Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest

The next day, early morning.

Red Maple City Church, Glory Church, inner courtyard.

"Guide Priest" Colen arrived at the "Great Sacrifice Residence" early and submitted a request to "Presiding over the Great Sacrifice" Luo Xiu.

At the same time, Column brought a new guest - Lord Nelson to the church again, and hoped to see the church's chief priest. He said that the side court had learned about what had happened in the church before, so he came to express condolences.

Luo Xiu had just woken up from the church bell ringing in the morning, so he tidied up his clothes, went down to the first floor of his residence, and met the guests in the living room.

"Greetings to you, Master Luo Xiu of the Great Sacrifice."

Lord Nelson nodded to Luo Xiu and then said with a sad expression:

"I have learned about what happened in the church from Lord Baines of the Side Court... I deeply regret it."

"It is the responsibility of our defenders to allow the heretics to sneak into Red Maple City unimpeded like this. I apologize to you, Lord Luo Xiu, and Lord Baynes of 'Bianting' also asked me to convey to you that similar things will not happen. Happen again."

"...You don't need to be harsh on yourself, Mr. Nelson."

Luo Xiu shook his head and said slowly:

"This is the whole picture of 'war'."

At this time, Luo Xiu, the church's "host of the grand ceremony", had a calm expression, and did not seem to have too many mental ups and downs due to the previous events. Lord Nelson observed his words and responded promptly:

"Fortunately, the church has exterminated all the intruders. And you single-handedly killed the enemy's 'head' and 'deputy commander'. This is a proud achievement."

"You shattered the enemy's plot to behead them, and even put them at a real disadvantage. On behalf of Red Maple City and 'Bianting', I would like to thank you for your outstanding contribution, which allows us to have more choices when formulating tactics. "

After a pause, Lord Nelson showed a calm smile on his face and said:

"In order to express condolences and gratitude, and to make the friendship between 'Bianting' and 'Church' stronger, Lord Baines asked me to donate 10,000 imperial gold coins to the church in the name of 'Bianting' as a token of sacrifice. Compensation for the victims and repairs to the damage done to the church.”

"...Yeah. I understand." Luo Xiu nodded and responded, "Thank you, Lord Baines, for me."

"I will definitely relay it, Master Luo Xiu."

Seeing Luo Xiu, the "presiding priest" of the church, accept the "holy donation", Lord Nelson breathed a sigh of relief. A task given to him by "Grand Inquisitor" Bernstow was considered completed.

He then changed the topic and said:

"After the enemy's plot to assassinate you was shattered, they stopped fighting and stayed in their tents. The situation on the battlefield outside the city became much more stable for a while."

"Now, the defenders are all very motivated because of this, and we think this is a rare and good opportunity."

"While the enemy is weak, we plan to go out to fight out of the city and take this opportunity to annihilate the enemy in one fell swoop to eliminate future troubles."

"And this... I need to ask for your opinion and your help."

Are the defenders led by the city lord's mansion preparing for a decisive battle against the dark vanguard outside the city? And since Nelson came to the church as assigned by the 'Great Inquisitor' Baines, this should also be what the 'side court' wanted to express... Luo Xiu was thinking about this in his mind, and he nodded lightly at the same time, saying to Nelson The city lord said:

"You can go back and tell Lord Baines that the church will fully support the decisive battle."

"However, I also have a message for you - the battlefield chosen for the decisive battle should not be too far away from the area we have controlled as much as possible. The enemy has four levels of 'tamers' and 'cursors'. If they If we are determined to defend...we will also have to pay a heavy price to completely defeat them."

"I hope you can remember one thing, Nelson. This is just a vanguard of the enemy, and since the 'Hunter' has appeared, you must also understand that the 'Executioner' behind them is not far away."

"..."

When he heard the church's "host of the high ceremony" saying these, Nelson also had a solemn look on his face.

"You are right, Master Luo Xiu of the Great Sacrifice."

Lord Nelson said: "Then, our primary purpose in launching a decisive battle against the enemy is to clear the battlefield within twenty miles. As long as we drive the enemy away from this distance, it will be our victory."

"As for what you said about the possibility that the 'Executioner' is approaching, I will give truthful feedback to Mr. Baines. Mr. Luo Xiu, after the emergency meeting of the 'Side Court' is completed, I will send the results of the decisive battle. People tell you.”

After saying that, Lord Nelson stood up, bowed deeply to Luo Xiu, and said:

"Then, it's time for me to say goodbye, Master Luo Xiu. I understand that you are busy with your affairs, so I won't bother you any more."

"Well, I'll wait for the outcome of your discussion, Mr. Nelson." Luo Xiu said with a smile, which was a response to Nelson's farewell salute.

Then, he watched Nelson turn around and walk out of the living room, while "Guiding Pastor" Column saw him leave the inner courtyard of the church and return to the city lord's mansion.

