NOVPUB
Chapter 356: Welcome Back...
The building stands alone, with no living beings in its surroundings. However, Aldrian can sense several high-level formations placed around it. These formations are powerful enough to kill or trap even high Emperor-stage cultivators.
After they land, Pope Claudius spreads his energy, and all the formations seem to deactivate, recognizing the pope’s presence.
"This is the first building constructed by the first pope, Marcus Decimus, before he built the main church of the Heavenly Direction Church. We call this place the Shrine of the Beginning. According to our records, the first pope built it in response to a divine revelation from the heavens," the pope said.
"Although we don’t know what kind of divine revelation he received that led him to build this shrine, it is said that this place serves as a sign that the heavens are constantly watching over this land," he added.
Hearing the pope’s explanation, a question arose in Aldrian’s mind.
"Was the first pope from outside the continent?" Aldrian asked.
Pope Claudius was stunned upon hearing Aldrian’s question and looked at him in astonishment.
"So, you already know that most of the powers on this continent come from outside?" he asked.
Aldrian nodded. From his knowledge and the stories he had heard from various sources during his journey, he knew that most of the powers that had shaped into the sovereign families of the empires and kingdoms on this continent originally came from beyond its borders.
Why had they gathered on this continent? To obtain something hidden deep within the Everlasting Silent Forest.
Xin Haotian had told him a few years ago that his family was indigenous to this continent and was one of the guardian families tasked with protecting something at the forest’s center. Their duty stemmed from an ancient agreement with the dragon and phoenix from higher realm. But what exactly lay at the heart of the forest? Even Xin Haotian and his family did not know. That was why Xin Haotian wanted to bring Aldrian to his family—to help them uncover the mystery.
All the powerful forces on the continent had also set their sights on this mysterious "something." However, as time passed and they failed to overcome the forest’s dangerous nature, their original purpose was gradually forgotten.
In the end, the empires and kingdoms formed around the Everlasting Silent Forest, establishing a status quo. They coexisted, building their civilizations on this continent while forgetting the very reason they had come here in the first place. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
"As for the first pope, we do not know if he was originally from this continent or not. However, what we do know is that the Heavenly Direction Church was only established here, and we have no records of its existence outside this land. So, in comparison to other powers, we can consider ourselves a relatively new organization," Pope Claudius explained.
Hearing the answer, Aldrian sighed as he gazed at the Shrine of the Beginning.
"Was this also prepared for my return? Is heaven preparing for it as well?" he wondered.
"Let’s go. There’s no need to waste any more time," the pope said before walking toward the shrine’s door and pushing it open.
As the door fully opened, Aldrian took in the sight of a massive white altar platform standing at the center of the shrine, surrounded by nine towering pillars that extended to the ceiling.
However, his eyes widened in shock, and his gaze trembled as he looked upward.
There, engraved at the center of the ceiling above the altar, was a symbol he knew all too well.
It was the image of a giant circle, radiating light over everything, positioned atop a yin-yang symbol. He had seen this symbol multiple times throughout his journey from the Ivory Empire, but to look it here, in this place, was completely unexpected.
Angelica, in front of him, sensed the change in Aldrian’s mood and asked, "What’s wrong, young master? Is something bothering you?"
Her voice pulled him from his shocked state, and he quickly calmed himself.
"Nothing. I’m just amazed that the calling I’ve been sensing is right in front of me—at that altar," Aldrian answered. He wasn’t lying either, as he had finally laid eyes on the very thing that had been calling out to him—the altar or more specifically the symbol itself.
As they moved closer, the pope spoke. "Usually, only the pope or the saintess are allowed to enter this place. It is also the most sacred site for receiving revelations or enlightenment. The holy energy here is more concentrated than anywhere else, making it the most hallowed ground of the church."
Aldrian’s gaze never left the altar and the symbol on the ceiling. He was truly curious as to why that symbol was here.
"Your Holiness, if I may ask, what is that symbol?" Aldrian said, pointing at it.
"Ah, that?" The pope glanced up. "To be honest, we don’t truly know its meaning. It was something the first pope created after witnessing the divine revelation, but he never explained its significance. The only thing we know is that it is so sacred that only the first pope was able to engrave it here in this place."
"In the time of the first pope, many wanted to adopt it as the church’s emblem, but he forbade it. He declared that it was a special symbol, one that could only be engraved or created once in this shrine. True to his words, every attempt to replicate it has failed—whenever someone tries, they feel an overwhelming force gripping their heart, as if it were a sign from the heavens to stop. Out of curiosity, I once attempted it myself, but the result was the same."
