Under Bai Yue Ling’s direction, the carriage slowly headed southwest, where the outline of a grand structure gradually came into view.
Trees and vines intertwined like green ribbons, wrapping around the majestic building.
This was the Forest Church, the largest church of the Goddess of Nature’s Followers in the Royal Capital.
The four girls stepped down from the carriage, greeted by the earthy fragrance of flowers and grass.
Trineph led the way: “Follow me, I’ll take you to meet the Archbishop.”
The Forest Church lived up to its name.
Its walls, floors, and ceilings were woven from trees and vines, yet walking on them felt softer than wooden floors, with a gentle give underfoot.
As they followed Trineph through the church, many people greeted her warmly, showing her popularity among the congregation.
They reached the deepest part of the church, arriving at a prayer room. Trineph gently pushed open the door.
Inside, a mature woman stood quietly by the window.
Her waist-length, wavy hair transitioned from deep blue at the top to pale green at the ends.
She wore an ornate robe embroidered with floral vines, its loose fabric unable to conceal her curvaceous hips.
The sunset’s glow spilled at her feet, lending her an air of noble sanctity just by standing there.
She turned slowly, her gentle gaze sweeping over the four girls.
[Name: Sistana]
[Race: Elf (Wood)]
[Level: 80]
[Class: Great Archbishop of Nature]
[Description: One of the ten Great Archbishops of the Goddess of Nature’s Followers, directly serving the Goddess of Nature. She holds the highest authority beneath the goddess, revered and admired by her followers.]
[Note: Her resume proudly declares her a “God War Veteran,” indicating she’s at least a thousand years old. Rumors say she’s never been involved in romance, dedicating herself entirely to the Goddess of Nature… Hold on! Don’t rush to label this curvaceous beauty a “thousand-year-old maiden”! While her combat experience may not match yours, she could crush you with ease.]
Facing the stunning woman bathed in sunset light, Bai Yue Ling felt an overwhelming surge of natural energy.
She instinctively stepped back, her head accidentally bumping into Aiya’s chin.
“Ow!”
“Sorry…”
A level 80 Great Archbishop of Nature—one of the strongest beings below the goddess.
Bai Yue Ling had witnessed such power in a past cycle.
During the height of the Light Faction’s civil war, when the Royal Capital became a battlefield for various factions, Sistana had, with a single move, caused trees and vines to grow wildly, engulfing the entire city.
A torrential rain followed, burying the capital deep in the earth, erasing it from history.
Sistana, a woman who could move mountains with a gesture, approached with a gentle, elegant gaze fixed on Trineph.
Under her profound stare, Trineph felt an invisible pressure, as if no secret could escape her scrutiny.
Sistana spoke slowly: “You are…”
“I am…”
“I am…”
The group waited, but Sistana didn’t continue.
She rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought.
Could it be… the Great Archbishop didn’t remember who Trineph was?
Trineph blinked, quickly saying,
“Archbishop, I’m Trineph. Last year, you sent me to spread the Gospel of Nature across the world as an apprentice priestess.”
Sistana pondered, then lit up with recognition:
“Oh~ You’re from that apprentice priestess team. The leader was… was…”
Trineph’s lips tightened, her voice heavy: “It was Miss Doreen, but she’s dead.”
“…Dead?”
Sistana’s pupils froze, her voice turning icy.
“Tell me everything you know.”
***
Trineph recounted the ambush by the black-clad figures, her escape into the forest, and her rescue by Bai Yue Ling’s group, carefully omitting her Dark Fall.
After hearing the story, Sistana fell silent, a rare flicker of anger crossing her usually serene face.
“For a thousand years since the God War, the Light Faction has lived in harmony. Even minor conflicts were small-scale. Never has there been such cruelty…” She narrowed her eyes. “It seems someone’s eager to spark a civil war.”
As expected of a Great Archbishop—she saw through the situation in seconds.
Sistana turned to Bai Yue Ling and Ying Ye, smiling:
“Otherworld Travelers, thank you for saving Trineph. Without you, our Forest Church’s priestesses might have been wiped out.”
[Congratulations! You have earned 5000 reputation points from NPC “Sistana.”]
5000 reputation points—what generosity!
Bai Yue Ling thought, imagining how she could boost her favor with the Goddess of Nature’s Followers.
Sistana’s gaze shifted to Aiya, smiling:
“And you, Chosen of Judgment. Despite the growing tensions in the Light Faction, you still aided our Forest Church.”
Surprisingly, Aiya shook her head: “Trineph was saved by Little White. I was just assisting.”
“Oh?” Sistana’s eyes turned to the unassuming white-haired, curvaceous girl. “You’re saying a mere priest outshone a Chosen of the Goddess?”
Aiya nodded: “Yes.”
Bai Yue Ling proudly puffed out her chest, her assets jiggling slightly from the motion.
“Interesting.” Sistana leaned closer, then let out a soft gasp: “This crown…”
“It was entrusted to me by Miss Doreen before she died, to be given to an ally of Nature,”
Trineph explained. “Since Little White saved me, I gave it to her.”
Sistana studied the Emerald Crown for a long moment, then smiled at Bai Yue Ling: “The black-clad figures were after this crown.”
“Huh?” Bai Yue Ling removed the crown to inspect it. “Isn’t this just a Perfect-tier item?”
Sistana said calmly: “A thousand years ago, during the God War, the Goddess of Nature wore this very crown.”
The group gasped.
This crown was the Goddess of Nature’s equipment, imbued with her essence?
Bai Yue Ling added, “Oh, I’ve got new intel. Those black-clad figures seemed to know Aiya well and were skilled with Holy Light.”
Holy Light could only be used by devout followers of a goddess.
“Familiar with the Chosen of Judgment and adept at Holy Light…” Sistana nodded. “I’ll keep a close eye on the Judgment Church. And I’d like to trouble you Otherworld Travelers to secretly investigate as well.”
[You have triggered a new quest.]
[Quest Name: Shadows Under Divine Light]
[Difficulty: Epic]
[Description: Uncover the secrets of the black-clad figures and eradicate their organization.]
[Reward: Equipment “Emerald Crown” evolves into “Nature’s Crown”]
[Note: At some point, a group of mysterious black-clad figures began to act in secret. No one knows who they are, who they serve, or their goals. They are shrouded in mysteries—mysteries you may be able to unravel.]
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