March Third (1)

Gleeful at his recent surge in power, Du Chen arrived at the “Tiger” tavern.

Inside the tavern’s cellar, Bairu, Mas, and others were huddled around a map, deep in discussion. Spotting Du Chen, Bairu broke into a smile, as mysterious and profound as ever. “Deacon-Bishop Francis, I trust you bring me auspicious tidings!”

“You speak but truth!” Du Chen stepped to the map, his gaze falling upon an island dozens of nautical miles south of Battle God Isle—Mount Tianshan, an auxiliary island belonging to Battle God Academy.

“I have conferred with ‘the Blade’,” Du Chen said, leaning over the Mount Tianshan map, his voice gravely serious. “He is willing to lend his full might to the Holy Church and promises not to pry into his benefactors’ identities afterward. However, he demands to take the imprisoned fiend with him once the deed is done, and you must not question who this fiend is.” Du Chen inwardly winced. In his charade as a master, he hadn’t bothered to inquire about Helen’s true capabilities, forcing him to continue vaguely: “Beyond his personal assistance, he further pledges to procure at least one ninth-rank Divine Pet, possessing the unique abilities of communication and mental manipulation!”

“Communication and mental manipulation? This truly is a stroke of unparalleled fortune! With such a Divine Pet, countless others within the waters of Battle God Isle will become our controlled puppets! March Third, ha! A Divine Pet uprising on Battle God Isle! My dear brother Mas, imagine the expression on Zigurd’s face when he witnesses such a spectacle!”

Mas chuckled, shrugging. “That old rigid stick will surely not be smiling for a long, long time!”

Du Chen observed their gleeful reactions, then spoke indifferently, “I’ve met with my other friend. He, too, has agreed to aid me – and of course, aiding me is tantamount to aiding… the Holy Church! However, should anyone attempt to probe his origins, heh heh, then their fate shall be left to the heavens!”

Bairu’s sharp eyes swiftly fixed on Du Chen. “He asks for no other price?”

“We are friends, are we not? Furthermore, I am a Deacon-Bishop of the Holy Church myself!” Du Chen said warmly. “To speak of prices would be to injure our affections. Let each take what they need!”

“Indeed, we are friends, eternal friends!” Bairu’s words were delivered with utmost, absolute, and extraordinary sincerity. Yet, only a genius could discern how much of it was truly believable. Du Chen, unfazed, continued, “Philip’s experiments must be utterly annihilated! This is the Holy Church’s decree. My friend’s demand, however, is for Philip’s experimental subjects!”

“Your friend also dabbles in alchemy?” A flicker of unease crossed Bairu’s eyes. He feared that by eliminating Philip, an even more formidable alchemical madman might emerge.

“How could that be? Esteemed Sir Bairu, merely the experimental subjects! Those very subjects imbued with countless precious and rare treasures! Beyond alchemy, they hold a myriad of other uses, do they not?”

Bairu turned, fixing his gaze on one of the Twelve Guardian Battle Gods. The man quickly lowered his head, stating, “Esteemed Sir Bairu, based on my studies of alchemy, merely taking the experimental subjects would not trigger the outcome you fear. However, Philip and his assistants, as well as Philip himself, must perish! And no critical data must be allowed to remain!”

Receiving the expert’s affirmation, Bairu nodded contentedly. “Francis, I agree to your friend’s terms. Now, outline your plan!”

“Excellent. My plan is quite straightforward. Firstly, the Holy Church, in the name of His Holiness the Pontiff, will devise a suitable pretext to divert the Academy’s prominent masters – those openly visible – thereby considerably diminishing our resistance. Then, on March Third…” Du Chen elaborated, and Bairu’s smile broadened with every detail.

“That’s roughly the gist of it. However, according to my friend, Philip is highly likely to be protected by two exceedingly formidable individuals, whose strength might even rival my friend’s!” These two, he referred to, were naturally Tendon-Severing and Corpse Dissolution, Philip’s personal enforcers!

