Chapter 103: One General's Glory Built on the Bones of Thousands

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“Hmm…” The Pope was startled by the presence of Cold Ice Flame. At this moment, his face was pale, his mind still recalling the valor of Ice Flame during the Holy War against the Dark Council. Noticing Ice Flame’s sharp gaze, he involuntarily stepped back.

Cold Ice Flame’s lips curved in a faint, enigmatic smile. After glancing at Joseph Peter XVI, he turned his head toward the small island. There, a group of cultivators suffered painfully due to the aftereffects of demonic transformation—their agonized expressions etched deeply into his vision. With a soft sigh, he raised his hand slightly, and a pure white radiance burst forth from his fingertips. “Spirit Essence!” Amaterasu cried out in astonishment, which Ice Flame heard, though he merely smiled gently at her. The pure white light, upon leaving his fingertips, roared like a mighty dragon, surging skyward with a deafening blast that caused the few remaining members of the church to tremble uncontrollably.

At that moment, a light rain began to fall—not ordinary rain, but a shower of pure white light droplets, gentle and incessant. The Spirit Essence Ice Flame had released transformed into tiny particles, descending upon the cultivators below.

“What is this…” One cultivator, upon touching the falling droplets, immediately felt an infusion of energy. The droplets penetrated effortlessly into his body; his once-depleted true essence sprang forth like bamboo shoots after rain. The residual demonic qi was completely eradicated, while the energy within the droplets gradually repaired his damaged meridians and restored the nascent soul within his Purple Mansion. The effect was so astonishing that the cultivators were deeply shaken. Could it be that even after sacrificing oneself to become a demon, one could be restored to normal? Though skeptical, the undeniable results were right before their eyes.

A wave of excitement spread among the cultivators, passing from one to another until the entire gathering was enveloped in astonishment and exhilaration.

Amaterasu watched the scene before her, her small mouth agape as if she could swallow a quail’s egg whole. She knew that she could not heal the wounds caused by demonic sacrifice using Spirit Essence, yet this person here had achieved exactly that. Coupled with the earlier shock of his appearance, Amaterasu was certain that Ice Flame’s cultivation was far beyond hers. In her heart, she had already identified him as the Immortal Emperor Ice Flame.

“Thank you, Immortal, for your rescue.” Qingxu’s figure flickered, and he appeared beside Ice Flame, bowing respectfully.

Qingxu was neither ignorant nor uncultured; he was capable of reasoning and deduction. Putting the pieces together, he immediately guessed that Ice Flame was indeed an immortal.

Cold Ice Flame waved off the thanks, indicating it was nothing, then turned his gaze to the Pope—now it was time to attend to business.

Joseph Peter XVI trembled under Ice Flame’s gaze. He could not fathom what this terrifying man was thinking.

“How shall I deal with you?” Ice Flame narrowed his eyes mischievously, a sly glint flickering at the corner of his eyes, betraying some wicked thoughts.

“Bang!” A heavy collision sounded; Joseph Peter looked fearfully to his right, only to find the Cardinal Chancellor missing. Turning back to Ice Flame, who stood grinning innocently, he could not comprehend the sequence of events, and terror seized his heart. His trembling finger pointed at Ice Flame. “You…”

“That’s right, it’s me!” Another two loud crashes echoed as the two Cardinals on his left vanished. Ice Flame’s figure flashed rapidly, returning to his original spot so quickly that ordinary eyes could not perceive the movement.

Even Amaterasu caught only a faint glimpse.

Clapping his hands lightly, Ice Flame said, “The little flies are gone; now it’s your turn, big-headed fly.” His expression relaxed as he slowly approached Joseph Peter XVI, moving deliberately to build tension and torment.

No point in dawdling any longer; Ice Flame formed a fist and struck. The fist sliced through the air, scattering streaks of light. “Boom!” The world seemed to tremble as the blow landed—such force could flatten a mountain, let alone the Pope’s mortal body.

Yet Ice Flame blew on his little fist, a smirk playing at his lips, then coldly regarded the figure who suddenly appeared before him—a woman clad in shining garments, long hair flowing, her proud figure wrapped in twelve immaculate white wings. The only flaw was her slight stature, barely over 1.6 meters tall, which made her appear delicate and charming.

