The Holy Saintess took Evan Yang on a patrol around the area, but they didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary. Both of them were puzzled—by all rights, there should’ve been some clue left behind.
Maybe Eldon Liu wasn’t planning to act yet, just hiding and waiting for the right moment. The Holy Saintess and Evan Yang discussed this, and decided to keep searching the area.
Meanwhile, Eldon Liu was holed up in a mountain cave with a bunch of people, managed by a few of his most trusted followers.
"Eldon Liu, everyone’s settled in," Green Guard Gavin reported.
"Alright, got it," Eldon Liu replied.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Green Guard Gavin asked, "Eldon Liu, why are we hiding from the Holy Saintess? Is she really going to come after us? There’s so many of us here."
Eldon Liu answered, "Me and the Holy Saintess are enemies now, and these people are tied to me. You think she won’t come after them? You just don’t get how important that thing is to her. Plus, I sealed her memories for so long—once she wakes up, she’ll definitely hunt me down."
"So what do we do? Are we just going to hide out forever?" Green Guard Gavin asked, clearly unhappy with the situation.
Eldon Liu sneered, "Relax. Once the time is right, I’ll go seize that thing. Once I have it, the Holy Saintess and the others won’t be able to do anything to me!"
"Brilliant move, Eldon Liu," Green Guard Gavin said, offering his congratulations.
"You’ll all benefit in the future. Go on now," Eldon Liu said.
Green Guard Gavin nodded and left. Eldon Liu narrowed his eyes, cursing to himself, "Evan Yang, huh? Just wait. Don’t think I’ll spare you just because you’re purple light."
Right now, Eldon Liu’s hatred for Evan Yang ran deep. If it weren’t for Evan, the Holy Saintess wouldn’t have regained her memories, and Eldon wouldn’t be forced to hide here.
It was all Evan Yang’s fault.
After searching for ages without any leads, Evan Yang and the Holy Saintess returned to the entrance and joined the other Protectors, guarding the entrance and waiting for Eldon Liu to show up.
Eldon Liu wasn’t stupid. He knew the Holy Saintess and the others wouldn’t let him enter the Holy Altar so easily, so he’d already come up with plenty of ways to deal with Evan Yang and the rest.
One day, Eldon Liu gathered everyone—at least several hundred people, all those he’d recruited over time. He addressed them, "You all understand your situation, right?"
"Whatever Eldon Liu asks us to do, we’ll do," Green Guard Gavin declared, leading the crowd. Everyone echoed loudly. Eldon Liu, seeing their determination, continued, "Since you all follow me, you’re already branded as outsiders. Going back is impossible—if you show up outside, you’ll be killed. So why not fight with me? If I take charge, I’ll make sure everyone lives well here."
"No matter what, we’ll follow Eldon Liu," Green Guard Gavin led again, and the crowd shouted their support, ready for battle.
Seeing their resolve, Eldon Liu smiled to himself and assigned tasks to Green Guard Gavin and the others. After giving everyone their assignments, they all went off to prepare.
Evan Yang, the Holy Saintess, and the others kept guarding the entrance, convinced that if Eldon Liu wanted the Divine Seal, he'd have to come here.
One day, a big crowd showed up, but Eldon Liu was nowhere to be seen.
Hundreds of people charged in, overwhelming the defenders. The Holy Saintess was shocked and, trying to assert her authority, shouted, "Are you betraying the Temple?"
"Holy Saintess, we haven't betrayed anyone. This is our choice! Let the capable take the seat," Green Guard Gavin replied.
"Let the capable take the seat? What’s that supposed to mean?" the Holy Saintess asked.
"The Divine Seal has always belonged to the Holy Saintess, but why does it have to? Shouldn't someone with prestige and strength have it? Maybe that could create the next generation of gods!" Green Guard Gavin argued.
"Next generation of gods? That’s nonsense! You really think getting the Divine Seal turns you into a god? You’re way too naïve," the Holy Saintess scoffed.
"Doesn’t matter—we’ve already chosen Eldon Liu. If you want to fight, bring it on. We’re ready!" Green Guard Gavin shot back.
"Are you all looking for death?" the Holy Saintess asked, sweeping her gaze over the crowd.
The crowd seemed brainwashed, all loudly supporting Eldon Liu. With so many attacking, the Holy Saintess was reluctant to kill them all.
The other Protectors frowned too. Many attackers were people they'd trained themselves, so fighting their own was tough.
Hidden in the shadows, Eldon Liu was secretly delighted: "Let them make a scene. The power outside the Holy Altar is getting weaker—today must be the weakest it's ever been."
