"Child."

Lu Saleng spoke solemnly, "You've caused a huge mess this time. The nine great outer gods are all paying attention to you; they all want you."

Chen Xiang replied meaningfully, "It was only a matter of time."

Lu Saleng paused, then chuckled, "True. If you don't die midway, you would definitely rise to a high level in the council; it's only a matter of time. But it's too early for you."

Chen Xiang didn't explain; he instead asked, "Is everything going according to plan now?"

"Each outer god church has had bishop-level figures arrive at the Great City one after another. I can no longer act; from now on, it's all up to you."

Lu Saleng spoke with gravity, "If you are willing to give up this so-called opportunity to take the initiative, I can create another accident to let you escape. You can flee into the depths of the Misty Sea with the Nine Provinces; nothing should happen."

"No need."

Chen Xiang smiled, "Your acting is indeed good, but if you do it twice more, you will be suspected. Let everything proceed as usual; I am too weak."

"Becoming a taboo will allow me to grow stronger at the fastest pace."

"Also, the altar will return to the Nine Rings; I must retrieve it. That's the mentor's decree."

Lu Saleng silently nodded, "Since your mind is set, I won't say more. What I can do for you is to prohibit figures of bishop level from entering the Great City; that's my limit."

"Is there a difference between bishops and archbishops?" Chen Xiang asked softly.

"There's a huge difference."

Lu Saleng shook his head, "Above the path of the extraordinary secret is the ladder to divinity. The ladder has nine levels; although they are all collectively called pseudo-gods, each level represents a transformation, and the difference between every three levels is immense."

After thinking for a moment, he explained in detail: "The first three levels are 【Firewood】, 【Gale】, and 【Wildfire】, meant to contribute to divine fire and to forge the divine body. When the divine fire can scorch the earth, the divine body is completely forged."

Chen Xiang nodded thoughtfully, recalling that sadistic character, Lu Sandou, who was indeed a bishop of the Ethereal Void according to the Eye of the Thinker.

Lu Saleng continued, "The middle three levels are 【Stars】, 【Constellations】, and 【Starry Sky】, which seek resources from the boundless universe. The divine fire begins to transform and forge a true divine soul. When one reaches the 【Starry Sky】, their spiritual power can draw down starlight from the heavens. Pseudo-gods of the middle three levels are often referred to as titans."

"The last three levels are the true path to divinity; they begin to gather faith, and the classification is very simple: 【Thousand Faiths】, 【Ten Thousand Faiths】, and 【Hundred Thousand Faiths】. This faith refers to having zealous followers, and these three levels already possess true divine characteristics, allowing one to proclaim themselves as a 【Deity】."

"An archbishop of an outer god church is usually a deity-level figure, while bishops are often just pseudo-gods of the first three levels."

Chen Xiang listened quietly and asked softly, "Pseudo-gods, titans, deities… What about true gods? What are the conditions needed?"

"True gods?"

Lu Saleng chuckled lightly and replied solemnly, "Two conditions: a million zealous followers and a grand ceremony, and then one can break through."

"A million zealous followers…"

Chen Xiang sighed, "That's no simple task. Senior, I've always wondered about something: compared to the vast universe, Earth is just a drop in the ocean, insignificant. Why do all the gods gaze upon Earth?"

He asked earnestly, "A million zealous followers can forge a true god? This is completely unequal; even combined, the power of a million ordinary people might not match that of a pseudo-god, right?"

Lu Saleng shook his head, "Ever since ancient mysticism emerged, this question has been debated by countless scholars, and to this day, there is no definitive answer. No one knows the reason; it requires gradual exploration."

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Chen Xiang nodded silently.

"Alright."

Lu Saleng began to push away from the wheelchair to leave, issuing a warning: "Nine bishop-level figures are gathering in the Outer Third Ring. The order church you built will likely collapse; you should be cautious."

"It won't."

Chen Xiang lowered his gaze and replied, "I have my own plans."

Lu Saleng felt a hint of curiosity but didn't pry further. This young man had a deep connection with his mentor and was extremely mysterious—something he shouldn't investigate.

He slowly departed, and before leaving, casually mentioned, "That archbishop of the Ethereal Void doesn't possess a council token. I suspect it may be with the bishops accompanying him. I can't meddle in the Outer Third Ring any longer. If you succeed in the end, try to retrieve that council token."

"Of course."

Chen Xiang replied calmly, watching the figure of the Ethereal Eye elder disappear. Suddenly, he called out loudly, "My elder sister and second brother…"

"Don't worry; I will watch over them. I will return."

"Thank you."

"No need to be polite."

Lu Saleng's figure vanished completely. Shortly after his departure, hurried footsteps sounded, and a team of members from the Secret Adjustment Office entered, led by an elder.

