“Your guess is more or less right.”
Meng Lei didn’t keep it a secret from him. He said, “I killed the Dragon God Empire’s emperor, exterminated the court officials, and also slain the Dragon Island half-deities—excluding your younger sister, of course.
“As for the Dragon People nobles, they’ve either died or been stripped of their titles. There aren’t many of them left anymore. The enormous Dragon God Empire has become my Meng Lei Empire instead.”
Despite having expected it, Ol’ Amos was still incredibly astounded. Killing the emperor, exterminating the court officials, slaying half-deities, stripping the nobles’ titles... Every case and every deed was horrifying and appalling!
Meng Lei had actually done everything that he hadn’t even dared so much as to even think about in the past. It was practically unbelievable!
“Ol’ President, you must be furious, right?”
Meng Lei looked at Ol’ Amos.
“Furious? You’re thinking too deeply into it.”
Ol’ Amos waved his comment off and said, “I’m just astounded by the incidents, that’s all. I’m not mad at all. I’d also have done the same thing had I been in your shoes.”
A smiling Ol’ Amos shook his head and added, “After all, for people like us, deification takes higher priority over everything else. Is there anything that we won’t do for the sake of deification? I’d only have been even more merciless than you had I been in your shoes!”
“Is that really what you think?”
“Duh, of course!”
Ol’ Amos glared at Meng Lei and said, “What about the other three empires, aside from Dragon God Empire? Given your temperament, there’s no way you’d let the other three empires off, right?”
Meng Lei nodded slightly. “I’ve annexed the other three empires and fully unified Heaven’s Vault Continent.”
“You’ve unified Heaven’s Vault Continent? That’s impressive!”
Ol’ Amos gasped and remarked, “Only the Fairy Goddess, the Titan Spiritual God, the Beast God, and the Dragon God have ever accomplished a feat like that, while you’re the fifth groundbreaking person to do so. Who would have ever imagined that the little fellow from years ago would reach such heights today?
“Speaking of which, though, have you come to Light Continent this time to take it over?”
“No,” Meng Lei shook his head, “My purpose in coming to Light Continent was to search for you. Taking over it is secondary. Light Continent hasn’t yet reached a point where I would think much of it.”
Ol’ Amos said dryly, “You’ve become arrogant, haven’t you, brat? How many power of faith domains can you possibly have? To think you don’t even think much of Light Continent! I’ll tell you. Light Continent is much bigger than Heaven’s Vault Continent...”
Meng Lei scratched his head and gave Ol’ Amos a simple and honest smile before he said, “Not a lot, not a lot. Excluding Heaven’s Vault Continent, I only have 48 existential planes as my power of faith domains.”
“How can you become that arrogant when you only have 48 existential pl... Wait a second, how many did you say you have?” Ol’ Amos’ eyes widened and became as big as discs as he stared at Meng Lei. “48 existential planes?”
“Yes, I accidentally killed a Demon God a few days ago and took over its territories. There are exactly 48 existential planes, not one more and not one fewer,” replied Meng Lei with an innocent smile.
“What the hell!”
Ol’ Amos was astonished. “48 power of faith domains? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am!”
Meng Lei nodded heavily.
“To think it’s actually true!”
Ol’ Amos gasped. “You’re so blessed, kid. I really wish I could strangle you dead and take those 48 existential planes for myself!”
“Must you? It’s just 48 existential planes, Ol’ President.”
Meng Lei rolled his eyes and said, “I’ll give you a few power of faith domains if you want, Ol’ President.”
“Really?”
A huge shudder went through Ol’ Amos as his eyes bore into Meng Lei. Then, he said viciously, “If you dare to lie to me... See if I don’t skin you!”
“...”
Meng Lei was rendered rather speechless. He said, “It’s just a few existential planes. Must you be that worked up? I’ll give you a few right away after we get back. Here’s a disclaimer in advance, though—there isn’t anyone on those existential planes, so you’ll have to manage it yourself.”
