"Mr. Jiang saved His Holiness the Pope, exhausting his Inner Qi and Soul Power to do so, leaving him in a state of meridian atrophy and soul slumber."

Fa Rang's figure appeared beside several people and spoke coldly, "His Holiness sent ten pounds of Holy Water to aid Mr. Jiang's recovery, and yet you're squabbling over this?"

"What? Mr. Jiang, he..."

Xi'er and the others were immediately startled, believing Ha'er must have been joking when reprimanding him.

Upon hearing this, they no longer cared about arguing over ten pounds of Holy Water and hastily bowed to Fa Rang before flashing their figures, rushing quickly toward Dragon Saint's residence.

...

The residence of the Holy Court's Dragon Saint.

Dragon Saint's face remained solemn as he gazed at Jiang Chen lying on the bed.

At this moment, Jiang Chen had no trace of vitality left on him. His entire body was shriveled, his face ashen, even his heart had stopped beating—he looked like a dried corpse!

"Mr. Jiang, what exactly happened in the Pope's Soul origin? How could this..." Dragon Saint's brows furrowed deeply, flames of anger flaring in his eyes!

According to Jiang Chen, treating the Pope was supposed to carry risks for the Pope, but none for himself.

Yet, as the treatment was about to conclude, Jiang Chen's Inner Qi and Soul Power suddenly surged wildly into the Pope's body. Assuming it to be part of the process, Dragon Saint did not intervene, only to realize moments later that Jiang Chen had been drained entirely!

Feeling something amiss, Dragon Saint immediately mobilized Heaven and Earth Vital Energy to forcefully separate Jiang Chen from the Pope.

Just after being separated, the Pope awakened, looking at Dragon Saint in confusion, completely oblivious to what had occurred—he only knew that his injuries were healed!

Dragon Saint couldn't bring himself to trust the Pope, declining his offer to help support Jiang Chen. Instead, Dragon Saint helped Jiang Chen out of the secret chamber and promptly left the main cathedral.

Glancing at the Jade Vial in his hand, Dragon Saint inspected it carefully. The Vial contained ten pounds of Holy Water, delivered earlier by Fa Rang.

"The Holy Water itself poses no problem, but..."

A hint of hesitation appeared on Dragon Saint's face. While the Holy Water had no issues, given Jiang Chen's current condition, Dragon Saint wasn't certain what reactions it might provoke in him.

This treatment had been far too bizarre—the one expected to face danger emerged unscathed, while the one who should have been safe ended up lifeless. Had it not been for the faint regeneration of Inner Qi in Jiang Chen's Dantian and the barely perceptible flickers of soul presence, Dragon Saint would have assumed Jiang Chen was already dead!

Hmm?

With eyebrows slightly furrowed, Dragon Saint glanced at the window.

Dragon Saint's residence was a three-story Western-style pavilion, its entirety enveloped by Dragon Saint's own aura. Outside the pavilion's door, a few figures appeared.

Xi'er and the others, upon arriving, felt Dragon Saint's imposing aura and hesitated briefly before trying to call out. However, Dragon Saint's voice rang from inside the pavilion.

"Mr. Jiang is unconscious and cannot receive visitors. Please leave!"

Xi'er and the others froze, glanced at the pavilion, and unwillingly turned to leave after hearing Dragon Saint's firm dismissal.

From a distant rooftop, Fa Rang watched the scenario unfold with furrowed brows, doubts surfacing in his heart. Why did Mr. Jiang end up like this?

"Lord Fa Rang!"

A call echoed, prompting Fa Rang to look down. Mi Jiaro stood before the building, his face filled with confusion as he gazed up at him.

Whoosh!

Fa Rang leapt down from the rooftop and asked softly, "Saint Heir, how is His Holiness the Pope?"

"His Holiness has entered seclusion!" Mi Jiaro's expression showed slight hesitation.

"What's wrong?" Fa Rang eyed Mi Jiaro, puzzled.

Mi Jiaro hesitated briefly before whispering, "I feel like His Holiness... like he's a completely different person!"

"A different person?!" Fa Rang was momentarily stunned, his brows knitting tightly.

Having grown up alongside the Pope, Mi Jiaro had an innate innocence and sharp intuition. Any subtle change in the Pope's demeanor would be most apparent to him, but now...

Fa Rang asked gravely, "Saint Heir, why would you say this?"

"I can't pinpoint where the problem is. It's just... I feel like His Holiness seems like he's been replaced by someone else!" Mi Jiaro shook his head, unable to explain more clearly.

Swoosh!

A figure suddenly appeared beside the two.

Fa Rang raised his head, bowing respectfully, "Lord Fei'ersi!"

"Grandfather Fei'ersi!"

Mi Jiaro's eyes lit up with hope as he addressed the newcomer. "Grandfather Fei'ersi, could you check on His Holiness the Pope?"

"I just came from His Holiness. Rest assured, His Holiness is fine!" Fei'ersi spoke calmly.

Mi Jiaro breathed a sigh of relief. His face brightened with joy, nodding lightly, "That's good. I was so scared!"

Fa Rang also nodded, but traces of skepticism lingered in his expression.

"Fa Rang, head to Dragon Saint's residence. Mr. Jiang saved His Holiness; we cannot ignore his condition." Fei'ersi instructed after glancing at Fa Rang.

"Understood!" Fa Rang responded respectfully with a nod.

Whoosh!

With a blur of movement, Fei'ersi vanished on the spot.

Fa Rang watched the direction of Fei'ersi's departure, hesitated briefly, then informed Mi Jiaro before turning to leap toward Dragon Saint's residence.

Inside the pavilion, Dragon Saint was still deliberating whether to administer the Holy Water to Jiang Chen.

"Why are they here again?"

Dragon Saint muttered under his breath, glancing once more at the window.

"Lord Dragon Saint, may I come in?" Fa Rang's voice called from the pavilion entrance.

"Apologies, I need to fully focus on treating Mr. Jiang and cannot spare the time. Please return, Judgment Chief Fa Rang!" Dragon Saint's voice came from inside.

Fa Rang hesitated, lightly furrowing his brows before speaking loudly, "His Holiness the Pope is currently in seclusion. Once His Holiness emerges, he will surely express his gratitude!"

Leaving behind this cryptic remark, Fa Rang turned and left the pavilion.

"Seclusion?!"

Dragon Saint muttered softly, his brows furrowing deeply.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Suddenly, faintly discernable energies began appearing outside the pavilion where Dragon Saint resided, enveloping the entire structure, seemingly as a protective measure.

Dragon Saint's eyes flashed with a peculiar glint, his expression growing particularly grim.

Although the energy appeared to safeguard them, Dragon Saint couldn't help but question: did he, of all people, need anyone's protection here? Moreover, such a full-spectrum security?

After mulling it over, Dragon Saint picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Lord Dragon Saint."

Speaking in a distinct tone, Dragon Saint began, "Long Chen, inform Mr. Jiang's old friends that Mr. Jiang is severely injured and will be recuperating here in the Holy Court, under their comprehensive protection. Let them rest assured!"

After a moment's silence on the other end, Elder Qing's heavy voice finally came through: "Understood!"

Ending the call, Dragon Saint turned to gaze at Jiang Chen on the bed, exhaling a sigh: "Let's hope it isn't as I suspect. If it is... then we truly face chaos ahead!"

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