Chapter 21: The Laws of Light
Wuseno and Leiming flew at extreme speed toward Black Crow Mountain, their mental power spreading out to cover the entire range.
"Lin Lei is on Black Crow Mountain — the one wearing the sky-blue robe!" Wuseno said immediately.
"Understood."
Light blazed in Leiming's eyes as energy surged within him. A rod nearly three meters long materialized in his hands. Calling it a rod was generous — for an ordinary person, it would be more like a pillar. But given Leiming's two-and-a-half-meter frame and his massive hands, he could grip the thick staff with ease.
The rod was entirely silver, with all manner of patterns coiling along its surface.
"That magic beast mouse isn't here, but there are two other Saint-level powerhouses, plus a woman of rather ordinary strength. Could that be Dilia?" Wuseno wondered inwardly.
There was no time to dwell on it.
Boom — like a bolt of lightning striking down, Leiming hurtled toward the ground, rod raised. He ignored everyone else and drove straight toward his target: Lin Lei.
Lin Lei and Dilia were entertaining guests — Desley and his wife. The couple had been on their way to the Ice Goddess Temple and had stopped by on their return to offer their congratulations. The two pairs were chatting merrily when—
A terrifying force plummeted from the sky, aimed squarely at Lin Lei.
"Get back!" Lin Lei's face changed. He shoved Dilia aside, a violent gust of wind immediately wrapping around her, while he himself transformed into a Dragon Blood Warrior. The sky-blue robe burst into fragments with a muffled pop, and the Blacksteel Heavy Sword appeared in his hand.
That silver rod, brimming with boundless power, filled his vision.
Whoosh!
Spatial ripples pulsed outward as though space itself were being torn apart. Gripped in a pair of enormous hands, the silver rod hammered down toward Lin Lei. He felt an unprecedented crisis — his entire being was locked down, the surrounding space crushing in on him.
"Lin Lei!" Dilia, shoved to safety, watched with eyes full of terror.
And at that very moment—
A soft, milky-white glow appeared in front of Lin Lei, like a sheet of white silk. The silver rod, capable of shattering all of Black Crow Mountain, slammed into this "white silk" woven from gentle, milky energy.
The "white silk" barely dented. The silver rod could press no further.
Leiming, still gripping the rod, was hurled backward by the rebound, finally crashing to the ground a hundred meters away. Wuseno landed beside him, staring at Desley in horror. He knew full well who had just stopped the blow.
"Who are you?" Wuseno demanded.
"Wuseno — it's you two!" Lin Lei's expression darkened. Dilia rushed to his side, her face tight with worry.
At that moment, Lin Lei, Desley, and the others stood at the center of the lake, while Leiming and Wuseno were on the shore. The two groups faced each other across the water.
"Church of Light?" Desley's brow furrowed.
Lin Lei felt a chill run through him. Desley had once been on the Church's side — would he still feel some lingering loyalty? At the same time, he immediately sent a soul transmission to Bei Bei. "Bei Bei, drop everything in the Dark Forest and get back here as fast as you can. The Church of Light has come knocking."
"Boss, I'm on my way — fastest possible speed," Bei Bei replied at once.
Lin Lei studied Wuseno and Leiming carefully. Leiming's towering two-and-a-half-meter frame radiated a pressure all its own. "That big one is the one who attacked me just now. His strength is every bit as terrifying as Wuseno's."
"Dilia, protect yourself," Lin Lei murmured to her.
Dilia said nothing. She didn't want to distract him.
"Just who are you?" Wuseno looked at Desley. "This is a matter between the Church of Light and Lin Lei. I'd advise you not to interfere. You seem to cultivate the Laws of Light as well… Step aside today and consider it a favor to the Church. We will remember it."
Even the usually proud Leiming had fallen silent.
Desley's single move had made the threat crystal clear.
"My name… is Desley," he said.
"Desley — you?!" Both Wuseno and Leiming blanched.
Desley was a legendary figure within the Church of Light. Long ago, the legendary Pope Ernst had founded the Holy Alliance, and in that era Desley had been the foremost ascetic of the Church.
His status was comparable to what Lord Fallen Leaf held today.
Wuseno and Leiming exchanged a glance, each reading the dread in the other's eyes. A Saint-level powerhouse from the same generation as the legendary Pope — after all these years, his true strength was terrifying to even contemplate.
"Lord Desley, I beg you, for the sake of old loyalties, do not involve yourself in this matter," Wuseno said earnestly.
"Hmph — keep dreaming," a cold voice cut in. It was Bing Selin beside him.
Bing Selin gave Lin Lei a look that said "Relax." Even in his heightened state of alert, Lin Lei felt a surge of gratitude at her words. Still, his gaze drifted back to Desley — after all, the decision was his.
"What are you hesitating for?" Bing Selin said, frowning at Desley's indecision. In her view, there was nothing to deliberate about.
Dilia, too, was on edge, watching Desley with anxious eyes.
"Lord Desley, have you forgotten the kindness Lord Ernst once showed you?" Wuseno pressed.
Desley hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I won't let you kill Lin Lei. Leave."
Desley, of course, still held some affection for the Church of Light.