Chapter Fifty: The Star God Sect and the Temple of the Mad God

People from the Star God Church!

At that moment, Elia grew flustered. Although she was now a devout follower of Link, her past as a member of the Star God Church made her uneasy in the face of her former brethren. With a thin-skinned nature, Elia found herself at a loss.

Meanwhile, Saga and Aeolus were indignant at the Star God Church members for verbally attacking Link. Link’s former position as a priest of the Star God Church was already public knowledge—they had known for some time and would not be shaken by the words of outsiders. If not for Link signaling them with a glance to stay calm, they would have already rushed forward to defend their archbishop’s honor.

After soothing Saga and Aeolus, and signaling the Celestial Spirit Church members not to intervene, Link rose and walked forward. He glanced at the Star God Church’s leader, then smiled warmly. “Before the Father, so it is Bishop Amon. Long time no see. I heard recently that you’ve been promoted to White-robed Bishop—it seems the news was true. Congratulations, truly.”

The middle-aged man called Amon showed no interest in Link's polite words. He replied coldly, “Hmph, who says it’s been a long time? Neil-Night, you despicable heretic, what right do you have to attend the Festival of All Gods? Take your people and leave at once—do not sully this sacred celebration with your presence!”

With those words, any pretense was torn away, and the crowd erupted into whispers. Saga and Aeolus’s faces darkened with anger, and even Elia, despite her earlier anxiety, now glared at Amon in indignation, her sense of guilt replaced by resentment.

Link, however, showed no sign of anger. He narrowed his eyes in a smile—a look well known among his friends as a warning that misfortune was about to befall someone.

Just as Link was about to speak, the Grand Elder of the Celestial Spirit Church, Lingfeng, stepped forward to speak on his behalf. “Bishop Amon, your words are out of line.” As she spoke, she joined Link, and when all eyes turned her way, she continued, “Archbishop Neil is the founder of the Church of the Father. If he has no right to attend the Festival of All Gods, who does? Or do you, Bishop Amon, imagine your authority surpasses that of the Count and the Five Great Churches, that you can alter their rules at will? The law of the kingdom is clear: so long as it is obeyed, any religious representative and any citizen may participate in the All Gods Festival of the Red Moon Province.”

Her statement only fueled the murmurs around them. Link glanced at Lingfeng, inwardly amused—he had planned to say just that, but it was far more effective coming from another’s lips.

Amon’s expression shifted at Lingfeng’s pointed remark. If Count Lothar heard it, it might be nothing, but if the Five Great Churches caught wind of it, they would surely seize the opportunity to put pressure on the Star God Church. In recent years, the Star God Church had grown in power and was already eyeing the Papal Throne, drawing hostility from the other five, who would not miss any chance to suppress them.

With that in mind, Amon immediately donned a mask of piety. “By the grace of the Star God, madam, you misunderstand me. I was merely unsettled to see a traitor to the Star God among us. I never intended to violate the rules of the festival.” He paused, then, wary of being further cornered, changed the subject abruptly. “But tell me, madam, who might you be?”

“Madam?” Lingfeng laughed at the title, her beautiful smile making many hearts race, but her next words left everyone stunned. “Forgive me, but I am unworthy of such a title. Though I appear young, I am already over sixty—old enough, perhaps, to be your grandmother. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Lingfeng, Grand Elder of the Celestial Spirit Church.”

A hush fell over the crowd as her words sank in, then a ripple of astonishment spread. Even Link was surprised; though he had known Lingfeng’s appearance belied her age, he hadn’t imagined the difference was so great—she looked like a woman in her twenties, yet was over sixty.

Amon, after a moment’s shock, showed a flicker of calculation in his eyes. He nodded, hurled one last threat at Link, then led his group away. The swiftness with which he retreated was a stark contrast to his earlier aggression, leaving many baffled, Link included—until he saw Amon and his followers join the company of the Temple of the Mad God. Then, understanding dawned.

Lingfeng leaned in and whispered, “It seems the Temple of the Mad God and the Star God Church have struck some sort of accord. Archbishop Neil, be on your guard.”

Link nodded silently. He had wondered why Amon had come on so strong at the outset. True, his apostasy was a fact, but everyone knew the Star God Church had neglected and even abandoned the church at Qinke Town. Even if he hadn’t defected, it was only a matter of time before things fell apart. Normally, the Star God Church might not befriend him, but they would not make an enemy of him either, since the Church of the Father was not insignificant. Now, seeing the Star God Church conspiring with the Temple of the Mad God, Link understood the reason.

Indeed, compared to building ties with a new sect, it made more sense to ally with an established one. The Temple of the Mad God was truly shameless—refusing to give up even after being suppressed by the Three Great Churches. It seemed that, at this Festival of All Gods, Link would not be allowed to remain a bystander.

