241. Abbey Repository
"Go back and rest," said Reverend Calvin Thompson with a dismissive wave, though his examination of Theodore Montgomery's condition had shown genuine care.
He summoned an officer from H.A.R.M. and instructed, "Bring him an Inspector's Key," while gesturing toward me.
He then turned to Kane and said, "Since he's your old acquaintance from Cascadia, take the Key to open the Abbey Repository and choose a vessel for nurturing his soul. The quality level is entirely up to you."
Upon hearing this, the H.A.R.M. officer's face betrayed unmistakable envy.
The Abbey Repository housed the Martial Abbey's finest treasures gathered from throughout New Terra. Both H.A.R.M. members and Vampire Hunters who had achieved significant accomplishments could visit the capital to exchange their merits for rewards from this prestigious collection.
Most importantly, access to the Abbey Repository and the authority to select an artifact of any quality level symbolized the Martial Abbey's deep trust and high regard for the young man.
While the officer was still marveling at the young man's good fortune, Reverend Thompson addressed him. "Bring Inspector Kane back to see me when he's finished." With that, Thompson strode toward the exit. In the main hall, a line of people still waited for cleansings.
… …
"Inspector, this way please." The officer from the capital spoke with impeccable courtesy.
He walked briskly ahead, then maintained a respectful distance, giving Theodore Montgomery and me some privacy to talk.
"What's going on exactly..." Theodore hurriedly floated to my side, his telepathic voice mixing worry with suspicion.
"I registered my name at the Martial Abbey during my last visit to the capital."
Today's encounter left me just as confused. During my last visit to the capital, I had noticed several figures in this courtyard behind the Martial Abbey. They weren't exactly common sights, but they weren't particularly rare either.
"A registered disciple, not just a student?"
Theodore's expression shifted slightly. In the Martial Abbey, disciple status was a rare honor, not granted to just anyone. Even Reverend Thompson himself was merely a disciple of the Martial Abbey.
Although these individuals had varying levels of training, they all shared one crucial characteristic: the potential to advance to the Vessel of Redeemer Realm.
But... Kane is a Ward of Nature! Theodore thought with alarm.
His original warning had been for the two Wards of Nature from Cascadia to simply conceal their strength to avoid detection by the Martial Abbey and the Martial Orders, thus preventing unnecessary trouble.
He had never told them to infiltrate the Martial Abbey!
If discovered, the Martial Abbey—which might have initially intended to protect them—would become so enraged they would abandon them completely.
"Let's go quickly." I maintained a calm, composed expression as I walked forward.
At last, I could find a jar to stuff this chatterbox into, which inexplicably brightened my mood.
The H.A.R.M. officer guided us behind the Martial Abbey, where we found ourselves directly facing its imposing rear wall.
He then hurried to the H.A.R.M. office and promptly returned with a precious wooden box. Inside, resting on bright red cloth, lay an exquisite palm-sized gold cross.
"Please, Inspector Kane, take the Key of Inspector," the officer said, respectfully presenting the box.
I reached out and took it in my palm. The gold cross felt smooth to the touch, radiating a gentle warmth.
The next moment, my vision was suddenly filled with a dense white mist.
This wasn't ordinary mist—its density resembled cotton or silk, hovering at the threshold of transforming into something tangible.
This was Martial Abbey's portion of the power of faith that New Terra had accumulated since its founding.
However, since Inspector positions were typically held by Wards of Nature, this specific portion of power was actually reserved for the Martial Abbey's disciples.
"Hmm." I gently tightened my grip on the gold cross.
Having grown accustomed to H.A.R.M.'s strict "work before reward" policy, I was surprised by how smoothly everything was proceeding.
This likely highlighted the fundamental difference between the Capital and the States.
The States required firm governance through well-established rules to maintain stability and ensure peace.
The Martial Abbey operated more like a Martial Order, constantly pushing boundaries and seeking to increase its power by breaking into higher Realms.
