Chapter 180
While researching ancient epoch literature, Tara had come across the moment when the church, under the weak leadership of the Savior Sect, was shattered during the Holy War. The feeling of frustration, akin to watching iron fail to become steel, was something she would never forget.
Now, with a new Holy War on the horizon, she had to consider whether this was her only chance in this lifetime.
To restore the glory of the Mother Goddess, Tara felt it was her duty.
“The new Holy War is upon us,”
Tara surveyed the half-kneeling bishops and high priests, slowly spreading her arms. “Prepare yourselves to dedicate yourselves to the Mother Goddess, everyone.”
Just a simple statement, yet it felt as if a bomb had been dropped in their minds. After the initial shock, many faces lit up with ecstatic expressions.
The high priests might not fully grasp what was happening, but several well-informed bishops already knew about the great sacrificial event in Bolun City.
Could this be something orchestrated by Lady Tara?
The sacrifice... was it successful?
What had been summoned?
A saint? A servant of the divine? A progeny? Or perhaps... an angel?
Unbeknownst to Xia'er, a fervent religious crusade, ignited by her, was beginning to brew.
...
“Who is it?”
Xia'er stood before the wooden door on the first floor, asking the question.
At this moment, who would come looking for her?
Aivina had already heeded advice and left Bolun City, Adele didn’t know where she was currently residing, and Amy was obediently tending to flowers at home, just as Xia'er had instructed.
Could it be someone from the Blood Letter Party? Was there new intel from Opode?
As Xia'er pondered who might be outside, a familiar yet strange voice echoed from the doorway.
“The Savior Goddess Church,”
a somewhat muffled voice said, “We need to talk, Miss Xia'er.”
The Savior Goddess Church?
The very thing Xia'er had hoped to avoid had come to pass.
Previously, under the weight of misfortune, it was the Savior Goddess Church’s Xiu who had first sought her out.
Though Xia'er had utilized Xiu in simulations and even managed to snag her Glorious Bishop's mark, “pulling a fast one” for quite some time, in the current timeline, they were complete strangers.
With a third-tier blockade at the door, there was no way Xia'er could escape.
So, she opened the door, and the moment she saw the familiar silver hair, she realized she had misjudged the situation.
The visitor was not Xiu, but rather Adele’s sister, the high priest Yulisi of the Savior Goddess Church.
What did she want with her?
Fortunately... while Xia'er couldn’t handle Xiu, she had several ways to gain Yulisi’s trust.
“May I come in to speak?”
Yulisi inquired.
It seemed she had come alone, not appearing to regard Xia'er highly... though she couldn’t actually see her.
Her eyes were vacant, merely facing the direction of Xia'er as she spoke.
After a brief hesitation, Xia'er stepped aside and said, “Come in.”
Just as she had sent away one Tara, another Yulisi arrived... the misfortune continued to pile up.
But at least, the only third-tier she had dealt with was Opode; she should be able to handle this, right?
Moreover, having No.0 in the mix had its advantages; as an ordinary person, she wouldn’t attract too much attention from the Savior Goddess Church.
“What brings you here?”
Xia'er asked.
“I’ve heard about the Blackwater Party,”
Yulisi said softly, still facing Xia'er. “In the previous skirmishes, the Savior Goddess Church considered intervening, but before we could, you resolved the situation.”
“An unstable gang only brings suffering to more believers... so I’m here to warn you.”
Gangs were a problem even the Savior Goddess Church couldn’t eradicate.
They couldn’t eliminate the underworld organizations because they couldn’t operate like real gangs, brewing illicit alcohol or trafficking drugs—wherever there were gaps, someone would fill them.
Not to mention, the Blackwater Party had connections even among the nobility.
As long as there were gray interests at play, gangs would sprout like mold in damp corners. The Bell Tower Church could only establish some ground rules with the leaders of the largest gangs to at least protect the ordinary believers within their districts.
“Drugs, kidnappings, protection fees... none of this can happen in the Bell Tower district.”
“You can continue with the Blackwater Party’s illicit alcohol and horse betting, but if you violate the church’s prohibitions...”
Xia'er looked at Yulisi, her guard still firmly in place.
If this was just a warning, they could have sent a “penitent” to deliver it; why send a high priest in person?
She was definitely here for something else.
In both reality and this simulation, Xia'er had no prior interactions with Yulisi. If there was one point of contact, it could only be one thing.
Adele.
“Just say what you need to say.”
Xia'er cut straight to the point. “I don’t like beating around the bush.”
Upon hearing Xia'er’s words, Yulisi paused her narrative. After a moment, she slowly began, “Xia'er, I’ve heard that name before.”
“You’re Adele’s friend, aren’t you?”
As expected.
Xia'er wasn’t surprised; she nodded and confirmed, “Yes.”
“You’ve gained Aivina’s assistance, taken over the Blackwater Party, and have been sending people to monitor Opode... Recently, Aivina has also left Bolun City.”
Yulisi recounted all the information she had, pausing briefly before continuing, “Don’t worry, I won’t pry into your plans, as long as you don’t cause any damage in the Bell Tower district and avoid harming any believers of the Savior Goddess Church.”
“I just want to know if what you’re planning will involve Adele.”
“It won’t.”
Xia'er shook her head. “But if you don’t leave soon, you might be in danger.”
Yulisi had come solely for Adele’s safety... this should be considered a personal matter.
Since Opode arrived in the Bell Tower district, the Savior Goddess Church had been keeping an eye on things; Xia'er’s actions were naturally not hidden from them.
After all, the Bell Tower district was their territory, already infiltrated by their believers.
Xia'er realized that if she continued this line of conversation, she didn’t know how long it would take to clarify things with Yulisi, so she decided to cut to the chase.
Though she wasn’t familiar with the third-tier “Glorious Bishop” Xiu, she was quite familiar with Yulisi.
Through multiple simulations, she had not only learned about Yulisi’s character and background but also some of the most significant events in her life.
Although Yulisi had never seen Xia'er in reality, she was almost at Xia'er’s mercy.
Moreover, typically, Yulisi was a reliable ally—as long as Xia'er was willing to return to the church with her.
“January 17, 739 of the Holy Era.”
Xia'er spoke directly, stating a date.
The moment Yulisi heard this date, her expression changed dramatically. She took a step back, looking at Xia'er in disbelief.
“You said that if I mentioned this date, you would unconditionally trust me.”
Xia'er looked at Yulisi and continued, “We’ve met more than once, Yulisi.”
“Who are you...?”
“Go back, Yulisi, and stop investigating my affairs,”
Xia'er reiterated her earlier words. “It’s dangerous for you to stay here.”
Yulisi stood still, her expression shifting uncontrollably. After a long moment, she finally exhaled and said, “You’re telling the truth...”
Before her stood just an ordinary person... the third-tier bishop Xiu had been at the church recently; she couldn’t have been subjected to any mental attacks from other extraordinary beings.
Moreover, as someone who had undergone baptism, it was nearly impossible for her to be targeted by a “Dream Thief”—they wouldn’t be so foolish.
The only possibility was that the girl before her was indeed speaking the truth.
Who exactly is she...
“I... understand.”
Yulisi nodded gently, her figure beginning to flicker. But soon, she looked in Xia'er’s direction and said, “If you encounter any insurmountable problems, feel free to come find me.”
Yulisi’s figure faded, leaving only a white silhouette behind. After a few seconds, the silhouette flickered and vanished.
“Sigh...”
Xia'er couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
Yulisi from the Savior Goddess Church was manageable; she just kept trying to drag her to the church to become a saint, looking for ways to baptize her.
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