Mo Han cursed inwardly. Damn, reputation truly precedes a man. The marked difference in attitude compared to how he was treated made it clear that, regardless of race, the strong preyed on the weak.

"One day, I must make the Church of Light as renowned across the continent," Mo Han fantasized with great pleasure.

Just then, Mo Han suddenly realized something was amiss. Wait, Yanran Liu and his Master were here too. If Shui Ling'er arrived now, wouldn't it be like dry kindling meeting a raging fire? They would ignite instantly. If they actually started fighting, who should he side with? The thought gave Mo Han a headache. Whatever, I'll deal with it when it happens. Maybe they won't fight at all, he comforted himself.

At that moment, Shui Ling'er entered the grand hall, led by a Beast Clan guard. Accompanying her was Lyle, someone Mo Han knew very well. As Lyle passed by Mo Han, he gave a slight nod, which Mo Han quickly returned with a nod of his own.

Shui Ling'er also turned to glance at Mo Han. Although her face was still veiled, Mo Han clearly sensed she was smiling at him. Realizing this, Mo Han quickly returned a smile.

Shui Ling'er walked to the front of the hall, bowed gracefully, and spoke slowly, "The Saintess of the Church of Light pays respects to Your Majesty, the Beast Emperor. I wish Your Majesty robust health and enduring prosperity for the Beast Clan."

Lyle also slightly lowered his head, placing his right hand over his chest in a perfect knight's salute.

The Beast Emperor immediately rose and walked forward to assist her, saying happily, "Esteemed Saintess, you are too kind. Your presence here in the Beast Clan lands is an honor to us all. I have long heard of the renown of the Church of Light across this continent. Please, dispense with the formalities. And Knight, you too may relax."

After speaking, the Beast Emperor turned to his guards and commanded, "Someone, quickly prepare seats for the Saintess and this Knight."

Immediately, two guards brought two chairs and placed them directly below the Beast Emperor's throne, as instructed.

Watching this, Mo Han felt a secret imbalance rising within him. Damn it, the prestige of the Church of Light works everywhere. Maybe I should consider joining up and becoming a Bishop first, Mo Han thought mischievously.

The Prophet of the Beast Clan merely stood beside the Beast Emperor, his obsidian eyes fixed solely on Shui Ling'er, making it impossible to guess what was churning behind them.

While Mo Han was still lost in thought, the Beast Emperor continued, "Saintess, your timing is perfect. There are certain matters I was unclear about just now, and they happen to concern the Church of Light. I hope to receive your guidance."

Hearing the Beast Emperor, Mo Han inwardly cried, Not good. He hadn't yet explained the situation with the Underworld Race to Shui Ling'er, and now, without the reminder from the Light Jade Token, he had no idea if she would support him after grasping his earlier proposal. Mo Han felt absolutely uncertain.

Though Shui Ling'er held a favorable view of him, these were matters of great importance to the Church of Light. Would she assist him without fully understanding the context? Mo Han inwardly lamented his predicament.

Shui Ling'er, upon hearing the Emperor's words, asked with curiosity, "Oh? I have only just arrived, and yet matters concerning our Church of Light are already pending. In that case, I am keen to listen. Your Majesty, please proceed."

The Beast Emperor smiled upon hearing this and said, "It is nothing momentous, really. I was just discussing with Emissary Mo Han of the Dragon-Heaven Empire about the Church of Light's alleged intention to prevent the Proud Moon Empire from deploying troops against the Dragon-Heaven Empire. I wonder if this is true? I would appreciate it if the Saintess could confirm this information."

Shui Ling'er froze for a moment upon hearing the Beast Emperor, clearly still processing the statement, causing Mo Han, standing below, to feel his heart leap into his throat, terrified she might deny it.

However, after only a slight hesitation, Shui Ling'er spoke, "Yes, that is indeed the case. My arrival this time is precisely for this purpose."

Hearing Shui Ling'er's confirmation, the tension in Mo Han's chest finally eased, and he felt a surge of secret relief.

The Beast Clan assembly, upon hearing Shui Ling'er's definitive reply, showed subtle shifts in expression. It seemed Mo Han had spoken the truth—that he genuinely sought to prevent his countrymen from suffering the ravages of war through negotiation for a truce. With this realization, the assembly began to regard Mo Han with a measure of newfound respect.

The Beast Emperor, initially surprised by Shui Ling'er's answer, quickly recovered with a smile. "Ah, I see. And what is the true purpose of your visit, Saintess? I await your explanation with open ears."

Shui Ling'er quickly responded, "I dare not claim a personal purpose. I merely convey the directives of our Pope and the wishes of the Church of Light to Your Majesty."

The Beast Emperor smiled. "Please, Saintess, speak."

Shui Ling'er slowly began, "Surely Your Majesty the Beast Emperor has heard of the Holy War between Humanity and the Underworld five hundred years ago?"

Hearing Shui Ling'er's introduction, the Prophet involuntarily stirred. At that exact moment, Mo Han felt the vibration of the Light Jade Token again. It confirmed his suspicion: the Prophet was undoubtedly of the Underworld Race, or at least deeply connected to them. Otherwise, hearing Shui Ling'er mention the war from five centuries prior would not have exposed his aura like that.

Yet, Shui Ling'er seemed utterly oblivious, maintaining her gentle gaze upon the Emperor.

The Beast Emperor found the Saintess's reference strange, wondering why she suddenly brought up such an old conflict, but he still nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, I have heard of it. But why bring up this matter now, Saintess?"

Shui Ling'er continued, "That great war between humanity and the Underworld five hundred years ago, though humanity prevailed, resulted in devastating losses. Many martial skills and arcane arts were lost, causing humanity to regress from its peak era to its current state."

The Beast Emperor listened to Shui Ling'er’s narration. Although he couldn't grasp the sudden shift in topic, he nodded to show he understood.

Shui Ling'er went on, "According to the records in the Holy Scripture of our Church of Light, the Underworld Race launches an invasion against humanity every five hundred years. Now, nearly five centuries have passed since the last great war—meaning the gates of space will open in two years, and the Underworld will once again launch its invasion against the Dragon-Heaven Continent."

"Furthermore, the Holy Grail of our Church of Light recently sensed the opening of a small spatial rift into the Dragon-Heaven Continent by someone wielding supreme magic from the Underworld. We suspect these individuals are reconnaissance scouts for the Underworld forces, which gives us ample reason to believe the Underworld will certainly attack again."

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