“There’s no one there? Why?”
Ol’ Amos was slightly taken aback.
Meng Lei then recounted the cause and effect of what had happened to him, upon which an unaffected Ol’ Amos then waved him off. He said, “As long as the territory’s there, what’s the big deal about it being empty? I’ll just bring a group of humans and Beast People over when I get back. With the humans’ and Beast People’s reproductive abilities, it won’t take even 100 years before they spread throughout the whole existential plane!
“Wahaha! A few existential planes’ worth of power of faith domains! How much power of faith would they produce? The thought of it alone is enough to make my blood boil with excitement and send me out of control!”
“...”
Meng Lei didn’t feel like paying any more attention to the crazed little old man. He brought out a few objects and said, “Ol’ President, there are five lesser deity divine cores here. Take them for now.”
“What did you say? L-lesser deity divine cores? A-and... Five at that?”
Stunned, Ol’ Amos could only stare at the five divine cores sitting in Meng Lei’s palm in disbelief.
Judging from the auras they gave off, they were indeed and undoubtedly lesser deity divine cores, but Ol’ Amos was still filled with disbelief.
Lesser deity divine cores!
And a whole five of them at that!
Oh my goodness!
Were they really lesser deity divine cores?
How did Meng Lei get his hands on so many lesser deity divine cores?
Ol’ Amos was astounded, perplexed, and filled with disbelief. However, he didn’t hesitate at all!
Chapter 290: Going Up The Holy Mountain, It’s Useless Against Me
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this morning, Meng Lei woke up bright and early and had a hearty breakfast with Ol’ Amos. Only then did he slowly and leisurely start to fly toward the Holy Mountain of Light.
“The Holy Mountain of Light is situated at the center of the continent. It’s the Light Church’s headquarters, as well as this continent’s core of religious faith. Countless worshipers make pilgrimages to the Holy Mountain of Light every year...”
Ol’ Amos flew in the sky with his hands held behind his back while telling Meng Lei about the continent.
Despite not having assimilated the five lesser deity divine cores yet, the air around him had become totally different from what it had been three days ago.
He was filled with confidence toward their journey to the Light Church. Were they kidding? How strong must Meng Lei be when he could bring out even lesser deity divine cores? What was there to fear about a mere Light Church?
Although the duo took their time to fly there, they nevertheless crossed a greater half of Light Continent and reached the Holy Mountain of Light in less than half an hour.
The whole Holy Mountain of Light was made of light-elemental elemental crystals, and it gave off a pure and sacred glow.
The Shrine of Light stood at the Holy Mountain peak, looking as if a celestial palace in the sunlight.
Even though an endless stream of pilgrims went to and fro in the past, the whole Holy Mountain of Light had been completely cordoned off on this day. Not a single worshiper was within sight. The only ones there were knights instead!
Knights clad in armor of light were stationed every three to five steps. They guar
ded the Holy Mountain of Light strictly, surrounding the mountain so securely that it was impenetrable.
“They are all prepared for battle!”
Meng Lei and Ol’ Amos, who were floating in the air, marveled as they gazed upon the Holy Mountain of Light.
“I didn’t feel anything in particular while on the way here, but I’m becoming rather nervous now,” Ol’ Amos took a deep breath, “Here’s hoping that nothing goes wrong and everything goes smoothly today.”
“Don’t worry, Ol’ President!”
A smiling Meng Lei gave him a few words of comfort. Then, he turned to the majestic Holy Mountain of Light and said, “Meng Lei of Heaven’s Vault Continent has come to call on His Holiness, the Light Church’s pope!”
Meng Lei wasn’t particularly loud. He spoke just like how he usually did when chatting with another person. However, as though ten thousand thunderclaps were booming at the same time, his voice caused earth-rending results upon spreading into the surroundings.
Boom, boom, boom!
