In the small courtyard of the Parthenon Temple.
After asking Lu Jun several times without receiving a response, Dulank revealed a victorious smile and declared his own judgment: "I see now. You can't confirm whether the one who died was the real Salan. In that case, to avoid mistakes, we can't conclude that Salan is dead."
"So right now, Salan isn't dead."
Lu Jun was astonished. Hearing Dulank twist right and wrong like this filled him with anger. He immediately retorted, "Salan is already dead."
Durank smiled insidiously and said, "Then prove it to me."
Suppressing his rage, Lu Jun forced himself to stay calm and said, "The Tribunal also has supporting intelligence. Among the high-ranking members present, one of them was certainly Salan. To prevent any mishaps afterward, those high-level members were all kept under confinement until the Black Vetican was completely purged."
"Besides, most of Salan's nine Apostles have perished. The Ferrymen, the Archbishops, and the Dark Pharmacists have fallen into chaos and division—only two remain, still fighting for power. Isn't that proof enough?"
He paused, then spoke calmly, "Before Shao Zheng and Han Ji arrive, I will not answer any more questions regarding this matter. You have neither the status nor the authority to interrogate me."
Dulank's smile faded slightly, and his aura suddenly surged. The oppressive might of a fully advanced Super Mage rolled forth like thunder.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
In an instant, Lu Jun's head rang loudly. His face turned pale, and his spirit and body felt as though a mountain had been dropped upon him, suffocating him.
Then came Dulank's voice, echoing like that of a god, domineering and absolute: "I represent the Holy City—and whatever the Holy City declares is truth!"
"I say…" Dulank leaned forward and whispered, his tone filled with authority, "Salan isn't dead! Do you understand?"
The killing intent in Lu Jun's heart could no longer be restrained, though outwardly he remained calm. Lowering his gaze, he said, "I refuse to answer any more on this subject. I'm leaving. You can wait for Han Ji to speak with you."
So, you want to bully the weak with your power? Fine. Let's see.
He turned decisively to leave—but at the doorway, he was blocked by Tribunal Mage Siso.
Seeing this, Lu Jun raised an eyebrow. "Judge Dulank, what is the meaning of this?"
"My apologies," Dulank said with a low laugh behind him. "There's still one more matter the Holy City needs you to explain. You've achieved full mastery in Curse, Water, and Summoning systems—truly a prodigious young talent."
"But from what I know, throughout five thousand years of history, few at your age have ever reached such a level. Most who did relied on forbidden magic that consumes life itself."
Lu Jun's heart sank slightly, though his expression didn't change. "Why can't it simply be a result of ample resources and innate talent?"
"Hahaha." Dulank scoffed, speaking to himself, "Besides, I've seen your record. Back in Egypt, you were still a full-advanced mage—yet you single-handedly killed a quasi-Monarch."
"Such a leap in power defies all logic. Don't you think you owe us an explanation?"
Hearing that, Lu Jun took a deep breath, suppressing his inner fury. "That was due to a special substance within the Curse element."
"No!" Dulank rejected flatly, then reasoned coldly, "It was forbidden magic! You've colluded with the Black Vetican, using one of their pawns as a decoy to fake the death of the real Salan."
Lu Jun snapped, "Ridiculous! Your logic doesn't hold up. You're confusing truth and lies—there's no evidence at all!"
Dulank's sneer deepened. "Hehehe… Regardless, your cultivation and combat power are clearly abnormal, aren't they? Unless—" his eyes narrowed, "you open your Spiritual World for me to inspect."
The moment he heard that, Lu Jun nearly lost all restraint. He almost wanted to break the seal of the Ancient King's Armor and crush Dulank into dust with one punch.
The Spiritual World is a mage's most vital secret. It contains the essence of their cultivation methods and arcane paths. Should the examiner harbor the slightest ill intent, they could easily destroy the mage's mind.
There was no way he would ever agree to let Dulank see his Spiritual Universe.
Lu Jun said coldly, "Get out of my sight."
Faced with such insolence from a younger mage, Dulank did not get angry. He simply shook his head and sighed, "Then there's no helping it. According to regulations, I'll have to place you under confinement for one month. Once your innocence is proven, you'll be released."
After saying that, he walked past Lu Jun and stepped out of the courtyard.
