Chapter 224: Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing
The air in the tavern grew fouler. Li Wen, like a statue merged with the shadows, observed and listened silently. Her hood was pulled low, revealing only her beautifully shaped jawline and pale lips.
Time slowly passed amidst the din. During this period, she heard at least three versions of legends about the “Sea Serpent Queen’s” treasure, each asserted with conviction but riddled with flaws. She also heard about an unfortunate adventuring party that encountered mutated sand crabs outside the city and was almost wiped out, and sailors complaining about increasingly stringent port taxes. There was also mention of a new “Church” that seemed to be recruiting followers, promising eternal life and wealth.
Eternal life?
Li Wen’s fingertip lightly tapped the rough wooden table. This word struck a sensitive nerve. For most people in this world, eternal life was a distant dream, a boon from the gods, a forbidden magic, and a privilege of saints. It was associated with the lingering undead of the Decayed Lineage, flesh-mutated beings who transformed themselves, or ancient sorcery requiring sacrifices and rituals, usually accompanied by great costs and terrifying side effects. It was rare for any respectable church to so openly claim they could bestow “eternal life” upon their followers.
Just as she was contemplating how to inquire further about this “newly emerging church,” the heavy wooden door of the tavern was brutally pushed open.
The boisterous conversation instantly dropped a few decibels, and all eyes were drawn to the entrance.
A group of five people entered. Their attire was vastly different from the sailors or adventurers within the tavern. These individuals wore uniformly colored grey and white robes, embroidered with a simple yet conspicuous cross insignia in blood-red thread. They bore a near-fanatical calm on their faces, their gazes sweeping over everyone in the tavern as if appraising lost lambs.
When Li Wen’s gaze fell upon the insignia on their chests, she immediately connected it to the bounty notice on the port’s bulletin board. The commission to seek information about “Black Reef Bay” and “Cape of Submergence” might very well have been issued by the organization with this cross insignia.
“Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing!” someone exclaimed in a low voice, a hint of fear and curiosity in their tone.
The man at the forefront was tall and slender. He walked to the center of the tavern and spoke in an overly loud and infectious voice, “May Glor… no, may the eternal light bless you all, travelers from afar, weary souls!”
His companions immediately dispersed within the tavern, smiling as they approached those who appeared to be newly arrived outsiders. They carried no weapons and had gentle expressions, but their unquestionable demeanor exuded a subtle sense of pressure.
“We are messengers of the Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing,” the tall, slender man continued, his voice possessing a strange penetrative quality that could drown out the tavern’s existing noise, “We are here to deliver the truth to every soul yearning for salvation.”
He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present, including Li Wen’s corner. “Death is not the end, nor is suffering inevitable. In this world filled with decay and despair, our Lord, the Great Bestower, is willing to grant the boon of eternal life to every devout follower.”
The atmosphere in the tavern became exceptionally eerie. The rough and boisterous sailors and adventurers were mostly silent now, some lowering their heads to drink, others looking at these uninvited guests with mockery or suspicion. A few travelers new to Port Beren displayed curiosity, even wavering expressions.
Li Wen, hidden beneath her hood, made no hasty moves. She carefully observed these cult members and, at a glance, confirmed that none of them were Transcendent. However, the tall, slender man was noteworthy. His words carried an indescribable seductive power. Although he didn’t use any obvious Extraordinary Power, he could easily capture the attention of others.
“Eternal blessing? How utterly laughable!” a half-drunk sailor suddenly slammed the table and stood up, pointing at the tall, slender man and yelling, “You liars! What god can bestow eternal life? Death is the destiny of all! You are just scum trying to cheat people out of their money!”
The gentle smiles on the cult members’ faces did not disappear. One of the sturdy believers walked towards the sailor. His movements seemed slow but carried an irresistible sense of power.
“My friend, your soul is obscured by the suffering of the mortal realm,” the sturdy believer said calmly. As he approached the sailor, the ring on his finger inadvertently flashed with a faint light, imperceptible to others. “Only by accepting our Lord’s boon can your sins be cleansed and you enjoy eternal bliss.”
He didn’t attack, only stood in front of the sailor. However, the sailor seemed to be suppressed by some invisible force. His face, initially showing anger, then turned to fear, and finally collapsed to the ground, letting out broken whimpers as if he had seen something extremely terrifying.
This scene instantly quelled the rising chatter in the tavern. Everyone fell silent, none daring to mock or question further. Even the seasoned adventurers lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with the cult members.
Not Transcendent, yet possessing magically empowered items? Interesting… A hint of interest flickered across Li Wen’s face, and she chose to continue observing.
“Our church is located in the Port District,” the tall, slender man continued, as if oblivious to what had just happened, still speaking in that seductive voice. “Any soul yearning to understand the true meaning of eternal life is welcome to visit. Our Lord’s brilliance shines in all directions, and the door to eternal life is open to everyone.”
They stayed in the tavern for a while, distributing some flyers bearing the cross insignia, and then left under the silent gaze of the crowd.
Li Wen did not move. She remained seated in the corner, her thoughts racing.
This “Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing” not only had a bizarre name but also an extremely assertive style of operation. Furthermore, the power they used, although it only frightened the sailor, possessed a silent influence that no ordinary person could wield. It was undoubtedly the use of magically empowered extraordinary items. Moreover, their insignia matched the bounty notice, which almost confirmed their direct connection to the secrets of “Black Reef Bay” and “Cape of Submergence.”
Could they be related to that Soul Lord?
Li Wen pondered. She needed to get close to this cult to understand their background and why they were interested in those two places.
But not now. Li Wen glanced at the sky, which was gradually darkening outside.
At this time, Fu Qingyan and the others should have finished their work and regained their freedom? She should go find her to ask about the Sea Chart. If nothing unexpected happened, the underwater ruins depicted on the Sea Chart might be closely related to the place where the Soul Lord was sealed.
