flesh splattered. From the looks of it, these creatures didn't seem very strong. At least, they weren't strong enough to ignore thermal weapons. If that was the extent of their strength, then Qi Xinzhu should be able to handle them.

Lu Luo picked up a shattered claw. Judging by its shape, it seemed to belong to some kind of reptile. It was unknown whether these creatures were Exotic Species or ordinary animals. Why could they live in this place? Lacking the Observer, Lu Luo had many unanswered questions. Since there's no Observer, I can only resort to the crudest method of testing.

"Xinzhu, help me check if there's any Holy Radiance inside these creatures."

No one answered Lu Luo.

"Xinzhu? Qi Xinzhu?"

Still, no one answered. Lu Luo knew that Qi Xinzhu would not casually ignore him. So, when he received no response, Lu Luo's heart sank.

He looked around. Besides the colorful, moving bubbles, everything else seemed frozen in time. Qi Xinzhu was not far from him, about two to three meters away. After a moment's hesitation, Lu Luo walked toward his wife. He placed his hand on Qi Xinzhu's shoulder.

"Xinzhu, are you alright?"

Lu Luo received no response from Qi Xinzhu. Instead, he heard a crisp sound.

POP!

Lu Luo knew it was the sound of a bubble bursting. His vision plunged into darkness.

「After a long time.」

Lu Luo didn't encounter any potential crisis or attack. It was as if the world had abandoned him until a little girl's voice came from not too far away.

"Daddy, Daddy! Come play with me!"

Deep down, Lu Luo had a feeling that the 'Daddy' the little girl was calling was him. And in that same direction, Lu Luo saw a door.

That was the only light in this place!

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