Chapter 83: A Devout Prayer

However, the anticipated scene of bloodshed did not unfold. For when the monstrous army stepped foot near the monastery—or more precisely, when they came within three hundred meters of the Hall of Paladins—the hall’s enemy-repelling effect activated. These monsters, all hailing from the negative space, radiated immense negative energy, making them the very targets the Hall of Paladins was meant to eradicate. In that instant, the hall erupted in dazzling golden holy light, illuminating the earth like divine judgment. All rift monsters that touched the holy light were utterly annihilated, not a trace left behind.

The splendid spectacle left countless onlookers dumbfounded. Only after a long pause did they regain their senses. Then, led by the fanatics, the people knelt on the ground, hands clasped devoutly in front of them, fervently praying. In their eyes, this was the Father’s protection, the guidance of light, bringing them a sanctuary amidst the perils of darkness.

For a time, fear, confusion, anger, and helplessness swiftly faded, leaving only sincere prayers and gratitude toward the Father, along with hope that He would once more display His might and destroy the remaining monsters.

As the object of their faith, Link felt immense pressure. He too wished to wipe out all the rift monsters in one sweep, but the problem was that he still hadn’t figured out how to activate the incarnation effect of the advanced structures, nor did he truly understand what this so-called incarnation effect even was.

He had wandered through the Hall of Paladins countless times but could not find a way to activate the incarnation effect. Helpless, he left the hall, only to find the grounds outside crowded with kneeling refugees and powerless devotees, all seeking shelter. They prayed devoutly, yearning for the Father’s grace to save them.

Looking at the faithful, Link’s mood soured. Although the Hall of Paladins’ effect could ensure their safety, allowing the rift monsters to rampage unchallenged would be a severe blow to his divine prestige. Monsters were already at the doorstep, the faithful were praying with all their hearts, and yet the god they worshipped did nothing. No matter how great a being, such inaction would deeply erode the trust and devotion of believers, perhaps even causing the congregation to waver.

“Damn it, system, what is this incarnation effect, exactly? Can’t you just explain it clearly? That scoundrel Lebron-Anthony, even in death he won’t let me rest, how disgusting…” Link cursed inwardly, but was at a loss. The rift monsters were too troublesome, and there was no way to close the dimensional rift. How was he to solve this predicament?

As time passed, Uther and the others finally retreated to the monastery, and all survivors from Qinke Town gathered there.

Looking at the fallen devotees, Link felt as though his heart was bleeding. They were the backbone of the Church of the Father, each a vibrant life—now lost to a horde of monsters from another dimension. He wished he could flay Lebron and the cult of Baal, the masterminds, and destroy their souls.

But that was only a fantasy. He couldn’t even resolve the immediate crisis, so what good was thinking of anything else?

“No, I must find a solution quickly. Who knows how long this dimensional rift will last, and the monsters are growing more numerous. The longer this drags on, the worse it will be for us. Even with the Hall of Paladins protecting us, who’s to say how long the holy light can keep destroying monsters? If the hall’s power has a limit, we’re doomed.”

He glanced at the Hall of Paladins, which continued to radiate golden holy light, vaporizing wave after wave of rift beasts, and his brows knitted tightly. If White Spirit were here, he could have transformed the hall back into a construction stone and flown straight to the rift, using the hall’s power to destroy it. But White Spirit was in Bass City, hundreds of kilometers away—far beyond the reach of his spiritual senses.

Traveling by land would mean slowly fighting their way there, leaving the congregation and townsfolk without the hall’s protection exposed to danger. It was a dilemma with no real choice at all.

Before long, the rift monsters ceased their relentless assault and instead began to encircle the monastery. They were not mindless beasts. Sensing the might of the hall’s holy light, they chose to bide their time. Yet their urge for destruction remained unchecked. Even without attacking the monastery, many monsters returned to Qinke Town and began to lay waste to the newly prospering settlement. Flames soared skyward, visible from afar.

Witnessing their homes ravaged by monsters, the townsfolk’s faces twisted in fear. Then, the wealthy among them began to wail and beat their chests, crying out for their homes and fortunes, their grief soon spreading to the rest. Tears and sorrow swept through the crowd—there is no greater agony than watching one’s home destroyed and being powerless to stop it.

Attachment to one’s homeland is universal, no matter the world or nation.

