Glorious God Throne

Chapter 165

“Hahaha, let’s welcome the apocalyptic revelry together!”

After the typhoon struck the island, an atmosphere of panic permeated everywhere.

A group of doomsday-preaching madmen took advantage of the chaos to wreak havoc, destroying everything they saw. Crying, screaming, roaring, blood, fighting, death… Such scenes played out continuously across the island, making the chaos grow ever larger.

The culprits reveled in this chaos and spread it further. More criminals seized the opportunity to do things they wouldn’t dare do normally. Theft, robbery, murder, arson… This island ravaged by disaster could not find peace for a long time.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, an intense chill spread from afar, continuously sweeping across the island. The extreme cold seemed to freeze everyone’s souls, making their thoughts move more and more slowly, like wind-up dolls whose springs were about to unwind, their every movement becoming increasingly sluggish and stiff.

Someone descended, riding this invisible storm that froze everything. A young woman dressed as a shrine maiden wore an icy expression. Her gaze swept over the people on the street who were caught in the spiritual storm’s cleansing, especially falling on those who were recklessly killing and setting fires…

Thud thud thud thud.

Throughout the crowd, people kept falling to the ground.

Others gradually came back to their senses in their daze, looking at the fallen criminals in horror, all showing expressions as if waking from a dream.

When these people saw the young woman who had appeared in their vision, many recognized her identity and realized what had happened, and could only marvel, “As expected of the Holy Maiden of the Haotian Temple…”

Although such words of praise had been repeated many times, they were once again playing out like a routine, because besides such exclamations and admiration, they really didn’t know what else could be used to praise this genius who had developed such a powerful spiritual storm technique after practicing Spirit Forging for only a short time.

—It was said that when she mobilized her spirituality, she could instantly sketch out a blizzard in her mind’s eye that could freeze enemies’ souls.

However, such a spiritual storm clearly took a heavy toll on Baili Zhaoxue herself, who had only recently begun Spirit Forging. After this wave of power moves, the young woman’s complexion rapidly turned deathly pale.

Finally, she swayed slightly, and a maid following behind quickly stepped forward to support her, her tone unable to hide her worry. “Your Highness Baili, are you alright? Such vile criminals aren’t worth you exhausting yourself like this. The people below could have handled it.”

“…Wait for those people below to handle it?” Baili Zhaoxue looked at the Haotian Temple members, government workers, and recently recruited volunteers maintaining order on the island. “By the time they handle it, who knows how many people would have died.”

She shot a slightly dissatisfied glance at the maid, her tone cold. “The people below need more training. We survived a natural disaster, are we going to fall to human-made calamities?”

“It’s mainly that those villains are too cunning, like rats in the gutter, specifically targeting places where order is weak. By the time we send people, they quickly hide away…”

“I don’t care about these excuses. Don’t tell me that you all, trained with full state support, can’t match some wild rats.”

Baili Zhaoxue cut off the other’s explanations.

“…Alright, let’s continue patrolling other areas.”

In this short time, she had recovered considerably and refused the maid’s support, preparing to inspect the next island.

But at this moment, her footstep paused slightly.

A cool spot landed on her brow.

Vaguely, she seemed to receive some kind of message.

…It seemed like an invitation from someone?

“It’s an invitation from White King, not just anyone,” a dissatisfied voice sounded by her ear, its owner sounding very young.

…Only then did she realize she had been mumbling out loud.

Baili Zhaoxue raised her head alertly to see a transparent ghost materializing in mid-air – it was a young boy who appeared to still be in his childhood.

He looked down at Baili Zhaoxue from above, his tone matter-of-fact. “As one chosen by White King, you should feel honored!”

—Adams hadn’t originally planned to appear, or even let those chosen know what was happening. He had only planned to quietly mark these people and “force buy force sell” them when the time came. Unexpectedly, at his first stop, Li Fufeng and his companion had seen through his identity. At Bai Yi’s indication, he had also changed his plans accordingly. He added simple messages about the invitation to what were originally blank marks, giving the chosen ones some advance notice.

But appearing before Baili Zhaoxue was still not part of the plan. After this impulsive act, he quickly realized his mistake and retreated a step in frustration, his form slowly fading into mid-air.

“You are…?” Baili Zhaoxue watched as the suddenly appeared figure suddenly vanished again, with half her sentence stuck in her throat. A thoughtful look colored her gaze.

“…White King?”

****

Chandler sat in the same secret meeting room where he had once met Joey, in the same position, but sharing the room with him were two different people.

