Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest

afternoon.

After mobilizing the "bishops" before the Holy Crusade for the church's clergy and players,

From morning to noon, the clergy and players were ready and gathered in the inner courtyard of the church. Together with their "bishop" Rossiu Carlos, they embarked on a holy journey to conquer the Dark Principality.

Red Maple City Church, outside the main entrance of the church.

"Presiding over the high ceremony" - Anthony, now the "acting bishop", led more than a hundred clergy who stayed in the church to stand on both sides of the main street.

A solemn and solemn expression appeared on their faces, and pairs of scorching golden eyes stared in the direction of the main entrance of the church - their "Bishop" Rossiu Carlos, who had mounted the "Golden Pegasus" and led the expedition that was about to take place. The clergy were divided into three columns and walked out of the main entrance of the church in an orderly manner.

The priests who were watching from both sides, holding slender holy trumpets in their hands, were already blowing the resounding "Holy Tune" - it was a high-pitched and melodious sacred music, preparing for the "holy expedition" that was about to begin. The comrades paid their last respects and made a grand gesture.

Riding the "Golden Pegasus", Luo Xiu has arrived in front of "Acting Bishop" Anthony.

Anthony's right hand was now placed lightly on his left chest, and he bowed slightly to Luo Xiu, performing the devout sacrament.

"May the light of a moment bless you, Bishop——"

As a "Bishop", as a friend, and as a "Rosio Carlos", he wishes:

“He will light your way and point you in the right direction.”

“He will surely keep you from being confused and will surely make your ambitions come true.”

"May your expedition go well and may you triumph soon, Bishop."

"..."

His voice seemed calm, but the expression on his face and the twinkling light in his eyes were full of piety and determination.

Luo Xiu nodded in response, continued to ride the golden Pegasus, and galloped towards the end of the main street and towards the east city gate.

The clergymen and players who will embark on the holy journey will follow behind their "bishop".

The figures in white robes moved forward firmly amidst the high-pitched and loud hymn melody - moving forward firmly with devout faith and the will of the Holy See on the sacred journey to enlightenment. .

…

Outside Hongfeng City.

On the gravel plain that was a battlefield half a month ago——

"Thunder General" Albert, he led the "Side Court" eight 'Judges' and 'Knights of the Throne', one hundred and sixty 'Arbitrators', 'Knights of the Guard', and four hundred 'Law Enforcers' , "Conquest Knight\

,"As well as the 200,000 soldiers who were about to embark on the expedition in Hong Maple City, they had formed a mighty military formation on the gravel plain outside Hong Maple City.

Then the army spread out completely in the wilderness outside the city, like a dark cloud covering the dome of the earth.

The flags like the sea are roaring, rolling with colors that complement each other, showing majesty and glory.

At this time, Albert was stationed in front of the city gate of Red Maple City, waiting for another figure to appear from the city gate——

When the bell on the city wall rang for three rounds, the sergeant in the tower blew a loud horn to the sky, and waves of neat, tidal footsteps rustled from inside the city gate.

"Bishop" Rossiu Carlos, he walked out of the east city gate riding the "Golden Pegasus".

When he saw Luo Xiu, Albert also galloped towards Luo Xiu's direction.

A smile appeared on his face full of battle scars, and he greeted Luo Xiu in a low but kind voice:

"You're here, Luo Xiu."

Albert looked behind Luo Xiu, at the more than 300 clergymen who were all wearing white robes, and at the more than 2,000 "church patrols" and "saint protectors" who were participating in the expedition, and slowly nodded.

"I'm waiting for you. The knights and guardians of the side court, as well as the 200,000 expeditionary army, will set off towards the border of the empire together with you and your priests."

"Greetings, Sir Albert."

Luo Xiu responded to his greetings, with a gentle smile on his face, and rode the "Golden Pegasus" to Albert's side, riding alongside him.

"My colleagues in the church are also fully prepared."