…

After Lord Nelson left, Luo Xiu also left the high priest's residence and went to the missionary in the inner courtyard.

The chief officer of the mission, "Paladin" Mayev, is dealing with the complicated aftermath in the sanctuary.

When he saw Luo Xiu, the "host of the grand ceremony" arriving, he put aside the matters at hand for the time being and sent greetings to Luo Xiu.

"Did Lord Nelson come here just now?" Luo Xiu nodded and asked Mayyev.

"The Lord didn't come here in person, but his butler did come here once, and donated 10,000 gold coins to our Saint in the name of the mansion and the 'Border Court'."

"Are you here for this matter, Lord Luo Xiu?" Mayyev asked back.

Luo Xiu nodded, as if to acquiesce.

He then said to Mayyev: "I just learned about this. Their "holy donation" is used for pensions and church repairs, so the money should be arranged according to their "original intention". After that, you ask someone to prepare a statement of expenditures and send it to my Holy Office and the bishop's desk."

"I understand." Mayyev nodded and said, "I will arrange it as soon as possible."

"And, Mayyev."

After explaining the previous matter, Luo Xiu then asked Mayyev: "Is the church's current financial situation still normal?"

"Everything is normal, Lord Luo Xiu."

Mayyev replied: "The church's current financial savings have a total of 130,000 Norland gold coins. Among them, 67,000 gold coins must be used for necessary expenses such as sacrifice pensions, damage repairs, and the issuance of holy salaries. 30,000 gold coins must be used as emergency savings, and the remaining part can be used in other places where there is a need."

"Well, I understand." Luo Xiu nodded slightly to show that he understood.

He asked Mayyev this question because he wanted to know the current financial situation of the church.

And Mayyev's answer was very clear. The church's financial situation was relatively stable, without a big deficit, but also without much surplus.

With the current size of the church, plus a lot of extra expenses during the war, "no deficit" is already a pretty good situation.

Luo Xiu thought about this in his mind, and he said to Mayyev at the same time:

"That's it for now, Mayyev. The missionary has been doing well recently, and I am relieved."

"Then, except for what I just told you, other things can be done according to your original arrangements."

After completely explaining all the previous things, Luo Xiu smiled slightly and said:

"Finally, it's about the 'altar ceremony' I mentioned before."

"Now the storm has calmed down a little, Mayyev. Then the 'altar ceremony' can be held on schedule, just as I said yesterday, the ceremony will be held this afternoon."

"At that time, all the 'deacons' of the church will cooperate as 'subordinate priests', and all the 'double destiny' consecration priests must also be present. Mayyev, remember to implement this matter."

"Okay." Mayyev nodded, his mouth opened and closed like a clockwork, and made an automatic reply:

"I'll arrange it as soon as possible."

...

Red Maple City, the restricted area of ​​[Supreme]

In the courtroom, in the trial hall.

As soon as Lord Nelson left the church, he immediately changed into the outfit of a "secret envoy" and came to the courtroom to report the results of his visit to the church to "Grand Inquisitor" Baines.

Nelson told "Grand Inquisitor" Baines in detail about the situation he observed after the church was invaded, the current state of the "presiding high priest", and the content of the conversation between the "high priest" and him.

"Obviously, Lord Baines."

Nelson said to Baines: "The church was not seriously hurt by the enemy's invasion. They only sacrificed two clergymen with "double destiny" and four apprentice clergymen who had not yet entered the extraordinary. This number is obviously lower than our estimate."

"This should be good news. The premise is that we do not regard the church as a potential threat."

"Hmm..."

After listening to Nelson's report, "Grand Inquisitor" Baines just said "Hmm" in a low voice, and did not respond immediately, as if he was thinking deeply about something.

After pondering for a long time, he slowly said:

"As far as the current situation is concerned, the church is not a threat to us."

"On the contrary, the 'high priest' once again showed a combat power beyond our expectations, which is a surprise to us."

"--This means that he has more value that can be used by us."

"Whether he is used as a sharp blade to stab the enemy or as a shield to resist the enemy's offensive, it depends on how much capital we have to control him in the 'Border Court'."

"Now, the church is the first to be invaded by the enemy. Even if they have few clergy casualties, this vicious incident must have caused their hearts to fluctuate."

"And repairing the buildings damaged by the invasion, paying pensions to the sacrificed clergy and the injured clergy, etc., all require the church to make a lot of expenses."

"So, for now-they must be short of money, Nelson?"

"...It seems so." Nelson nodded.

"When I proposed to donate 10,000 gold coins to the church in the name of the 'Border Court', the 'High Priest' did not reject me, but agreed immediately."

"Haha, that's it. If it were the priests or bishops of other churches, they would not accept it so readily."

