"Call me if there's any danger."
Through the Soulcaller gem, he sent a mental wave to Zhou Qianlin. Lan Jue then got on her bicycle and rode off.
Qianlin was on her way to the nursing home when she felt the warmth of the Spirit Caller gem against her chest. Her eyes reddened, and she unconsciously pressed her hand to her chest. Only she and Lan Jue could communicate with each other through this gem.
She pursed her lips and shook off all the thoughts in her mind. A smile reappeared on her face, and she walked toward the nursing home again.
"Ah!
Qian Lin is here.
School just ended, right?
Child, didn't I tell you to come a few times less?
Don't let it affect your studies. "
"Yeah!
Qian Lin, come drink some water at grandma's.
Don't come too often. We're fine here.
We may be old, but we can still take care of ourselves. "
"Grannies, I came because I missed you!
Don't you miss Qian Lin? "
"Of course, of course we do.
You don't know how much we want to see you. "
"By the way, where's that new Granny Bess?
Was she still going to lock herself in her room?
I'll go see her, "Zhou Qianlin said as she greeted the elderly.
"You mean that stubborn old lady?
I don't know if there's something wrong with her. She's always coming and going, and she always makes herself look like a demon. She's definitely not a good person! "an old lady said harshly.
"Alright, Xiao Hua, you're just jealous that Bess is prettier than you. She's the prettiest girl in the nursing home." "Pfft.
Is it that rare? "Granny Hua said disdainfully.
"Granny Hua, I brought you your favorite dark plum candy.
But you can only have one a day, "Zhou Qianlin said with a sweet smile.
"Wow, that's great!
Qian Lin is really my sweet little darling. "
…
"Isn't this thing a bit slow?" Lan Jue said to herself helplessly as she pedaled.
Looking at the time on his communicator, he had to hurry.
His destination was Skyfire City's civilian transport airship base.
All civil spaceships that crossed planets had to stop there.
Although it was impossible for the guy he was going to pick up to take a public spaceship, he would still be there.
…
"General, how long until you return to An Lun?"
Lan Qing said coldly, "About 72 hours, and two more wormholes to go through."
"Yes!"
"Before I go back," Lan Qing said, "I want you to compile a report on the Pontiff's Citadel in the Western Alliance. Give it to me when I get back.
It has to be as detailed as possible, especially listing every high-ranking member. "
"The Pontiff's Citadel in the Western Alliance?" The voice on the other end sounded surprised.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Lan Qing frowned.
"This subordinate will be ready."
Lan Qing nodded. "That's all."
He hung up, then coughed softly. "Smoking is bad for your health. I'm not kidding.
But it's been a long time since I've been able to relax like last night.
Ah Jue, the Pontiff's Citadel! "
Prometheus, the God of Wisdom, had a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes.
…
Western Alliance Capital Planet.
It was a beautiful planet, very much like Earth. A hundred and eight years ago, the Western Alliance had discovered it and begun to develop it.
A great deal of manpower and resources had been invested.
After confirming the richness of the planet, the Western Alliance was founded and established as its capital.
The Western Alliance Capital Planet was called Europa. Eighty percent of the planet was ocean, with only twenty percent land.
Strangely, however, the oceans were freshwater, unlike the saltwater oceans on Earth.
The creatures here were also very different, but it was undeniably suitable for human habitation.
Except for the lack of a necessary substance, salt.
Solving the salt problem wasn't difficult. Interstellar transportation was a simple matter.
There were a few famous cities on the Western Alliance Capital Planet.
The most eye-catching of them all, and the ones that tourists were sure to visit, were the Holy City of Reims, located in the eastern half of Europa, and the City of Hell in the western half.
It was said that when the Western Alliance chose Europa as its capital, both gods and demons descended upon the planet and built their respective cities.
Whether or not this legend was true, not many people bothered to find out. But it was undoubtedly the Western Alliance's ancient culture that had been passed down from generation to generation.
It hadn't been more than a hundred years since humanity first began interstellar travel and migration, but in that time it was undeniable that the human race had developed rapidly.
Europa was one of the most notable planets of all. Its place in the Western Alliance was even more important than Skyfire in the Eastern Alliance.
