Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Trouble Brought by Lingmeng (Please Vote for Recommendation)

The Festival of All Gods emerged eight centuries ago, initially organized by a coalition of the world’s largest churches. They invited all religious sects to gather under one roof, and after more than eight hundred years of development, it has become an annual religious celebration, attended by nearly every church. Yet, with so many denominations in existence, it is impossible for all to assemble together. Thus, after much deliberation, churches across different regions decided to hold their own local festivals. For instance, the Crimson Moon Province hosts its own event in its capital, Bass City.

When Count Lothar became a follower of Link, he personally extended an invitation to him, which Link accepted. Therefore, after hearing Spirit Dream's words, Link considered briefly and nodded in agreement.

Link was about to take his leave, but as soon as Priestess Sunny learned that Link had agreed to the alliance, she relaxed and assured him that the Celestial Spirit Church would soon depart from Qinko Town to demonstrate their sincerity—a clear sign that Qinko Town would become the exclusive domain of the Father-God Church.

Link quickly thanked her and led his retinue back to the monastery.

He remained silent on the way, but upon arrival, immediately summoned Jack and Altair, the two most trustworthy and reliable members of his church's leadership.

After hearing Link recount what transpired at the Celestial Spirit Church, Altair and Jack fell into deep thought. After a while, Altair asked, "Archbishop, do you think this is believable?"

Link regarded Altair and replied with a question, "What do you think?"

Altair pondered, then shook his head. "I don't believe it. I'm familiar with prophecy arts. While they can foresee certain things, their accuracy isn't high. Many times, prophecies fail to come true. For the Celestial Spirit Church to bind their entire future to the Father-God Church based solely on a prophecy is hard to believe—even if it’s foretold by an ancient sacred artifact. Besides, if it truly is an ancient relic, why would the Celestial Spirit Church be willing to give it to us? No matter how detached from worldly affairs they claim to be, it’s unthinkable to hand over such a treasure so easily."

Link nodded in agreement. "I feel the same. The Celestial Spirit Church's actions are hard to comprehend. Though I agreed to the alliance and the High Priestess Spirit Dream doesn’t seem to be lying, I think she’s withholding information. She likely concealed something, and that hidden part is probably related to the prophecy from the sacred artifact. Perhaps, it’s precisely what she didn't reveal that led them to make decisions we find so baffling."

Jack chimed in, "It’s possible they have ulterior motives and are using the alliance to lull us into complacency!"

Link and Altair nodded, acknowledging the possibility. The Celestial Spirit Church’s behavior was so excessive that they couldn’t help but suspect hidden intentions.

After a moment, Altair said, "Archbishop, regardless of their motives, agreeing to their terms brings no harm to us. We just need to stay vigilant. If they do harbor ill will, it won't be so easy to ensnare us."

Link and Jack found this reasonable, and after strategizing, they set the matter aside for the time being.

Yet, even though Link wished to avoid trouble, it found him anyway. Only three days passed before Spirit Dream, the Grand Priestess of the Celestial Spirit Church, appeared at his door.

It happened to be the Sabbath, and Link was conducting the prayer session at the Grand Cathedral of Holy Light as usual. The cathedral was filled with devout believers, hundreds listening intently to the weekly prayers led by their archbishop.

Spirit Dream burst in at the last moment and publicly announced something that nearly made Link choke: "Priestess Sunny and the others have packed their things and will leave today. To express sincerity, the old ladies in the church instructed me to stay by your side as your servant. As I said before, you can ask me to do anything."

The cathedral fell into utter silence. Everyone stared at Link and Spirit Dream with strange looks, as the spirit of gossip ignited in their hearts.

Such a beautiful and mysterious woman suddenly professing her devotion to Link and offering herself as a servant willing to do anything—what secrets lay behind this? Qinko Town was but a small place with its share of beauties, yet few could match Spirit Dream’s appearance and bearing. Her words might have left people speechless, but her beauty and presence were unparalleled; everyone, regardless of gender, was struck by her allure at first sight.

Link, though aware of Spirit Dream’s shamelessness—surpassing even the most brazen protagonists in certain sordid tales—had not anticipated she would be so bold as to utter such words before hundreds. Should he deem her brainless or simply lacking all sense of shame?

Perhaps, even if he called her shameless, she would calmly retort that such qualities were worthless and of no use.

