285: Chapter 285 The Fifth Holy System

"I understand. However, I still need to think carefully about this matter."

The High Priest of Feng City shook his head. "No! I'm afraid you don't understand."

"Which Saint you are exactly can be explored slowly."

"But you have revealed too many incredible abilities. If I can think of your identity as a Reincarnation of the Saint, others can too."

"Some ambitious people, as well as the sworn enemies of our Sect, can probably figure it out as well."

"Therefore, you have now walked into a very dangerous situation."

"The Pope will not allow you to exist, the Emperor will not want another Saint in the country, and even The Sects of various cities will not want you to stand above them. Once your identity is finally confirmed, even the Songcheng Sect will want to eliminate you."

"And then there are the Blasphemers. Don't look at how they are currently hated by everyone, like rats in a sewer; their true strength cannot be underestimated."

"These are not even the most dangerous factors."

"The most terrifying ones are the other divine lineage Sects; they will not allow a Saint of our Sect to grow up smoothly, nor will they allow a chance for the fragmented Red Religion to unify."

"Child, you will soon face the strangulation of many forces."

"Take my advice and come to Feng City. Aside from the Fengcheng Sect, no one will sincerely help you in the future. These old bones of mine, Grand Priest Zhou Hong, can at least buy you ten years of growth time."

"Great chaos is coming, and I hope to live to see the day when the Red Religion is reunified."

The High Priest of Feng City's words caused Tang Long to let out a long sigh.

In these words, some parts were exaggerated and highly purposeful, but most of it was the truth.

His pace was indeed too large, which would attract too much attention. The identity of a 'Reincarnated Saint' was a huge dividend at a certain stage, but it would indeed bring great trouble.

But this was also a helpless move; sometimes choices must be made, and Karma will inevitably be generated. This is the law of the world's operation, and it does not change according to human will.

"Elder, thank you for your kindness."

"What you said happens to coincide with my own thoughts."

"Perhaps after this storm passes, I will go to Feng City to listen to your teachings."

"But I still have many things I must do; I cannot go to Feng City right now."

"The priority is to thwart Xu Chaoyang's ambition. I need your help."

Grand Priest Zhou Hong nodded. "If your intelligence is accurate, that won't be a problem. But I want to know if your intelligence source is reliable."

Tang Long answered without hesitation, "The source of intelligence is the third son of the Wei Family, the former Deputy Director of Religious Affairs in Song City, 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun."

"2nd Division Commander Wei Jun? He... has already defected to you?"

"Yes, I used his son as an opportunity to turn him. He has already provided a large amount of intelligence, including Xu Chaoyang's internal contacts in Huaicheng."

Grand Priest Zhou Hong's eyes narrowed. "So the reason the Emperor rushed to Song City during the day was for this matter!"

"Correct. Among these internal contacts, there is an important figure, the Duke of Huaicheng, Ye Baiyan. That's why the Emperor had to come in person to verify it."

Now even Grand Priest Zhou Hong showed a flash of surprise. "The Duke of Huaicheng is also in league with Xu Chaoyang? That is truly unexpected."

"Indeed. If at a critical moment, Ye Baiyan opens the road to the western plateau, the rebel army will likely charge straight to the walls of Huaicheng and successfully complete the encirclement."

"Including the defenses of Huaicheng—if he tampers with them, the consequences will be extremely serious."

"Also, Xu Chaoyang has planted many internal agents in Feng City. I have already handed the list to Xie Jin; I believe he and Lord Bai Ming will handle it properly."

Grand Priest Zhou Hong glanced at Xie Jin and nodded again. "It seems this 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun's intelligence is indeed of immense value."

"Very well, the Fengcheng Sect will fully cooperate this time."

"If it is truly necessary, this old man can also take action!"

This was exactly the sentence Tang Long wanted. He immediately stepped forward and gave Grand Priest Zhou Hong a deep bow.

"Thank you, High Priest."

He now also knew that the High Priest could not be considered a true Huagai Realm, and going out of the city to roam carried huge risks. Grand Priest Zhou Hong's agreement to take action was taking on a massive responsibility, so he had to show full respect.

"Your Excellency is too polite. Xu Chaoyang wants to deal with this old man, so naturally, I must return the favor. It is not entirely for you."

"You are very clever. But I still must remind you to be extremely careful of the Emperor."

Tang Long's eyes flickered slightly. "High Priest, I was just about to ask. There is a Shadow beside His Majesty who seems to be extremely powerful. What is his background?"

Grand Priest Zhou Hong sighed. "There were seven Saints under the Red God, and naturally, seven Saint lineages were developed."

