Chapter 183-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation

December 1st, 5:00 PM. The Curia announced the name of the twenty-second Pope to the entire country—Ye Zheng.

As soon as the news came out, countless people flooded the streets to cheer and celebrate. Even in the most reserved Upper District, many students spontaneously gathered on campuses to celebrate. This was the most popularly anticipated name in hundreds of years. It was no longer an awkward noble name that ordinary people hadn't even heard of. Her name was thunderous, resounding throughout the Empire. From the elderly to young children, there was no one who hadn't heard of it.

That night, the lights burned brightly until dawn. When the sun rose the next day, Ye Zheng's name still resonated openly in every corner of the Empire.

She was the most prestigious Saintess in the Empire since the first Saintess, the Godsent prophesied to save the world from the apocalypse. Soon, she would also be the Pope who would go down in the Empire's history books with an immortal name, the existence closest to the gods after the Age of God's Descent had ended!

"Ye! Zheng!"

In an abandoned factory in the West District, an irritable blonde girl kicked over a rusty machine. Upon receiving the news, Sierra threw a tantrum in vain, while the people around her lowered their heads, trembling with fear.

Sierra couldn't understand the difference between all these messy titles like Archbishop, Grand Duke, or Marshal, and she couldn't be bothered to understand. As long as she wanted to kill, weren't they all just minced meat under her blade?

The Emperor and the Pope were the only two positions she could remember. She knew that the people sitting in these two positions were the ones ruling this country!

"Sierra, it's not a bad thing for you that Ye Zheng became the Pope."

Lucy whispered. She didn't dare to express her joy too obviously, but her heart was cheering continuously upon hearing the news.

If she remembered correctly, there seemed to have never been a woman who became Pope in the history of the Empire. Ye Zheng was even a minor. Lucy was certain that Ye Zheng was absolutely the youngest Pope in the history of the Empire.

She was only one year older than her but already had world-renowned achievements. Lucy felt an unreal sense of floatiness—was she actually friends with such an amazing person?

"Idiot Lucy! Even if she became the Emperor, there would be nothing good for me!"

Sierra glared with her red eyes, staring at the huge white dragon bone placed in the factory. She was now the leader of the "Saints," a heretic wanted by the Curia. Now that Ye Zheng had become Pope, how could she allow her to grow stronger?

Her face darkened the more she thought about it. Right, Ye Zheng inviting her to the West District in the beginning was likely a trap killing two birds with one stone. She used her ability to hide the dragon bone and those weirdos, and in turn used her need for the dragon bone to bind her to the desolate West District...

Seeing Sierra's expression look wrong, Lucy stepped forward and held her shoulders. "Ye Zheng will cover for us. She said she would come back. She will make those dragon-bodied people return to normal. And about your matter... Ye Zheng didn't say anything either."

During this period, she and Sierra interacted frequently. At first, her impression of her remained at the Blood Flower Strange Domain, where Sierra cruelly slaughtered noble students and controlled the Crown Prince, causing huge trouble. She was a very terrifying wanted criminal.

After being in contact for a while, Lucy found that Sierra wasn't too bad a person. Although she wasn't very polite or kind, occasionally took her men out to cause trouble, and sometimes hit or scolded her, and several times almost seriously injured her by mistake when sparring with abilities...

But Sierra wasn't the heinous villain she had envisioned. Most of the time, she was just a bad-tempered peer of her own age.

Recently, because of the dragon-bodied people, Sierra and Annabella had an unpleasant fallout. She wrote to ask Ye Zheng for help, and the other party gave her some rhetoric which barely managed to appease Sierra.

Lucy revealed a look of excitement, gazing at Sierra with hope. "You are also Ye Zheng's friend. Maybe our Pope will withdraw the warrant for you soon. Then we can go find her together..."

Smack!

Sierra suddenly threw off Lucy's hand with such force that Lucy almost lost her footing. The two stared at each other, distance unknowingly growing between them.

"You want me to wait for Ye Zheng to pity me again?"

Sierra said expressionlessly.

When she was seven, she was trampled on the ground, reaching out a hand for help to Ye Zheng in despair. It wasn't until ten years later that Ye Zheng finally grabbed her falling hand.

But it was too late. Trust turned into sharp claws scratching her heart; only betrayal could make her feel comfortable.

Sierra stood in place with a gloomy face. After a good while, she widened her red pupils and stared at Lucy with a faint smile. "By the way, I forgot to tell you another piece of news."

"Your good friend Ye Zheng issued an order to want your other friends."

The red pupils reflected Lucy's changing expression. Sierra finally smiled with satisfaction. "It's the Lingyun Squad. I heard that Percy killed the previous Pope and his assistant, and the other two assisted his escape. They are all on the wanted list."

Sierra reached out and patted Lucy's stiff face, saying maliciously, "What to do, Lucy? Do you guess they will come to the West District to find you?"

"Even though he killed someone as wicked as Wen Jian, he is still wanted. Once caught, it's a capital offense. Truly pitiful."