A twelve-winged female angel—what title should she bear? Twelve wings… a Primordial Angel? Such a being ranked no less than a supreme deity! In Heaven, she would stand just beneath Jehovah himself.

“Meredith, one of Heaven’s Three Great Guardian Angels.” Meredith, the twelve-winged angel, spoke first, her voice clear and hauntingly captivating.

“Eastern warrior, your actions have defiled the glory of God.” Meredith’s face was icy cold, as if she were made of frozen steel.

“Correction: your God, not mine. Besides, this is the East, not the West. I care little for your so-called glory because I do not believe in Him.” Cold Ice Flame raised his hand, speaking deliberately, word by word.

Upon hearing this, Meredith’s expression darkened with anger. “God loves mankind so much that He gave His only begotten son, so that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save it. Those who believe are not condemned; those who do not, have already been judged.”

She continued, “I believe in the one true God, the Almighty Father, Creator of heaven and earth, and all things visible and invisible.” Suddenly, her entire body radiated a golden light.

“I believe in the one Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who was begotten before all worlds by the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, died, and was buried; He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father; He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; His kingdom shall have no end.”

“I believe in the holy, catholic, and apostolic church; I acknowledge the one baptism for the remission of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen!”

Having finished reciting, Meredith’s entire body emitted a myriad of radiant beams. An ancient, earthy tome appeared in her hands.

“The Book of the Six Days of Creation!” the Pope exclaimed in awe, immediately bowing in reverence and remaining quietly by the side.

Cold Ice Flame listened to Meredith’s recitation with a smile in his heart. Merely reciting the Gospel of John—would that suffice? When the ancient book appeared and the Pope cried out, combining the book’s extraordinary aura, his brows furrowed. He knew this tome was a treasure, very likely the sacred scripture from God’s creation. Yet he did not feel troubled; rather, a mischievous impulse stirred within him—it would be delightful to seize this book.

“The first day, God created heaven and earth, separating day from night; the second day, He formed the air and waters; the third day, He brought forth trees, fruits, and plants; the fourth day, sun, moon, and stars; the fifth day, creatures that fly in the sky, swim in the waters, and walk on the earth; the sixth day, God created man in His own image.” The Book of the Six Days of Creation radiated golden light, the glow rippling through the air, exerting immense pressure. Except for Ice Flame, everyone felt an unexplainable dread—such power was overwhelming.

“The seventh day, God rested.” Ice Flame said cheerfully. Yet, miraculously, the oppressive pressure from the book vanished the moment he finished speaking. The Book of Creation emitted a sorrowful buzzing in midair.

Amaterasu was astonished, the cultivators bewildered, the Pope confused, while Meredith was horrified. Who was this man—human or demon—who could suppress the divine might of God’s sacred creation book, instilling fear even in the tome itself?

“There is God in the heart; when needed, He will come. Without God in the heart, when one needs a demon, the demon will come. So, if you think I am God, then I am God; if you think I am a demon, then I am a demon.” Ice Flame whispered as if reading Meredith’s thoughts, his voice soft yet audible to all present.

Shock registered on Meredith’s delicate face. Her expression shifted repeatedly, but she ultimately relented. “Respected warrior, could you spare Joseph this time? He is God’s earthly representative. I, Meredith, must ensure his safety.” She lowered her pride because Ice Flame’s presence was too terrifying.

“Is that so?” Ice Flame replied ambiguously, then coldly said, “What if I want him… dead?”

Meredith was momentarily speechless, then her shining eyes fixed on Ice Flame. “I cannot allow him to be harmed; this is the mission God has entrusted to me. If you insist on killing him, Meredith will have no choice but to oppose you.”

“Do you think you can stop me?” Ice Flame summoned the Purple Sword. Its violet light flashed brilliantly, an overwhelming aura sweeping the heavens. Both Amaterasu and Meredith were startled, immediately understanding Ice Flame’s resolve to kill the Pope. Meredith hastily conjured a light barrier to shield the Pope. Yet, the moment the barrier touched the Purple Sword, it shattered instantly. “Pfft!” The Purple Sword pierced Joseph Peter XVI, whose unwilling gaze shattered as his body exploded with a thunderous blast.