“Merciful Father, we beg you, please grant us your grace once more. Drive away these vile monsters, we implore you!” An old man, grief-stricken, knelt before the Hall of Paladins. This time, his prayer was not only devout, but also laden with sorrow and anger.

Led by the old man, the people raised their voices in tearful prayers, hoping that the Father they worshipped would save them. Some pleaded with Link to intercede with the Father on their behalf. Many even knelt at Link’s feet, begging for help.

Confronted with this, Link was both anxious and helpless. If he truly were an omnipotent god, he would have obliterated the monsters instantly, rather than let them run rampant through Qinke Town.

The Church’s warriors were equally frustrated and powerless. They longed to charge out and fight the monsters, but Link and the other leaders forbade it. All they could do was stare helplessly at the creatures outside, clenching their fists so tightly their nails dug into their palms, some biting their lips until they bled.

Helplessness, anger, confusion, fear, sorrow…

Negative emotions spread throughout the monastery. Unanswered prayers began to shake the people’s faith. Some wondered if this was divine punishment, others doubted the Father’s existence.

Such thoughts inevitably spread, and both visible and invisible crises beset the Church. Link knew that the Church of the Father now stood at the brink of survival.

At that moment, the system, silent until now, suddenly chimed in.

[Ding! Critical crisis threatening the survival of host’s religion detected. Advanced structure incarnation effect unlocked.]

“…Damn it to hell!” Link couldn’t help cursing. So the so-called incarnation feature had been locked all along, no wonder there was never any response. The damn system really was the ultimate scam!

Though he seethed with anger, Link had no time to argue with the system. He immediately reached out and touched the Hall of Paladins, and a new effect’s information appeared.

Incarnation: Allows an advanced structure to manifest as an entity of overwhelming power to destroy enemies and avert disaster. Can only be used in great calamities. Requires a large number of afflicted believers to direct pure, sincere prayers to the host, who must then channel these prayers into the structure to be incarnated, guided by the host’s own holy power.

“Holy power is needed for guidance? So that’s what it’s for!” Link’s eyes shone with realization. At last, he knew what purpose that mysterious holy power served. Looking around at the crowd, he spread his arms and spoke with a voice full of compassion, “Lost lambs, disaster has come upon us, and the Father knows all. He has always watched, always waited. Yet you have disappointed Him.”

At this, everyone was stunned. A believer asked in confusion, “Merciful and great Archbishop Neil, why do you say this? Why is the Father disappointed? Have our prayers not been devout enough?”

Link nodded. “This calamity is of our own making, and so it is for mortals to resolve. But the Father is merciful; He cannot bear to see us suffer. Thus, He has poured His supreme power into the Hall of Paladins, granting us a refuge in the midst of disaster. All the while, He has pondered whether to bestow grace again and help us through this crisis. Yet some among us have disappointed the great Father. There are those who doubt His mercy, who believe He deceives us, who think He does not care for our lives. All this has brought Him deep disappointment—no anger, no hatred, only profound sorrow for His children, for the lack of trust from His faithful!”

As he spoke, Link’s gaze swept over the congregation. Many lowered their heads in shame, except for Lin Xi, who stood in a corner, eyeing Link coldly with deep disappointment and disdain, as if convinced he was deceiving them.

Link’s eyesight was sharp, and Lin Xi stood out from the rest, but he paid her no mind. As long as she did not cause trouble, he cared little whether any individual believed him.

When most were lost and uneasy, blaming those around them and wondering who had doubted the Father, Link changed his tone. “Yet the Father is ever merciful. As long as we sincerely repent and pray devoutly to Him, He will forgive our failings—even those of the doubters. Remember, it is not the Father who needs our faith; it is we who need to believe in the Father. Now, let us close our eyes and pray to the exalted Father, beseeching Him to grant us grace and help us destroy these monsters from another world!”

With that, Link closed his eyes in prayer. The people, following his lead, set aside their turmoil and earnestly prayed, hoping the Father would grant them deliverance.

In this moment, the rampaging monsters outside no longer mattered. All hearts were fixed on whether their prayers were sincere enough and whether the Father would forgive their doubts.

In such an atmosphere, even the few who did not believe in Link were affected. From afar, Lin Xi watched Link pray with utmost devotion and could not help but murmur, “It is not the god who needs faith, but people who need faith… Perhaps, that truly is the case…”

With those words, Lin Xi too closed her eyes and joined the others in prayer.