The great battle ended.
Wu Sheng arrived above Wenlan City and looked at Chen Fan.
"Thanks."
Chen Fan clasped his fist.
This time, if not for Wu Sheng's help, the Supreme One from the Hall of Gods would have attacked from afar even if he couldn't figure things out.
Chen Fan was also exhausted from the battle.
Wu Sheng shook his head and said, "In four days, we will charge into the Gate of Space."
"Good."
This was also Chen Fan's wish.
"Then, see you in four days."
Wu Sheng was decisive and turned to leave.
All that remained was to wait for the Gate of Space to open in four days.
...
"City Lord."
Below, there were still shouts.
In the eyes of the residents of Wenlan City, Chen Fan had become a god.
Currently, Wenlan City, apart from the Hall of Gods, had established itself as the strongest force in Dameria.
"Heh heh."
Laughter came from the south, and a group of figures approached rapidly.
Madam Howard personally led the powerhouses of the Beast Legion to Wenlan City. "Congratulations, City Lord, congratulations, City Lord, for repelling the Hall of Gods."
"You flatter me, Madam."
As allies, Chen Fan remained calm and smiled, "The victory in this battle also owes a debt of gratitude to the Beast Legion for holding back the Dark Church."
"City Lord, you jest. Compared to you, the Beast Legion did almost nothing."
This was the truth.
The Beast Legion and the Dark Church had been in a standoff without engaging in battle.
"Please."
Chen Fan gestured.
The arrival of the Beast Legion army was naturally not just to offer congratulations.
"Please."
Madam Howard led her people down.
Following them, the Skull Society also arrived.
The two Skull Kings came together. With their physical bodies restored, they had identical appearances.
"You..." Chen Fan was surprised.
"Twins."
The two were so alike that it was impossible to tell who was the real Skull King.
Chen Fan understood and directly gestured, "Please."
The two nodded and entered the Eastern Manor.
Unlike the Beast Legion who arrived in full force, only the two seemingly identical Skull Kings came from the Skull Society.
...
Inside the Eastern Manor, everyone retreated.
When overlords discuss matters, it requires discretion.
Other guests were naturally received by Lan Kuang.
Fire Demon returned to his residence to eat, Tinnuk was nowhere to be found, and Old Demon Chu had not emerged from his room since returning.
...
In the pavilion in the courtyard.
Four people were seated.
Chen Fan waved his hand, and hot tea automatically appeared. "I'm not used to coffee, so I'll offer tea instead."
"You are too kind, City Lord."
Madam Howard smiled, picked up her teacup, and took a sip. "Eastern tea does have a unique flavor."
Compared to bitter coffee, tea was much more palatable.
The Skull King brothers did not drink, sitting in silence.
"Alright."
Since they weren't here specifically for tea, let's get to the point. "Three of you, please speak directly."
The Skull King spoke, "In four days, the Gate of Space will open, and a great battle will inevitably erupt. The Skull Society has come to ask City Lord Chen how you plan to proceed in these four days?"
"What?"
Chen Fan did not understand.
"The Western Regions."
Madam Howard reminded him, "The Western Regions are still under lockdown. How will you deal with the Dark Church?"
The Skull King added, "The Dark Church is very likely to flee to the Hall of Gods."
"Oh?"
Chen Fan raised an eyebrow.
Could it be?
Thinking about it... it was quite possible.
What if the Dark Church abandoned the Western Regions and went to the Hall of Gods?
If that were the case, perhaps something undesirable would happen.
Chen Fan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Since that's the case, send people to the Western Regions."
No matter what, they had to confirm the Dark Church's next move.
This time, the Dark Church had not taken any action, merely deterred the Beast Legion. Their crime was not particularly severe.
The Skull King continued, "I understand the Dark Pope's personality very well. If the three leaders of our factions go to persuade him, and with discipline to set things right, he might even defect."
"But if we only send our subordinates, it's very likely to backfire."
The Skull Society had interacted with the Dark Church for countless years.
No one understood the Dark Pope's personality better than the Skull Society.
"We all go?" Chen Fan asked.
He was not familiar with the Dark Pope.
"We can choose not to go, but you must."
The Skull King responded in a manner that echoed the Dark Pope's speech, "Our current alliance has already placed Wenlan City at its head."
"If I don't go? Will the Dark Church definitely join the Hall of Gods?"
"Not necessarily."
The Skull King chose his words carefully. "It's also possible they might take their people and go to a faraway land."
In any case, they would not be able to fight alone.
"Understood."
Without delay, Chen Fan stood up. "Let's go to the Western Regions."
*Whoosh.*
Madam Howard and the Skull King brothers breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that Chen Fan was willing to show humility.
"Let's go together," the Skull King suggested.
Madam Howard had the same idea.
...
Western Regions.
Dark Holy Temple.
"Gurgle."
The blood pool churned, and the Dark Pope once again sank into the blood pool.
Around him, all the Dark Bishops had gathered in the great hall.
The woman who had accompanied the Dark Pope to the Holy Mountain was also present, along with a few unfamiliar faces.
"Whoosh."
A gust of cold wind blew into the hall.
This gust of wind carried a trace of crimson, distinct from the cold wind within the hall. It was colder.
Everyone in the hall felt a bone-chilling cold.
"Tu, you are evading."
From the crimson wind, a human voice emerged.
Then, the crimson cold wind coalesced, forming a figure draped in a red cloak.
*Gurgle.*
The blood pool churned, and the Dark Pope, for the first time, did not hide himself, floating out of the blood pool.
His name was Tu, and he was the Dark Pope.
The Dark Pope looked at the red-cloaked figure. Behind his mask, only his eyes were visible, cold and ruthless. "Who told you to come out?"
"Heh heh."
The red-cloaked figure's laughter was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time. "If you can't be the Dark Pope, then I will..."
"Get back."
The Dark Pope rebuked angrily.
"Heh heh, Tu, you are still so overbearing."
"..."
The Dark Pope stopped speaking.
His cold eyes slowly filled with intense killing intent.
The red-cloaked figure's aura surged, and the blood pool also churned.
Two powerful energies clashed and churned within the hall...
"Everyone, retreat," the Dark Pope ordered.
No one dared to object.
Everyone quickly withdrew, leaving the hall for the red-cloaked figure and the Pope to contend.
They had seen this situation before.
As soon as they exited...
"Boom."
Powerful gusts of wind began to clash within the hall.
The Dark Holy Temple was extremely sturdy. Although the resounding booms continued, they did not destroy the temple.
After a while...
*Creak.*
The main door of the Holy Temple opened automatically, and the crimson cold wind departed.
"Heh heh, I will return. My good disciple, when I reappear, it will be time to reclaim control of the Dark Church. My good disciple, cherish your remaining time..."