Beast Taming: My spirit beast bloodline is overloaded

Chapter 465 Deputy Leader of the Divine Cult

"what?"

Li Zhen was completely stunned. He had considered countless possibilities, but this was the one answer he had never thought of:

"You have acquaintances in this ancient kingdom of Nanfen? Do you have such a wide network of connections?"

"It's not what you think."

Lin Chen rubbed his temples, trying to process this shocking information.

Xu Feng's image involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Xu Feng, who took the ancient book from me in the Heavenly City, disappeared without a trace.

In fact, during the time after parting ways with Xu Feng, Lin Chen had occasionally thought of him.

He wondered if Xu Feng, with that mysterious ancient book, could really find the legendary ancient ruins, especially since Xu Feng had promised to give him half of it.

But he also knew in his heart that in this vast world, the ancient events were ethereal and elusive, and the possibility of making any discoveries based on a single incomplete ancient book was extremely slim.

Lin Chen never dreamed that he would receive news from Xu Feng again under such circumstances!

He became the vice leader of the A'tuo Sect, the number one religion in the ancient Nanfen Kingdom.

He even stole a treasure from the sect and is now being relentlessly hunted by the entire nation?!
This is even more outrageous than a fairy tale!

Could it be that this guy was playing dumb the whole time?
His identity as a tomb raider was just a disguise?

Is his true identity that of a person from the ancient Nanfen Kingdom?
After listening to Lin Chen's story, Li Zhen was also dumbfounded, and after a long while, he finally suggested a possibility:
"Could it be... just that they look alike? After all, it's just a portrait, and even the most accurate portrait can have mistakes. There are plenty of people in the world who look alike."

At first, Lin Chen also hoped that this was the possibility.

After all, the gap between the identities of "tomb raider Xu Feng" and "Vice Leader of the Cult of God" is too great to be connected at all.

However, when they found a tavern, sat down, and inquired about the surrounding diners and locals, learning more about this "defected vice-leader," Lin Chen's last glimmer of hope was completely shattered.

"I heard that Lord Brad is not actually a native of Nanfen; he only joined the cult about four or five years ago!"

"I've heard about it too! With his amazing talent for ancient divine script, he deciphered several lost ancient scriptures of the sect and made great contributions. That's why the former pope promoted him exceptionally and he rose all the way to the position of vice pope!"

and many more!

Four or five years ago!

At this moment, it was like a thunderclap that exploded in Lin Chen's mind!
Isn't this exactly the time shortly after Xu Feng parted ways with me in Heavenly City, carrying the ancient book?!

All the clues came together perfectly at that moment!
"Could it really be him?" Lin Chen murmured to himself, his shock beyond measure.

"Should we go find him?" Li Zhen asked.

"Let's see what's going on first."

Lin Chen ultimately suppressed the urge to act immediately.

He knew all too well that someone like Xu Feng, who constantly walked on the edge of a knife, was far more cunning and had far more ways to protect himself than most people could imagine.

Before being 100% certain that the other party is Xu Feng, taking rash action will only alert him and won't help Xu Feng at all.

Over the next few days, Lin Chen and Li Zhen, under the guise of learning about foreign customs and culture, began to explore the holy city of Oman.

They frequented taverns and teahouses, and even spent a lot of money to buy information about the Atuo Sect and the Eternal Holy Mountain from intelligence brokers.

They quickly got a general idea of ​​the situation.

Mount Wan Gu is located 300 kilometers south of the holy city of Aman. The entire area has been designated as an absolute forbidden zone by the A Tuo Sect, heavily guarded and surrounded by many information spirit beasts. Ordinary people would be killed on the spot if they even approached it, let alone entered.

This sacred mountain has only one opportunity to be open to the public, which is the "Pilgrimage Day" once a month.

At that time, a corner of the temple will be opened, allowing the most devout believers to worship remotely from a distance of ten kilometers from the holy mountain, in order to receive divine grace.

“Ten kilometers… there’s nothing you can do at that distance.” Li Zhen shook his head.

However, just when they thought this path was also blocked, an unexpected piece of news made Lin Chen's eyes light up.

"Have you heard? Our Holy City's Holy Son's return to power is next month! He's a genius beyond compare!"

"That's right! It's said that the Holy Son swept all his opponents in this year's National Beast Taming Championship with an invincible attitude and won the championship!"

"I've heard that His Holiness the Pope values ​​him highly and has decided to hold the Holy Mountain Pilgrimage Ceremony for him a month earlier than planned, personally crowning him and formally designating him as a Holy Son!"

