Before departing, Screwlloyd thoughtfully tied up the green hibiscus, purple roses, and other plants with hemp rope.
"Galaxy Baseballer, I look forward to our next meeting."
"Come visit the Church when you have time! As an Emanator, I guarantee you'll receive the highest level of hospitality!"
"Actually, my name is Stelle…"
Before Stelle could finish, Screwlloyd took three steps in two and leaped away in a single bound.
"Hmm… what does it even look like?"
From start to finish, Screwlloyd had been wearing Blake's face while chatting with Stelle. It was clear it enjoyed impersonating others.
Stelle came to a conclusion: information among Church members didn't circulate. On Jarilo-VI, she had interacted with both Freesna and Blake.
Adrian had told her that Blake was the sharing type. There was no way he hadn't mentioned his experiences in Belobog to Screwlloyd, an Emanator.
But considering how the Church's priests were always running around, perhaps Screwlloyd was the freedom-seeking type as well.
In that light, Pontiff Blake must have it rough.
Stelle didn't dwell on it further. She hoisted the unconscious [Abundance Secret Teachings] members over her shoulder. This undercover mission was a complete success.
Next, it was time to haul these heretics to the Ten-Lords Commission or the Divine Strategy Mansion for the relevant authorities to handle.
Stepping out of the courtyard, Adrian withdrew the blessing of [Eternity]. March 7th, the record-keeper, was the first to rush forward.
"Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"Hah, the only thing that makes me feel unwell is losing a pillow fight!"
To date, Stelle's only defeat was in an exhilarating pillow fight against Adrian. The Doomsday Beast and Cocolia were team battles, so they didn't count as personal losses.
"Good to know you're fine. Let's go."
After contacting Dan Heng, the Abundance Secret Teachings undercover operation came to an end. On the way back, March 7th bombarded Adrian with questions.
After all, they had been separated from the Abundance Secret Teachings by just a wall and had overheard everything.
"Your undercover mission was a success. Even though your identity was exposed, you gathered valuable intel and managed to retreat unscathed. Such ace spy qualities are truly astonishing."
"Teacher Adrian, you're too kind. It's all thanks to your guidance."
"Whether they've been lying dormant or are staging a comeback… for the Abundance Secret Teachings to suddenly show themselves so boldly, they must be brewing some kind of conspiracy…"
Completely dismantling the Abundance Secret Teachings would likely take a long time… Stelle looked up at the sky, awaiting Dan Heng's next orders. For now, she had no role to play.
"Sigh~ That mechanical bro had it rough… But it seems to be a follower of [Eternity]! I've seen plenty of Emanators, but never a Pathstrider of [Eternity]."
Feeling Stelle's curious gaze, March 7th clarified, "Oh, come on, you're definitely the first [Eternity] Pathstrider I've met!"
"Teacher Adrian, do you know it?"
"My stance is the same as yours—I'd like to understand it. Why not ask the all-knowing Priestess Freesna?"
"Huh? But Priestess isn't on the Xianzhou. How am I supposed to ask her?"
"Not necessarily…"
…
Earlier, at Liuyun Crossing,
Silver hair like moonlight brushed past lapis lazuli earrings as Freesna felt the gentle breeze.
"The crowds are sparse… It's a bit different from the Xianzhou in MY memory." Freesna took out her phone, answering a call from the priestess.
"Lady Freesna, you left again, just like Lord Blake?! At least give us a heads-up before you go!"
The priestess's exasperated voice came through. "Even Lord Screwlloyd is gone this time. You're not expecting me to act as Pontiff, are you…?"
"Ahem… Quite clever, aren't you? From now on, you're promoted from acting priestess to acting Pontiff. I'll have Blake give you a bonus later."
"The Church doesn't have bonuses!"
Freesna was stumped. After judging Jarilo-VI's great guardian, she finally had a chance to relax. Her original plan was to visit the Festive Star.
But through a fairly reliable Stellaron Hunter, she heard that the Astral Express was changing its destination—to the Xianzhou Luofu.
Considering Tingyun's situation and the lingering presence of a Lord Ravager on the Luofu…
A righteous [Eternity] Emanator couldn't just sit idly by!
Revisiting old haunts brought inevitable nostalgia. The Xianzhou hadn't changed much from her memories.
"Don't worry. If you're overwhelmed, I'll have Screwlloyd go back to assist you. That guy's [Deacon] title is just for show anyway."
"Huh? You'd have a Pathstrider assist me? I'd be the one assisting Lord Screwlloyd…" the priestess muttered softly.
"Don't sell yourself short. Under the grace of [Eternity], all are equal. Did you know that Lord Ite once disguised THEMSELVES as a tourist and served as free volunteer labor for the Church?"
"Eh… Was that the time when the jade tiles in the Church's sanctuary were at risk of falling, and they sent staff to address the hazard?"
"Your memory's impressive. You even recall that." Freesna smiled warmly.
"… "
A silence fell over the phone. "That… that time, it seems one of the workers was slacking off during their shift, sneaking into the sanctuary to eat offerings meant for Lord Ite. I caught them and gave them a harsh scolding…"
"?"
"I figured since they were Church family and not outsourced, we shouldn't air dirty laundry. So, I also made them copy your Eternal Doctrine as punishment."
The corner of Freesna's mouth twitched. No wonder Blake later approached her, suggesting she promote the priestess to acting priestess candidate.
"Look on the bright side—maybe that worker wasn't Lord Ite in disguise, haha…" Freesna didn't know how to console her.
"Lady Freesna, I need some time alone." The priestess hung up wearily. Freesna could almost picture her collapsing to the ground, eyes devoid of spark.
Putting the priestess out of her mind, Freesna's current goal was to clear the rifts around Liuyun Crossing. She wasn't responsible for Cloud Knights who had fallen to mara.
This was the price of [Abundance]. Such symptoms wouldn't exist under [Eternity].
Just as she prepared to release her teleportation space, she caught a glimpse of the scene below.
A Cloud Knight girl stood in front of a golden-haired man, surrounded by mara-struck soldiers and [Abundance Secret Teachings] alchemists.
Oh, golden hair like Blake's.
"Just stay back and let the professionals handle urgent rescues…"
"The lady is fighting to save me. How could Luocha just 'stay back'?" The golden-haired man, calling himself Luocha, summoned his weapon, ready to face the ferocious mara-struck soldiers.
"Take this—Taixu Ripple!"
Boom!
Freesna leaped down before them, raising her hand to unleash a magic bullet. In an instant, the mara-struck soldiers and Abundance Secret Teachings alchemists were reduced to ash.
"Huh?" Sushang blinked. She hadn't even made a move yet.
Glancing at Luocha behind her, it didn't seem to be his doing either…
"Ahem, miss… it's the one in front of you," Luocha couldn't help but point out.
Sushang finally reacted, seeing Freesna before her and scratching her head awkwardly.
"Uh, haha, thank you for your help, kind savior."
Freesna's gaze shifted to the coffin beside Luocha, a glint of cold light flashing in her eyes:
"Hmm… that coffin of yours seems to contain something quite interesting…"