"In the struggle for the descent of the Son of God, the first Saint lineage failed and has since vanished. The second Saint lineage follows the line of the Pope, which is today's Holy See."

"The third Saint lineage evolved into the Sang City Sect, and the fourth became the Yu City Sect. As for Song City and Feng City, they are the sixth and seventh Saint lineages."

"As for the Fifth Saint Lineage... Dongyu only has five main cities, leaving no place for them to stand. Therefore, they simply attached themselves to the Imperial Family. The Shadow you mentioned is most likely a descendant of the Fifth Saint Lineage."

Tang Long suddenly understood.

No wonder the current reality didn't quite match the future plot he knew.

According to the current situation, whether the Emperor or Xu Chaoyang wins, both intend to strike at the religious power.

The Pope should die within these few years, perhaps during this upheaval, and...

Later, his only son was executed after being exposed as not being of his Bloodline, thus being stripped of his right of succession.

But in the game's plot, after this great chaos, the new Emperor Ye Xuanji ascended the throne, yet the national religion remained the Red Religion.

There was no longer a Pope or a Holy See, but a Pontiff appeared, whose power and strength were even greater.

In the subsequent wars with many surrounding countries, this Pontiff never suffered a defeat. Victories were achieved against Chilin, Haixing, Nanhe, and even later in the war with the Blue Sea Federation.

By then, Crown Prince Ye Xuanji had become a Puppet. If Ye Baiqiao hadn't emerged again to forcefully slay the Pontiff and destroy that force, Dongyu truly would no longer belong to the Ye family.

And this Pontiff likely did not belong to any of the current five city Sects.

Shadow, the Fifth Saint Lineage... they've hidden deep enough...

"Doesn't the Pope know about such a force? Why would he allow their existence?"

"This matter is indeed a thousand-year secret known to very few, but the Pope must certainly be aware of it."

"Perhaps he doesn't care, perhaps he is old, or perhaps there are other considerations. I also don't understand why he turns a blind eye."

"However, this force is not weak. The Huagai Realm Wuque Method treasured by the Imperial Family cannot be touched by others, but they certainly can."

"So, you must be extra careful when dealing with them."

After speaking, Grand Priest Zhou Hong gave Xie Jin another meaningful look before leaving.

Tang Long also sighed deeply. "Elder Xie, the variables are increasing. Can you achieve a Breakthrough to Huagai Realm in the short term?"

Xie Jin shook his head. "Even with the Eight Scenery Technique in hand, it would probably be impossible without a year or two of hard work."

Tang Long was also troubled. "Yes, we don't have that much time."

Then Xie Jin added: "But if necessary, if Chengyu and I join forces, we should be able to stall a weak Huagai Realm for a short time. However, the risk is enormous; we might both die."

Tang Long still shook his head. "Let me think about it some more."

————

Under the night sky, deep within the Demon Howl Mountains.

An officer holding a torch was looking around in panic.

At this moment, a tall figure draped in animal skins suddenly appeared behind him. With a face and pupils that were half-black and half-white, he constantly sized up the soldier.

The officer's scalp tingled, and he hurriedly said loudly:

"Code 5726, I am ordered to deliver urgent top-secret intelligence! Please... please..."

The black-and-white face gave a low, hoarse laugh. "Code received, Ruins of God."

Only then did the officer breathe a slight sigh of relief, then he took out a scroll from his bosom.

"Code correct, please receive it, Your Excellency."

The black-and-white face took the scroll, opened it, and looked. The half-white face suddenly revealed a terrifying smile.

"A Saint... no mistake, it's definitely a Saint!"

"Hahahaha, my luck is really good!"

"Is his name Tang Long? I can't wait."

"Besides a Saint, there's also a Huagai Realm, hahah~!"

"After hiding in a coffin for so many years like a monster, I never thought I'd see this day, hahahaha~!"

The laughter was hoarse, long, and unpleasant, like the ear-piercing sound of something sharp scraping the bottom of a pot, adding a layer of terror to the midnight mountains.

The officer swallowed. "The intelligence has been delivered. I shall take my leave."

But that black-and-white face suddenly asked again, "Take your leave? Just leaving like that? Do me one more small favor."

The officer's face was full of hesitation and anxiety. "My task was only to deliver the intelligence; I received no other orders. What... do you want to do?"

"Hehehe, you just heard the contents of the top-secret intelligence; do you still expect to leave alive?"

The officer was instantly filled with terror. "No! I didn't! I didn't hear anything! I..."

The black-and-white face reached out and grabbed him. Although the officer instantly released three or four Spirit Blades, he couldn't stop the large hand at all, and his neck was seized.

He was violently pulled in front of the black-and-white face, letting out a sharp, prolonged scream of agony.