Start in Terra, immortal

After leaving the Remidia Grand Hall, Zhao Xin did not follow Michelle to the Black Earth to guard Ozma, but continued to embark on his own path to eliminate the imposters.

Along the way, he will still encounter other squads of priests carrying out the same mission.

Unlike in the past, the clergy today are divided into distinct factions with strict barriers between them, and when they meet, they often first question each other about their stance.

Lately, whenever clergy members encounter Zhao Xin, especially younger ones, the first thing they often ask is, "What do you think of Michelle and Zhao Xin?"

When Zhao Xin first encountered such questioning, he was slightly surprised—they didn't even recognize him.

But then he realized that perhaps his portraits and statues had long been destroyed, and only the Bible contained scattered descriptions of his appearance.

"Perhaps one day, even the Bible won't include my name?" A faint thought crossed his mind, which he quickly dismissed. He had no intention of expending too much energy on these trivial matters.

Sensing the nascent chaotic energy in another distant place, Zhao Xin stopped and turned to leave, leaving behind only the murmurs of the priests behind him.

"Who is this person? So rude, he must be one of those radicals!" a young clergyman said indignantly.

"I don't think so," another slightly older team member shook his head. "If they were radicals, they would have argued with us long ago, instead of leaving so easily."

Only the oldest person in the group remained silent, huddled in the crowd.

He watched Zhao Xin's departing figure, his eyes surging with barely suppressed excitement. His lips trembled slightly as he murmured in a voice only he could hear, "It's him...it must be him. I knew it, Lord Zhao Xin...he could never be a lackey of Chaos."

Given the diverse backgrounds of the team members, the old man did not make a fuss, but simply exchanged glances with several other equally aged companions.

At that moment, their backs, which had been hunched over with age, seemed to straighten a little, and their cloudy eyes shone again with a sharp and hopeful light that was incongruous with their age.

"Zhao Xin has reappeared and is still clearing out imposters"—this news began to circulate quietly among clergy from different factions.

The reactions varied widely: some were thrilled, as if it confirmed their long-held beliefs;

Some people breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the legend had not fallen;

Some people are skeptical, believing that this may be a disguise by someone with ulterior motives;

Some people even looked down on him, seeing him as a traitor putting on airs.

As eyewitness reports increased, voices gradually emerged within the clergy calling for Zhao Xin's return to lead the charge.

The management of the Remidia Grand Hall also seemed to have made some gestures, as if they were waiting for Zhao Xin or Michelle to return.

The situation continued to escalate, and the conflicts between the various factions became increasingly acute, gradually reaching a point where they could no longer reconcile their differences.

Ultimately, representatives from all sides gathered beneath the statue of Remedios for negotiations that would determine the future of the Order.

"Your Excellency," a burly young man spoke first, his voice booming, "is the Church's final stance on Michelle and Zhao Xin irreversible?"

The elderly man standing before the icon—the current bishop—slowly raised his eyes. His voice, weathered yet incredibly firm, declared: "By decree of the Council of Elders, His Excellency Michel will be permanently enshrined among the highest faiths of the Order."

"And what about Lord Zhao Xin?" a young woman asked immediately.

Mentioning Zhao Xin, a complex hesitation flashed in the bishop's eyes. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke with difficulty: "Zhao Xin... will be removed from the Remidia Great Hall. The compilation of a new edition of the Holy Scripture is about to begin, and... records related to him will no longer be included."

These words immediately caused an uproar beneath the statue, with voices of doubt and indignation rising everywhere.

The bishop had anticipated this situation.

The faith within the religious community is now on the verge of collapse, and morale is low. If we were to forcefully support a "heretical" figure whose faith is unclear or even widely questioned, it would undoubtedly further shake the already fragile foundation.

Some high-ranking officials believe that if loyalty is not absolute, then it is absolutely disloyal.

The Great Hall of Remedios could no longer accommodate any other symbols of faith except for Remedios.

