Chapter 1636: The Orthodox Church

Freemonts had only dispatched the God of Thunder, and had not even allowed him to bring more Transcendents along, save for a few of his close confidants.

However, this alone was enough to express Freemonts's stance.

After all, the God of Thunder was already one of the top Transcendent powerhouses in Freemonts today.

They could not possibly expend too much strength to support Huaxu Nation. After the apocalypse, every nation had its own headaches to deal with, and they had to hold fast to their home base.

...

Western Europe, Vatican.

This was the headquarters of the Orthodox Church. Although it occupied an area no larger than a small town, it was the religious center with the most believers in the entire world.

After the apocalypse, the power of faith had become increasingly important. Even those who had once not believed in gods began attempting to gain inner comfort through worshipping the divine.

This also led to the rapid rise of the Orthodox Church, turning it into a terrifying force with a massive army of Transcendents.

Sunlight poured down from the ceiling of St. Peter's Basilica. At the center of the sacred church, Pope Richard Alexander X stood with hands clasped together before a giant cross, offering prayers.

On one of the church's walls was a mural hand-painted by the famous sixth-century painter Canobucci, depicting the Messiah's Sermon.

The thin daylight that passed through the stained glass fell upon the ground, casting a mysterious interplay of light and shadow.

This radiance enveloped Alexander X, making him appear utterly devout and holy, adding a touch of mystery to this agent of God in the hearts of believers.

"Creeaak-"

The church doors slowly opened, and a bishop dressed in red robes stepped inside.

His tall, slender figure cast a long silhouette across the church, his footsteps firm and steady as he advanced.

He slowly walked up behind the Pope, yet stopped after maintaining a certain distance.

He waited until the Pope finished his prayers, then slowly opened his eyes. Without turning around, he already knew who had come.

"Ollib, what is the matter?"

Cardinal Arnold Ollib wore a silver cross on his chest and held a copy of the Holy Canon in his hand. He bowed his head respectfully and said:

"Your Holiness, we have received a request for aid from a distant eastern nation."

On Alexander X's deeply wrinkled face, his eyes slowly opened, and a profound gleam flickered within them.

"Huaxu Nation?"

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

The corners of Alexander X's mouth curved imperceptibly. He had learned of Huaxu Nation's attack by the Underground Civilization at the very first moment.

As the Pope of the Orthodox Church, which had billions of followers across the world, he was in a certain sense the most influential person on this earth.

Even though this tiny Vatican had a territory of less than one square kilometer, countless internationally renowned figures were willing to serve him loyally.

There was nothing he wished to know that he could not find out.

Alexander X said: "That is a nation without faith! The people of that nation never worship gods. They only pray for divine help when they themselves are in need. Just like now."

Ollib asked: "Yes, Your Holiness. However, what they face this time is an assault from an extremely powerful Underground Civilization. Moreover, Huaxu Nation is also an important force in maintaining the current stability of the world."

Alexander X's gaze turned cold: "Are you suggesting we mobilize our sacred Temple Knights to go help them?"

Ollib bowed and said: "You once said that it is a land without faith. But this time we have a golden opportunity to spread the glory of the Orthodox Church to that barren land, and let it take root and sprout there!"

Alexander X chuckled softly, squinting as he lifted his head to gaze at the giant crucifixion statue of the Messiah ahead.

"Matters like this, we have already attempted many times."

"However, humanity only understands the importance of worshipping God when they are suffering!"

He spread his arms wide, and his gorgeous white papal robes unfurled like the wings of a great eagle.

"Then let them feel more suffering! When the time comes, we shall save them in the name of God."

Upon hearing this, Ollib could only nod: "As you command, Your Holiness!"

...

Brahmin.

As a neighboring nation of Huaxu Nation and one of the ten great powers of the current world, they had naturally received Huaxu Nation's request for aid as well.

To this end, Brahmin's high council had gathered together and convened the Congress of Godly Worship.

Brahmin had always been a nation where politics and religion were one. And after the apocalypse, those fortunate enough to become Transcendents were called apostles blessed by the Trimurti.

Among them, the eight most outstanding individuals were the Eight Legions of Heavenly Gods who had emerged victorious after undergoing the trials of the Trimurti.

The Congress of Godly Worship was held at Brahmin's Bahovara Temple.

Within the temple, following tradition, they first performed sacrifices to the Trimurti. Then the leader of the Heavenly Gods Assembly, who also bore the title of Indra from Brahmin mythology, directly stated his position to the rest of the assembly.

"We will not interfere in the situation Huaxu Nation faces this time. We will first observe how things develop."

"First, we must determine the strength level of the Underground Civilization forces beneath Star Island."

"Second, we will decide our next move based on the course of the battle."

"Our goal is to ensure that Huaxu Nation's national power will be weakened in this war. But we also must ensure the mysterious civilization of Star Island does not threaten the Brahmin Alliance!"

Brahmin bordered Huaxu Nation, and there had always been an undercurrent of subtle rivalry between the two nations.

This time, the Shengjing side had not truly expected them to send help anyway. They had merely sent a symbolic letter requesting aid.

Therefore, with Indra's stance, the faces of everyone below revealed satisfied smiles, and they nodded one after another.

They believed this was the best choice under the current circumstances.

Among the crowd, Gao Changkong's expression was somewhat strange. Thinking of his homeland, his heart was filled with complex emotions.

But as things stood, his homeland... he could no longer return to it.

At that moment, the nearby Kimnara noticed Gao Changkong's complicated expression and deliberately spoke in a provocative tone: "Garuda, you're not missing your homeland, are you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze involuntarily fell upon Gao Changkong, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

Because of Gao Changkong's power, they had granted him a false Kshatriya identity.

However, everyone seated here was a top figure of Brahmin, and naturally knew Gao Changkong's true origins.

So toward this Transcendent who occupied one of the Eight Legions and came from Huaxu Nation, they always habitually maintained a certain wariness, even hostility.

Gao Changkong glanced at the crowd. Even Indra was looking at him with a playful gaze.

He gave a soft snort and said calmly: "My parents and friends have already died on that land. For Huaxu Nation, I have nothing left to cling to. The person I am now is Brahmin's Garuda!"