"And what we lack the least in the 'Border Court' is money and resources. This is our capital to control it."

Bains asked again: "And when you told the 'High Priest' that we would launch a decisive battle against the enemy in the near future, the 'High Priest' also quickly expressed his support, right?"

"...Well, that's indeed the case." Nelson nodded again.

"The original words of the person who presided over the ceremony said this - 'The church will fully support the decisive battle.' He seemed to be standing on the same front as us, which really made me feel reassured."

"So, Nelson, you're in luck."

Baines smiled slightly and said:

"The power of the 'Master of Ceremonies' is obvious to all. As long as you make good use of him, I think he can help you accomplish any difficult task."

"Including the 'decisive battle' we are about to launch. Now that he has expressed support, you can give him the most difficult task."

"It is a thorny problem for us, but it is also an opportunity for their church. As long as we can pay the right chips, the 'host of the high priest' can solve it for us."

"Just do as I say, Nelson."

Baines finally said to Nelson:

"Plan carefully for the upcoming 'decisive battle'. I hope you can understand the way of 'control' from it. This is also the true meaning of our [Supreme] 'control'."

"I understand, Lord Baines."

When "Grand Inquisitor" Baines finished speaking, Lord Nelson stood up, bowed respectfully to Baines, and said:

"Everything follows your will, and I follow your teachings."

…

In the afternoon.

The housekeeper of Red Maple City Mansion and Nelson City Lord arrived at the church at about two o'clock and informed Luo Xiu, the "host of the grand ceremony", about the time to launch the "decisive battle".

That will be at dawn on the second day, tomorrow. Lord Nelson planned to send out 70,000 troops to fight the enemy, leaving 30,000 soldiers to guard the city so that he could respond at any time in the event of a critical situation.

At the same time, according to the conclusion of the previous conversation between Lord Nelson and Luo Xiu, the goal of this "decisive battle" is to push the enemy's vanguard camp back twenty miles away. On this basis, the army of Red Maple City will aim to annihilate all enemies within the range as much as possible, so as to completely regain control of the battlefield outside the city at once.

Luo Xiu had foreseen the final arrangement made by Lord Nelson and "Bianting" Baines, and was not surprised.

At the same time, the housekeeper of the mansion also expressed to Luo Xiu that Lord Nelson once again begged him to cooperate with the church to help them. The steward also said that the extraordinary beings of the third level of destiny and above in the 'Bianting' and 'Fangbeiyuan' will also be dispatched at that time to achieve an absolute crushing of high-end combat power levels and ensure that this decisive battle will be as unnecessary as possible. situation.

Facing Lord Nelson's request "relayed" by the butler, Luo Xiu readily agreed again and asked "Guiding Pastor" Colen to send him out of the inner courtyard of the church.

After handling this matter, Luo Xiu tidied up his clothes for the "big sacrifice" and went to the "Xuyu God Statue Altar" in the core of the inner courtyard.

Around the altar, all the "deacons" of the church's third level of destiny and the "ordained priests" of the second level of destiny are already present, making final preparations for the upcoming important ceremony.

When the clergy present saw the church's "officiant" appear, they all made way for Luo Xiu to climb onto the altar, and respectfully paid him the sacrament while looking forward to it with eager eyes. Look at him.

This is the first time the "Wartime Church" in Red Maple City has held an "altar ceremony."

If the ceremony can be completed successfully, all the priests participating in the ceremony will also be granted the "moment" of divinity. Therefore, all the priests participating in the ceremony are full of expectations for the upcoming ceremony.

Luo Xiu nodded in response to the devout gazes of the priests. He took a calm step and walked towards the Xuyu statue in front of him, which was emitting bright light.

When he actually stood on the altar, his golden eyes looked down at the priests, and he said calmly and calmly:

"The 'Altar Ceremony' is about to begin, and I will preside over this ceremony."

"I need to remind everyone that the fifth-level 'Altar Ceremony' may be somewhat dangerous. But what comes with it is far beyond what can be obtained from the fourth-level 'Altar Ceremony'. Divine gift.”

"Therefore, I hope that you will not be deterred by a little discomfort. 'The divinity of a moment also needs a suitable container.' In this critical moment shrouded in war, I need Him to give me more divine power, and you are better than I need it more."

"Then, I declare again."

"The 'Altar Ceremony' is about to begin. Please go to your respective places with piety and reverence."

After saying that, Luo Xiu took two steps back and stood at the center of the altar.

The nine "assistants" from the three major sanctuaries of the church also boarded the altar, taking Luo Xiu's position as the center and standing around Luo Xiu's body.

The other "ordained priests" with dual destiny who also participated in the ceremony stood around the altar, and the "altar ceremony" thus determined the spiritual pivot positions of each.

