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It is a valley only more than 300 kilometers away from the imperial capital.

The forests here are lush, desolate and quiet, and the air is filled with the fragrance of plants and trees. A stream that is whirling by is winding through the bottom of the valley, and there are sometimes a few chirpings of birds and beasts above the sky above the head.

Time seems to be extremely slow here, and being here once made people mistakenly think that they have come to a different world far away from the hustle and bustle.

In this deserted valley, an ancient temple stands quietly among the dense forests.

According to legend, this ancient temple was one of the several secret places that once lived in seclusion before the God of Light became a god. Only the popes of generations would know these places of seclusion.

Similarly, these hidden places will become ascetic places before the generation of popes, and formally succeeding them.

Although it is deserted and few people know about it, its status in the once-lightest Holy See is extremely noble.

Just today, an elite army of more than 3,000 people is scuba diving into the valley, reaching this ancient temple full of mottled years.

The leader of this elite army was the Imperial Emperor Carlos, and the Protestant Pope Ignaz, who was established by him.

The elite army of more than 3,000 people was also tacitly divided into two parts. One part was the two thousand imperial army led by four imperial marshals who were up to level 8.

These four imperial marshals are all close confidants of the Imperial Emperor Carlos, and the two thousand imperial troops are also outstanding elites drawn from the Royal Guards.

These two thousand fully armed imperial soldiers started at level 3, and the chief and deputy captains reached level 4 and level 5, while the centurion and their adjutants reached the incredible level 7 and level 6!

In other words, among the more than 2,000 imperial army, the 8th-level legendary marshals accounted for 4, and the 7th-level Saint Realm generals accounted for 20!

Such a powerful team is the trump card of the Empire Emperor Carlos. Looking at the entire continent, I am afraid that I can't get a second team.

Another part of this elite army is the 1,000 Holy See Guards led by Mar En, the archbishop of the 8th level, and two other archbishops of the 8th level.

The Protestant Vatican Guards were also very elite, but due to their subordinate relationship, their strength and equipment were only one line worse than that of Emperor Carlos's Imperial Army.

These Vatican guards, with pure white monk robes and chain mail, were all brainwashed by the pseudo-pope and their backbones, and looked mighty and crazy.

The configuration of the Protestant Guards is similar to that of the Imperial Army. In addition to the three 8th-level archbishops, there are also 10 senior generals who are strong at level 7, as well as thousands of fanatical religious guards.

Not to mention the Imperial Army controlled by the Imperial Emperor Carlos, the terribleness of this Protestant Guard alone is enough to make any princes and kingdom unable to withstand it.

"Ignaz, are you sure the artifact is here?"

When he arrived at the center of the altar of the temple, the imperial emperor Carlos looked around with his eyes and asked slowly, "Are you sure that you can complete the transformation after you get the artifact?"

Today he was wearing a crown and armor, and a murderous silver-white sword hanging around his waist. It can be seen that in order to seize the artifact and exchange for eternal life, this imperial emperor was completely in a state of being determined to win.

"Haha, your majesty, I can be sure that the artifact is here. That old guy Nasader really didn't lie to me."

The pseudo-pope Ignaz wore a solemn robe with white background and a metal mask, and a pair of eyes that seemed to see through everything. After glanced at the altar, he smiled calmly, "In addition, your Majesty can rest assured that I have swore my soul. After becoming a god, I will definitely bring you eternal life, and you will be the emperor forever! You must know that under the shackles of the laws of the universe, no creature can break their promises."

Hearing Ignaz's answer, the Emperor Carlos's eyes were filled with desire.

The desire was like a fire, burning in Carlos' heart.

An emperor who had experienced power and war to ascend to the supreme throne of the human empire, especially after he had enjoyed the supreme power for half his life, watched him as he was old and weak, gradually heading towards the end of his life. Such days were undoubtedly an indescribable torment for him.

As a result, his greed for power and eternal life made it increasingly difficult for him to extricate himself.

Fortunately, he is finally going to succeed now!

As long as he can remain young forever, he can rule all mankind forever! Even taking advantage of the convenience of eternal life, like Ignaz and even the former God of Light, to seek an opportunity to become a god!

Regardless of whether Ignaz's promise can come true or not, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, he will try it.

"Ignaz, my noble pope, start now, I can't wait to welcome the arrival of a new god for our empire."

The Imperial Emperor Carlos nodded at the pseudo-pope Ignaz, and then gave a wink to the Imperial soldiers gathered around the altar.

Soon, the imperial emperor Carlos made the surrounding soldiers retreat below the altar. In the center of the huge altar, there was only the pseudo-pope.

"Your Majesty, it won't take long for us humans to no longer be afraid of any force, we will dominate the whole world!"

There are no outsiders at the moment, and the pseudo-pope Ignaz doesn't need to continue to cover up, so he slowly took off his metal mask and revealed his real face covered with divine patterns.

He looked much younger than his actual age, far less like an old man. On the contrary, his flexible and smooth skin, sharp and bright eyes, and his tall and strong body were even more majestic than an imperial general in his prime!