“What?!” Bairu slammed a fist onto the table, his brow furrowed, teeth gritted. “If such individuals truly exist, your plan stands no chance of success!”

Du Chen smiled mysteriously. “Do not fret. I have yet another friend, who should be capable of handling one of them!”

“You have more friends?”

Du Chen’s smile grew even more enigmatic. “Indeed, I possess a rather extensive network of… peculiar acquaintances!”

On the first day of March, within Helen’s attic dormitory, mistress and maid sat opposite each other, deep in hushed consultation. “Milady, I’ve only managed to procure these few documents. Do you believe they will suffice to sway Francis?”

“Sulan, I don’t know, I truly don’t know! But we can only try!”

Suddenly! Du Chen materialized out of thin air before Helen.

“What documents?” Du Chen demanded, seating himself coldly upon a chair. “Let me see!” Though Helen and Sulan had the previous encounter as a reference, they were still startled. If the last time could be dismissed as a mere accident, this time they had certainly cultivated a degree of vigilance. Yet, the outcome was identical: no prior detection whatsoever!

“Your Eminence, all the documents are here,” Helen said, presenting Du Chen with a stack of papers before standing respectfully aside. “Philip is using Phil for an experiment he calls the ‘Spirit Seed’!”

Du Chen leafed through them, a silent exclamation rising in his heart: *Damn, Philip truly is a genius!* The so-called ‘Spirit Seed’ experiment treats a human being as mere soil. Upon this ‘soil,’ Philip plants an invention of his own design, known as the ‘Spirit Seed.’ Through a series of intricate methods, Philip first cultivates the ‘soil’ to perfection. Subsequently, the Spirit Seed blossoms and bears fruit within the human body, absorbing all of the host’s essence into itself. The final stage, naturally, is for Philip to harvest the fruit once it has ripened. By consuming the Spirit Seed, Philip would obtain all of the host’s abilities—not merely their battle qi, but their entire being!

Philip’s ultimate objective in conducting this experiment was to acquire Phil’s bloodline! That is, to obtain the bloodline of Francis’s Maternal Grandfather. In doing so, he would gain the opportunity to receive the extraordinary divine power bestowed by Yessar God!

Upon reading this, Du Chen comprehended all of Philip’s actions and secretly found it amusing. All talk of Battle Qi Inheritance, and talent modification were merely means to better cultivate the ‘soil’! How laughable that the Holy Church had even linked him to the creation of gods! Still, this was for the better; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to manipulate them within the palm of his hand!

Helen timidly inquired, “Your Eminence, are these documents satisfactory?”

Du Chen did not reply, instead clapping his hands.

“*Snap, snap*.” A shadowy figure appeared on the wall before Helen, seemingly embedded within it. The chilling Flaying knife, protruding beyond the wall, made mistress and maid feel the room’s temperature plummet to freezing point in an instant.

“Your Eminence, awaiting your command!” Flaying, as per their arrangement, bowed deeply to Du Chen.

Helen and Sulan’s mental defenses utterly crumbled. *This… this is Francis’s friend? His presence is overwhelmingly potent! Even Father, at his strongest, would be but thus… no, though I am reluctant to admit it, by my estimation, this individual surpasses Father in power!* Such a formidable figure, bowing to Francis, and inquiring with the humble, subservient tone typically reserved for servants!? *Heavens above! To what unfathomable extent has Francis’s power grown?!*

Du Chen observed Helen’s reactions with serene indifference, then casually gestured towards Flaying. “The day after tomorrow, this friend of mine will accompany you to rescue the individual. There will also be a few other… small fry. He will inform you of the exact procedure! However, exercise discretion; do not inquire into matters that do not concern you! Understand? My friend possesses a far less amenable temperament than I!”

Helen nodded vigorously, her voice filled with relief. “Rest assured, Your Eminence, I only seek Father’s safety! Not a single superfluous word shall pass my lips!”