Walking alongside Albert, Luo Xiu said in a firm and solemn tone:

"This will be a sacred expedition—a sure-win expedition. We will surely return the tainted country to purity, and we will triumph in the praises of all peoples."

"..."

When Luo Xiu and Albert were half talking and half declaring.

The church's clergy and players were still closely following Luo Xiu, moving forward in an orderly manner.

The knights and guardians of the side court led the mighty military formation to move to both sides, making way for a broad and open passage for the "bishops" and clergy of the church.

At the same time, the musicians accompanying the army began to play high-pitched vocal music, and the sound of strong winds swaying with swaying flags echoed in the sky.

Feeling the respectful and firm gazes from both sides, Luo Xiu and Albert were still walking side by side and had reached the front of the military formation.

The clergy of the church, as well as the players embarking on the holy journey, moved toward the military formations in the center on both sides.

A hundred "guard knights" riding armored horses and 20,000 sergeants guarded the formation of 500 chariots engraved with sun patterns.

That is the chariot of the "church" - the clergy and players of the church board the chariot one by one.

As for "Thunder General" Albert, when he came to the front of the army, he finally stopped his horse, raised his red heavy sword high, and declared to the whole army in a majestic and high-pitched voice——

"We will embark on the glorious, magnificent expedition called 'Judgment'!"

"In the name of the Nolan Empire, in the name of Emperor Augustville;"

"I—Albert Perez declares!"

"I will pierce the enemy's throat with a sharp blade, and my war horse will trample every inch of the enemy's land. The pain and humiliation we have suffered in the past six months will be inflicted on them with the flames of anger, and they will pay the price with their lives. Pay it off!”

"Our blades have long been sharpened, and our souls have long been toughened. Now, it is time to capture the enemy for the empire and Emperor Augustwell!"

"For the empire, for our [Supreme] supreme glory——"

"——Follow me to the battle!"

He declared this to the entire army, and the mighty 200,000-strong army simultaneously responded with loud, high-pitched shouts that surged and overlapped like huge waves——

"Go to war!"

"Go to war!"

"Go to war!"

It was an exciting, fortifying, hopeful and passionate voice.

Then, Albert slowly lowered his raised giant sword and steered his horse towards the direction of the Dark Principality.

The army began to move forward.

Move forward slowly, but firmly and unstoppably.

The mighty black tide gradually surged into the distance. The soldiers left behind on the walls of Red Maple City were still watching. Until the sun was about to set, the expeditionary army finally merged into a line and finally disappeared into the overlapping mountains.

This was the "Holy Crusade" - the first day of the expedition.

…

March 18, 768 in the Tianqi calendar.

"Holy Expedition" - The third day of the expedition.

The Red Maple City Expeditionary Force has driven into the border of the principality, and the main force has camped on the plain thirty miles away from the first border fortress "Kaffrey Fortress".

In the meantime, the Expeditionary Force has dispatched 10,000 vanguard troops to conduct intelligence reconnaissance in front of Kaffrey Fortress and clear many obstacles on the marching route.

First, they need to pass through the territory of the Dark Principality, the Andrian Blackstone Mountains——

That is the natural barrier surrounding the west, south and north of "Kaffrey Fortress".

…

March 18, late at night.

It's halfway up the Andrian Blackstone Mountains.

The night has covered this steep natural cliff with a black gauze, and the light blue moonlight is also slanting down, pouring like a stream on the skirts of the treetops, reflecting sparkling ripples like water.

Next to a towering cliff, there is a low slope in front of a beast cave.

The original owners of the cave, the two steel-maned wild boars, now only have the steel manes and bones left on the ground, as well as two round boars that were cut off smoothly and stared at them as dark as grapes. Pig head with eyeballs.

A dozen people wearing "Saint Protector" equipment set up a bonfire next to the pile of bones of two steel-maned wild boars, and used repaired willow branches to roast the fragrant wild boar.

The firelight cast a white shadow on the silver-white armor. The paladin had taken off his heavy helmet and placed it on the smooth stone nearby. His eyes were looking directly at the sizzling meat skewers in the campfire. Tears flowed down from the corner of his mouth.