At first, Lin Chen and Li Zhen both thought that this so-called "holy son" was just a relative of the Pope, a role arranged internally.

But when they asked a local elder, they received an unexpected answer.

“You’re being too simplistic in your thinking!” The old man stroked his beard with pride. “Our supreme Pope is impartial and selfless throughout his life, and he would never bend the rules for personal gain!”

“Every ten years, our religion selects the most talented and devout cattle tamers from the younger generation across the country as candidates for the Holy Son.”

"This newly selected Holy Son has reached this point step by step through his own strength!"

"And at the grand ceremony a month later, he will receive unparalleled glory—entering the core area of ​​the Holy Mountain and receiving a personal baptism from His Holiness the Pope before the statue of the ancestral divine bull!"

"Every ten years?" Li Zhen pressed. "What about the chosen saints from previous selections? What are they doing now?"

"This is something that we mortals cannot know."

The old man shook his head. "However, I remember last year, a Holy Son made a public appearance. His strength was terrifying and unparalleled. He easily suppressed a large tribe that dared to rebel against the religion with his own power!"

"I think His Holiness the Pope wants to recruit the best talents in the world, cultivate more holy sons, and finally select the most outstanding one from these chosen ones as the future successor of the Holy Church!"

Lin Chen and Li Zhen did not say anything after hearing this.

They could clearly sense the almost blind devotion and worship the Pope among the local people.

And the foundation and strength of this A-Tuo sect are far more terrifying than they imagined!
Not only is the Pope himself unfathomably powerful, but he also has so many carefully nurtured and powerful Holy Sons under his command as his wings.

This discovery was by no means good news for Lin Chen and Li Zhen.

This means that the difficulty for them to obtain the Bull Demon's remains from the Eternal Sacred Mountain will increase exponentially!

The two decided to remain in hiding for the time being and quietly await the grand pilgrimage ceremony of the Holy Son a month later.

They wanted to see if they could find an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

However, plans can never keep up with changes.

During their wait, the already tense atmosphere in the holy city of Oman suddenly became even more turbulent.

The Holy Guard within the city was being mobilized more and more frequently, and even several elite legions were stationed outside the city, as if facing a formidable enemy.

After making a few inquiries, Lin Chen learned some shocking news—the whereabouts of the defector vice-leader Brad had been discovered!

Now, the most elite pursuit force under the A'tuo Sect has been mobilized in full force, setting up a tight net outside the city, determined to capture him alive!

The atmosphere inside the restaurant room became somewhat heavy for a moment.

Looking at the desolate scene outside the window, and then at Lin Chen who was deep in thought, Li Zhen finally spoke.

“Go if you want to.” His voice was deep and powerful. “I know what you’re worried about. But putting all the pros and cons aside, he might really be that Xu Feng, and he once saved your life.”

Lin Chen nodded as well.

On the path of cultivation, scheming and planning are certainly important, but if one can disregard even past kindness, then one has no basic bottom line.

Lin Chen slowly stood up and said:

"go!"

"I want to see if this person is really Xu Feng."

……

Meanwhile, in a desolate mountain range a hundred miles from the holy city of Oman.

A fat figure was struggling to move quickly through the rugged rocks. He was panting heavily and covered in sweat. His once magnificent robes as the vice-leader were now tattered and torn.

This person was none other than Xu Feng!

"Damn, are these guys dogs? Their noses are so sensitive!"

As Xu Feng ran, he couldn't help but turn back and curse.

However, when he crossed a mountain ridge and saw the scene before him, the last trace of color drained from his fat face.

All around, densely packed, were Holy Guards clad in crimson-gold heavy armor!
They urged their ferocious beasts to surround the entire area, completely cutting off all his escape routes.

At the very front of the encirclement, five figures stood proudly.

They were clad in magnificent golden bull armor, their auras as deep as the sea, and the strength of each of them was beyond Xu Feng's ability to match!
They are none other than the five most feared law enforcement messengers under Pope Atuo!
Xu Feng stopped in his tracks, looking at the almost certain death they were facing, but managed to force a smile that was more like a grimace:
"Hey, all five divine envoys actually came out of their way to capture me. You think too highly of me, Xu."

"Xu Feng!" The leading divine messenger was a middle-aged man with a cold face. His gaze was like a knife, fixed on Xu Feng. "His Holiness the Pope has ordered that as long as you hand over the item, you will be spared!"