"In the end, our predecessors created a toned-down version of that symbol as the emblem of the Heavenly Direction Church. Well as you can see, the church’s current symbol bears some resemblance to the original one here," the pope explained.
Once again, Aldrian felt that this place had been created for him to find. He believed that the reason no one else could recreate the symbol was that it carried the heavy burden of destiny—one that not everyone was worthy to bear. Only a chosen few could engrave it, and the first pope had been one of them.
They finally arrived at the edge of the altar platform, and the pope turned to Aldrian.
"I don’t know what kind of calling you’ve received, but feel free to stay here and do what you need to do."
Aldrian nodded before stepping toward the center of the altar, under the eyes of the pope and Angelica.
Once he reached the center of the altar, Aldrian looked up at the ceiling, his gaze locking onto the symbol. A deep connection surged through him, he felt as though he had truly "returned"—as if he had found his real place, his true home.
Closing his eyes, he let himself become one with heaven and earth, immersing himself in self-cultivation. A powerful sensation washed over him—this place resonated with him in a way no other had before. It felt as though he had taken another step toward uncovering his true origin.
Unconsciously, his body began to radiate golden energy. The sacred aura spread outward, drawing in the surrounding holy energy from both within the shrine and its surroundings.
The pope and Angelica felt their hearts tremble as the golden energy surged over them. They had already experienced the purity and power of this energy before, but now, Aldrian was displaying it in its full radiance.
Without realizing it, his body slowly began to rise, floating above the altar as he remained completely immersed in his cultivation.
The pope’s eyes widened as the symbol above suddenly began to shine, its radiant light illuminating Aldrian as if welcoming him. At that moment, both the pope and Angelica felt it—the shift in the holy energy surrounding them.
The tainted holy energy, long diluted by foreign energy, was now becoming purer, more powerful than ever before.
Their eyes trembled as they experienced this transformation firsthand. Without thinking, their bodies instinctively moved into a prostrated position before Aldrian. Even Angelica, despite her condition, struggled to push herself from her wheelchair, attempting to bow before him.
"The heavens are descending upon us... the heavens are here," the pope murmured, his voice shaking as tears welled in his eyes.
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At that moment, a sudden surge of holy energy swept through the entire church, leaving everyone in confusion. But when they looked toward the Shrine of the Beginning, their eyes widened in shock—a pillar of golden light had erupted from the shrine, stretching endlessly into the sky.
The instant they saw it, their bodies moved instinctively. Without understanding why, they fell to their knees, bowing toward the radiant pillar. Their hearts compelled them, an unshakable feeling surging within their souls.
For the first time in their lives, they felt a sense of absolute piety, as if they were standing before the heavens themselves.
Arthur, witnessing the phenomenon, also dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground in reverence.
From within his chambers, Cardinal Carsius saw the golden light and immediately prostrated himself. A deep, overwhelming fear gripped his heart—an undeniable presence weighed upon him, as if an almighty being stood before him, knowing every deed he had ever committed.
He trembled, his thoughts in turmoil.
"What is this? What is happening?"
At that moment, the entire Heavenly City gazed in awe at the golden pillar of light piercing the sky. A tightness gripped their hearts, and without hesitation, they instinctively kowtowed toward its direction.
Even those who were not followers of the Heavenly Direction Church found themselves bowing before the golden light, unable to resist the overwhelming presence emanating from it.
Aldrian’s group, witnessing the phenomenon, felt their hearts tremble. Xin Haotian and Baek Jimin were struck with a sudden sense of respect and reverence. Though they did not immediately kneel like the others, they instinctively knew—the presence within that golden pillar was Aldrian.
As for Sylphia, a gentle warmth washed over her, different from what the others felt. It was as if something—someone—was greeting her, though she couldn’t quite understand who or what it was. A strange feeling, yet oddly comforting.
She simply smiled, gazing at the golden pillar with eyes full of love.
By this time, Aldrian’s body had already risen four meters above the altar platform, suspended in the air as the light from the symbol above shone down upon him with brilliant intensity.
Within Aldrian’s mindscape, he found himself in an entirely different space—a vast, endless expanse of pure white. There was nothing in sight, only an infinite white scenery.
This place felt eerily familiar. It reminded him of the space where he had once met with the Heavenly Demon.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the emptiness. It was unlike any he had ever heard—not distinctly male or female.
"Welcome... back... the... Absolute... One..."
"Welcome... back... the... Absolute... Ruler..."
"Welcome... back... Your... Majesty."
