The Dawn of the New World

"Is Prince Dai Zhi not a member of the Order of the Holy Light?"

Dai Zhi gave a measured nod.

"Then you should be well aware of the requirements for any matrimonial ceremonies for your immediate family. Not only does the marriage need to be blessed by a holy priest but a high ranking member of the Church must also preside over the ceremony."

"Marriage between well-reputed clans like yours is no small matter even if they are in love. You cannot overlook the millenniums old traditions left behind by our ancestors. I am quite disappointed by your lack of foresight in this situation."

That was the first time Hao Xuan had heard her talking out loud and he was quite taken aback by her aggressive behavior. She didn't give Dai Zhi any opportunity to speak up and going by what she had said, it didn't sound like she was very fond of him, which was very true.

Both Dai Zhi and her were part of the Church. But as is the case in every organization, there is always some animosity even between its own members.

Lady Natalia was a purifier and a core member of the Church. She was born and raised on the Church's teachings just like her ancestors. And her family specifically had been a part of the church for many tens of thousands of years. She lived and breathed for the Church and would die for it without any hesitation.

Meanwhile, Dai Zhi had only recently joined the Order the Holy Light and only to further his own goals. To many of the loyalists like Lady Natalia, he was nothing more than an opportunist that was taking advantage of the Church.

In their eyes, he was just taking up resources that could be going to another Loyalist member rather than an outsider.

Dai Zhi kept his composure despite being grilled so openly and in front of everyone in his own home.

He waited a few seconds after she stopped talking before looking at her with a questioning gaze, "Is that it?"

Those three simple words were enough to send Lady Natalia over the edge.

"What do you mean 'Is that it?' Is that not enough for you?!" she was practically yelling by the end, huffing and puffing in a fit of rage.

The very air shrieked around her and the cool nightly atmosphere was torn asunder by her overwhelming aura. The pressure from three complete laws descended on everyone in the vicinity.

The servents and the musicians all fell to the ground with the exception of the flutist.

The protectors that were already seated became alert. Each one of them activated their own laws that started grinding away this intense pressure but it was easier to push a hand away before it reached one's threat.

Just like the others Hao Xuan was restrained where he was sitting but unlike them, the pressure slowly melted away like snow during a hot summer's day. He didn't need to use his own law to counter hers since the Lycan bloodline even while completely suppressed, made it so that he didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable.

Dai Zhi let out a disheartened sigh before snapping his fingers. The palace came alive and all the laws whether they were from Lady Natalia or from the others vanished in an instant.

"You seem to have misunderstood my intentions, Lady Natalia," he finally spoke up again, "I am well aware of our customs and traditions and have made a move after meeting all of them."

Lady Natalia faltered for the first time.

"You have gotten the blessing and someone to preside over the ceremony? Who? When? Not just anyone is capable of-"

"He is someone of the older generation, one of the Lord High Inquisitors."

Lady Natalia's eyes opened wide and her mouth agape.

"L-Lord High Inquisitor?!?"

Within the hierarchy of the church that included trillions of worlds, billions of clans, hundreds of millions of purifiers, and hundreds of thousands of different gods and goddesses, there were less than 20 High Inquisitors across the many heavens.

Their identities and capabilities were kept secret, as was their location. To meet a High Inquisitor in one's life was nothing short of a miracle.

They were the very embodiment of the Holy Church and had full discretion to call upon any member without question. No one other than another High Inquisitor or one of the heads of the Great Pantheons had the power to order them around.

"N-No, That cannot be possible! You are lyin-"

"You can meet him yourself at the ceremony, Lady Natalia. I'm sure he wouldn't be against having a short conversation with a purifier like yourself," Dai Zhi smilingly answered, shutting her up for good.

'Lord High Inquisitor?'

On the side Hao Xuan was lost in his own thoughts.

'It has to be him right? The Abysswalker? There is no one else that it COULD be...I hope...'