Two people who would cause an uproar throughout the empire if word got out.

Fina Andre, the eleventh princess of the Chenxing Empire and Emperor Andre II’s most beloved daughter.

And Leiyin – the revealer of the truth about experimental subjects who had surpassed the plan, once wanted throughout the Chenxing Empire, later joining the Shadow Council as one of its Four Pillars—since joining the Shadow Council, this extraordinary who was considered invincible in terms of physical enhancement had completed numerous cleanup missions and was notorious in the underground world. The other two present had heard about him through various channels.

After all, among the garbage he had cleaned up, there were quite a few involving Chenxing Empire nobles and high-level officials.

If it weren’t for his own powerful strength and mysterious backing, just the increasingly high bounties offered by those nobles who hated him would have been enough to end this fellow’s life.

And now, the princess of the Chenxing Empire’s royal family, the director of the Special Affairs Bureau, and the infamous wanted criminal who was also a core member of the mysterious extraordinary organization Shadow Council – three such unrelated roles had quietly gathered together.

Even the most foolish person would probably guess, upon learning of this news, that there must be an enormous secret involved.

What kind of existence were they targeting, that could make three people of different positions gather and cooperate?

…It couldn’t possibly be the Emperor of the Chenxing Empire, could it?

“…I accept the Shadow Council’s proposal.”

In the quiet room, the woman’s slightly trembling voice rang out. This imperial princess seemed to have mustered her courage and finally made up her mind. “Because of those people’s wrong decisions, because of their cowardice, stupidity, and inaction, too many innocent people have died. The empire’s foundations are being corroded, while Father Emperor remains indifferent, focused only on extending his life at any cost. I can’t endure it anymore—”

She should have recognized certain people’s true faces during the incident when the Transcendence Project was exposed. She had opposed the Transcendence Project from the beginning, but being too indecisive and lacking any real power, she hadn’t been able to stop that evil plan from proceeding, and could only witness its bitter fruits in Leiyin’s exposure and the public’s outburst.

She had wanted to do everything in her power to make amends at that time. That’s why she had been the first to stand up and admit the mistakes, confessing the truth to everyone.

But this made her an outsider among the upper echelons who wanted to cover everything up. She was ostracized by those who had once been on the same side, and what little political power she had just gained was taken away. If her actions hadn’t won her support from another faction, bringing unexpected gains from misfortune, she would probably have been locked up in the palace by now, becoming a tool for political marriage.

And Leiyin had contacted her shortly after that incident.

—Fina had thus established contact with the organization known as the Shadow Council behind him, occasionally even cooperating with them.

But these collaborations were all based on not harming the empire’s interests. While Fina used this mysterious organization’s power, her vigilance also grew daily.

Until this time, when natural disasters erupted and the Chenxing Empire’s corrupt upper class’s performance during the disasters made this highly responsible imperial princess unable to endure any longer. The Shadow Council formally approached her at this time, wanting to reach an unprecedented cooperation with her.

This was a plan that, once agreed to, would affect the entire empire’s structure and determine countless people’s futures.

After much internal struggle, this previously somewhat naive princess now showed an efficient side – once she made up her mind, there was no more hesitation. “I think you’re right. Those people exposed during this disaster only corrupt the empire’s foundations, hold the empire back, and persecute the empire’s citizens, without making any contribution whatsoever… Continuing to allow these parasites to remain unworthy of their positions will destroy the empire’s future. They indeed cannot be allowed to continue being unworthy of their positions.”

“However, I hope to resolve this my way first. If that doesn’t work, then we can consider your plan. After all, politics can’t rely solely on violence. If the Shadow Council steps in to physically eliminate them, it will surely cause greater crisis and panic, which isn’t conducive to the empire’s stability…” It would also become leverage against her – unless absolutely necessary, she would never choose that option.

“—I will use gentler methods to drive them out.”

Saying this, she looked at Chandler with a smile. “At that time, I may need some help from Director Chandler. My current influence isn’t enough to quell all the storms. With your support, things will surely progress more smoothly.”

The Special Affairs Bureau’s unique nature gave it considerable influence in the current situation, and Chandler himself had years of connections and power, which would also be significant help for her.

Chandler was very clear about his role. He nodded and gave his promise. “Rest assured, Your Highness. We all want what’s best for the empire.”

The benefits offered and the favor of an imperial princess were enough for Chandler to act. Moreover, he also disapproved of certain parasites who only hindered the empire’s development while occupying positions.

As a soldier who considered himself patriotic, he believed his current choice was guiding the empire in a better direction.

