Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 305 Bishop Promotion Ceremony
After saying that, Luo Xiu fiddled with the storage bracelet for a while and took out a constantly beating mechanical heart made of blood and flesh.

"Heart?" Hubert looked at what Luo Xiuxin had taken out and raised his eyebrows. "Is this... the heart of the 'Dragon Hunter' Los?"

"Yes." Luo Xiu nodded and said, "This is an important means to control him."

"It is a core created using some forbidden technology of [Intelligence]. In the previous battlefield, the puppet knight named Los personally handed it to me in order to gain my trust."

"I will hand it over to you. During the time I am away from Red Maple City, if the Dragon Hunter Los shows any signs of losing control, please do not hesitate to crush it. This will greatly damage the function of the armor."

After saying that, Luo Xiu handed over the beating heart in his hand. Hubert hesitated for a moment, then took it solemnly.

"I understand. I will monitor it." Hubert nodded slightly. "You can go to Songyuan City without any worries."

"..."

Afterwards, Hubert chatted with Luo Xiu about some other things, then stood up and said goodbye to prepare for the upcoming promotion ceremony.

Luo Xiu continued to handle church affairs in the Holy Office Hall, and issued some new orders to the apostles in the "Holy Abyss" royal court. This continued until noon, when the sun was high in the sky.

……

noon.

Church, a moment before the altar.

When the church bell rang three times on time, hundreds of clergy from the entire church had gathered there.

They temporarily put aside all their clerical duties and came to participate in the ceremony in which their respected "Priest" Rossio Carlos was officially ordained as the "Bishop of the Church".

At this time, the door of the church was already closed and temporarily closed to the public. The church had also opened two layers of the Great Sun Shining Gold Barrier inside and outside to prevent any possible external interference.

"It is truly a pity, Lord Hubbard."

The "Grand Inquisitor" Baines, who was invited to participate in the promotion ceremony, said to Hubert, who had not yet taken the stage to preside over the ceremony:

“I didn’t expect that Luo Xiu Carlos would be the first one among the leaders of our garrison to be promoted to the fifth level of destiny and become a saint…”

"On behalf of the Border Court, I would like to congratulate His Excellency Luo Xiu. In my personal name, I would like to donate 60,000 gold to the church to show our support for the church's sacred cause."

"You are very polite, Mr. Baines." Hubert nodded to Baines, "I thank you for your generosity on behalf of Luo Xiu."

On the other side, two generalists from the "Fangbeiyuan" - Irfan and Eureka were also invited to attend the ceremony. Irfan said:

"Fangbei Academy also congratulates our steadfast and reliable ally, Luo Xiu Carlos. Since 'Bianting' has donated 60,000 gold to the church, we will also donate 40,000 gold to the church on behalf of Fangbei Academy to thank the church for its support for our past research."

"I hope that the friendship between the church, the border court and the Fangbei Court can be maintained for a long time."

"Of course, Master Irfan, Master Eureka." Hubert also nodded to the two knowledgeable people, "I would also like to thank you for your generosity on behalf of Luo Xiu."

The greetings did not last long. Hubert saw from afar that the "protagonist" of the ceremony had appeared at the edge of his vision.

"Luo Xiu is here, my Excellencies." Hubert said with a smile on his face, "Please take your seats, the ceremony will begin soon."

After saying this, Hubert gracefully made a "please" gesture to the empty seat at the side, then turned and left, stepping onto the altar in a moment.

Luo Xiu had put on the bishop's robe and was walking quickly towards the altar.

In Luo Xiu's eyes, the "Holy Deacon" Hubert was wearing a gorgeous robe and a golden triple crown on his head. Perhaps it was the blessing of the clothes that made him look particularly sacred and solemn.

In Hubert's hand, he held an intricately carved sacred scepter made of white oak and gold. The top of the scepter was inlaid with strands of golden silk threads symbolizing divinity, like an engraved sun.

It was an [Epic] quality staff, named [Holy Grip], which had the skill effect of greatly enhancing the power of the [Glory] holy spell. Its symbolic significance far exceeded its actual value.