"Inspector Kane, with this key you can open the Abbey Repository. The repository is directly in front of you. If there's nothing else you need, I'll wait here for your return."
The officer retreated about twenty yards—the Abbey Repository was not a place someone of his rank could enter or even glimpse inside.
Directly in front of me?
I stood at the back of the Martial Abbey, facing a tall, wide relief wall. Carved into its surface were thirteen towering figures, each with distinct postures and appearances, representing the thirteen Vessels of Redeemer enshrined within.
I channeled my essence into the gold cross, activating it. Instantly, it was as if an invisible lock had been opened.
Before me suddenly appeared a grand staircase of gold and marble, descending straight into the depths.
A concealment formation?
I had seen similar formations in Peacock Valley, but those were merely illusions that couldn't actually stop anything—you could simply break through them with your hand.
The relief wall before me, however, was distinctly different. As I approached it earlier, my body instinctively sensed danger.
Given that I had not only reached the Fourth Realm but had also mastered a body-tempering method powerful enough to capture two Vampire Kings, this formation's power must be truly unimaginable if even I sensed an insurmountable danger from it.
"This was built long ago when the Martial Abbey invited a renowned clan of formation specialists from outside. You won't find another one like it in all of New Terra."
Though this was also Theodore Montgomery's first visit to the Abbey Repository, he had learned about these formations through his position as an admiral.
"The most famous story about that clan was using formations to trap and kill a Fifth Realm Breaker from the Red Party, and then using formations to conceal their entire clan... To this day, the Red Party has been unable to settle the score."
While the Three-Way Alliance and Vampires Valley dominated as the most powerful forces, they were far from alone in this world.
There were small countries, minor martial groups, and even among vampires and monsters, there were entities like Fox Wonderland.
Hearing this, I silently noted the formation clan in my heart.
The Cosmic Devouring Infant provided me with tremendous power, while the Sanguis Ascensus body tempering method bestowed overwhelming strength—together forming the foundation of my core advantages.
However, skills such as formations, potion-making, and artifact forging should never be taken lightly.
I stepped onto the gleaming gold and marble staircase and began my descent.
Theodore Montgomery followed behind, his curiosity evident as he surveyed his surroundings.
Until he gazed into a pair of ancient eyes.
An old man sat quietly at a wooden table by the wall, his physical body withered to little more than skin and bone. He glanced up at us, noticed the gold cross in my hand, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, then returned to his silent contemplation.
Another upper realm Seeker of Redeemer.
Theodore's Redeemed Spirit instinctively recoiled from the old man's penetrating gaze as he continued following me inside.
We entered a magnificent hall that branched into numerous side halls, with people waiting patiently outside some of them.
I let out an internal sigh of disappointment.
I had hoped to browse the Martial Abbey's collection of Ward of Nature martial arts techniques.
However, with my position as a H.A.R.M. inspector, I would have plenty of future opportunities to explore—there was no rush for now.
"What do you need?" asked an old man who appeared somewhat more normal as he approached us.
"A vessel for nurturing souls," I replied with a polite nod.
"What quality level would you prefer?" the old man inquired.
"Let him choose for himself." After saying this, I turned away and quickly identified the side halls containing treasures, elixirs, training manuals, and various other artifacts.
Theodore Montgomery felt a sudden warmth in his heart. Kane was truly worthy of being a Ward of Nature—as a State Admiral, Theodore had completely failed to notice such a prodigy within his own territory and had never offered Kane any help.
Anyone who had clawed their way up through an organization like H.A.R.M. would typically harbor resentment.
Yet he had never seen Kane show any malice toward him...
Well, there wasn't any particular goodwill either; Kane simply ignored him.
"Thank you, Inspector Kane." Theodore Montgomery bowed deeply, his gesture radiating sincere gratitude, before following the old man to another section.
Nurturing one's soul in a vessel was a monotonous existence.
He might remain there for hundreds or thousands of years... but at least his life would be preserved.