“Well then, that’s that, Mr. Leiyin.” Fina looked back at Leiyin, asking in a seeking tone, “If things don’t progress smoothly, I will consider your proposed cooperation plan. At that time, I suppose I’ll have to trouble the Shadow Council to step in, what do you think?”

Whether genuine or fake, her attitude appeared thoroughly sincere and polite. Leiyin thought of the Shadow Council President’s instructions before coming and didn’t object, only giving a subtle smile.

“That works. I hope you’ll still think this way later. Naive Royal Highness the Princess.”

Saying this, he stood up, his tall frame casting a shadow that completely enveloped the seated Fina. “If you change your mind later, contact me again.”

As his words fell, the shadow under Leiyin’s feet slowly melted, gathering into a deep vortex like a swamp, directly absorbing his entire person into it, completely disappearing from the two people’s sight.

The two remaining in the room stared at where he had vanished, silent for a long time, discovering in each other’s eyes the same gravity and deep vigilance.

From the moment they sat here, they had been on edge every second, as if placed in a jungle facing the king of beasts preparing to strike. They only felt an extremely terrifying aura from that man. They had no doubt that even though they had stepped onto the path of the extraordinary, that man could tear them apart with just his extremely powerful physical body.

But what they were wary of wasn’t Leiyin’s personal combat power, but rather everything shown by the organization behind him, the mysterious Shadow Council: whether it was the vast intelligence network whose depths still couldn’t be fathomed, or this ghostly method of transportation, the unclear number of extraordinaries, or that behind-the-scenes existence controlling it all.

Although their wariness and investigative spirit hadn’t diminished, the primary purpose now clearly wasn’t to investigate the Shadow Council. Both were not ordinary people and quickly set aside their vigilance and gravity. They exchanged a glance and began discussing how to deal with the parasites.

They didn’t notice a transparent ghost appearing in this room, cool fingers touching their brows.

The next second, fragmentary messages floated up in their minds.

“…White King’s… invitation?”

“…A qualification certificate for the new world?”

****

This was an island belonging to the Island Alliance. The boiling tsunami had just calmed, and the city destroyed by the tsunami was like rotting bones of a broken boat, drifting in the ocean.

Among these were many unfortunate victims’ bodies.

In the tsunami, they were buried along with the city that had become ruins.

Even with preparation, when the moment came, they always found the preparation was never enough. Moreover, they hadn’t been given much time to prepare.

Another city untouched by the tsunami welcomed large numbers of refugees. The original order was broken by the wave-like crowds of people flowing in endlessly, with noise filling every corner. The discontent of original residents whose lives had been disrupted mixed with sympathy and pity for their unfortunate compatriots, the relief and lingering fear of those who had escaped death, confusion and despair about the future, the grief and anger of those whose friends and family had unfortunately perished… If Bai Yi had been present, he would probably have been overwhelmed by this surging whirlpool of emotions, like a lonely boat drifting in a tsunami.

Island Alliance staff and volunteers moved through the crowds, their feet barely touching the ground as they stayed busy maintaining order, arranging accommodation and three meals a day for refugees, comforting people, and planning future post-disaster reconstruction… Many people woke up losing hair every day, tirelessly working on the front lines with huge dark circles under their eyes.

But among the chaotic crowds, one group of people stood out distinctly—they showed neither the grief, confusion, and anxiety of outsiders, nor the depression, sympathy, or dissatisfaction of locals, nor the exhaustion and hardship of ordinary volunteers. Instead, they all wore almost identical smiles, carrying a kind of joy immersed in saving people.

These highly infectious smiles also revealed compassion, optimism, and unusually twisted fervor. They seemed to move tirelessly among the refugees who had lost their homes, doing whatever they could, helping every refugee they met, and comforting people in their unique way.

Wherever these people passed, those who had been confused and grieving seemed to find new direction, gradually having hopeful light reappear in their faces, as if grabbing a lifeline in water. Thus the depressing atmosphere gradually improved, no longer completely lifeless.

Similar scenes played out repeatedly in different places.

—Like a healing fresh breeze, starting from one corner of this city and blowing toward more and more places, many people deep in despair were encouraged to stand up again after these people’s consolation.

A volunteer who had just arrived recently accidentally witnessed such a scene, discovering that an elderly person they had just settled – who had been inconsolable after losing their child – seemed to walk out of deathly despair after talking with someone. They couldn’t help showing an amazed expression, not quite understanding, “That’s- that’s amazing! How did they do that?”