As though thunderstruck, all the battle-ready Knights of Light on guard clapped their hands over their ears and cried out in pain and agony. Blood gushed from their noses and trickled from their lip corners...
They were actually bleeding from all seven facial orifices!
“My apologies for not receiving you earlier, despite coming from afar, Your Holiness.”
A group of people walked out of the Shrine of Light. The one in the lead was Pope Hayes himself.
Aside from him, Altacia the Holy Maiden, eight Red-Cloaked Archbishops, the General Inquisitor of the Holy Inquisition, a large group of ascetic cultivators, and Light Church fanatics that made up about 100 half-deities were also there.
“108 half-deities, nine true gods, and the Pope of Light whose cultivation level we cannot tell!”
Ol’ Amos had a grave look on his face as he commented, “As expected, the church’s strength is unfathomably deep. No wonder they could defeat the Dark Church and unify Light Continent.”
Meng Lei also marveled, “Their overall strength is indeed impressive. They are much stronger than Heaven’s Vault Continent.”
“Your Esteemed Holiness, I am the Pope of the Light Church. On behalf of the Light Church and Light Continent, I welcome you.”
Pope Hayes was extremely respectful, as though the person he was facing wasn’t an enemy whom the Light Church bore grudges against but an esteemed guest.
“Your Holiness, let me first introduce to you this man next to me.”
Meng Lei gave him a slight smile and said, “This is my teacher. Of course, he’s also the founding emperor of Kroc Kingdom and the academy president of Kroc Academy.”
“I see,” replied the pope with a slight nod.
“Unfortunately, I had seen something that displeased me the moment I descended upon Light Continent. Four Red-Cloaked Archbishops from the Light Church were actually besieging my teacher and had even wanted to seize Kroc Academy—and even the Kroc Kingdom—for themselves.”
Meng Lei said dispassionately, “Do you think you should give me an explanation for that, Your Holiness?”
“Your Esteemed Holiness,” The pope bowed slightly, “Firstly, we weren’t aware that Academy President Kroc was your teacher. That was why we had unintentionally affronted him. I hope Your Holiness can pardon us for that.
“Secondly, it is the Light Church’s duty and obligation to spread our Lord’s faith and let our Lord’s light shine upon the whole continent. We had only wanted to let the people of Kroc Kingdom bask in our Lord’s glory as soon as possible. We had no intentions to offend at all.”
Meng Lei couldn’t help but laugh and ask, “In that case, the unknowing Light Church isn’t to blame and had been acting in accordance with their duty. Thus, they weren’t in the wrong at all?”
“Your Holiness, the Light Church has always been advocating our Lord’s teachings of showing love and care for the world and guiding people to do good. Perhaps there are flaws in our deeds, but we’ve never made any huge mistakes,” replied Pope Hayes, who had adopted an attitude that displayed great compassion and sadness for mankind.
“Such hypocrisy and pretentiousness!”
Ol’ Amos couldn’t help but snort. The Light Church might look pure and beautiful, but hadn’t they also reached where they were today by trampling upon piles of dead bodies?
Showing love and care for the world and guiding people to do good? What b*llshit!
“Going by what Your Holiness has said, I feel that I am certainly making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Meng Lei said dispassionately, “After all, even if those four Red-Cloaked Archbishops from the Light Church had killed Ol’ President, it’s because he had stood in the Light Church’s way of fulfilling their duty to spread the Lord’s teachings and faith. Thus, he would have had only himself to blame, right?”
Pope Hayes’ expression changed a little upon hearing Meng Lei’s response.
“I understand now. So, that’s the kind of logic that the Light Church believes in.”
Then, Meng Lei flicked his fingers and said, “In that case, I would also like to spread my faith in Light Continent. What do you think, Your Holiness?”
“Your Holiness—”
“The Pope would definitely stop me, right? In that case, none of you would say much even if I wipe all of you out, right?”
A smiling Meng Lei added, “After all, this is the logic that the Light Church believes in!”