"...Old Crocodile."

Next to the paladin, a "priest" wearing half scale armor lowered his voice and smiled, saying:

"If you keep grilling it like this, the meat will burn."

"What do you know, little train?"

The paladin skillfully turned over the meat skewers in his hand and responded casually:

"The pork needs to be charred before it becomes fragrant."

"..."

——This group of people gathered around the campfire, roasting wild boar meat that was still alive not long ago, are the players of the "Church"!

"Big Crocodile Stewed in Iron Pot" and "Thomas the Tank Engine" were assigned to join the 10,000 vanguard troops dispatched by the expeditionary force.

And they, the players, are the vanguard of the vanguard army. Before the main force arrived, they had already arrived here first and climbed up the Blackstone Mountains surrounded by the Caffrey Fortress on three sides!

Three thousand "Adventors" like them, who belonged to the church and the side court, were now divided into hundreds of small teams, scattered scattered on the Blackstone Mountains.

They all have their own tasks, but the overall goal is the same——

"Bishop" Rossiu Carlos has assigned them a mission - to sneak into the Caffrey Fortress, use their methods to convey information about the garrison outside the fortress, and try their best to stay dormant inside the fortress!

Check out the 16-9 book bar to see the correct version!

This is the reason why they sneaked into the Blackstone Mountains.

And the team composed of Thomas, Crocodile, and more than a dozen people is undoubtedly one of the strongest teams among the "Adventors".

Now, both Thomas and Crocodile have been promoted to the third level of [Glory] - Thomas is now the "Great Priest of Sins", while Crocodile is the "Great Horseman of Fire Sacrifice"!

The people who formed a team with them were also the best members of the "Glow Mirror" guild founded by Thomas. They were all extraordinary people with the second destiny of [Glory], and more than half of them had reached the full level of the second destiny. lv.20.

Now, Thomas, the predator, and the players in the same team are taking their final "rest."

The bonfire they were surrounding was swaying with orange light.

Seeing the sizzling pork in the constantly jumping and dancing flames showing signs of turning completely black, "Thomas the Tank Engine" looked with some contempt in his eyes.

He immediately reached into his arms and took out two small, round things like "garlic heads" from his arms, and began to peel them.

He quickly peeled off a piece of "garlic clove", put the small white, milk-like clove into his mouth and chewed it. He soon "burped" and said to the crocodile:

"It will get really burnt if you bake it any more. Stew it in an iron pot."

"...stewing in an iron pot?"

"You kid...ahem."

Knowing that Thomas was calling him "Little Train" before retaliating against him, "Iron Pot Stew" covered his nose and responded to Thomas in a muffled voice.

While he was speaking, he had not noticed that the grease from the meat skewers in his other hand had dripped into the bonfire, and then exploded like a cannon, splashing on his face.

The fried grease was obviously hot, and the muscles on the big crocodile's face trembled twitching at the same time. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the hand covering his nose moved away from his nose and wiped his face.

And the pungent smell, coming from the chewed "garlic cloves", poured into his nasal cavity the moment he released his hand from his nose.

He felt a tingling sensation like eating chili peppers with his nostrils, and at the same time, he felt as if ants were burrowing into his nostrils. He couldn't help but frown and said:

"Damn it, how come someone eats garlic in the game!"

Thomas chewed and looked at the big crocodile who was grilling meat and resisting the urge to sneeze with a frown on his face.

"Steamed buns, are you not convinced?"

"..."

Resisting the urge to pick up the giant sword and gently wake up his sleeping mind, the predator continued to cover his nose with his left hand, while his right hand focused on turning the barbecue in his hand.

…

About three minutes later.

"Okay, the meat is roasted."

Just before grilling the wild boar skewers until they were black and charred, the crocodile skillfully raised his arm and moved the wild boar skewers away from the campfire.

The temperature of the barbecue cooled down quickly, and its aroma burst out at the same moment it was removed from the fire.