The clergy stood apart with pious and respectful expressions on their faces, and Luo Xiu followed Hubert onto the altar under the gazes of admiration and reverence.

When Luo Xiu officially stepped onto the altar, the clergy in the inner courtyard saluted with both hands, made a sacred triangle gesture in front of their chests, and began to chant the sacred praises.

Hubert held the sacred scepter lightly in both hands, looked at Luo Xiu calmly, and asked him in a high-pitched but soft voice:
"Are you ready, Luo Xiu?"

"The sacred road has been extended for you, and the door of glory has been opened to you!"

The hymn gradually rose.

When Hubert asked this, Luo Xiu had a pious look on his face, half-knelt on one knee in front of Hubert, and raised his hands upward as if offering.

"I have made all the preparations, Master Hubbard."

Luo Xiu said: "My soul will be with the glory, and my life will be a sacred bridge. I swear in the name of 'Luo Xiu Carlos' - I am the most devout believer, the most loyal defender, and the most humble servant of the Great Sun."

This is the sacred phrase in "Glorious Listening" that must be recited when a "bishop" is promoted.

As Luo Xiu chanted them, a faint golden light emanated from him, as if the sun had cast a veil over him.

Hubert nodded, then he looked up to the sky, raised the sacred scepter high, and declared devoutly:

"In the name of the Holy Deacon, I make a sacred declaration to you - the Great Sun is above you in a moment, and you will receive the noble gift of the Sun-Forging God's Glory! He will be with you, will guide you, protect you, save you, and sublimate you!"

"Your soul will be blessed by heaven, and your name will be engraved in the mortal world - Ross Carlos. This is the grace of the Great Sun."

Then, he lowered his arms and slowly handed the scepter to Luo Xiu's raised hands, saying:
"——Rosius Carlos, take the scepter that symbolizes [Glory] from me."

"I hereby proclaim the Holy Grant in the name of Archbishop Sid Lawrence. From now on, you will become one of the bishops of the Holy Court and hold all the authority of the Red Maple City Church!"

"..."

As Hubert finished speaking, the voices of the clergy became louder and more passionate, and the hymn reached the climax of the ancient tune.

Hundreds of burning golden gazes were all looking forward to the moment when Luo Xiu Carlos took over the scepter and was officially promoted to "Bishop".

Luo Xiu's hands had already touched the handle of the sacred scepter. He slowly stood up, took the scepter from Hubert's hand, and picked up the [Holy Grip].

Feeling the heavy weight of the scepter in his hand, Luo Xiu turned around and raised it high.

A ray of golden light suddenly emanated from the scepter, accompanied by the sound of the clergymen under the altar rushing in like a tide -

"bishop!"

"Our Bishop!"

"Ah! Ross Carlos!"

"Praise! Ross Carlos!"

"..."

As the bishop and his name were called out, Luo Xiu raised his sacred grip, and the knowledge of the skill of "Divine Glory Oracle" emerged in his mind. At this time, the spirituality of [Glory] was full to the highest point, and now was the best time to communicate with "Forged Sun Moment" and ask Him to bestow the oracle.

Buzz! Multiple buzzing sounds overlapped in one place, and along with the light emanating from the scepter, it continued to spread and echoed in the sky.

The invisible existence descended, and the divine will enveloped him, transforming into clear and fragmented pictures, ancient and low whispers, flashing before Luo Xiu's eyes and echoing in his ears.

He saw a town on the verge of destruction - flames were wantonly burning everything in sight, and countless deformed and twisted [Red Lotus] destroyers poured out from the cracks in the ground. They killed everyone they saw, dismembered their bodies, and sewed them together to form their own new flesh and blood.

【Wongsika Town...】

[Wongsika Town...Wongsika Town...Wongsika Town...]

In Luo Xiu's ears, the same words were whispered over and over again.

"Wongsika Town" is a small border town in the Nolan Empire, not far from Red Maple City.

