Chapter 569 - Chapter 569: Embrace Evolution!
Chapter 569: Embrace Evolution!
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The night grew deeper.
The sky was as dark as ink, and the once-bright moon that had shed its white light upon the earth was obscured by layer upon layer of thick, black clouds.
At this moment, Tressburg City had already fallen into silence and darkness. The streets were empty, with no one in sight except for the occasional sound of footsteps from the night patrols.
Jon hid in a corner, draped in a black linen robe that concealed him in the shadows. He waited until a group of patrolling soldiers passed by on the street before carefully crossing it, navigating through a labyrinth of dark alleyways, and finally arriving at the unassuming door of a four-story building with a grimy facade.
After ensuring that there was no one around, Jon extended his hand and lightly knocked on the door in a specific pattern.
With a soft click, the door opened, revealing a small window about the size of a palm. A pair of alert eyes peered out.
Jon crossed his arms over his chest and spoke in a low voice, “Embrace the deep sea, embrace evolution, and thank the Lord for His blessings.”
With another click, the door swung open, revealing a middle-aged man clad in a black linen robe. His face bore the roughened skin of exposure to wind and rain, and his back was slightly hunched. Large calloused hands betrayed his occupation as a fisherman, as the lingering scent of fish clung to him.
After letting Jon in, the middle-aged man also crossed his arms over his chest and whispered, “Embrace the deep sea, embrace evolution.”
In the faint light, Jon could see a few greenish scales on the man’s exposed neck, surrounded by pale skin.
The green scales seemed to pulse with life.
Jon couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy. Those scales were a gift from the High Priest, proof that the man had consumed the Water of the Deep Sea.
Rumor had it that this gift had not only increased his swimming speed but also allowed him to stay underwater for over an hour.
This enabled him to catch more fish, earning him extra silver coins each month. It had significantly improved his quality of life.
Jon thought to himself that if he could receive such a blessing from the High Priest, he could earn more silver coins, perhaps enough to afford an extra blanket for his wife and make sure his children slept more comfortably at night.
“Why are you so late? You’re nearly a quarter-hour late.”
Jon cursed softly, “I was delayed on the way, trying to avoid the patrols of soldiers. It seems like the patrol routes and frequencies of those hawk-dogs have changed.”
The middle-aged man furrowed his brows. Jon was brought into their secret circle by him. If Jon’s presence somehow led to the exposure of their church’s secrets, they would both face punishment from the High Priest.
With a serious tone, the man asked, “Did they discover you? Did you leave any traces?”
Jon quickly shook his head. “No, 1 was extremely cautious the entire way. They haven’t found me, or they would have chased after me by now.”
The middle-aged man thought for a moment and seemed to agree with Jon’s assessment. He relaxed slightly and continued, “The other brothers and sisters have already arrived. You’re the last one.”
Jon nodded and followed the middle-aged man deeper into the house.
The middle-aged man continued speaking as they walked.
“Tonight is the church’s semi-annual gathering, so the ceremony will be more complex. But with it comes the High Priest’s blessing, as more of our brothers and sisters will embrace evolution and share in the Lord’s grace.”
His voice grew more excited with each word.
“In addition, I heard that the Archbishop will be attending this gathering!”
Jon paused, surprise evident on his face.
“Is it true? I’ve heard that the Archbishop was nurtured and grew up in the ocean, noticed by the Lord at an early age, and blessed with tremendous power?”
The middle-aged man chuckled. “You haven’t been in the faith for long, so you might not know much. Archbishop not only possesses the power to manipulate weather but also has frequent communion with the Lord Himself.
So, if you wish to get closer to the Lord and seek his blessings, winning the favor of the Archbishop is the best way. Who knows, we might even have a chance to witness the majesty and appearance of the Lord.”
Seeing Jon’s hopeful expression, the middle-aged man patted his shoulder. “As long as you sincerely devote yourself to the faith, offering all your loyalty and belief, you will inevitably receive blessings, get closer to the Lord, and become a faithful disciple under his seat.”
Jon nodded earnestly, but in his mind, he thought about how receiving the Lord’s blessings could grant him tremendous power and potentially improve his family’s life.
The two of them arrived at a room deep within the underground. The middle-aged man fumbled on the floor, lifting a piece of floorboard to reveal a staircase leading underground.
Jon, being quite familiar with the routine, stealthily made his way to the entrance. He descended into the underground passage, taking advantage of the dim torchlight on either side of the walls until he reached a relatively spacious underground hall.
Apart from the route he had taken, this underground hall had several other passages, one of which led directly to the sea, providing a quick escape route in case of emergencies.
The underground hall was already filled with hundreds of believers, all dressed in black robes with their features obscured. They stood in orderly rows, waiting in silence. Not a sound echoed through the huge hall.
Jon observed this scene, his heart skipping a beat. He quietly lowered his steps and joined the rear of the queue, waiting in silence..