Xu Feng immediately said, "I have made great contributions to the deciphering of ancient books for the Divine Sect. Even if I haven't made great contributions, I have certainly worked hard, right? How about I return the things to you and you let me leave?"

"Hmph! Utterly laughable!" Among the five, a hot-tempered young divine envoy shouted sharply:

"I said it back then: people from other countries are bound to have ulterior motives. No matter how capable they are, they are ultimately untrustworthy!"

"Brother, why are you wasting your breath talking to him? Just kill him and take his head back to His Holiness the Pope!"

Upon hearing the words "slaughter," Xu Feng's chubby face twitched violently, and he immediately shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Fine, fine! I'm not leaving. I'm still useful to you."

The divine messengers still looked at Xu Feng with murderous intent.

The leading divine messenger frowned, caught in a moment of hesitation.

The Pope did indeed order that Xu Feng be taken alive, because Xu Feng's abilities were very strong, which was exactly what His Holiness the Pope needed.

In that brief moment of stalemate, a glint flashed in Xu Feng's eyes!
He slammed his hand on the ground, summoning a gigantic mountain-panning beast!

As soon as the giant beast appeared, it roared and its huge claws slashed at the ground, instantly digging a deep hole, and it was about to carry Xu Feng underground to escape!

"Want to leave?!"

The leading divine messenger snorted coldly. He didn't even make a move himself, but simply waved his hand!

"Wow—!"

A sharp eagle cry rang out through the sky!

Beneath one of the divine messengers beside him, a massive "Dragon-Locking Divine Eagle" soared into the sky at incredible speed. Just as the giant mountain beast was about to completely sink into the ground, its indestructible claws, like two heavenly hooks, fiercely gripped Xu Feng and the giant mountain beast's bodies!
"Hey, hey, hey! Let's talk this out! We can discuss this!"

Xu Feng, who was forcibly dragged out of the burrow by the divine eagle, struggled desperately in mid-air with his feet off the ground, letting out a pig-like howl.

"It's too late."

The leading divine messenger stepped forward slowly, his eyes devoid of any pity.

He roughly reached into Xu Feng's clothes, rummaged around for a while, and soon pulled out a leather scroll that exuded an ancient aura.

"Brother, we've got the stuff. We can kill this kid now!"

The hot-tempered divine messenger asked for instructions again, his eyes revealing murderous intent.

The leading divine messenger held a scroll in his hand, his eyes gleaming.

The Pope's order was to keep him alive, but he also knew that Xu Feng was eloquent and adept at manipulating people, and keeping him alive would always be a threat.

Seeing the hesitation and murderous intent in the eyes of the leading divine envoy, Xu Feng was so frightened that his soul almost left his body, and his face turned pale.

"It's all over! I, Xu Feng, have a lifetime of illustrious reputation, and I haven't even had a chance to get married and have children yet. I'm still a virgin! Am I really going to die young here?!"

Xu Feng closed his eyes and let out a desperate cry.

A cold glint flashed in the young divine envoy's eyes. Without further hesitation, terrifying energy instantly gathered in his palm, ready to deliver a fatal blow to Xu Feng's head!
However, at this critical moment!
“Chi——!!!”

A clear, high-pitched phoenix cry suddenly rang out from the sky!
The five divine envoys' expressions changed drastically, and they looked up abruptly!
A streak of crimson light, like a meteorite from outer space, tore through the clouds and hurtled through the sky!

The figure was incredibly fast, leaving a long, dazzling tail feather trail behind it!
The target is the divine messenger who is about to strike!

"who?!"

The divine messenger was shocked and had no choice but to abandon his attempt to kill Xu Feng. Instead, he used all the power he had gathered in his palm to meet the crimson figure that was breaking through the air!
"boom--!!!!!"

A deafening, earth-shattering explosion!

A violent shockwave of fire spread out like a nuclear explosion!

The crimson flames and the golden divine energy collided violently, instantly blowing away all the rocks within a hundred meters radius!
At the center of that terrifying energy storm, the divine messenger let out a muffled groan, his entire body flying dozens of meters away like a kite with a broken string, crashing to the ground in a sorry state, spitting out blood!

The crimson figure, after delivering the first blow, gracefully turned in mid-air and landed lightly in front of Xu Feng.

Xu Feng's eyes were fixed on this figure, his eyes practically shining:
“I told you, I do a lot of good deeds, and my ancestors will bless me.”

(End of this chapter)