Chapter 632
Those bold and seemingly effective actions might just be the result of countless trials and errors that Xia Er has painstakingly navigated to find the right answers.
Only Xia Er could truly understand the suffering endured along the way.
At the same time, Ai Wei Na began to grasp the source of the terrifying mental pollution that occasionally plagued Xia Er's mind...
She stepped forward slowly, wrapping her arms around Xia Er's slender frame once more.
Sometimes, Ai Wei Na found it hard to imagine just how powerful the will hidden within Xia Er's small body must be, to have sustained her through all this without breaking down.
This moment of openness seemed to tighten the bond between the two already close friends.
Xia Er chose not to disturb this warmth with words; perhaps what she lacked most at this moment was time...
It was only when a knock at the door from a maid interrupted their embrace that the spell was broken.
The maid had come regarding visitors, some of whom were noble young ladies who had known Ai Wei Na in her childhood, and she was there to ask if they should be received.
"Why are there so many guests?" Xia Er asked.
Since Xia Er had arrived at the Russell Duke's residence in the simulation during the late afternoon, she was unaware of what had transpired that morning.
"I don't know. It seems to be related to the Church of the Savior Goddess," Ai Wei Na replied, shaking her head. "They say something about the 'uniqueness' of the Church has emerged, and some are even saying it's the descent of the Holy Spirit... I'm not quite sure."
"These visitors are all here to see my father. Most of them have offended the Church of the Savior Goddess and are seeking refuge or trying to gauge the situation with the Duke."
So it was her doing...
Upon hearing Ai Wei Na's words, Xia Er understood why there were so many visitors.
It seemed that summoning the "Judger" before entering the simulation had caused this.
However... these people who had offended the Church of the Savior Goddess might not realize that the Archbishop of the Holy Spirit Sect was watching them right outside the door. If Tara had any disdain for the Church of the Savior Goddess, she would have already taken note of their names.
"By the way, there's something I want to confirm," Xia Er said, looking at Ai Wei Na. "Do I have an older sister?"
Xia Er's question seemed absurd at first glance... but it was indeed a pressing issue for her.
She needed to ascertain whether the entire timeline was flawed or if Li Qi had been set as a trap in the previous simulation... This was crucial for Xia Er to judge the other party's abilities and their perception of her.
"Huh?" Ai Wei Na was momentarily taken aback by Xia Er's question, but she still answered, "Yes... isn't Li Qi your sister? What's wrong?"
Li Qi... still my sister...
Xia Er frowned slightly.
This was indeed good news for her; at least her bond with her sister hadn't been erased by some divine being.
But with that came new questions.
What had happened in the simulation was different from reality... something Xia Er had never anticipated.
Sharing a past with reality should, in theory, not lead to any changes.
Unless...
That divine being "exists" in every timeline.
It could be a projection of part of its power, or perhaps followers or offspring possessing its strength—this was how it influenced the old days.
In the timeline Xia Er had just simulated, a follower or offspring had chosen to use Li Qi as bait to attempt to eliminate her.
What would its old followers be like? What did it rely on to influence the past?
But Xia Er could confirm that those power projections or followers could not distinguish which timeline was her "reality."
It seemed that Xia Er needed to uncover that lost path to find the hidden power of the divine being in this world.
However, before that, every simulation Xia Er undertook could be like stepping on a landmine, triggering the "bombs" they had buried.
"Is she still in Bliss City?" Xia Er asked Ai Wei Na.
"Yes," Ai Wei Na nodded. Although she knew Xia Er had orchestrated this, she still answered her question.
"Good," Xia Er replied, "I need to go to Bliss."
The necklace of Sadana might be in Bliss City, and with that, Xia Er could communicate with Sadana.
Now, she was speculating about what state Sadana might be in and what information she could provide...
"Right now? Do you need me to arrange something?" Ai Wei Na asked, noticing the change in Xia Er's tone.
"No, I still need to take care of a few things..." Xia Er shook her head. "Sorry, I might need to step out for a bit."
"Okay." Ai Wei Na nodded, not trying to hold her back.
As long as Xia Er didn't leave without saying goodbye, she was free to do as she pleased—Ai Wei Na wouldn't interfere unless it was a matter of life and death.
After sharing a kiss goodbye, Xia Er left Ai Wei Na's room, taking Tara and Pei Er Xi with her as they departed the Russell Duke's residence.
"Lady Xia Er, where are we going?" Pei Er Xi asked, noticing that Xia Er's route seemed a bit off, her voice tinged with nervousness.
Her anxiety wasn't from worry, but from anticipation... she seemed to have guessed what Xia Er was about to do, her heart racing.
"To the Church," Xia Er said. "It's time to push forward the schedule for the church merger."
"Only a stronger and more unified church can better serve Lady Xia Er and fulfill her will," Tara remarked, glancing at Pei Er Xi with a hint of exasperation. "Stop asking Lady Xia Er such time-wasting questions. As a humble and clumsy servant, I need to focus tenfold on deciphering every action and word of Lady Xia Er."
Pei Er Xi suppressed her excitement, quickly lowering her head and saying, "You're right, teacher. Please forgive my foolishness, Lady Xia Er."
When it came to fervor, no one could match Tara, who had been certified as a divine servant. While others viewed Xia Er as an ordinary person, Tara had already recognized her as a divine being.
Now that Xia Er had demonstrated her power, the term "fervor" could no longer encompass Tara's feelings for her.
It was an extreme obsession and an unwavering devotion; in Tara's eyes, not just Xia Er's every smile and frown, but even the breath she exhaled dissipating into the air was seen as a tremendous waste... "madness" might be a more fitting term to describe Tara's current state.
Everything about Lady Xia Er was right; anything that defied her existence must be eradicated—this was Tara's belief.
Xia Er stood before the Church of the Savior Goddess, halting her steps.
Behind her, the familiar faceless statue of the goddess loomed in Westminster Square, while Xia Er continued to ponder the issues surrounding the Holy Spirit Sect.
Up until now, she had never encountered the Pope of the Holy Spirit Sect. If she could get her to appear here directly, the church merger might progress more swiftly.
"Where is the Pope of the Holy Spirit Sect?" Xia Er turned to Tara and Pei Er Xi, inquiring.
"The last time I saw the Holy Pope was in Bliss City... After a brief meeting with me, the next day I boarded a ship to the New District," Tara said, lowering her head slightly. "Then I jumped ship to find you."
Xia Er: "..."
It seemed that going to Bliss was now an inevitable choice... heading to this largest port city of An Su.
**Chapter 323: The Sole Ascendant, Xia Er**
Today, the Church of the Savior Goddess was unusually busy.
Various carriages filled the entrance, nearly blocking the way entirely.
Clerics bustled in and out, while some were shooing away reporters hoping to catch wind of some big news.
"Hey, let me in first! Archbishop Griffin is personally baptizing my son; I'm his godfather! I need to see Archbishop Griffin..."
"Sorry, the church is refusing all visitors today..."
"I'm a pastor from Aiden Town; I'm here to report on my work..."
"Sorry, unless it's an emergency, please come back another day..."
The entrance of the church was a chaotic scene, bustling like a marketplace.
Although the Church of the Savior Goddess didn't have as many noble and high-ranking official followers as the Church of the God of Order, a small number of the elite had chosen to believe in the Church of the Savior Goddess after receiving its assistance.
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