Meanwhile, on the other side.

Gu Xing wasted no time and rushed at full speed to Blue Star via the Void Gate of the Blood-colored Church.

His top priority now was to reach the Beast Taming Holy Pool of the Blood-colored Church as soon as possible, and fully awaken his Divine Pattern!

Pushing himself to the limit, his figure soon appeared outside the capital of Blue Star, where the Blood-colored Church was located.

"Lilith, where's the entrance to the Beast Taming Holy Pool?"

Standing before the towering city gates, Gu Xing mentally communicated with Lilith inside his Beast Taming Space.

However—

"No idea!"

This answer stunned Gu Xing, and even the other guardian beasts in the Beast Taming Space all had shocked expressions.

No idea?

As a Blood-colored Church's ancestral-level being, Lilith enjoyed the highest status within the Holy See.

But...

She actually didn't know where the Beast Taming Holy Pool was?

Feeling everyone's confusion, Lilith shrugged helplessly.

"I've always been stuck in the alternate space. Why would I have nothing better to do than ask about some Human Race Holy Pool location?"

This response made Gu Xing's lips twitch slightly.

Thinking it through...

It did make a lot of sense!

Since Lilith couldn't answer, Gu Xing turned his gaze toward the towering cathedral at the city center.

Looks like finding the person in charge was the only way to get clarity.

He took a deep breath and walked toward the city.

...

At that moment, inside the central cathedral of the Blood-colored Church.

Cecilia stood alone before the stained glass window; sunlight filtered through, casting dappled shadows over her pale face.

Ever since the Blood Ancestor incident settled down, the Church Court Empress had departed for Longxia Country, leaving all of Blue Star's Church affairs in the hands of her, the Holy Daughter.

However—

"Holy Daughter, about the whereabouts of the Beast Taming Holy Pool, isn't it time you gave me an explanation?"

"My patience is extremely limited!"

A raspy voice suddenly shattered the cathedral's peace.

A hunched old man in white robes walked in slowly, his murky eyes flashing with dangerous light.

Aus!

Also one of the bishops of the Blood-colored Church.

His main duties were managing affairs in Blue Star!

As the Church's main administrator in Blue Star, Aus had always paid lip service to the Empress's rule.

He'd only tolerated it so long because his strength wasn't enough.

But news of the Empress submitting to Longxia Country had finally ignited the rage he'd suppressed for years.

His son had once died indirectly at the hands of a Longxia Country soldier due to an accident.

So when it came to Longxia Country, he felt only deep hatred.

As soon as he heard the Empress's decision, the first thing he did was secretly imprison another bishop loyal to her, and incite several Monarch Level powerhouses of Blue Star's Church to start a rebellion.

The first step of the rebellion was to seize control of the Beast Taming Holy Pool.

If he could do that, he could mass-produce Monarch Level powerhouses.

Even though breaking through via the Holy Pool could only create "Fake King Level" people, it was still far superior to Commander Level.

But right now, even that first step was stuck.

Unlike Longxia Country's public Holy Pool, the Blood-colored Church's Holy Pool location was top secret.

Only the Empress and the Holy Daughter knew where it was.

The Church Court Empress also strongly disliked Fake King Level existences.

She'd always believed those who broke through to Monarch Level via the Holy Pool were just exploiting a shortcut.

So unless absolutely necessary, she forbade Commander Peak members from using the Holy Pool to break through to Monarch Level.

This led to a lot of Commander Peak Beast Masters feeling unhappy that they couldn't advance to Monarch Level Beast Master.

And the support of these Commander Peak Beast Masters——

That was what gave Aus the confidence to rebel so boldly!

Now, every corner of the cathedral had Commander Peaks he'd riled up; the moment he controlled the Holy Pool, he could assemble a Monarch Level army in no time.

However.

Cecilia merely lifted her gaze, her blood-red pupils sweeping over Aus's twisted face before regaining their calm.

This bishop only dared imprison her here—not lay a finger on her.

The moment the Empress in the alternate space discovered what was happening, this dangerous situation would dissolve on its own.

All she had to do was...

Wait quietly!

Seeing Cecilia's stubborn attitude, Aus's face was instantly contorted with rage.

"Cecilia, don't think I'll call you 'Holy Daughter' and you'll actually believe you are one."

"You're just a child the Empress picked up from the outside—your talent is only slightly higher, that's all!"

"If you won't give up the Holy Pool's location, even if I kill you, the Empress won't do anything about it."

Cecilia stayed silent as frost, not even her eyelashes moved.

The Beast Taming Holy Pool's secret—she'd rather die than reveal a single word.

Aus's face twisted with fury, veins bulging at his neck, but he forced himself to keep his anger in check.

He spun around abruptly, his robe sweeping through the air.

"Remember, you only have one last day."

Stopping at the doorway, his voice turned icy and slow:

"If you still keep your mouth shut by this time tomorrow..."

"That old bishop who watched you grow up will pay for your stubbornness."

This sentence stabbed into Cecilia's heart like a blade.

That other bishop—while not strong—was family, having cared for her and the Empress since childhood.

He was basically a grandfather to her and the Empress!

So, hearing this, Cecilia froze.

Her pale fingers dug unconsciously into her palm.

She was wavering.

...

Dusk enveloped the Imperial Capital in blood-red glow as Gu Xing stopped before an old inn.

The whispers of people on the street kept drifting into his ears——

"Did you hear? Tomorrow Bishop Aus is going to open the Beast Taming Holy Pool in public!"

"Now everyone stuck at Commander Peak can break through!"

"We've finally waited long enough..."

Gu Xing's brows furrowed tighter and tighter. Letting a mass of Commander Levels break through by force at the Holy Pool?

Is this bishop dumb or what?!

This kind of shortcut might grant power quickly, but it would permanently damage the cultivator's potential.

And Fake King Level Beast Masters...

What use are they against the Demon Race?

Just cannon fodder?!

Gu Xing sighed softly and shook his head.

"If this bishop really goes through with it..."

The future of the Blood-colored Church could be ruined for good.

Looks like tomorrow he had to "have a serious discussion" with Bishop Aus.

Pushing open the creaky wooden door of the old inn, Gu Xing headed straight up to a second floor guest room.

For now, he had something far more important to do——

Signing the contract with Sally!

The little cat-girl so determined to be his maid.

Gu Xing had already decided to fulfill her wish!

Once he signed the contract with Sally...

The little cat-girl would never have to call him "Master Gu Xing" again!

Instead, she'd call him...

Master!

At that thought, the corner of Gu Xing's lips curled up in a gentle smile.

But the little cat-girl didn't know about this decision yet!

Which meant it was the perfect surprise for her!

...

...

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