After Lin Ye restarted the Path of Holy Flame, the old guys in the Holy Core once hoped to rope Lin Ye in, letting him join the Church Court.

However, regardless of whether Lin Ye was willing or not, the person chosen by the Holy Core actually reflected just how indifferent and perfunctory they were on this matter.

They chose Qin Lu, someone who hated Lin Ye to the bone, to recruit Lin Ye, which was a mistake from the start.

Now, with Lin Ye's remarks, the possibility of joining the Church Court has been thoroughly cut off, and Qin Lu was naturally happy to see this.

In his opinion, there was no need to compromise with Lin Ye.

After all, even the mighty Professional Alliance can only begrudgingly endure when facing the Church Court; how could a mere Second-Turned Priest like Lin Ye possibly overturn everything?

Someday, due to acting too recklessly, he might be eliminated by the Demon God from the Abyss, without even needing the Church Court to intervene.

In history, have there been few geniuses who courted disaster and perished prematurely?

Qin Lu couldn't care less about these.

Or maybe, what difference does it make even if you care?

Meanwhile, within the grand hall, Qin Doufeng bowed his head in contemplation...

He felt a certain sense of agreement with what Lin Ye had said.

But this was completely contrary to the education he received since childhood, and now, his heart was filled with a sense of division.

The battle between rationality and emotion continuously clashed in his mind.

Even the words of the Archbishops were somewhat unclear to him.

"Doufeng!"

At that moment, an angry shout startled Qin Doufeng.

He immediately looked up and saw Qin Lu glaring at him displeased.

"Archbishop, what are your orders?" Qin Doufeng promptly bowed in salute.

As the Steward, his duty was to follow the Bishop's instructions to accomplish any task.

In essence, he should be an emotionless machine, carrying out any orders given by Qin Lu!

Of course, regarding the consequences of the orders, it's generally up to him to bear.

To put it bluntly, it's a position that requires doing the work while also taking the blame.

Moreover, not just anyone can take on this position; only branch disciples from the Twelve Noble Families have this qualification.

After all, using these people to bear the blame is what convinces the masses—in other words, it carries credibility.

"Take some people to support the Third Group and ensure we hold the newly captured stronghold!" Qin Lu instructed firmly.

"Third Group? That stronghold... wasn't it already planned to be abandoned?" Qin Doufeng responded, finally coming to his senses and asking.

"Did you not pay attention to anything I've been saying?" Qin Lu, upset, slapped the armrest of his chair and said, "I've decided to hold that stronghold. If we abandon it, the Alliance could connect the strongholds on both eastern and western wings; this is not permissible!"

"Indeed, we now have a reason to defend the Third Group's stronghold."

"It doesn't matter what price we pay; the main point is not allowing the Alliance to capture the entire area."

"We've already contacted the Mad God Guild, and they will assist in resisting the demon's attack, so the problem isn't significant."

The other Bishops also spoke up.

But the task given by the Bishops caused a bit of confusion for Qin Doufeng.

Defending a stronghold initially planned for abandonment, merely to prevent the Alliance's strongholds from forming a connection over there?

"So, are you going to refuse this task?"

Qin Lu pressed, his gaze carrying a trace of annoyance.

Infuriated by Lin Ye's situation already, he didn't understand why Qin Doufeng, usually obedient, would provoke him now.

"Understood, I'll go immediately!"

Feeling intimidated, Qin Doufeng immediately agreed.

Qin Lu was his grandfather, the person he feared most since childhood. This stern, even somewhat harsh and tyrannical elder never once showed him a smile.

Though he was his own grandfather, to Qin Doufeng, Qin Lu was merely an authority figure demanding absolute obedience from him since childhood.

Despite missing the earlier words, Qin Doufeng knew Qin Lu's attitude change was undoubtedly influenced by Lin Ye.

The stronghold Lin Ye aimed to support was located at the eastern wing of the Third Group's stronghold!

The demon's counter-offensive this time was particularly fierce.

Even with ample priest support on the Third Group's side, the pressure remained significant.

Fortunately, the situation at the Alliance's eastern wing stronghold wasn't much better than that of the Third Group's; indeed, the Alliance's side bore even greater pressure.

Earlier, the Bishops foresaw abandoning the Third Group's stronghold because they evaluated that if the Alliance stronghold fell, most of the pressure would inevitably shift to the Third Group side.

Given such circumstances, why not simply abandon this troublesome stronghold?

Hence, their initial decision was to abandon this stronghold...

Now reconsidering its defense was undoubtedly because of Lin Ye!

Though Qin Lu harbored hostility toward Lin Ye, it didn't imply indifference to Lin Ye's impact.

With Lin Ye's involvement, the pressure on the Alliance's eastern wing stronghold would indubitably decrease considerably!

There was a high chance of successfully repelling this wave of Abyssal Demon's offensive.

If the Church Court were to withdraw, the Alliance could capitalize on this opportunity, seizing the abandoned stronghold and seamlessly connecting three strongholds into a single area for wider control.

Should a new settlement develop in this region in the future, the Church Court would find itself powerless without any say!

Therefore, after deliberating, the Bishops resolved to grit their teeth and defend this place.

Even at the cost of involving the Mad God Guild for support.

"Rest assured, if necessary, I will personally come to assist, demonstrating divinity on the battlefield." Qin Lu, noticing Qin Doufeng's reluctance, thought he was scared and thus offered reassurance.

Qin Doufeng deeply bowed and said, "Understood! I'll go right away!"

With that, he turned and left.

Yet his thoughts were exceedingly complex...

Under such circumstances, what Qin Lu and others deliberated turned out to be all about these matters.

To be honest, despite the significant pressure on the Third Group, it wasn't quite to the extent of being unable to hold.

If Qin Lu desired, letting Qin Doufeng lead the Priest Group to support the Alliance's eastern wing stronghold could undoubtedly reduce Alliance Army casualties, and simultaneously relieve the pressure on the Church Army's Third Group stronghold.

However, Qin Lu chose otherwise.

Seeing the situation was unfavorable, he promptly withdrew, sharply backstabbing the Alliance Army...

Now, witnessing the Alliance Army possibly holding the eastern wing stronghold, he ordered the Third Group to defend their stronghold.

Although considering the Church Court's perspective, it's merely a choice driven by self-interest, yet it increasingly unsettled Qin Doufeng's mind.

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