"Nothing?"
"How could there be nothing?"
"Was I hearing things just now?"
After sweeping the area several times with his divine sense and finding no abnormalities, confusion surfaced on the Light Pope's face.
Shaking his head, he decided he must have been frightened by Locke's soul attack earlier—so much so that he'd imagined things.
Yet just as the Light Pope was about to resume his cultivation, vast quantities of water-element particles gathered before him, eventually forming into Locke's figure.
This was an elemental avatar Locke had condensed through his absolute control over elements within his Divine Domain. Using the same method by which his divine power had once formed a godly body at the moment of ascension, he shaped this clone—one capable of carrying a portion of his soul power.
"Yo. Long time no see, Your Holiness," Locke greeted casually.
"Locke?"
"How are you here?!"
The Light Pope was startled. He immediately activated his upper-grade defensive divine artifact, seeking a bit of reassurance.
Only after doing so did he darken his expression and question Locke in a deep voice.
"Lord Locke, may I ask what business brings you here so late at night?"
Though wary of Locke's terrifying soul attack that could strip away all five senses, the Light Pope was not truly afraid of him here in the grand cathedral.
As the Pope of the Church of Light, he could directly contact his Sovereign through a sacrificial ritual and spend merit points to summon angels to descend.
Locke was merely a newly ascended Demigod. A single four-winged angel would be more than enough to kill him.
Of course, to prevent himself from being struck first and losing his senses, the Light Pope had already completed his connection to the altar moments ago.
The instant his five senses vanished, the altar would be activated.
"Your Holiness, I'm preparing to leave the Wakanda Plane and head for the Divine Planes," Locke said calmly.
"Oh?"
To be honest, after taking Locke's Celestial Dance Treasure Wheel head-on and experiencing that absolute darkness, the Light Pope was still deeply shaken by him.
So when he heard Locke say he was leaving the Wakanda Plane, a trace of joy unconsciously crept onto the Pope's lips.
But very quickly, he realized something was wrong.
If Locke was leaving, then so be it. Why come to see him before departing?
The Light Pope's face immediately darkened.
"Hahaha. It seems Your Holiness has figured it out as well," Locke laughed.
Judging from the Pope's expression, Locke knew he already understood why Locke had come.
"Your Holiness, you know as well as I do—divine artifacts cannot be used by a new owner unless the former owner severs their bond."
"And you also know my attainments in the soul."
"If you don't wish to be enslaved by my soul and become my servant, then Your Holiness would do well to personally sever your connection with the Rising Sun Spear."
"Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to expend part of my soul power to place you under soul enslavement."
"And when that happens, what you lose won't be just an upper-grade offensive divine artifact."
"Locke, you—!"
Hearing Locke's threat, the Light Pope's expression changed drastically. He raised a trembling finger toward Locke's elemental avatar, shaking with rage.
"Your Holiness, my time is limited. Please make your decision quickly," Locke said indifferently.
The elemental avatar paid no attention to the Pope's outburst. Instead, Locke quietly guided his soul power, tugging at the fear within the Light Pope's soul and amplifying it.
At the same time, he continued speaking—accelerating the process.
"Your Holiness, you know very well that once the Dawn Spear is taken by me, I'll never return it."
"After I leave the Wakanda Plane, it will be even more impossible for it to ever return to your hands."
"Since that's the case, what are you still holding on to?"
"Giving up the Spear costs you nothing."
"On the contrary, if you refuse me, you should know exactly what kind of treatment awaits you once you're enslaved by my soul."
"Not only the Rising Sun Spear—your upper-grade defensive divine artifact as well. I'll order you to sever its bond and offer it to me."
"Furthermore, when I head to the Divine Planes, I'll take you with me."
"The dangers of the Divine Planes hardly need explanation. I'm sure Your Holiness understands them well."
"When danger arises, I'll send you."
"I'll have you risk your life, working yourself to the bone, while I stay safely in a secure city, enjoying the resources you've earned through blood and sweat…"
As Locke's words guided him onward, the fear within the Light Pope's soul gradually spread, occupying most of it.
Unconsciously, the scenes Locke described surfaced vividly in his mind—
On one side, himself fighting desperately in the Divine Planes, risking life and limb to obtain a bit of precious resources.
On the other, himself kneeling before Locke, offering up those same resources still stained with his own blood—only to receive not praise, but disgust at the blood sullied upon them…
"Ah—ahhhhhh!"
"No! I don't want this!"
"I'll give it to you! I don't want that damn Spear anymore! I'll sever my connection with it right now!"
The terrifyingly realistic illusion completely broke the Light Pope.
Without a soul-defense divine artifact, his soul before Locke was no different from that of a three-year-old child—utterly helpless, to be kneaded and shaped at will.
In sheer terror, the Light Pope spat out a mouthful of blood, ruthlessly severing his bond with the Dawn Spear.
In the sky, Locke waved his hand.
Instantly, the golden Rising Sun Spear appeared in his grasp.
He sliced his thumb with the nail of his middle finger, and a drop of crimson blood flew from his fingertip.
Unlike before, when it had been rejected, this time Locke's blood merged smoothly into the Rising Sun Spear.
At once, Locke felt a faint connection form between himself and the weapon.
When he channeled divine power into it, the Spear let out a resonant hum. The trembling spear tip sliced through space itself, carving a thin black line across the fabric of the Wakanda Plane.
Seeing it's might, Locke nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he wrapped the Rising Sun Spear completely in his divine power. Shrouded in blue light, the weapon instantly concealed all of its sharpness.
Unless Locke actively dispelled that divine power, no one would ever guess that this ordinary looking Spear was a rare upper-grade offensive divine artifact.
Casting one last glance at the grand cathedral, Locke withdrew his soul power.
The elemental avatar before the Light Pope dissolved into countless water-element particles, scattering into nothingness…
(End of Chapter)
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