The young Holy Son was somewhat bewildered. After being brought back by Sikong Nan, he had spent his time cultivating in seclusion within the Church, having no contact with the outside world for ten years. The moment he emerged, he was thrust into the spotlight and presented as the prophesied savior, leading the Holy Light Church's army in a decisive battle against the Mo faith.
It was safe to say he still hadn't fully grasped his situation or the state of affairs, but that didn't stop him from basking in the joy of their great victory.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, he raised one hand slightly and gently clenched his fist.
The cheering died abruptly. Everyone looked at him.
He spoke softly: "May the light shine eternal!"
After a brief silence, an even fiercer wave of cheers swept through the crowd.
At the front of the assembly, the Holy Maiden exchanged a glance with Li Feiyu, and the two shared a knowing smile.
Putting this fake Holy Son forward had originally been nothing more than a convenient figurehead for rallying the Church's army, but over time, the two of them had found that he was actually doing a remarkably good job.
More importantly, his heart was pure and his character honest.
A person like that, backed by the tremendous merit they had just earned, was more than fit to serve as Holy Son. Presumably, the real Holy Son—the one who had been operating in the shadows all along—wouldn't mind either.
"Holy Son." Banner Lord Yu Daochi stepped forward. "The Mo faith's army has been utterly destroyed, but remnant forces still remain. They are currently barring the way before the Mo Abyss. I request that the Holy Son come to inspect the situation and decide their fate."
The young Holy Son asked in surprise: "There are still survivors on the Mo faith's side?"
Yu Daochi replied: "Xue Ji, commander of the Yu Division, and her four Blood Slaves!"
"Oh, her." The Holy Son's expression cleared with recognition. "Then I should go and meet her. I heard she secretly killed quite a few Mo faith powerhouses this time—even Yu Buzhou himself died at her hands. If not for her covert assistance, the Church couldn't have won so easily."
Regardless of what kind of person Blood Queen had been before, she had made an enormous contribution in this war against the Mo faith. For that reason alone, the young Holy Son held a great deal of goodwill toward her and felt he should go thank her in person.
A group of Church powerhouses immediately followed the Holy Son and Holy Maiden toward the Mo Abyss.
When they arrived, they found the atmosphere rather tense.
Blood Queen and her four Blood Slaves stood there in silence, already facing off against a group of Church fighters who had surrounded them.
Seeing the Holy Son and the others arrive, the group of fighters visibly relaxed. After Blood Queen had killed Yu Buzhou, her reputation as the foremost powerhouse in the world had been firmly cemented. The Church's Shenyou Realm cultivators all felt crushing pressure in her presence, even though Blood Queen simply stood there quietly without making a single unnecessary movement.
The crowd parted, and the Holy Son walked straight toward Blood Queen.
Yu Daochi whispered a voice transmission: "Holy Son, be careful."
The young Holy Son nodded slightly and stopped a short distance from Blood Queen, offering a formal bow. "Wu Ding of the Holy Light Church greets Senior Blood Queen."
Blood Queen raised her eyelids slightly, looking Wu Ding up and down, and asked with a faint smile: "So you're the Holy Son?"
Wu Ding scratched his head. "Everyone calls me that, so I suppose I am."
Blood Queen was momentarily stunned by his childlike gesture, and it took her a good while before she laughed and shook her head. "Quite lacking."
Wu Ding said respectfully: "Senior's words are well taken. I'm young and inexperienced, and I'm sure I've made many missteps. If I have caused any offense, please forgive me, Senior."
Blood Queen looked at him with some exasperation and sighed softly. "It's not what you think…" She realized this young Holy Son had misunderstood her meaning.
What she had said was merely a comparison—compared to her unfathomably deep master, this young Holy Son fell quite short.
Although Yang Kai had never said a word to her about it, Blood Queen knew full well that the true Holy Son foretold by the prophecy could only be her own master. The one before her was nothing more than a figurehead put forward by the Church.
She had originally harbored a degree of hostility toward this man, feeling that the glory that rightfully belonged to her master had been snatched away by someone else, and she had been somewhat resentful over it.
But now, seeing the young Holy Son's conduct, even that sliver of hostility couldn't take root.
The young Holy Son scratched his head again and was about to say something else when Yu Daochi suddenly bellowed beside him: "Demoness! Surrender yourself at once!"
Blood Queen turned to glance at him, showing no intention of acknowledging him. Instead, she looked at Li Feiyu: "Sister Li, is the Church going to burn the bridge after crossing? If so, I'd appreciate it if you could let me know, so I can at least prepare myself."
Li Feiyu immediately shook her head. "That is absolutely not our intention. Don't overthink it!"
The group of Banner Lords listened in utter confusion, vaguely sensing that there was something they hadn't been told.
Yu Daochi frowned even more deeply: "What exactly do you mean?"
Li Feiyu explained: "Blood Queen has abandoned the darkness and come over to our side. Previously, I was ordered by the Holy Maiden to make secret contact with her and pass along various intelligence, which she then used to assassinate Mo faith powerhouses. That is why our army has been able to advance so smoothly. Everyone, the reason the Church was able to settle this war in a single month is in no small part thanks to Blood Queen."
At these words, the crowd erupted in murmurs.
Sikong Nan muttered: "We never heard anything about this."
The Holy Maiden smiled and explained: "The matter was of the utmost importance, which is why it was kept secret. Please forgive us for the lack of disclosure."
With the Holy Maiden confirming it, the truth of the matter seemed undeniable. Moreover, judging by the results, Blood Queen had indeed made an immense contribution.
For a time, many of those looking at her did so with considerably warmer eyes.
Switching sides was always welcome, no matter where you were.