Reims, however, was a peculiar place. It received more than thirty-six hours of sunlight per day. Europa's day was forty-eight hours.
In other words, there were only twelve hours of darkness.
One of the most noteworthy sights in Reims was the Cathedral of Reims, located in the center of the city.
The Cathedral of Reims was built in the style of classicism promoted by the Renaissance of the Ancient Era. Its main features were the Romanesque domes, the Greek columns, and the flat beams.
The Cathedral of Reims was rectangular in shape, shaped like a Latin cross. Its design was both traditional and sacred, and it was also the largest cathedral in the Major League.
The interior of the cathedral was magnificent, dark, and mysterious. It was built of marble, and the paintings inside were pieced together using different colored marble. It was a grand project.
The entrance to the dome was on the right-hand side of the cathedral's outer facade.
Even with an elevator, one had to climb three hundred and thirty steps to reach the rooftop garden.
The sunset in Reims Square was the most beautiful view from the rooftop.
The dome in the center was designed by a master. It had two layers, and the interior was very bright.
Under the dome was the Pope's altar, covered by a bronze canopy created by Bernini.
Its twisted, cylindrical shape was striking.
In the lower chapel was the tomb of Saint Peter.
Kneeling in front of the tomb was a statue of Pope Leo VI, by the neoclassical sculptor Canobani.
The upper part was decorated with a dove of stained glass, and the lower part was adorned with Bernini's enormous Chair of the Holy Lance. To the left was the entrance to the Hall of Treasures, where the Pontiff's Citadel's power was displayed.
In front of the cathedral was Reims Square, which was large enough to hold three hundred thousand people. It was three hundred and forty meters long and two hundred and forty meters wide. It was surrounded by two long, semi-circular corridors, each supported by two hundred and eighty-four stone columns. At the very top were 142 statues of the most famous saints in the history of the Pontiff's Citadel. Their faces were vivid and lifelike.
It took forty years to complete the construction of this church. For a believer of God, it was a supreme honor to be able to worship here.
Today, however, there was an unexpected guest. He wasn't particularly tall, and his back was stooped.
He wore a white lab coat, like an old doctor who'd just stepped out of the hospital.
The lenses of his glasses were thicker than the bottoms of a bottle.
Every few steps he took, he had to stop and take a moment to catch his breath.
Lifting his head to look at the frescoes above, the old man couldn't help but murmur in admiration. "It's beautiful!
What a pity. "
As he spoke, the old man continued on his way.
"My apologies, elder. Please wait.
This is where the internal members of the Church gather. Tourists are not allowed to enter. "When the old man walked to a door, he was blocked by two guards.
"Oh?
I can't go in! "The old man's voice was disappointed.
"My apologies." The guard was as courteous as ever, but his tone was cold and distant.
"Oh, then here it is." The old man stopped in his tracks, and turned to face the majestic Pontiff's Altar.
"Please leave this place."
The guard sensed something was amiss, and took a step forward to urge the old man to leave.
"I'm not going anywhere," the old man said calmly.
"Tell that old Pope to come out.
I'll wait for him here.
I'll give you ten minutes.
If you don't, I'll turn the Cathedral into a pile of rubble. "
The priest froze. He looked at the old man as if he were a lunatic.
He couldn't believe that this old man, with one foot in the grave, would say such a thing.
He was threatening the Pontiff's Citadel!
In the Western League, the Pontiff's Citadel was a force to be reckoned with. It was the light, the faith of the people.
Even the Dark Citadel didn't dare oppose the Pontiff's Citadel.
If they did, they'd be on the wrong side of society.
"Are you crazy?
Get out of here! "The priest couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward and shoved the old man's shoulder.
However, before he could get close, a strange radiance suddenly separated from the old man's body. The clergyman froze in his original position, and even his expression froze.
His entire body was enveloped in a blinding light.
"Come out, Pontiff!" The old man spoke.
His voice was still old, hoarse, and even weak.
But in the next moment, the same feeble voice rang out like thunder, reverberating through every corner of the Cathedral.
Worshippers, priests, priests, and even those meditating in the depths of the Pontiff's Citadel couldn't help but open their eyes wide.
The Pontiff's Citadel was in a state of solemnity.
— —
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