A new panel appeared in front of Luo Xiu, showing the guidance from the "Divine Glory Oracle":

[He grieves with mercy and grace—]

[Where the holy light cannot reach, wailing will permeate the wilderness, and thorns will bloom into flowers of destruction]

[Let’s go to Onsika Town and nip the disaster in the bud——]

[A conspiracy is brewing there, a deformed death is lurking underground, and the glory can no longer dispel the haze——]

[Let's go, as the "Apostle of Divine Glory", let's go! Go to Onsica Town to investigate the reason why the "Destroyers" have emerged in large numbers, and save our compatriots from doom.]

[Complete it, and a divine gift matching your achievements will be bestowed in a moment]

[Countdown to the disaster: 14 days]

[After completing this "Divine Glory Oracle" or before the countdown ends, you will not be able to conduct a new "Divine Glory Oracle"]

【…】

"Divine Revelation" is essentially a divine mission from "Casting Sun's Moment". However, it cannot see the difficulty of the mission or the final reward. It can only guide where to go and what to do, but this is enough for Luo Xiu.

He then raised his scepter and said in a loud voice:

"—I have received the divine decree!"

"——Wongsika Town! He guides us there!"

"I heard His voice. He said: 'There is a conspiracy brewing there, a deformed death lurks underground, and the light can no longer dispel the haze'!"

"To save our compatriots from suffering, that will be our holy deed!"

When Luo Xiu finished his last sentence, he held high the scepter in his hand and did not put it down. Instead, he solemnly scanned the people under the altar with his burning golden eyes.

The clergy were jubilant. They were in high spirits, staring at the figure of the "bishop" Ross Carlos in the center of the altar, and their excited voices were overwhelming:
"——That will be the holy deed we are waiting for!"

"——That will be the holy deed we are waiting for!"

"——That will be the holy deed we are waiting for!"

All the clergy were repeating the last words of their leader, "Bishop" Ross Carlos.

Until the wave-like sound gradually subsided, the "Promotion Ceremony" successfully concluded in a solemn and boiling atmosphere.

This is a very important day for the church.

A day that will go down in the history of Red Maple City.

……

late at night.

"That Ross Carlos, he has indeed been officially promoted to bishop of the church..."

"Thomas the Tank Engine", who has completed the mission [New Home], has been officially invited to join the church, and has exchanged his merits for the [Glory] initial skill "Glory Engraving" from the church missionary. As a novice clergyman, he participated in the entire process of the promotion ceremony.

At this time, he and other players who had become "Saint Guardians" were carrying out the night patrol missions issued by the church.

But his mind was still thinking about what happened in the previous ceremony, and the last scene kept appearing before his eyes.

He saw Bishop Ross Carlos emitting a holy light, holding up his scepter and "summoning" the will of a great being to descend. That seemed to be a "divine revelation"? It seemed to be a very high-level glorious skill...

However, what Thomas could not forget the most was not the almost free Holy Light special effects, but the declaration made by Ross Carlos with the "Divine Revelation":

"A 'disaster' is about to befall Ongsika Town... I heard from other clergymen that it seems to be not far from Red Maple City..."

"'A conspiracy is brewing there, a deformed death lurks underground, and light can no longer dispel the darkness'! What is going to happen then? Ahhhhh! I really want to know..."

"I really want to go, I really want to go, I really want to go..."

Thomas vaguely guessed that this might be the next "big event" that players would be able to participate in, and as he had already touched upon the extraordinary, he was now eager to fight more than ever.

He looked at the mithril sword in his hand. After replacing his weapon with a new one from the "Forge Manor", he was full of confidence in his current combat power.

However, at the previous ordination ceremony, the "bishop" made a brief announcement, and nothing more happened. After the ceremony, the normal process returned. It seemed that several clergy had changes in their clergy, but that was not important in Thomas' eyes.

"I have to find an opportunity... to see if I can apply for a place to go to 'Wongsika Town' to carry out the mission..."

Thomas murmured, planning the same thing in his mind.

Thomas was so focused that he didn't notice.

Right in front of him, at the corner of the street.

A secretive figure in a black cloak was quietly watching them in the darkness.

"It's the 'Adventers'..."

A faint whisper came from beneath the cloak.

On a skinny arm, the black dragon claw mark was flashing and appearing.

Then, he shook his cloak, and his figure floated towards the "Adventers" like a ghost.

……

(End of this chapter)