As the gossiping fervor swelled among the congregation, Link could not bear to linger. He coughed, declared the prayer session over, and hurriedly whisked Spirit Dream away to the monastery. The others broke into laughter, but remembering they were in the solemn Grand Cathedral of Holy Light, quickly stifled themselves for fear of displeasing the Father-God, their faces turning red with suppressed amusement. Many rushed out to spread rumors: "Archbishop Neil takes a mysterious beauty as his servant," "Mysterious beauty throws herself at Archbishop Neil, who leaves with her"—such tales would soon sweep through Qinko Town.

The congregation found themselves in an awkward predicament, uncertain whether to stay or go. Only Elia, after her initial shock, was filled with anger and resentment, tears glimmering in her eyes. Yet, she soon steeled herself and quietly made her way to the monastery.

Outside, the town buzzed with excitement, but Link had no time to care. With a dark expression, he dragged Spirit Dream into a room before releasing her. Spirit Dream looked around curiously and asked, "Why did you bring me here? Are you planning for me to warm your bed? Didn’t those old ladies say that’s for nighttime? It’s daytime now—is that okay?" She then shrugged, "Well, I don’t mind. If you want me to warm your bed, just remember to pay me a hundred thousand Sola afterward."

"A hundred thousand Sola, my foot! Why did you say those things in front of everyone? Are you deliberately trying to ruin me?" Link finally snapped, his expression cold as ice, as if on the verge of erupting.

Yet Spirit Dream only looked confused. "Why are you angry? Did I do something wrong? I was just telling you what those old ladies instructed me to do!"

"You..." Link was so irritated he wanted to strike her, but seeing only puzzlement and innocence on her face, he grew suspicious. "Do you really not know how much trouble you just caused me? Or do you simply not understand anything?"

"Uh, being honest can cause you trouble?" Spirit Dream stared, baffled.

Link scrutinized her large eyes for a moment, and finding no trace of deceit, he frowned. "As the Grand Priestess of the Celestial Spirit Church, do you have no common sense at all?"

Spirit Dream fell silent for a while, then pouted and replied irritably, "Sorry, I was raised by the church from childhood and never left. This is my first time outside, so I don’t understand some things." Her expression was blank as she continued, "If my actions caused you trouble, I apologize and hope you won’t hold it against me."

Her flat tone and unchanged expression betrayed no sincerity, but Link could not blame her. Now he understood why Spirit Dream was so shameless—it was simply the result of her church’s upbringing!

A flawless beauty, raised in total seclusion, never taught the basics of normal life, so over time she became the way she was.

Link couldn’t help but look at Spirit Dream with sympathy. Such a gifted woman, yet raised to be a person without virtue, dignity, sense, or common knowledge—a tragedy born of her childhood confinement.

Still, sympathy aside, she had caused him real trouble. With rumors about to spread, Link was furious, even knowing it was an innocent mistake. His anger, however, was now directed at the Celestial Spirit Church.

Link doubted the church’s leaders were unaware Spirit Dream might do something foolish. Yet they sent her alone, clearly anticipating all this, hoping public opinion would cement his relationship with Spirit Dream.

"I refused this troublesome girl before, but now you use such a scheme to foist her upon me? Fine, Celestial Spirit Church, you’ve done well. I’ll accept your Grand Priestess—but I’ll make sure you pay for it in full, with interest." Link seethed inwardly, determined to make the church pay a price, perhaps even to take their sacred artifact during the Festival of All Gods.

Some might say, "You’re being given a beauty—why complain?" But Link would reply: a beauty isn’t always a blessing, especially one like Spirit Dream, lacking common sense and dignity. Were he not a church leader, he wouldn’t mind her warming his bed, but as a figure of authority, image mattered. Keeping such a girl at his side would ruin both his image and his prestige.

Imagine a sage accompanied by a gold-digging woman always demanding money—what would the public think of him? Moreover, Spirit Dream’s destructive power was greater than any ordinary gold-digger.

The thought of Spirit Dream’s troublesome nature gave Link a headache, making him wish to send her back immediately. Yet, as soon as he voiced this, Spirit Dream calmly replied that she couldn't find her way back, and even if he sent her, those old ladies would send her again. Though she disliked them, she would not disobey orders.

A leader forced to follow others’ arrangements, lacking all autonomy—truly, Spirit Dream’s role as Grand Priestess was tragic. Perhaps all Celestial Spirit Church Grand Priestesses suffered similarly, as they were raised in the same manner.

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