“You!” Meredith was at a loss for words. Ice Flame had utterly disrespected her by killing God’s representative before her eyes—and she was powerless to stop him.

Cold Ice Flame’s smile returned as he addressed the lone remaining Cardinal in red: “You may leave. I will not kill you.”

The Cardinal glanced at Meredith, who nodded slightly. Staying would only be a burden. Seeing her nod, the Cardinal departed, dragging his exhausted body into the distance.

“Lano Mans, good luck!” Ice Flame smiled, identifying the remaining Cardinal by name.

Turning to a furious Meredith, Ice Flame knew she was angry at being disregarded, having witnessed the Pope’s death before her very eyes. “What’s this? Are you upset?” he teased.

Meredith said nothing but scoffed and tried to leave. Ice Flame waved his hand and instantly cast a restriction around her, preventing her from opening a spatial gate to escape.

“What are you doing?!” Meredith’s anger surged. Who was this child to kill the Pope and now imprison her?

“I know you’re angry. But without my arrival, how many cultivators would have perished? Without their brave resistance, how many innocent mortals would have lost their lives?” Seeing Meredith’s continued defiance, Ice Flame’s tone grew harsh: “You claim God is merciful, yet you do not regard the people of the East as human. Such hypocrisy!”

“Don’t even think of returning to Heaven. You look quite good; you might as well stay and be my servant.” Without waiting for her reply, Ice Flame sealed her powers and knocked her unconscious. Cradling the fainted Meredith, he chuckled to himself. A twelve-winged Primordial Angel was a rare existence in Heaven; he would reluctantly accept her as his captive.

Then he approached Amaterasu and said, “Take care of her.” Tossing the unconscious Meredith to her, Ice Flame turned to Qingxu and the others. “Find a place. I have some matters to discuss with you.”

Qingxu and a few others exchanged glances, then nodded respectfully. “Since Immortal has words to speak, why not come to the Daoist Hall of my Jade Void Palace in the cultivation realm? Our Jade Void Palace inherits the Dao of the Primordial Supreme Elder Lord. Your presence would surely bring great honor.”

After speaking, Qingxu glanced at the mortal cultivators, their faces streaked with blood, and added, “We also welcome cultivators from the mortal realm to visit the cultivation realm. The gates of Jade Void Palace are open to you.”

His words sparked a commotion among the mortal cultivators. Their cultivation methods were often incomplete, missing chapters and guidance, and their realms were generally low. Achieving even the Out-of-Body stage was remarkable for them. Most had never been to the cultivation realm, so to train in a place with richer spiritual energy was irresistibly alluring.

Hearing Qingxu’s invitation, they felt as if the once narrow gate to cultivation had fully opened.

Qingxu’s statement represented the Jade Void Palace—heir to the Primordial Supreme Elder Lord’s Dao—as officially welcoming mortal cultivators. After all, cultivation chiefly followed the Primordial Supreme Elder Lord’s tradition, and Jade Void Palace was among the most orthodox sects between the divine and mortal realms.

The Chaotic Demon Sect’s leader was unwilling to be outdone and declared, “The gates of my Chaotic Demon Sect are also open to all.”

With these two prominent leaders speaking, the entry of mortal cultivators into the cultivation realm was assured.

Representatives of the mortal cultivators—White Brow Daoist of Kunlun Sect, Gu Danqiu of Shushan Sword Sect, Situ Lanya of Tianyue Pavilion, and the wandering cultivator Bian Xingzhao—expressed gratitude and enthusiastically consented to the integration.

This was a joyous outcome; everyone smiled broadly, and Ice Flame watched with a faint expression of satisfaction.

Yet after the smiles faded, a wave of melancholy and sorrow spread. Although the entire church had been annihilated, and even the Pope had died in this Eastern Expedition, the cultivation realm had suffered heavy losses. Conservatively, over thirty thousand cultivators had fallen—a devastating blow to a total population of only about one hundred thousand. Following this battle, Eastern cultivation would require a long time to regain its vigor.

Gazing out over the vast, boundless sea, one could see that for every general’s success, countless bones were buried beneath. In this sea lay the silent graves of innumerable fallen warriors.