The elder, whom Chen Xiang had never seen before, exuded an immense oppressive aura. Just by staring, Chen Xiang felt a shiver run down his spine, his instincts warning him!

This was a pseudo-god; his specific level was unknown, but the sense of danger far exceeded that of Lu Sandou. Moreover, he seemed to harbor ill intentions, blatantly exerting pressure on Chen Xiang!

"I am the current director of the Secret Adjustment Office."

The elder stared at the seemingly ordinary young man who was locked up: "You've caused a huge problem for the Great City. Hmph, a parasite of the Old Council!"

Chen Xiang smiled weakly, "Oh? Are you here to scold me?"

The elder, dressed in a long black coat, scoffed, waved his hand, and the senior investigators of the Secret Adjustment Office began to free Chen Xiang from the pillars. Two of them dragged him away by the chains, leading him out.

"You're very lucky; I'm not the one handling this, but you're also unfortunate."

The elder straightened his black coat and spoke coldly, "You've built a cult of order, enjoyed the respect of the people, but in the end, you will be nailed to the very Outer Third Ring you take pride in, nailed to the cross, and suffer the spitting contempt of millions. This is your fate and your final outcome."

Chen Xiang didn't respond; he merely lifted his eyelids slightly and retorted, "Old man, are you done with your nonsense?"

The elder didn't get angry; he just sneered as the investigators dragged Chen Xiang away toward the exit.

"When the sun rises, you will be dragged through the streets of the Outer Third Ring, under the gaze of all its people, nailed high above. The grand image you crafted for yourself will come crashing down. Doesn't that hurt?"

Chen Xiang couldn't be bothered to engage; he simply closed his eyes quietly, waiting patiently for the sunrise.

July 1st, Morning

The morning sun broke at dawn.

Everything returned to tranquility, as if yesterday's turmoil had just been a dream.

The existence of the extraordinary and the divine had been thoroughly exposed to the public in the Great City, and the Great City had no intention of hiding it.

The conflicts among the gods and the extraordinary beings had no impact on these ordinary citizens whatsoever.

The sunlight gradually spread across the streets, and the light and shadows were fractured by the tree branches, creating a scattered but beautiful scene.

"Good morning, Seven Rings News!"

The red-haired host walked down the street, clasping his hands together above his head for the camera:

"It's the first day of July, another beautiful beginning; order remains, praise Emper Xiang!"

"Everyone must have heard about yesterday's events, and such a significant upheaval has not affected our order and peace at all. As always, this place is greater than the Great City!"

The red-haired host spread his arms dramatically towards the camera:

"Today, let's take to the streets together and see just how different the Outer Third Ring is compared to before. Come, let's randomly choose a lucky passerby!"

Following the camera,

the red-haired host randomly stopped a pedestrian and cheerfully interviewed him:

"Oh, sir, good morning, praise Emper Xiang!"

The passerby clasped his hands together above his head:

"Good morning, praise Emper Xiang! I've watched your program! I watch it every day!"

He was visibly excited.

The red-haired host laughed exaggeratedly:

"Oh, as everyone knows, our channel has the highest ratings in the entire Seven Rings, so you don't need to emphasize that. Now, for the interview!"

He performed an ancient gesture, appearing graceful:

"Since the arrival of the Son of God, today marks the eighth day. How do you feel our lives have changed compared to before?"

The passerby stretched out his hands to the limit:

"So big!"

He said earnestly:

"Peace, tranquility, unprecedented peace and tranquility! I can even walk alone on the street without fear of stray bullets shattering my skull, or worry about a hand grenade rolling under my feet!"

The passerby wore a beaming smile:

"I can drive occasionally without worrying about someone yanking the car door open and dragging me out, stealing my car and driving away. I'm not even carrying a gun!"

He exclaimed excitedly:

"I can have enough to eat, I can enjoy the Holy Meal. All of this is unprecedented—praise the Emperor!"

Suddenly, his smile froze.

The red-haired host looked puzzled, about to ask a question when he suddenly heard the sound of clashing chains. He turned his head and saw the mysterious and terrifying members of the Secret Adjustment Office,

and spotted a familiar figure—the one who prayed daily—bound by chains and being dragged across the ground by members of the Secret Adjustment Office.

This scene was faithfully and completely broadcasted to everyone in the Outer Third Ring watching Seven Rings News.

The microphone in the red-haired host's hand fell to the ground, producing a crisp collision sound, and the jarring noise transmitted from one television set to another.

"The Son of God?"

Some people murmured in disbelief, some collapsed to the ground, some dug out dusty rifles, while others hoisted up rocket launchers.