"You have no authority to confine me—"
Before Lu Jun could finish, countless glowing magic patterns spread across the ground of the courtyard, weaving into a brilliant light curtain that sealed it completely.
At the doorway, two Tribunal Mages stood guard.
Seeing this, Lu Jun was so furious he laughed. "As expected of the Holy City—detaining innocent mages without any distinction between right and wrong."
Gradually, however, he calmed down. Sitting cross-legged silently in the courtyard, he said nothing more. There was no point in arguing—he was never one for empty words.
Dulank, that old dog, he would settle the score one day.
But soon, a thought flashed through his mind—perhaps this situation could be an opportunity.
He couldn't forget his Psychic System's Intermediate-level spell: Multiple Virtual Souls—capable of fabricating an illusionary Spiritual World.
As long as it was done under the supervision of his allies, opening a false Spiritual World for the Holy City's inspection would be perfectly safe.
Once he passed this test, he would become officially recognized by the Holy City as a legitimate magical prodigy.
From then on, Lu Jun's Super-tier path would remain stable and unshaken until the day he broke through to Forbidden Curse, transforming from cocoon to wings!
As for Xin Xia and Mo Fan, Lu Jun had already done his best. He had stubbornly insisted that Salan was dead and had even been placed under false charges and confined by the Tribunal Mages because of it.
After all, he had no real connection to Xin Xia—he only helped for Mo Fan's sake, and his conscience was clear.
At that moment, the two Tribunal Mages standing at the door were surprised. They had originally thought Lu Jun would lose control and try to break through the sealing formation so that they could use it as an excuse to punish him severely and perhaps even add a few charges for good measure.
Unexpectedly… Siso curled his lips in boredom. "Hmph, just a coward."
Inside the courtyard, Lu Jun's gaze was calm yet deep. He was patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike back.
Of course, before that moment came, while observing the changes in the situation, he quietly prepared himself to cultivate.
Since becoming the national team's champion, Lu Jun's fame for crushing all rivals had spread far and wide. It was now a historic event, and his popularity across the Nine Continents had soared to astonishing heights.
Because of that, the power of faith gathering around him grew ever stronger.
Lu Jun closed his eyes. Within his Spiritual Universe, six constellations shone brilliantly. Among them, the azure Psychic Star Galaxy surged mightily. From the void descended countless invisible, mysterious threads of energy, and a beautiful Faith Imprint of the Lifan Flower glimmered radiantly.
His Imaginative Power rose rapidly, nourishing the azure starlit river and multiplying his cultivation speed severalfold.
If combined with the amplification from the White Tiger Pendant, he might soon raise his Psychic Element to Advanced Level Three.
This was of utmost importance—because once he attempted to awaken the Ancient King's Armor Robe, his spirit would need to withstand the overwhelming shock of deathly resentment. The higher his Psychic cultivation, the better he could suppress it.
Moreover, Lu Jun vaguely sensed that to push his Psychic Element beyond the Super Level or even to the Forbidden Curse Level, where one could wield power comparable to emperors—the power of the hearts of all living beings, that is, the power of faith, was the key!
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Lu Jun immersed himself in cultivation. Within his dark universe bloomed golden lotuses, each embodying morality and virtue. His entire body became surrounded by pure white light, radiating a tranquil and compassionate aura.
Soon, countless distant voices of praise and worship echoed faintly through the void, like sacred chants and endless hymns—the reverence of billions of living beings in prayer.
At this moment, Lu Jun's appearance became solemn and divine. With eyes closed in meditation, he seemed to be reciting the scriptures of all living beings—like a great Buddha descending to earth. The small courtyard around him turned into a realm of peace and bliss, a pure land amidst the mortal world.
Outside the courtyard, the two Tribunal Mages felt their restless hearts gradually calm. They couldn't explain why but they began to enjoy the serenity of this tranquil state.
Even Siso's many sinful thoughts rose and faded, purified and cleansed. As he reflected upon his past deeds, he actually began to feel guilt.
Lu Jun was unaware of all this. If he had known, he would have been shocked—for he had unknowingly changed the very roots of another's nature.
This was called Enlightenment through Salvation.
It was said that in Kyushu's Lingyin Temple, there existed a Psychic Forbidden Curse monk who possessed such divine power. (A canon character from the original series, appearing in the Magic City Battle Arc.)
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123