Before Ian Song crossed into the cultivation world, Joy and Cici had already unified the vampires of the Americas and Europe, respectively.
After consolidating her forces, Cici launched an attack on the Dark Church.
During the month Ian was away in the cultivation world, Cici had already defeated the Dark Church and absorbed its remaining forces under her command. Meanwhile, Joy was preparing to deal with the Church of the Holy Light.
However, the Church of the Holy Light was much stronger. Even before Joy and Cici intervened, it was able to handle the vampires, werewolves, and the Dark Church all at once—and still held the upper hand.
In fact, with Joy’s strength, she could easily sweep aside the Church of the Holy Light.
But she felt that would be too boring, so after unifying the American vampires, she ordered her subordinates to attack the Church of the Holy Light—but rarely got involved herself.
Now that her master had given the order, she decided to get serious and teach the Church of the Holy Light a profound lesson.
“Go on—once this is over, I’ll give you all a proper reward.” Ian Song waved his hand.
“Master, I missed you.” Joy refused to let go of Ian Song’s hand, boldly pressing her voluptuous body against him and giving him a tempting squeeze.
“Master, it’s been months since you’ve spent any time with us!” Cici wrapped her arms around Ian Song’s neck, her lips coming close as she breathed hot air against his cheek.
“You little minxes—are you trying to rebel?”
Ian Song grumbled and gave each of them a smack on their perky butts, then teleported the group into the Divine Temple.
Not long after they disappeared, Coco Guan pushed open the door and walked in.
“Huh? Where is everyone?”
Coco Guan looked around curiously. Not finding Ian Song, she set down the documents and left.
After a thoroughly wild and uninhibited romp in the Divine Temple with his two vampire beauties—
Ian Song began thinking about new ways to harvest Faith Power.
Now that spiritual energy was so dense, it was great news for cultivators—but there were still too few of them, and most cultivation techniques were hoarded by the big martial clans.
But Ian Song had no shortage of techniques.
After pondering for a whole hour, a plan gradually took shape in his mind.
As long as he completed this plan, he should be able to harvest the Faith Power required for his mission.
But this plan needed the support of the nation.
In the Inner Palace, the Head of State and the nine Cabinet Elders gathered once again.
“Martial Arts for All?”
Hearing Ian Song’s proposal, the Head of State and the nine Cabinet Elders were both shocked and deeply worried.
If they implemented the 'Martial Arts for All' plan, it might cause backlash from all the martial clans.
Ian Song saw their hesitation and concern, and said gravely, “I’ve learned that the Heavenly Court is extremely powerful. Right now, only a few minor gods have revived, and I can still keep them in check. But if the true Heavenly Court descends, and they start interfering in national affairs, I might not be able to stop them!”
“But what about the martial clans? If even ordinary people gain access to cultivation methods, the clans will lose all their advantages!” one elder worried.
Ian Song replied, “I’ve thought about that. I can teach Immortal-Dao cultivation arts to the Ten Great Families. With these arts, they can upgrade from martial clans to Immortal-Dao cultivation families and retain their edge. At the same time, I can promise to personally train a batch of Core Formation-level experts for the nation!”
Hearing Ian Song’s promise to train Core Formation-level experts for the nation, the Head of State and the nine Cabinet Elders were deeply moved.
Although the Ten Great Martial Clans have always maintained a good relationship with the nation, having a batch of top-tier experts under direct national control would be much better than relying solely on the clans.
“How many can you train?”
The Head of State asked.
“Ten!” Ian Song replied.
“Could you make it twenty?” The Head of State looked at Ian Song hopefully.
Ian Song gave a wry smile. “Head of State, Core Formation experts aren’t cabbages you can just pick. After interrogating those Immortal Gate cultivators, you should know—the sect produced only one Core Formation in hundreds of years. Training ten for the nation is already my absolute limit!”
Hearing this, the Head of State looked a bit embarrassed. “How about twelve?”
“Fine.” Ian Song nodded helplessly.
“By the way, how long will it take?” one elder asked.
Ian Song said, “There are two options. First, I can use a secret method to raise them to Core Formation in ten days, but their cultivation will be forever frozen at that level. Second, I can guarantee Core Formation within three years, and with their own effort, they might go even further!”
After some discussion, the Head of State and the others reached a decision.
Half would be raised directly to Core Formation; the other half would take the second route.
“Alright, it’s settled then. Once you’ve chosen your candidates, just contact me directly!” Ian Song nodded.
“By the way, I don’t think we should rush into Martial Arts for All. We can start with the military!” suggested one elder, the top military leader.
Ian Song gave him a half-smile but said nothing.
The Head of State coughed lightly to smooth things over. “We won’t interfere with this; let’s follow Ian Song’s plan. However, the military gets priority in recruiting the experts you train. How does that sound?”
“Sure.”
Ian Song agreed immediately. He was only training martial artists to harvest Faith Power—he had no other ambitions.
Online, the Church of the Holy Light’s influence kept growing, while Ian Song’s reputation sank lower and lower.
Ian Song didn’t say a word about it.
The next day, the Church of the Holy Light announced that in three days, it would hold a 100,000-person Holy Light event in Vatican City—where angels would appear again.
Ian Song didn’t know the angel’s exact strength, but from that video, he could tell the two-winged angel was only at late Foundation Establishment.
With Joy and Cici’s strength, they could easily crush him.
The Church’s announcement sent countless people flying to Vatican City from all over the world, hoping to bask in the Holy Light.
Over the next three days, Ian Song’s three special-effect medicines kept selling, but because of the Church’s influence, Faith Power only grew by about five million.
For reference, those three medicines sold twenty million units worldwide in three days.
Vatican City time, 9 a.m.
The square was already packed with people from every nation—most with burning excitement in their eyes, and a few with a hint of fanaticism. These were the true zealots.
Finally, after endless anticipation, a red-robed cardinal from the Church of the Holy Light appeared on the high platform in the square.
He made the sign of the cross on his chest, then declared loudly, “Children of the Lord, welcome! Now, allow me—Cardinal Stray—to lead you in singing the Hymn of Holy Light!”