Amon was a formidable adversary. Although Link did not know him well, he was keenly aware of this fact; otherwise, Amon could never have bested so many rivals to become a White-robed Bishop. Coming to provoke them today, Amon had clearly not expected the Celestial Spirit Church to have already allied with the Church of the Father—nor could he have foreseen the Grand Elder stepping forward in Link’s defense after only a few words. Once he realized the situation, Amon showed no concern for his own dignity, but retreated at once—a level of decisiveness that made him more formidable than any of Link’s previous opponents.

After reflecting for a moment, Link led his group back to their seats and engaged in friendly conversation with Lingfeng, as if the earlier confrontation had never occurred. For the crowd, however, it was enough to fuel their gossip for some time. The most discussed topic was Lingfeng’s youthful appearance.

This mystery was quickly resolved by those in the know among the audience. The Celestial Spirit Church possessed a unique secret art for preserving youth and beauty, enabling its practitioners to appear in their teens or twenties even at nearly a hundred years old. The three elders of the Celestial Spirit Church were renowned, the youngest being fifty-five and the eldest, Lingfeng, already sixty-two, though they were rarely seen by outsiders. As a result, few recognized the trio.

After some explanation, many women in the crowd grew envious of the secret art—what woman does not prize beauty? The prospect of eternal youth was enough to make them green with jealousy.

Those in the know, however, scoffed at the envy of others and were quick to point out the costs. The art was not truly a secret; the Celestial Spirit Church had once traded it with other factions. Yet it demanded an extraordinary price—one could not eat, but had to sustain oneself through meditation and magical energy alone. This alone was enough to discourage most, not for lack of will, but because few could truly grasp the essence of the art. Dying of starvation during practice was a real risk.

Even if one succeeded in the first stage, there were further hardships: seclusion, austerity, abstinence, no sunlight—trials ordinary people could hardly endure. By the time the art was mastered, one would avoid society altogether, living in perpetual retreat. For many women, such an ascetic, cloistered existence seemed worse than the natural passage of age.

Moreover, though the art prolonged life, it only extended it to a little over a hundred years. When Death came calling, there was still no escape.

Upon learning of the art’s stringent requirements and limited results, those who had been jealous quickly reconsidered, and many women even looked at the three elders with sympathy. While their discipline was admirable, living a life deprived of all pleasure and never being able to display one’s beauty seemed a heavy price to pay.

Since mastering the Nine Suns Divine Art, Link’s hearing had become sharper, and the lively discussions were not lost on him. Glancing at Lingfeng in surprise, he was met with her gentle smile. “Archbishop Neil, are you also interested in our secret art for preserving youth?”

Link laughed and shrugged. “I suppose I am, but the limitations of your art are too great to tempt me. Besides, as a messenger of the Father, I believe our great Father will one day bestow something even better.”

“The Father, is it…” Lingfeng nodded, saying no more, though her gaze would often drift toward the seats of the Temple of the Mad God and the Star God Church.

That day, Lingfeng led the Celestial Spirit Church as their sole elder at the festival. For them, the Festival of All Gods was little more than a formality, and rarely did other powers trouble them. But now that they had chosen to ally with the Church of the Father, Link’s problems had become their own as well.

After mulling it over, Lingfeng whispered a few words to Lingmeng, who, though she appeared annoyed, got up and plopped herself down beside Link, leaving him and the others momentarily puzzled. Lingmeng merely muttered, “That old woman told me to sit here and watch your back in case anything happens.”

Link nodded in understanding and gave Lingfeng a grateful look. Though she had sent only Lingmeng, it was a clear sign of the Celestial Spirit Church’s stance. With their high priestess at his side, the rest of the church would not stand aloof if trouble arose. It was an unspoken pledge that, should the need arise, they would stand together with the Church of the Father.

With the support of the Celestial Spirit Church, Link felt more at ease. Having been rooted in Bath City for five centuries, the Celestial Spirit Church was the true local power. No matter how strong the Temple of the Mad God or the Star God Church, they could not hope to challenge the Celestial Spirit Church on its home turf.

With that thought, Link turned to chat with the two women beside him. Elia was easily pleased—simply being at Link’s side made her happy. Lingmeng, for all her coldness and lack of decorum, was not unfriendly. After spending several days together, Link had learned how to get along with her.

In this relaxed atmosphere, the hall gradually filled to capacity. At nine o’clock sharp, Count Lothar, as host, made a grand entrance with his son Brand. Together with the patriarchs of the Five Great Churches, they formally declared the opening of the Festival of All Gods.