Smelling the mouth-watering aroma of barbecue, tears flowed not only from the corners of the predator's mouth, but also from the mouths of dozens of players around him.

The predator immediately began to distribute the meat skewers - three skewers per person, no more, no less, just enough to finish all the grilled meat skewers.

Thomas was the first to enjoy it.

He pulled off a large piece of wild boar meat and put a "garlic clove" into his mouth. While chewing, he said excitedly:

"Who knew this smell was so strong!"

"The specialty of Songyuan Territory is the 'thorn cage garlic', which is more exciting than eating garlic in the real world!"

As he spoke, he peeled off another piece and put it in his mouth.

"Tell me, if we have this kind of barbecue in the future, can we roast the garlic directly?"

"I think in the real world, my favorite thing is to eat willow branches skewered with garlic cloves and grilled."

"Would you like a piece, old crocodile?"

"..."

"Don't."

The predator shook his head firmly.

The surrounding players also looked at Thomas with quite shocked eyes——

Even though the same scene has been seen many times, the teammates still feel explosive.

Just like in the real world, you really meet a fierce person who eats raw dried chili peppers and raw garlic as rice.

However, they were also accustomed to the pungent smell of chewing the "scallioned garlic", and each began to concentrate on enjoying the delicious barbecue in their hands.

Soon, the players finished the meat skewers in their hands, stood up with satisfaction, and prepared to leave this temporary camp.

They were just passing by and happened to encounter two wild boars, so they stopped briefly.

Just after finishing the barbecue, Thomas licked his tongue. He stood up, picked up the war hammer with his right hand, and walked to the cliff with a wide view next to him——

Looking down from here, you can see roughly three-quarters of the scene within Kaffrey Fortress.

Caffrey Fortress is located in the heart of the mountains of the Blackstone Mountains. Looking down from the height where Thomas is, one can roughly see the outline of the fortress and a few light spots as big as sand and stones.

Those might be lights - but the distance between them is still a bit too far. You have to go down to a certain height to see clearly what those rows of bright light spots are.

While looking down, Thomas had already fetched a package and took out a "kite"-like device from inside.

Those are the creations of the [Intellect] Monument Academy - "Rune Wings". If you equip them behind your back, they will unfold like gliders. The runes engraved on them will inspire spirituality, allowing the wearers to move silently and quickly. Glide to a predetermined position.

The current location of Thomas and Crocodile's team is the best "take-off and landing point" for gliding into the Caffrey Fortress——

"So, rush?"

Thomas had equipped the Rune Wings, with the [Silver Scythe] and [Saint's Hammer] hanging on his left and right waist respectively, and asked his teammates aside.

The predators and other players also quickly equipped their wings, and a dozen "Saint Guardian" players from the church were already standing in a row in front of the cliff——

Just the next moment.

A total of eighteen silent, huge "birds" glided down from the Black Rock Mountains.

They soon dropped to half their original height,

And Thomas has also seen clearly what those "light spots" were before -

Those are the soldiers patrolling the Kaffrey Fortress holding torches!

Thomas had taken off the silver-cutting sickle from his waist and aimed at the neck of one of the soldiers.

As if aware of the commotion in the air, a soldier suddenly turned around. He saw a dozen figures swooping straight towards him, and his eyes widened——

——Shua!

The silver sickle in Thomas's hand cut the soldier's neck at the moment he turned his head!

Blood gushed out of his throat, and his face showed an expression of disbelief, confusion, fear and despair. His hands had already covered his throat tightly.

But blood still flowed out from between his fingers.

Thomas, who had stabbed him, had landed steadily on the fortress wall at the same time, took the war hammer from his waist, and with a "bang" sound - the war hammer had hit his head, splashing a golden light and blood!

The soldier who defended the city then fell down in a rotation, twitched on the ground for a while, and then became a corpse.

Thomas, who had attacked him, had already passed over his body and his eyes were fixed on the next soldier who defended the city.

…