177: Greystone Village

Makins' expression changed abruptly, and he withdrew his hand from Celestine's shoulder.

"Alright, I need to go into seclusion to recuperate now, you may leave first."

Celestine bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Makins stood alone at the doorway, his gaze fixed on Celestine's slender, fragile back until she disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

"Such a Genius can perfectly serve as the core of a Holy Relic..."

A deep, profound smile appeared in his eyes.

"As long as the Chastity Holy Imprisonment Ritual is performed, another [Platinum Iron Maiden] can be forged."

"I didn't expect such an unexpected gain on the Prime Material Plane..."

This familiar scene brought him back to more than seventy years ago.

At that time, he also met a nun named Moni, who was equally gifted and possessed a natural Holy Light physique.

He, as a Senior, introduced her to the Holy City, guided her, protected her, and nurtured her step by step.

Gradually, a secret affection began to grow between them, and they even harbored thoughts of spending their lives together.

However, at the peak of their affection, he personally orchestrated the deprivation of Moni's five senses, performing the cruel "Chastity Holy Imprisonment Ritual," permanently sealing her within the [Platinum Iron Maiden].

That ritual not only validated his pure faith in Holy Light, allowing him to advance significantly on the path to becoming a Legend, but also granted him this powerful Holy Relic with infinite potential.

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Dull, oppressive knocking sounds echoed in the quiet room, interrupting his memories.

Makins slowly closed the door to the quiet room, completely isolating himself from the outside world.

He walked to the center of the quiet room, sat down cross-legged, and unfastened the massive Platinum Iron Maiden from his back, placing it horizontally before his knees.

"My dear, don't be angry."

He reached out, his expression gentle, as he caressed the cold metal surface.

"Haven't you always felt lonely?"

"Wouldn't it be better to have a companion?"

Streams of soft, platinum Holy Light slowly emanated from his palm, continuously flowing into the interior of the Iron Maiden.

Whoosh...

On the surface of the Iron Maiden, the dense Chains of Holy Imprisonment frantically writhed, coiling tightly, forcibly suppressing the dark red fissure, attempting to close it.

And from between that fissure, terrifying Qi continuously surged, as if something horrific was desperately struggling within.

Makins slowly closed his eyes, his Soul beginning to communicate with the Holy Light faith deep within the cathedral.

Strands of pure white Holy Light, guided by him, separated from the walls, statues, and holy radiance deep within the church, penetrating the walls, and continuously flowing into his body, replenishing his previous consumption while simultaneously repairing the Holy Relic.

However, Makins did not notice that within these pure Power Of Faith, there was a faint, extremely difficult to distinguish grayish-white color, as if it were the color of bone...

...

At the same time, in the corridor outside the quiet room.

Celestine walked to an deserted corner and stopped.

She slowly turned, looking at the quiet room where Makins was in seclusion, all expression vanishing from her face, leaving only a compassionate and sacred indifference.

"What profound malice..."

She could naturally perceive the deep sin hidden beneath his seemingly bright aura.

This further confirmed her belief that the so-called "Radiant Light Holy Court" was merely a self-justification for a group of sinful individuals, and that it was inherently a cult that should be destroyed...

She slowly turned and continued walking forward, uttering a faint murmur.

"The Holy City, huh..."

...

A few days later, Makins awoke from his seclusion.

The previously slightly open dark red fissure on the Platinum Iron Maiden beside him was now completely closed, and the terrifying aura of resentment had been suppressed again.

He slowly opened his eyes, feeling the abundant Holy Light power surging within him, but his brows furrowed slightly.

He didn't know if it was due to a difference in the concentration of Holy Light faith or some other distinction, but he always felt an indescribable sensation from the Power Of Faith in this cathedral.

It felt Li Ke wearing damp clothes, rather uncomfortable.

"Is it an illusion?"

Makins murmured to himself.

Although he was a Legendary powerhouse, he followed the [Punishment Knight Path], primarily cultivating the divine art of [Chains of Holy Imprisonment], specializing in combat and Seal.

Compared to the subtle perception of Power Of Faith, he was far less sensitive than the priests who followed the [Holy Light Priest Path].

He investigated carefully and found no abnormalities, so he simply let it go.

"Under the pure radiance of the Lord of Radiance, no evil demon can cause mischief."

He stood up and re-strapped the repaired Platinum Iron Maiden onto his back.

Next, he planned to travel to Moni's hometown.

If Moni's fellow villagers were also integrated into this Holy Relic, it could further strengthen Moni's obsession, making this Holy Relic even more powerful.

This would also give him more confidence in his subsequent plans.

He casually called over a church deacon and inquired about the location of Graystone Village.

After receiving a definite answer, Makins, with the heavy Platinum Iron Maiden slung over his back, walked out of Oak Tree City.

His figure quickly disappeared into the wilderness to the south.

...

Charles Manor, in the study.

Li Ke sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, his face serene.

However, his entire demeanor seemed somewhat hollow, as if his Divine Soul was no longer present.

And as his Divine Soul completely entered that blue stamen, countless tiny black Qi human figures began to emerge from his physical body.

These black Qi human figures wandered in the surrounding Void Realm for a while, then slowly transformed into dense black mist, gradually flowing out of the study, out of the castle, and covering the entire Charles Manor...

...

At the same time, Makins arrived at Graystone Village.

He found that the buildings here were largely intact, seemingly not greatly affected by the beast tide.

However, the entire village was empty.

The doors of every house were tightly locked, and looking through the windows, one could still see signs of tidiness inside.

This didn't seem Li Ke a place that had been plundered or where people had fled; it was more Li Ke the villagers had organized an early evacuation.

"Graystone Village, the lord is the Charles Family, the Manor is to the south..."

Makins recalled the information provided by the church deacon.

He turned his head and looked south.

At the edge of his vision, there was only a vast, boundless, gloomy, and dense black forest.

There was no sign of any noble Manor.

"Is the intelligence wrong?"

Makins frowned.

Suddenly, he looked closely at the distant forest.

He saw faint black smoke slowly rising above the dense forest, silently spreading outwards.

"What is that?"