As Wang Jian made his way towards Aria City, a significant event took place in the bustling Yuelu City.
Nestled within this city was the prestigious central cathedral of the Church of Divine Light, a magnificent structure that commanded the attention of all those who laid eyes on it.
After an arduous journey, Hong Meilin's entourage had finally arrived at their destination.
The group arrived at the imposing edifice of the Church of Divine Light, which towered above the city in all its splendor.
Upon their arrival, Ye Chen and the other devotees were ushered into the main hall of the cathedral, while Hong Meilin and the two bishops proceeded to ascend the ornate staircase leading to the upper echelons of the church.
After a short while, Hong Meilin and the two bishops arrived at the entrance to the Pope's chambers.
As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a sight that left them awestruck. The Pope was seated in thin air, levitating just a meter above the ground. His eyes closed in deep meditation, his long white robes flowed around him, and his hands were clasped together in front of his chest.
The room was vast, with high vaulted ceilings adorned with beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the history of the Church.
The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with leather-bound tomes of ancient wisdom. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the soft glow of candlelight added to the otherworldly atmosphere.
As Hong Meilin and the two bishops approached, the Pope's eyes snapped open, and he fixed them with a piercing gaze. It was as if he could see into their very souls, probing their thoughts and intentions with his sharp mind.
"Welcome, my children," his voice boomed through the chamber, echoing off the high ceilings. "I have been expecting you."
Hong Meilin and the bishops immediately dropped to their knees, bowing their heads in complete submission to the Pope's authority. The atmosphere in the room was one of profound reverence and awe, as the three visitors paid their respects to the leader of the Church of Divine Light.
"Please rise," he said, his tone firm yet gracious. The group quickly obeyed, standing before him with serious and respectful expressions.
"I have received a message from the Emperor this morning," the Pope continued, his face solemn. "He informed me of an incident involving the Saintess of our church and his son, Wang Jian. It seems that the Saintess threatened his son to save the life of someone who had ambushed him."
Hong Meilin and the bishops exchanged concerned glances.
"Your Holiness," Hong Meilin spoke up, "I understand the gravity of the situation. However, the individual we saved is none other than the monstrous genius of the Heavenly Blade Sect. He is also the disciple of the previous sect master. Moreover, I owed him a favor when he saved my life in the Celestial Sage's Temple."
The Pope's voice thundered in the chamber as he spoke, his displeasure evident.
"Regardless of his identity or your personal connections with him, you shouldn't have taken action against the Seventh Prince of the Empire. Our church should not involve itself in political matters or take sides in the conflicts of the secular world."
Hong Meilin bowed her head in apology, her voice softening. "I understand, Your Holiness. Please forgive my impulsive actions."
The Pope's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained stern.
"I understand your intentions, Hong Meilin. However, your actions have caused a diplomatic incident with the Empire. This incident has made the Emperor believe that the Church of Divine Light holds no respect for the throne."
Hong Meilin's heart sank at the news. She had only acted on instinct, without considering the potential repercussions. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for her hasty decision.
The Pope's voice softened, as if sensing her inner turmoil.
"It is unfortunate that the prince in question was none other than the Seventh Prince," he said. "He is a prodigious talent, having achieved the King Realm at the tender age of 20. He is widely regarded as the most talented individual in the Empire."
The Pope's gaze turned to the two bishops who had accompanied Hong Meilin.
"What were you thinking?" he asked them sharply.
"You were tasked with protecting the Saintess, but it seems you failed in your duty. I did not entrust her to your care just to protect her from physical harm, but also to guide her and prevent her from acting rashly."
The two bishops bowed their heads in shame, not daring to meet the Pope's stern gaze.
"I understand that the Saintess is still young and inexperienced," the Pope continued in a softer tone.
"But that is all the more reason why she needs proper guidance and support. You were meant to provide that for her, but instead, you allowed her to act without thinking of the consequences."
As the Pope's rebuke continued, the two bishops and Hong Meilin began to feel increasingly ashamed of their actions. Never before had they witnessed the Pope's displeasure expressed with such harsh words.
After a brief pause, the Pope's voice echoed through the chamber, "To pacify the Emperor and his son, we must send a tribute of three percent of our annual income, as well as three Holy Blossom Fruits and three Phoenix Flame Fruits. In addition, we must present the Holy Aegis Pendant."
Hong Meilin and the two bishops gasped in disbelief.
The Holy Blossom Fruit is a rare and coveted fruit that grows only in the most sacred of places. It is said to be blessed by the divine and infused with a hint of Holy Attribute that can enhance the strength of its user's attacks.
When consumed, the pure energy within the fruit helps the user to break through their cultivation bottleneck, allowing them to advance to the next level.
Its outer skin is a radiant white with a slight glow, while the inner flesh is a translucent pink with tiny golden specks. The juice of the fruit is sweet and refreshing, leaving a pleasant aftertaste that lingers on the tongue.
Its effects are permanent, and those who consume it are said to feel invigorated and renewed, as if they were reborn with newfound power.
The Phoenix Flame Fruit is a rare and highly coveted fruit that only grows in the most extreme of conditions.
Possessing an intense and vibrant red hue, the fruit is said to hold within it the essence of the Phoenix, a legendary bird known for its association with fire and rebirth.
When consumed by those possessing the flame element, the fruit provides an incredible boost to their power, causing their flames to burn hotter and brighter than ever before.
The fruit's pure energy also helps the individual to break through in cultivation, allowing them to reach new heights of power and understanding.
Moreover, there is a tiny chance of gaining insight into the elusive Laws of Flame, which is highly sought after by those seeking to master the element. However, the fruit is extremely rare and difficult to find, with many willing to go to great lengths to obtain it.
Even the Church of Divine Light had a very low number of these rare fruits as it was impossible to grow them. They could only be found in the wilderness where all sorts of conditions for their growth apply.
The total number of the Holy Blossom Fruits in the Church wouldn't surpass twenty. Meanwhile, the number of Phoenix Flame Fruits wouldn't surpass seven.
The Phoenix Flame Fruits were considerably rarer as they possessed great energy that could help an expert break through to the King Realm. Naturally, it was necessary that the expert possessed the comprehension to gain insight in the Laws of Flame to break through to the King Realm.
"Your Holiness, that's a tremendous price to pay!" Hong Meilin exclaimed.
Despite the shock from his subordinates, the Pope's expression remained serene. "It may seem like a significant cost, but it is still preferable to being excommunicated by the Empire," he replied calmly.
"The Church's growth owes much to the Empire's support. They have the power to crush us if they desire, and they could easily replace us with another religion."
"The decision has been made," declared the Pope, his voice firm and resolute.
"To ensure the Church's continued existence and standing, we must comply with the Emperor's demands. And since this predicament was caused by your actions, Hong Meilin, it is only fitting that you deliver the offerings to the Seventh Prince in person."
Hong Meilin's expression was one of resignation, knowing that she had no other choice but to comply with the Pope's orders. The two bishops beside her exchanged concerned glances, but remained silent, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"You both will accompany her and also seek an apology from the seventh prince," The Pope added.
"Yes, Your Holiness," The bishops responded humbly.
After this topic was done, the bishops and Hong Meilin informed the Pope about the ambush that occurred on them. The two experts of the Crimson Cult had arrived and nearly slaughtered them.
If not for Ye Chen's presence, perhaps they would all have died in that ambush.
Upon hearing news of Ye Chen's actions, the Pope raised his brows and couldn't help but sigh, "Allow him to reside in the church for a few days. Let it not be said that the church has a vicious heart and does not respect its benefactors."
"Yes, Your Holiness," The two bishops responded collectively.
