Chapter Seventeen: Miracle, the Cathedral of Holy Light!

Miracle—this was the most talked-about word in Kinco Town over the past few days. The entire town was abuzz, discussing the event at every moment. From then on, in the small domain of Kinco, the Father God Sect and Link became names known to every soul.

The whole town worshipped and anticipated the coming miracle with nervous curiosity. Everyone wanted to witness firsthand what Link had promised. Yet, some harbored ulterior motives, mingling with the crowd, ready to expose Link’s supposed trickery once the “miracle” appeared.

Such excitement even stirred neighboring towns, though their reactions were much calmer. Few there had met Link, and the miracle was not descending upon their own lands. Their expectations were moderate, except for those healed by Link, who hurried to Kinco with family and friends as soon as they heard.

By the day of the miracle, nearly seven thousand people had gathered—almost the entire population of Kinco, plus many from nearby towns, crowding the perimeter of the monastery.

Link stood at the monastery’s door, facing the sea of people. Even he felt a hint of nervousness, though he maintained a calm smile. Many whispered among themselves, feeling his appearance did not match the grandeur of a miracle. But it could not be helped: Link still wore the old, worn priest’s robe, merely stripped of the Star God Sect’s insignia. The monastery itself, due to time constraints, remained shabby and unrenovated. He looked every bit the impoverished priest presiding over a dilapidated chapel—a far cry from anything miraculous.

Yet to Link, this was hardly a problem; indeed, it was what he desired. The more humble his image, the greater the impact when the miracle arrived. Sometimes, the most powerful shock comes from the starkest contrast.

Behind Link, the members of the Father God Sect watched the crowd anxiously, their hearts pounding as they looked upon Link’s back. Aside from veterans like Saka, Jack and his converted subordinates were among them. Though these men were now fanatics, trusting Link unconditionally, few had ever faced a scene of such magnitude. Their nervousness was understandable.

Some recognized these individuals and were deeply puzzled. How could former villains join the Father God Sect? Though redemption was possible, many were uneasy about the sect recruiting local ruffians as followers.

Of course, these were trivial matters. No one cared much. All attention was fixed on the miracle about to unfold.

When the clock struck noon, the crowd, lively moments before, fell silent. Every eye fixed upon Link, waiting for the promised miracle.

Link wasted no time. He stepped forward, spreading his hands with the fervor of a prophet, closing his eyes and speaking loudly, “Exalted Father God, please bestow your glory upon us, guiding mankind’s path.”

As he spoke, Link discreetly activated the Sacred Light Cathedral’s construction stone. No sooner had his words ended than a faint tremor ran through the earth. Then, on the large tract of land cleared beside the monastery, dazzling golden light burst forth, forcing those nearby to involuntarily shut their eyes. Those who kept them open stared in astonishment.

Under countless gazes, the radiance coalesced, gradually forming the shape of a vast structure. Its brilliance slowly faded, and as it did, an enormous, majestic, solemn cathedral appeared.

At its entrance were twelve steps; the building soared nearly twenty meters high, covering an area the size of three basketball courts. Its exterior was not ornate, but dignified, sacred, and ancient, exuding supreme authority.

Witnessing this awe-inspiring miracle, everyone except Link was dumbstruck, their eyes wide with disbelief. After a long moment, someone finally cried out, “Miracle! The miracle has truly come!”

The shout was like a spark on dry tinder, igniting the crowd in frenzy. In that instant, countless people knelt before the Sacred Light Cathedral—some with faces full of devout prayer, others trembling with fear, confessing their sins in hushed tones, while many gazed at the cathedral with excitement and fervor.

Apart from these, a number of people stood pale and stunned, their eyes filled with horror and disbelief. They were mostly members of rival religions, planning to expose Link’s “fraud” when the miracle failed. Yet, the miracle had come—greater than anyone could have imagined.

A magnificent cathedral had risen in mere seconds, an accomplishment no mortal could achieve. They desperately hoped it was illusion or trickery, but the cathedral was undeniably real.

Even the faith of rival clergy wavered at that moment; if even priests questioned their beliefs, what hope had the others?

