The voluptuous, mature beauty and the petite, adorable loli stood face-to-face, their gazes sparking with intensity in midair.
Like a needle against a whetstone, their sharp auras clashed, neither yielding an inch.
The atmosphere in the hall turned tense, thick with a murderous intent that radiated outward, enveloping everyone in a palpable sense of unease.
Every Grand Archbishop, with levels ranging from 60 to 80, was a pinnacle powerhouse. As church leaders, they represented the highest combat strength under their respective goddesses.
A conflict between Grand Archbishops could trigger massive turmoil within the churches, potentially threatening the stability of the entire Royal Capital.
Shi Qianla hurried to Aiya’s side, whispering, “Aiya, who do you think will win?”
Aiya replied softly, “Undoubtedly, Lady Sistana.”
Sistana was level 80, while Taoxia was only level 65. In Destiny World, the higher the level, the more exponential the experience required, creating a vast gap with each level past 60.
As expected, whether due to the level disparity or intimidated by the ample, soft curves beneath Sistana’s robe, Taoxia’s cat ears gradually drooped.
Yet she bared her teeth, growling, “The Church of Nature sure has a long reach, meddling in our Judgment Church’s affairs.”
Sistana stood firm. “I told you, she’s a priestess of our Church of Nature.”
“She hasn’t even job-changed yet,” Taoxia retorted.
“She’s level 19 now. She’ll job-change at 20.”
“No matter what, there’s no negotiation on this.”
“I’m not here to negotiate. I’m here to inform you.”
Sistana took a step forward, her long, shapely legs moving beneath her robe, her gentle voice now laced with cold indifference.
“Little loli, I haven’t settled accounts with you yet. Those black-clad figures who slaughtered our Nature Priestesses last time—don’t they know your Chosen?”
Taoxia’s tail bristled. “So what? Are you saying our church did it?”
“No, what I’m saying is…” The tall, elegant woman leaned down, poking Taoxia’s soft, chubby cheek with a smile. “Before you go judging others, clean up your own house.”
“Tch…”
Taoxia’s ears fully drooped, as if ready to concede.
Suddenly, she raised her right hand, her small gavel spinning rapidly, radiating a terrifying divine light.
The palm-sized Judgment Gavel grew larger than a person, gripped firmly by Taoxia, her face radiating authority.
“I’ll say it one last time: a verdict issued must be carried out. No one can stop me.”
“Oh?” Sistana narrowed her eyes. Vines sprouted from the floor like bamboo shoots after rain, forming a Vine Staff that glowed with equally fearsome divine light.
“If you’re not afraid of this church being razed to the ground, then let’s see you try.”
Roaring magical energy swirled like a tornado, enveloping the two figures, threatening to level everything within ten miles.
Bai Yue Ling, freed from her chains, scurried to Aiya and Shi Qianla, whispering, “Is there any way to stop them?”
“No,” Aiya shook her head. “Lady Taoxia is incredibly stubborn. Unless it’s an oracle from the Goddess of Judgment, she won’t change her decision.”
“The Goddess of Judgment, huh…” Bai Yue Ling murmured.
As the clash between the two Grand Archbishops loomed, a stranger burst in.
Ignoring the destructive magical storm, she boldly positioned herself between them.
“Lady Sistana, Lady Taoxia, do you want innocent civilians caught in your battle?”
She was a girl with cascading black hair, beautiful as if stepped from a painting.
[Name: Huilian Rose]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 45]
[Class: Peace Sage]
[Description: The First Princess of the Rose Kingdom, an elegant and benevolent black-haired beauty who pursues world peace as her lifelong goal. Her policies are fair and just, earning her the love and respect of the kingdom’s people. The Light Faction granted her the prestigious title of ‘Peace Sage’ for her contributions.]
[Note: Initially thought ‘First Princess’ meant the eldest among princesses, but later learned it refers to the emperor’s sister. Still, let’s call her ‘Big Princess’—suits her perfectly, big in every way.]
At Huilian’s urging, Taoxia snorted, shrinking her gavel back to normal, while Sistana stepped back, her Vine Staff disintegrating.
Huilian wore a silver-black dress, with black lace extending from her neck, accentuating her ample chest wrapped in silver fabric. Her noble yet approachable aura was understated yet grand.
Somehow, just a glance at her silhouette instilled a sense of calm.
Bai Yue Ling raised an eyebrow. In past cycles, she’d only heard of Huilian as a kind princess devoted to peace.
But in the inevitable civil war of the Light Faction, Huilian’s fate was tragic. Clinging to her ideals, she mediated between factions, refusing to yield, only to be betrayed and poisoned in her own bedroom by a trusted confidant.
A naive idealist, drowned by the harsh waves of reality.
“Lady Sistana, Lady Taoxia, please compromise,” Huilian’s voice was soothing, like a spring breeze. “Priest Hero defeated the Slime Queen. Resetting her level would be such a waste.”
Taoxia glanced at her. “What are you suggesting?”
“Let her atone through merit.”
“I think that’s reasonable,” Sistana nodded. “The Forest of Nature suffered strange pollution today. I just returned from there. Tomorrow, she could investigate.”
Taoxia shot her a look. “If even you couldn’t handle the pollution, what can she do?”
“Who knows?” Sistana smiled. “She defeated the legendary Slime Queen. Why not give her a chance?”
Taoxia hesitated, seemingly swayed by their proposal.
From a distance, Bai Yue Ling sighed in relief, thinking her precious levels were safe.
But then, a familiar voice rang out: “No! The trial must proceed!”
All eyes turned to the door, where Viki stood, panting, leaning on her staff, red hair clinging to her sweaty forehead, her gaze resolute as she glared at Bai Yue Ling.
“Because she wields a… dark and corruptive power!”
Huilian frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” Viki pointed at Bai Yue Ling. “She’s a spy sent by the Dark Faction!”
Dark Faction…
Bai Yue Ling’s heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm. “Whoever makes a claim must provide evidence.”
“No evidence needed.”
Viki pointed at the Goddess of Judgment statue, a triumphant smile on her face.
“You, pray to the statue. Let the Goddess of Judgment judge you herself.”
The crowd furrowed their brows.