When everyone came to their proper positions and stood still, Luo Xiu began to pray in a low voice, and applied several auxiliary sacred operations such as "consecration prayer" and "consecration blessing" to himself, and then he The realm of "pure glow" is opened.

After that, Luo Xiu added all the accumulated free attribute points to "divinity", so that his own "divinity" attribute value jumped to 690 points.

After raising the "divine" attribute to the highest value currently attainable, Luo Xiu immediately praised loudly:

"——Supreme moment, eternal glory!"

"——I am a devout congratulator, and I worship with the altar!"

"..."

Luo Xiu loudly chanted the already familiar "Altar Ceremony" prayer. The ceremonial formation under his feet shone with golden light, and the outline of his body was also covered with a light and hazy glow.

And as Luo Xiu finished his first prayer, the ritual array under his feet suddenly began to shine brightly.

The light flashed four times in succession, becoming more dazzling each time. This was the symbol of the "fourth-level" altar ceremony.

When the ritual array under his feet flashed for the fourth time, Luo Xiu immediately raised his arms in a gesture of embracing the sky and continued to pray:

"——I thirst for the radiance of the world, just like a moth thirsts for fire;"

——"I pray to see the birth of the God of Nirvana, just like the resurrection of the dead in the tomb!"

"..."

These two sentences were the "sublimated" prayers taught to him by Bishop Fabian at that time. The bishop said at the time that by reciting these two prayers during the "altar ceremony", one would be able to "see real miracles."

After Luo Xiu recited these two prayers, the "Altar Ceremony" he presided over was completely sublimated.

——Wow!

When Luo Xiu recited these two prayers, the golden light overflowing from the ritual array on the soles of his feet soared into the sky, forming a round curtain of shining light, covering the figures of all the priests. All covered in it.

Seeing this, Luo Xiu did not stop praying, but continued to sing:

"——A moment of supreme greatness! Show me a true miracle!"

"——As a viewer, I always feel miserable;"

"——As a saint, I am willing to serve as firewood!"

…

--boom! ! !

A huge roar came from the altar in front of the Xuyu Colossus.

Just above the giant statue of "Xu Mo", His silhouette is emitting an extremely dazzling and extremely holy pure white light.

And this glow also emerged from another place at the same time.

On Luo Xiu's body, his face and clothes became blurred and invisible, and were completely covered by this pure white light.

The light became brighter, more dazzling, and more burning.

…

Until the light gradually fades.

The surging light curtain began to fall, and the golden glow above the ritual array slowly faded. The sacred spiritual residue from the "Xu Mo" was permeating and dispersing in the air above the entire ritual array. .

And the figure of "Roseux Carlos", who belongs to the church as "President of the Great Ceremony", has finally returned to the sight of all the clergy.

His face looked a little pale at this time, and after presiding over a fifth-level "altar ceremony", he fell into inevitable weakness.

But compared with the past when he presided over the fourth-level "Altar Ceremony" in the "Triple Destiny Path", Luo Xiu felt about himself and his current state was much better than then.

At least, he will no longer fall into a coma due to the ritual. He can still maintain a clear mind and a stable enough physiological state, but he will need enough rest afterwards.

And as all the glow generated by the ritual on the Xuyu altar finally completely dissipated, Luo Xiu and the priests who participated in the ceremony finally completed the entire process of "receiving" Xuyu's divinity.

In Luo Xiu's panel monitoring of himself, his "divine" attributes continued to soar during the second half of the ceremony, starting from 690 points and finally staying at the number "898".

He was granted 208 points of "moment" divinity, which already exceeded the requirements of his "promotion mission - the road to saints", which was to obtain at least 180 points from the fifth-level "Altar Ceremony". Divinity" attribute value.

In the "Status" column of his panel, the status content of "Altar God's Gift" has also been updated accordingly.

——[God’s gift from the altar (Divinity: 208, Divine recovery: 2/2)]

Among them, the number of Luo Xiu's "divine resurgences" increased by one, which means that now he has been able to resurrect from "real death" twice.

In addition to these, Luo Xiu also had some other gains.

The total value of his attributes, and the "divine" attributes he received through this "Altar Ceremony", exceeded the total value of 1,200 points. This allowed Luo Xiu to simultaneously satisfy the third task requirement of his "Promotion Task—Road to the Saint."

Now, the only remaining unfinished mission requirement for him is to fully upgrade the attributes of the "Brilliant Judgment" of his [Glory] skill, and this requirement is only 30 points away from completion.

Later, when the city lord's residence, the city lord Nelson, launched a decisive battle against the dark army outside the city, Luo Xiu was ready to take this opportunity to fill up the remaining points at once and completely "end" this mission.

Then everything is ready, all it needs is the key... Luo Xiu thought to himself. Once Bishop Fabian approves his application and sends him the "Obsidian Key", he can complete his promotion on the spot and truly cross the threshold of becoming a "saint".

…