Link saw clearly—above countless heads, the sign of believers appeared, and his follower count soared past six thousand in an instant. Nearly the entire populace of Kinco Town became his devotees.

The depth of faith rose even faster. The old followers, not to mention, all advanced in rank. Aside from fanatics, every believer’s status elevated; nearly all previous senior believers became true fanatics, kneeling in passionate worship before the Sacred Light Cathedral, as if their Father God had truly descended.

Eventually, as Link’s faith score exceeded eighteen thousand, its rise slowed, and the system’s voice sounded.

“Well now, it even delays the count—this system has a touch of humanity!” Link rejoiced, a smile slipping onto his face. But now was not the time for celebration. He quickly suppressed his joy and, under countless gazes, ascended the cathedral steps. Turning, he looked down upon the six thousand gathered below and proclaimed, “Friends, this is the miracle granted to Kinco Town by the exalted Father God—the magnificent Sacred Light Cathedral. It was constructed by Father God Link with supreme divine power, symbolizing the first grace bestowed upon mankind and marking the first cathedral of the Father God Sect.”

He paused, waiting until the crowd’s faces shone with excitement, devotion, and fervor, then continued, “Moreover, it is not merely a cathedral. The supreme divine power of Father God has endowed it with extraordinary and merciful blessings—once inside, as you offer sincere prayers, your hearts and souls will be cleansed, all illnesses, wounds, curses, toxins, and negative states will be purged.”

To purge all negative states!

This declaration struck like thunder, and the crowd erupted in astonishment, falling into deeper fervor and excitement.

This was a true miracle. The legendary miracles of the past paled in comparison. Creating a grand cathedral from nothing was already astonishing, but for it to possess such wondrous properties—and for the people to benefit directly—how could anyone remain calm?

Many grew so breathless with anticipation that they longed to rush in and feel the Father’s grace at once.

Faced with this, the rival clergy turned pale. Finally, one could bear it no longer and shouted, “Impossible! Fraud—this is all a fraud! Neil-Night, you liar!”

The crowd gasped, and countless believers glared at the accuser. Link regarded the hysterical interloper with a composed smile and said, “In the name of Father God, Father Dubai, your words and actions are a blatant offense to the Father, but His mercy is boundless—He will not hold your ignorance against you. You call me a fraud, but I will not waste words in pointless debate. Facts speak louder than speech—when those present experience the Father’s glory, my claims will be proven true.” He paused, seeing Dubai still intent on arguing, but gave him no chance, continuing, “Father Dubai, you insist this is a fraud. Then, please, enter the cathedral yourself and feel the Father’s grace. Know this: this cathedral embodies the Father’s divine power. Within, all will be laid bare under His gaze—every lie and sin will be revealed.”

Dubai’s heart sank, and he felt regret. He had regretted jumping forward the moment he did, but he could not turn back now. He had seen the most devoted followers of the War God Sect gazing at the cathedral with fervent devotion. If he did nothing, Kinco Town would soon belong to the Father God Sect and Link.

Now, unable to retreat, with everyone watching, Dubai could only sneer, “Fine. I’ll enter and see what your so-called divine grace is. If you’re deceiving us, I’ll expose your fraud!”

Link chuckled, saying nothing, and turned to gently touch the cathedral’s immense doors, which swung slowly open, revealing a splendid and solemn interior.

Seeing this, Dubai’s legs trembled. If the exterior could be faked, the interior could not. He was a man of experience—he knew such a finish could not be achieved in days, nor with just a few thousand or ten thousand sola. Even the War God Sect’s headquarters could not compare to the Sacred Light Cathedral’s interior. They simply were not on the same level.

Perhaps only the palaces of great empires could rival it.

Dubai’s heart raced, but Link smiled and invited him in. Dubai had no choice but to steel himself and walk toward the cathedral’s interior.

At that moment, countless eyes gazed at Dubai with envy, jealousy, and longing. They were Father God Sect believers, desperate to be the first inside, and so they envied him fiercely.

Others watched with anxious anticipation—they were from rival religions, hoping Dubai could expose Link’s “fraud.”