"When the time comes, will you help Ye Zheng catch your old teammates, or help them escape Ye Zheng's capture?"

Sierra laughed loudly, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. "Don't worry. No matter what choice you make, I will keep it a secret from Ye Zheng for you."

She wrapped her arm around Lucy's shoulder like a good sister, leaned close to Lucy's ear, blew a breath, and smiled, "After all, we are good friends."

Lucy looked down silently at the dusty floor, her innocent and optimistic smile gone, her fists subconsciously clenching.

Bam!

She punched Sierra to the ground.

On the whistling train, three ragged teenagers stayed in the crowded and gloomy cargo hold, looking at each other in silence.

No one expected that in just one day, they went from highly regarded young talents to wanted criminals.

"Percy, you said you didn't kill the people, but Ye Zheng must have a reason for wanting you, right?"

Roy folded his arms and stared at his teammate who hung his head in silence. He and Kayle found the fleeing Percy soon after hearing the news. The three stumbled to avoid the pursuers, hid for a few days, and quietly escaped onto this train heading to the West District in the middle of the night.

Only now did they have some time to sort out what happened.

"Ye Zheng killed them. She pushed it onto me, perhaps to give the Curia a passable explanation."

Percy took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "However, it's more likely because I took the [Blood of the God]."

The two companions' eyes widened instantly. Kayle repeated incredulously, "The [Blood of the God]? Is it the one we're thinking of?"

The Empire's supreme treasure, the magical blood left by the God of Hope. Not long ago, Saintess Ye Zheng had perfectly reversed the judgment by relying on the recognition of the [Blood of the God].

Roy asked with difficulty in understanding, "What are you doing taking the [Blood of the God]? Is your head okay?"

"If what Ye Zheng wants is the [Blood of the God], we can think of a way to contact her. There is still room for a peaceful resolution..."

Percy looked troubled and interrupted Roy, "It wasn't that I wanted to take it away; it entered my body. I can't find it at all, nor do I have a way to return it."

At that time, he had intended to leave. Seeing the vessel roll off the altar, he approached it inexplicably and picked up the vessel containing the [Blood of the God]. Its lid was gone, and the [Blood of the God] inside suddenly climbed up his fingertips and vanished into his body.

"I originally wanted to stay in the Curia and wait for Ye Zheng to come out to see if the people of the Curia had a way to extract the [Blood of the God]. But I thought about it; the risk of this matter is too great. It's best to leave first."

The significance of the [Blood of the God] was extraordinary, representing the recognition of the gods. Ye Zheng had once used the [Blood of the God] to build momentum for herself. Would she allow the existence of another Godsent?

In order not to let the truth of the Holy Judgment be exposed, Percy didn't doubt at all that Ye Zheng would kill him for this!

Seeing Percy's gloomy face, the two teenagers didn't say anything more. The three leaned silently against the carriage. Suddenly, the carriage shook violently, then stopped abruptly.

The three looked at each other, various possibilities flashing through their minds. Had the people from the Curia discovered them and forced the train to stop?

Percy moved carefully to the carriage door, pushed open a crack, and checked the situation outside.

His blue eyes trembled. Then he pushed open the door and jumped off the carriage.

It wasn't pursuers; it was a Strange Realm.

He looked at the huge, gloomy cave and already sensed countless monsters lurking in the darkness. The rank of this Strange Realm was probably not lower than B-rank.

Percy suddenly grabbed his left wrist. He looked down and found a trace of gold wandering on his wrist—

The [Blood of the God] was restless.

In the distance, something seemed to be calling him.

Meanwhile.

The first bell of the morning melodiously awakened the tranquil Cathedral of the Upper District. Hundreds of clergy members were busily moving inside and outside the church.

Inside the church, under the golden canopy was the solemn Pope's throne. The magnificent, empty throne was waiting for its new master. Outside the church, countless people had already gathered in the square in front of the church. There were faithful believers from the Upper District, as well as representatives from the Middle and Lower Districts. The frontmost seats paved with carpets were reserved for important big shots.

White Muqing arrived at the square at dawn. She didn't let her family arrange a seat for her but squeezed in among the ordinary people.

She underestimated everyone's enthusiasm. She thought she had arrived early enough, but she didn't expect many people to have taken their spots starting last night. She could only squeeze in the back of the crowd.

Fortunately, her ability had a wide field of view, so the crowded throng didn't affect her "sight."

White Muqing waited quietly. Many people she hadn't expected came today, which surprised her a bit, but considering the special nature of today, it wasn't strange for these people to come.

Just as she was about to continue investigating carefully, a burst of high-spirited music sounded along with the bells. From far to near, the crowd instantly surged like a tide.

A moment ago, the square was chaotic with people crowded together, but in this moment, everyone retreated in tacit understanding, their eyes looking in one direction simultaneously, carrying blazing piety.

Dozens of clergy members dressed in magnificent vestments opened up a wide path on the square. Under the gaze of thousands, a figure wearing a white robe and draped in a golden shawl stepped into the crowd.