“Your Holiness—”
“Let’s cut to the chase.”
Meng Lei waved him off and said, “Your Holiness, don’t hesitate to employ every means at your disposal, lest you argue that I didn’t give you any chances at all.”
“Your Holiness, must we really go to the extent of such an acrimonious falling-out?”
Pope Hayes’ expression had also darkened. The Light Continent had stood unwaveringly in Light Continent for tens of thousands of years. Was there any turmoil that it hadn’t yet experienced?
A lesser deity-level Divine Netherworld Phoenix? The Light Church didn’t fear it in the least!
“An acrimonious falling-out? No, no. I’m just practicing what you preach, that’s all,” replied Meng Lei.
“Since Your Holiness insists on pushing us into a corner, then don’t hold it against us if we don’t show you any civility!” Pope Hayes commanded in a deep shout, “Get into the Angel Battle Formation!”
“Yes, Your Holiness!”
At once, the nine true gods rushed into the sky. They turned into nine streaks of light and appeared all around Meng Lei, instantly surrounding him.
The next moment, a pure and holy milky-white glow arose from around them and converged above them to form the hologram of a sacred and stately-looking angel.
The angel hologram gradually solidified as they continuously infused light-elemental power of divinity into it. Toward the end, the angel hologram had completely solidified and taken on a physical form!
Boom!
Terrifying pressure from the angel swept outward, spreading into the surroundings. The force of its aura had already surpassed the level of a true god and reached that of a lesser deity.
“Suppress him, Angel’s Battle Formation!”
All nine true gods let out a furious shout at the same time. As though wanting to caress Meng Lei on the head, the angel above them reached out its arms and pressed down lightly on Meng Lei.
Boom!
A vast, majestic, and huge force instantly weighed down on Meng Lei as well as the dimension around him, producing soft screeches.
“That’s not a bad move. What a shame...”
Chapter 291: Making A Getaway, The Pope of Light
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The lofty, majestic Holy Mountain of Light was as pure and sacred as ever as it gave off a gentle, holy glow.
However, the whole mountain was on red alert on this day. From every Knight of Light to Pope Hayes
himself, everyone was watching the scene unfolding in the sky.
Everyone on the mountain knew—the battle on this day would determine the Light Church’s continuity.
Should they win, they would continue to reign over Light Continent.
But should they lose, they would be completely wiped out.
Everything hinged on the outcome.
“Suppress him, Angel’s Battle Formation!”
A great force crushed down toward Meng Lei, sweeping toward him like torrential waves. The void was instantly locked down with Meng Lei in the very center.
“That’s a pretty good containment tactic. It’s likely that you’ll be able to suppress most lesser deities out there. What a shame... That it’s useless against me!”
Meng Lei formed a sword with his fingers and lightly drew a line across the air that had been locked down. A formless sword glint shot forth and instantly cleaved against the air that had solidified.
Slash!
The void was instantly cleaved into two. The suppression force triggered by Angel Battle Formation also dissolved in this instant, causing the nine true gods’ expressions to change dramatically.
He has destroyed Angel Battle Formation just like that?
“Do you think you can trap me when I’m the master of this existential plane? How childish!”
An invisible spear manifested from Power of Existential Plane shot out forcefully with a flick of Meng Lei’s fingers and pierced right through one of the true gods’ head.
“Ugh!”
Thunderstruck, the true god froze up at once. A bloody hole formed in between his brows, and then golden divine blood began to trickle from the wound.
“I... I’ve died just like that?”
Disbelief was written all over the true god’s countenance. He was one of the church’s ascetic cultivators. During the last 50,000 years, he had painstakingly and diligently cultivated. At last, he broke free of the shackles and stepped into the realm of true gods 28,760 years ago and became one of the few true gods that had broken through by their own efforts in the church.
Yet, he was actually going to die. His years of painstaking cultivation would go up in smoke. He couldn’t accept it! He couldn’t!
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