None of them realized Eldon Liu was lurking in the shadows. While the group was still figuring out how to handle the mob, Eldon suddenly slipped behind the Holy Saintess and the others and darted inside. Since divine sense couldn’t be used, the Holy Saintess was startled and quickly told the other Protectors, "Guard them here, make sure no one dies. If they resist, knock them out!"
Protector Tanner and the others replied, "Yes!"
The Holy Saintess took off after Eldon Liu, with Evan Yang close behind. In no time, they both rushed into the entrance.
Inside was a maze. The Holy Saintess was surprised to see Evan Yang enter and asked, "You came in too?"
"I was worried you might not be able to handle it alone, so I came to check," Evan Yang said with a grin.
"Not able to handle it? You’re underestimating me," the Holy Saintess said after a brief pause.
Evan Yang had no idea what level the Holy Saintess was at, but figured she was probably Immortal Sovereign. He thought of Hannah Nangong from the past and realized he’d given up on the idea that the woman before him was Hannah Nangong. He smiled, "I thought you were a friend of mine."
"I look like your friend?" the Holy Saintess asked.
"Yeah, that's right," Evan Yang said.
"I'd like to meet your friend someday, but now's not the time. Let's hurry to the Holy Altar," said the Holy Saintess.
"Isn't this a maze? Does Eldon Liu know the way too?" Evan Yang asked, curious.
"I'm not sure, but he sealed my memories, so he probably knows something about them. He definitely won't forget to search here," replied the Holy Saintess.
"That might be possible. Let's hurry," Evan Yang said. "You're too slow—let me help," the Holy Saintess said, grabbing Evan and flashing away. When they reappeared, they were at another location with an altar surrounded by beams of light.
After Evan Yang was set down, the Holy Saintess warned, "Don’t touch these beams of light—they’re powerful enough to hurt even Immortal Sovereigns."
"What?" Evan Yang exclaimed.
"That’s why you can’t just walk into the Holy Altar," the Holy Saintess explained. On the other side stood Eldon Liu.
"Didn’t expect you’d actually chase me here," Eldon Liu said with a smile to the Holy Saintess.
"Eldon Liu, you sealed my memories, but I managed to get them restored. Now let's see where you run!" the Holy Saintess declared.
"Holy Saintess, the Divine Seal is useless in your hands. Give it to me—maybe I’ll become the next god," Eldon Liu said with a grin.
"A god? You’re way too naïve. You think getting the Divine Seal makes you a god? Wake up, it’s just a magical artifact," the Holy Saintess retorted.
"That’s because you’re ignorant. All of you are! I’ve investigated—the previous God of Light isn’t dead! With the Divine Seal, I can find him and borrow his body to become the next god!" Eldon Liu laughed.
"Impossible! The previous god is dead!" the Holy Saintess insisted.
"You people are deceived! The previous god hid to avoid harassment, especially from demon minions. You know about the ancient war—many gods either perished or vanished, but the God of Light survived and is recovering somewhere. With the Divine Seal, I can find him. Holy Saintess, give it to me. Once I become a god, I'll grant you anything you want," Eldon Liu said, clearly excited.
"I don’t know if you’re telling the truth, but the Divine Seal has been passed down—I won’t give it to you. Keep dreaming," the Holy Saintess replied.
Eldon Liu saw the Holy Saintess wouldn’t hand it over and gave a cold smile. "If you won’t give it, I’ll take it myself."
Evan Yang frowned, confused about the Ancient War and the fate of the gods—whether they perished or survived.
The Holy Saintess and Eldon Liu were about to fight, both eyeing the Holy Altar. At its center floated a seal, engraved with the character for "Light."
Seeing that character, it seemed to radiate infinite power.
"So terrifying," Evan Yang thought, feeling the Divine Seal’s immense power. Just one glance left him dizzy.
Neither Eldon Liu nor the Holy Saintess dared to underestimate the beams of light, so they dodged them while rushing toward the Divine Seal. Just as the Holy Saintess was about to reach it, Eldon Liu unleashed a beam from his hand to stop her.
The Holy Saintess dodged, then struck back as Eldon Liu reached for the seal. With the beams of light flashing around them, neither could grab the Divine Seal.
Someone needed to break the deadlock, and that someone was Evan Yang. He realized he was the only one who could seize the Divine Seal, but he'd have to move fast or risk getting blasted by the beams.
Eldon Liu, fighting nearby, noticed Evan Yang making a move and was secretly alarmed: "Damn, I have to deal with this kid first or things are going to get messy."