Aside from the golden shawl, she had no other magnificent decorations. Even her bangs were combed back, revealing a smooth and stern face.

Her posture was solemn and majestic. She walked unhurriedly through the fervent atmosphere, but in a fleeting moment, she slightly bent her upright body, turned her head, and revealed a passing smile.

At this moment, the crowd was finally completely ignited, shouting that name one after another like fireworks being set off.

Ye Zheng, surrounded by the clergy, crossed the square, stepped up the stairs, and walked toward the altar in front of the cathedral.

She turned around, the golden tassels of her shawl refracting dazzling light under the sun. Looking at the crowd cheering for her below the stage, Ye Zheng's black eyes were also dyed with fervent colors.

An elderly Archbishop began to recite the benediction. The crowd gradually quieted down. Ye Zheng listened to the benediction, her gaze sweeping over several familiar faces below the stage, the smile in her eyes deepening.

Teacher Qin Lu, Heath, Yu Tianming, Old Bishop Colonna... and Crown Prince Sykes.

The moment she met those gloomy golden eyes, the Archbishop finished the benediction. Another Archbishop presented her with the scepter symbolizing the Pope's authority.

Ye Zheng lowered her eyes to look down at Sykes. Under his complex and forbearing gaze, she personally took the scepter.

From today on, she was Pope Ye Zheng.

Amidst the cheers of ten thousand people, Ye Zheng pressed one hand on the Divine Sword at her side and held the scepter high with the other!

"Today, we gather here to witness this holy moment together."

Ye Zheng spoke slowly and loudly, "I harbor a humble heart, thanking the gods for bestowing the holy mission, thanking you for your trust and support. What a tiny existence I am, yet I am great because of you!"

"From now on, I will do my utmost, dedicating myself entirely to peace and justice, fighting for you and for the light!"

Before her voice had faded, applause like moving mountains and overturning seas had already drowned out the entire area. Beside Ye Zheng, two Archbishops held the Holy Crown together. This was the most important and critical part of the Pope's coronation ceremony.

The Archbishops would personally crown the Pope. The Pope needed to lower her head and wait piously for the moment of coronation.

However, Ye Zheng didn't lower her head. She stared at the trembling hands of the two bishops holding the crown. Amidst the exclamations of the people around her, she reached out directly and picked up the crown.

Her hands steadily held the heavy, magnificent Triregnum. Closing her eyes, she placed the crown onto her head.

The square instantly became extremely quiet, as if the world was holding its breath, watching the glorious and holy moment. White Muqing in the crowd was the same.

For some reason, she also became nervous.

Through the [Divine Domain], she saw the soaring emotions under Ye Zheng's calm appearance; even her soul revealed flying spirits.

As long as she wore this crown, Ye Zheng would officially become the Pope of the Empire, standing at the pinnacle of power.

In the expectation of the public eye, every movement of Ye Zheng seemed to be slowed down and magnified.

The moment she put on the crown, White Muqing first smiled from the bottom of her heart, but soon, her face changed abruptly.

She discovered that Ye Zheng, who had put on the crown, seemed to have her time paused. Her movements froze, and the fervent atmosphere also fell into a strange silence.

Seeing the silence on the high platform, some people in the crowd sensed something was wrong and began to cause a commotion. White Muqing's heart tightened. Just as she was about to expand the [Divine Domain] to investigate the situation, she saw Ye Zheng suddenly move.

She raised her head wearing the heavy Triregnum. The luxurious crown also paled in comparison to her smooth, stern face.

Ye Zheng pressed on the sword at her side, offering no explanation for the small loss of composure just now. Dazzling golden light instantly pierced through the silent depression, and the crowd's shouting swept through like moving mountains and overturning seas again.

"Your Holiness the Pope!"

"Ye Zheng! Saintess Ye Zheng!"

The golden Divine Sword symbolizing hope pointed straight at the sky above the church. Ye Zheng's gaze passed through the crowd and looked further away, dark flames burning in the depths of her eyes.

At the moment she put on the crown and completed the inheritance ritual, she truly inherited everything from Marcy!

When the sunlight of the Upper District shone dazzlingly on the gold sword in Ye Zheng's hand, Percy, covered in mud, struggled to pull his legs out of the swamp. He pushed aside the corpses of monsters, pushed aside the gold and silver treasures that had become dull, and reached deep inside.

In the gloomy cave, he pulled hard, and a sword emerged from the mire.

Percy hadn't yet seen the appearance of the sword clearly when the [Blood of the God] wandering inside his wrist suddenly climbed up the blade along his fingertips. Golden blood flowed on the dull blade. In the next moment, the golden light emitted by the sword instantly illuminated half the cave!

Percy looked in disbelief at the gold sword he was holding up at this moment, a shocking guess rising in his heart.

Author's Note: This text is entering the mid-late stage, your Zheng's villain career officially begins! Who would have thought I predicted 400k words at the start (sobs)

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