"If that's the case, we will leave the Order!" Several voices rang out almost simultaneously, coming from different directions—from radical young groups who firmly believed that Michelle was a traitor, to older groups who were completely disheartened by Zhao Xin's expulsion.

Faced with those determined to leave, the bishop did not try to persuade them to stay, but simply raised his hand in a final gesture of blessing, his voice low yet clear: "May Remedios guide you on your path."

Then, under the watchful eyes of countless people, nearly half of them turned around and walked out of the solemn gates of the Remidia Great Hall with heavy or resolute steps.

Among those who left, some chose to become lone wolves like Zhao Xin, continuing to roam the continent and hunt down the imposters.

Some people, disillusioned and disheartened, returned to their homeland, and their faith in Remedios was no longer steadfast.

......

Xu Zu Guo, the former headquarters of the Xu Zu Anti-Demon Corps.

The once bustling training grounds and temples are now deserted, mostly with elderly people with white hair and beards, walking with difficulty.

In the courtyard, several elderly people sat around a child who looked a few years old, listening to the story with his big, dark eyes wide open.

"...Ozma cast a blood curse, turning countless people into imposters to exact revenge on all of humanity."

Those were truly dark and hopeless times, when everyone seemed like a monster in your life, trust was completely gone, and some even used this as an excuse to eliminate dissidents...

It must be said that Ozma's revenge was almost successful. At that time, people saw almost no hope of survival.

An elderly man with a hoarse voice slowly recounted the story, while his companions around him all wore expressions of reminiscence and heaviness.

Fortunately, the gods have not abandoned us.

Saint Michael appeared at the opportune moment and, with his extraordinary wisdom, taught the clergy how to distinguish between imposters and ordinary people.

Humanity thus regained its sight, and it was through this that we, the clergy, were able to fight against evil.

However, for Ozma, who was determined to destroy the world, Michel's appearance was undoubtedly an obstacle.

A decisive battle that will sweep the world is ultimately unavoidable...

"I know the details of the Dark Holy War!"

The child suddenly interrupted, his little face filled with curiosity and eagerness.

"But the book also says there's a saint who looks a lot like us Xuzu people, and he's also a great hero of the Dark Holy War! Grandpa, you must know him, right?"

The old man's words came to an abrupt halt, as if something had blocked his throat; he opened his mouth but could not utter a sound for a long time.

Watching the expectant light in the child's eyes gradually dim, the old man felt a pang of pain in his heart. He finally let out a long sigh and continued speaking, but his voice was even lower:

"The one you're talking about... is 'Saintly Edge' Zhao Xin. He was one of the 'Six Saints' back then..."

"But the book says there are only five saints?" the child asked, tilting his head in confusion.

The old man gently tapped the child's head, his tone feigning sternness: "If you want to hear the story, don't interrupt! Besides, there are six of the Five Saints, isn't that normal?"

The child covered his head, pouted, and dared not interrupt.

The old man gazed into the distance, as if traveling through time: "Zhao Xin, although he has the name and appearance of a Xu Zu person, he was not born in Xu Zu."

Strictly speaking, he wasn't even a formal member of the order...

Before the words were even finished, a cold, foul, and instinctively chilling aura suddenly appeared at the edge of the barrier surrounding the temple!

"This aura... it's an imposter!" The elders' expressions changed drastically almost simultaneously, and they stood up abruptly.

Their extensive experience allowed them to instantly assess the situation: "There are a lot of them! They're surrounding us from all sides! Quick, set up a rune array and summon shikigami to protect the courtyard!"

Their movements were as swift as ever, and though they were old, they remained perfectly composed. Various defensive and warning talismans were quickly unleashed, and the phantoms of shikigami began to condense in the air, firmly protecting the bewildered child in the center.

"West Wind!" the leading elder hissed to his more agile companion. "You take the little one through the secret passage! We old bones will buy you some time!"