Behind Muxuan, the smooth and majestic phantom of an angel solidified completely, its eyes lowered, gazing without joy or sorrow at this forest filled with malice.
It was not an emotion, but the manifestation of a pure will of light, carrying an indifference that transcended all things.
“Do you wish to lose your temper? Have you sought my permission for this?”
Muxuan’s voice merged with the angel’s consciousness, transforming into a holy word that shook the soul.
No longer a gentle comfort, but a cold declaration, carrying an unquestionable tone of judgment.
The moment the words fell, the angel phantom raised its arm.
Not to swing a greatsword, but to extend a single finger.
At its tip gathered a purer, more concentrated light, aimed lightly at the countless twisted roots frantically squeezing the tunnel entrance and the depths of the ancient trees radiating endless hatred.
A beam of white light shot from the angel phantom’s fingertip, its speed surpassing the limits of visual perception.
Wherever the beam passed, the thick darkness and roiling malice evaporated instantly like ice meeting a hot iron, returning to nothingness.
Hummm—
An extremely low hum resonated.
At the tunnel entrance, only a straight “path” purified by the holy light remained, emitting a soft glow, and… that slanted, deep, dark opening that had been temporarily preserved, not completely buried.
The roots entrenched at the entrance vanished without a trace of ash the moment the beam grazed them.
The force crushing the rock also abruptly disappeared.
For an instant, the entire forest was stunned by that light, falling into a brief paralysis.
The light barrier dissipated, and the angel phantom behind Muxuan faded away as if it had never appeared.
He let out a slight gasp.
Beneath the disguise, his face was paler than before, beads of sweat at his temples were finer, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping the Crosier were white from excessive force.
Forcing the use of such a scale of Lightforce and wounding an unpredictable-level Strange was already an immense burden for Muxuan.
“Now!”
Qiansitelin didn’t hesitate.
She directly picked up Theodore and tossed her into the deep, dark opening.
The layer of Lightforce disguise flickered, barely maintaining itself.
Then she quickly moved to Muxuan’s side, her face full of concern.
As the disguise flickered, Muxuan’s small face could vaguely be seen below the collar.
Though somewhat comical, seeing Muxuan’s pale complexion, Qiansitelin understood that her little Highness had truly overexerted herself just now.
“No need to support me… I can walk on my own.”
A low male voice mixed with a weak, soft female voice emerged, making Qiansitelin pause briefly.
After a moment’s hesitation, she still reached out to support her little Highness.
“Your Highness, you are very weak right now.”
Qiansitelin’s words were soft, and Muxuan, of course, understood.
She was almost completely drained of strength, her legs trembling uncontrollably.
Feeling a cool, smooth power slowly flowing into her body from Qiansitelin’s palm on her back, Muxuan remained silent for a moment, tacitly allowing it.
She was indeed very weak right now.
The power Qiansitelin was transmitting could stabilize her currently somewhat chaotic state.
Hummm—
The forest’s hum returned.
The Kanoches Forest had recovered from the recent blow.
Her heart sinking, Qiansitelin simply picked Muxuan up and swiftly jumped into the opening.
Muxuan glanced back, seeing countless branches weaving into a massive cage again, covering the opening.
Countless fine, resentful branches tentatively extended toward the opening, trying to seal it shut once more.
Soon, after rounding two bends, the opening was no longer in sight.
“Put me down.”
Muxuan’s weak voice sounded, and she quickly wriggled out of Qiansitelin’s arms.
Looking ahead, the tunnel was not pitch black.
Roughly carved into the rock walls at intervals were some ores emitting a faint red glow, barely illuminating the slippery, moss-covered stairs.
The path descended, leading deep underground.
The air was thick with the smell of earth and a faint trace of sulfur.
“Your Holiness, are you alright?”
Qiansitelin was still somewhat worried.
Muxuan gently waved her hand, signaling there was no need to worry, her gaze quickly scanning the depths of the tunnel.
“I’m fine. The consumption was a bit high. I’ll be fine after some rest.”
The light at the tip of the Crosier stabilized again at this moment, and the disguise on her body returned to normal.
The Crosier’s light dispelled the shadows in the tunnel and illuminated Theodore’s small face, still shaken but filled with admiration.
“Pope Uncle! You just—”
Theodore was so excited she became incoherent, gesturing with her small hands, her eyes full of stars.
That sacred, majestic image of the angel, that effortless point of a finger, completely overturned her understanding of “power.”
The strength of the Pope of the Light Church was far more terrifying than she had imagined!
“Let’s not talk about that now.”
Muxuan interrupted her, her tone regaining its usual steadiness but carrying an undeniable urgency.
“Theodore, lead the way. You must understand our primary objective for coming here.”
Theodore’s eyes still held the shock from the angel phantom, but Muxuan’s low, slightly hurried voice brought her back to her senses quickly.
She nodded vigorously, suppressing that admiration back into her heart, the excitement on her small face replaced by solemnity.
“Yes! Follow me! With Your Holiness’s strength, you’ll definitely be able to solve these troubles!”
Without further hesitation, she turned and hurried down the slippery, moss-covered stairs.
The air mixed the smells of earth and sulfur, carrying a heaviness unique to the underground.
Qiansitelin stayed close to Muxuan’s side, one hand seemingly casually supporting her back, ready to catch her at any moment.
She could sense that although Muxuan’s steps remained firm, that weakness was faintly perceptible through the disguise, each footfall carrying a subtle heaviness.
Hummm—
A dull tremor came from beneath their feet, as if from the depths of the earth. Pebbles on the rock walls kept falling, making faint sounds.
The tunnel wasn’t wide, barely allowing two people to walk side-by-side.
The current tremors made progress even more difficult.
“Great Artisan God…”
Theodore’s heavy voice echoed in the tunnel.
“The tremors are getting worse!”
Her pace quickened, her small figure appearing exceptionally anxious in the dim light.
Muxuan frowned tightly.
The frequency and intensity of these tremors were abnormal, far exceeding ordinary crustal activity.
Combined with the dwarf warrior’s earlier description and Lutherch’s premonition, the Wonder Building of the Votkan tribe was clearly under immense pressure, possibly even eroded by Corruption.
“Stay alert!”
Muxuan’s voice carried a trace of barely noticeable breathlessness, but her tone remained steady.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, around the corner ahead, the glow from the red ore seemed to have dimmed considerably.
In the air, besides the smells of earth and sulfur, a faint, nauseating odor drifted—a mix of corroded metal and rotting flesh.
Qiansitelin’s eyes sharpened.
[Lyrasel] silently slid into her hand, the blade shimmering with a faint silver glow.
She subtly took half a step forward, placing herself in a more protective position between Muxuan and whatever lay ahead.