Could it be...His Excellency Ignaz, I'm reborn?

The Imperial Emperor Carlos, as well as the many soldiers of the Empire and Protestant Church present, were all surprised.

They were all around Ignaz, and they almost knew the true face of Ignaz's mask, but if calculated based on Ignaz's real age, he was an octogenarian in his 90s.

But now he looks like he is a little old? He is clearly a strong middle-aged man in his early thirties!

Could it be that Ignaz has experienced reverse growth over the past few decades, and has become younger and younger as time goes by?

Many soldiers at the scene looked up at the solemn Ignaz, and were silent and in awe.

Although I don’t know what method Ignaz used, there is no doubt that Ignaz in front of me is undoubtedly the one who is closest to the god among them!

"Yes, it must be!"

The Emperor of the Empire Carlos saw Ignaz's current appearance and was secretly excited inside.

The ability of Ignaz to be rejuvenated is a proof of eternal youth!

Although he didn't know what level of strength Ignaz had reached now, since the other party could make him rejuvenate, it means there was a way to keep him Carlos young forever!

Not long afterwards, the pseudo-pope Ignaz started some kind of ritual on the altar.

This kind of ritual and spell is actually a key to unlock the password lock.

Sure enough, as the ceremony of Ignaz ended, the altar stone slab in the center of the temple began to slowly open, and a short-handed scepter shining with the sacred golden light floated out.

For a moment, the solemn aura began to pour out like mercury. The dazzling light shone brightly on the entire temple.

Time and space seem to be still at this moment.

Everyone held their breath and looked up at the magical scepter floating in the air. Under this vast power, the trembling and terrifying emotions were like a tide, and madness emerged in people's hearts.

Artifact! There is no doubt that this is a real artifact!

According to legend, this magic weapon is the staff used by the God of Light when it transforms into a god. It is a symbol of the power of light in this world. Whoever can hold this scepter can obtain the supreme divine power.

Many people at the scene thought that this legend was just a legend, but now it seems that all this is true!

Because this great scepter is now suspended before their eyes.

"It's so beautiful. Its light is even more dazzling than the stars at night!"

The Emperor Carlos looked up and was amazed secretly. From his glorious eyes, he was obviously full of desire for this artifact, but he also understood that although the artifact was good, he could not exert its real value.

Instead of wasting the power of the artifact, it is better to patiently endure some days so that Ignaz can complete his transformation as soon as possible. Only when he gains eternal life can he truly make plans.

"It's worthy of being a magical weapon, such a powerful force!"

On the altar, the pseudo-pope Ignaz stepped forward and reached out to hold the scepter of the Holy Light in his hand. In an instant, a huge power followed his arm and rushed straight into his body.

The pure and heavy, endless power of light seemed to be inexhaustible, making Ignaz feel comfortable all over, and his chest was filled with a sense of power that was about to emerge, as if the world would be trampled by him, and the stars would be allowed to travel.

"Congratulations to the Pope's crown for harvesting the artifact!"

All the Protestant Guards and the three Archbishops around knelt down to pay their respects.

The soldiers of the Imperial Army on this side did not kneel down because of their identity and the presence of the Imperial Emperor, but they still bowed their heads and saluted, with awe in their expressions, as if the false pope Ignaz was already a god at this moment.

"Hahahaha!"

Witnessing the scene of worship and feeling the power that filled his chest, the pseudo-pope Ignaz could no longer suppress his excitement, and raised his head and laughed, "With this artifact, Ignaz will surpass the shackles of mortals and truly become the only god in this world!"

However, at this moment.

A majestic rebuke suddenly sounded outside the temple gate like thunder.

"Hmph! Being presumptuous!"

Everyone at the scene immediately turned their eyes and saw an old man with a cross scepter and emitting a dazzling holy light all over his body, somehow he had appeared outside the gate of the temple.

...

...

The old man was gray-haired and wearing a holy robe with white background and gold patterns. There was a round holy pattern on his forehead, making him look like the incarnation of a god, solemn and unviolable.

Although his eyes were aging and turbid, they were still filled with a firm glory that could not be seen directly. His body was thin, but it gave people a sense of heaviness that seemed to be in front of the mountains.

The temple became quiet in an instant.

With the appearance of the old man, everyone at the scene was nervous, as if they were suddenly pressed on a big stone, and they shut up and remained silent. For a moment, no one dared to make a loud noise.

"St. John Nassadel?"

The pseudo-pope Ignaz, who had just obtained the artifact, suddenly widened his eyes, "You, aren't you in the Inquisition? Why did you appear here?"

Although the pseudo-pope Ignaz believes that he is already standing in human form and has the help of magical tools, he does not have to be afraid of anyone anymore.

But the remaining power of the old Pope Nassader was always hovering in him and everyone's hearts. At this moment, he saw the other party suddenly appear in the temple, just like many people on the scene, and he couldn't help but tremble in his heart.

"Hehehehehe, it is of course the credit of this saint who can come out!"

Suddenly, a grim smile of evil came from behind the old pope.

Soon a group of black air swept around and ferocious teams appeared next to the old pope.
To be continued...