Beside them, a more experienced volunteer senior who had been here for some time looked where they were pointing and immediately understood, their expression becoming very complicated.

Seeing this, the former couldn’t help asking, “You know what’s going on? Tell me! This is too impressive, being able to encourage that elderly person so quickly, I wonder what they said, could there be some policy I don’t know about…”

“No, that’s not it.” The other person denied without hesitation, “It’s just that person used a special method…” Mentioning the special method, they couldn’t help showing an expression of being unable to explain in a few words.

This instead aroused the other person’s curiosity even more, making them even more unwilling to give up asking, “What is it, what is it? If we could use it too, maybe we could help more people…”

Being questioned like this, that experienced volunteer had no choice but to speak. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”

“…That person is a member of the Candlelight Society.”

“Candlelight Society…” Hearing this, the person who had been asking was stunned for a moment, quickly realizing, “That’s the organization reportedly created spontaneously by followers of the Flower Speaker!”

“…Wait, wasn’t the Candlelight Society’s headquarters in the Holy Federation?” After realizing this, this person’s expression immediately became very interesting, “They’ve already developed to our Island Alliance so quickly? Should we say that Candlelight Society’s pope is too amazing?”

The other person said helplessly, “So now you understand what’s going on, right?”

“…Indeed, that kind of despair and grief couldn’t be overcome in a short time, only by believing in a deity and placing hope in that deity could one possibly receive temporary salvation.” The person who had been asking suddenly understood, caught between laughter and tears, “So, the Candlelight Society is taking this opportunity to develop followers?”

Their companion smiled bitterly. “Yes. That’s why I didn’t want to say it earlier. Because the higher-ups actually don’t know how to deal with these Candlelight Society people. They have indeed participated in helping refugees, even doing more than ordinary volunteers, and we need every bit of help we can get now – we can’t drive them away just because they’re a foreign religion. Moreover, the deity they worship is a real ‘god in the world’! Although this organization was spontaneously created by followers, no one dares to treat them as an ordinary cult… But openly allowing the Candlelight Society to proselytize doesn’t seem quite right either. So they simply pretend not to know, turning a blind eye.”

Towards the end, this experienced volunteer lowered their voice, earning an understanding expression from their companion.

“Speaking of which, even we have Candlelight Society followers now. With disasters everywhere around the world these days, could the Candlelight Society be taking this opportunity to develop worldwide?” After discussing for a while, they couldn’t help sighing, “To develop a religion from nothing to this level, no matter what, that pope is really powerful.”

And the central figure of their discussion, Samuel, the pope of the Candlelight Society, was at that moment standing on the ruins of the Edun Kingdom.

Around him were several other powerful extraordinaries.

—As those two had said, the Candlelight Society was blooming everywhere. Besides the Holy Federation and Island Alliance, Samuel had mainly developed large numbers of followers in small western countries with weak strength.

When this disaster erupted, these small countries were inherently weak in national power and organizational ability. Additionally, their upper echelons were either muddle-headed and inactive or, though wanting to act, lacked the capability. The disaster’s victims were far more numerous than in major countries.

However, where government power was insufficient, civilian extraordinary organizations developed better. Compared to major countries with official institutions like the Special Investigation Department suppressing order, in countries with weak strength, civilian organizations were actually more powerful.

These organizations included both good and evil – some created chaos and bullied the weak, while others maintained order and helped those in need.

During this disaster, in many places where government capability was insufficient, it was the lawful civilian extraordinary organizations that put in great effort, saving countless ordinary people. The leaders of these civilian organizations thus rose to fame through their self-help operations they organized.

And it was during this process that Samuel established contact with those civilian extraordinary organization leaders, developing the Candlelight Society to these countries, helping save people while spreading faith among the refugees.

At this time, after everything was over, he was having a pleasant conversation with several civilian extraordinary organization leaders, confirming future cooperation.

An invisible ghost drifted over at this time.

“Several targets are together, saving me a lot of trouble.”

Adams happily turned in a circle, making marks one by one.

Samuel, who had just finished discussing cooperation, felt a coolness on his brow, followed by a brief message flooding his mind.

The others had similar experiences, their expressions changing before falling into deep thought. “…A special invitation…trial?”

“Oh omnipotent Lord!”

At this moment, while everyone else was startled by the sudden change, Samuel immediately bowed his head and gripped the self-made holy symbol on his chest.

“—Is this a test You have given me?”

His fingers trembled, his downcast gaze revealing a terrifying fanaticism.

“Please watch…”

No matter what kind of trial…

“—I will claim victory under Your gaze!”

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