The great hall was in an uproar, but Yang Kai paid it no mind, simply gazing upward as he waited for an answer.
After a long moment, a voice finally came from beneath the veil: "Wanting me to lift my veil isn't entirely out of the question."
The clamor cut off abruptly, as though every person present had been seized by an invisible hand at the throat. They stared upward in stunned silence.
No one had expected the Holy Maiden to agree to such an absurd request.
Yang Kai smiled. "That sounds like there's a condition attached."
"Of course." The Holy Maiden nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You made a demand of me, so naturally I get to make one of you."
Yang Kai straightened his expression. "I'm all ears."
The Holy Maiden's gentle voice continued: "Zuo Wuyou sent word that you claim to be the Holy Son of the Divine Church, and that when you appeared, you fulfilled the prophecy left by the church. However, whether that's truly the case remains uncertain. The first Holy Maiden left behind not only the prophecy but also a trial meant for the Holy Son."
Yang Kai's expression shifted. He roughly understood what she was getting at. "You want me to go and pass that trial?"
"Precisely."
Yang Kai's face immediately took on a peculiar look.
According to what Chu Anhe had said, the Holy Son of the Divine Church had already been secretly revealed a decade ago, and the matter had been confirmed by the church's senior leadership. In other words, that Holy Son must have already passed the trial, and his identity was beyond doubt.
So from the church's perspective, Yang Kai—this self-proclaimed Holy Son who had appeared out of nowhere—had to be an imposter.
And yet, despite all that, the Holy Maiden still wanted him to attempt the trial…
That was rather thought-provoking.
Yang Kai swept his peripheral vision across the hall and noticed that the several Banner Lords standing at the front all wore expressions of surprise. Clearly, none of them had expected the Holy Maiden to make such a demand.
Interesting. This clearly hadn't been discussed among the church's leadership beforehand. It seemed to be the Holy Maiden's spur-of-the-moment idea.
Under these circumstances, Yang Kai could only think of one explanation.
The Holy Maiden was confident that he would fail the trial. Once he couldn't fulfill her requirement, she would naturally have no obligation to fulfill his.
His thoughts racing, Yang Kai agreed: "There's no reason I can't. Shall we begin now then?"
The Holy Maiden shook her head. "That trial is sealed within a secret realm, and opening the realm requires time. Go rest for a while. Once the church has made the preparations, you'll be summoned."
With that, she turned to Ma Chengze. "Banner Lord Ma, I'll have to trouble you once more to see to his accommodations."
Ma Chengze stepped forward and accepted the order. "Yes!"
He gestured to Yang Kai. "Come with me, young friend."
Yang Kai glanced up at the Holy Maiden one more time, cupped his fists in a bow, and withdrew.
Only after he had gone did one of the Banner Lords speak up. "Your Eminence, why did you suddenly want him to attempt that trial in the Sealed Lands?"
The Holy Maiden explained: "He has already won the hearts of the people and earned the favor of heaven and earth. He cannot be dealt with carelessly, nor can we simply expose him. In that case, let him go to the Sealed Lands—it is the trial left by the first Holy Maiden, and only the true Holy Son can pass it."
Someone immediately caught on. "Since he's an imposter, he'll surely fail. When that happens, we'll have justification to deal with him in front of the congregation."
The Holy Maiden said: "That is exactly what I was thinking."
"Your Eminence has considered everything most thoroughly!"
…
Inside the Divine Palace, Yang Kai followed Ma Chengze along the corridor. After a while, he suddenly spoke up. "Old Ma, shouldn't the Divine Church investigate my background and origins first, given that I'm an unknown? Why would the Holy Maiden suddenly want me to go to that Sealed Lands?"
"You… what did you call me?" Ma Chengze halted mid-stride, staring at Yang Kai with an incredulous expression.
"Old Ma? Is there a problem?"
Ma Chengze let out an exasperated laugh. "Is there a problem? I'm a Banner Lord, and a peak Shenyou Realm cultivator at that. Even if you won't address me as 'Senior,' the least you could do is call me 'Banner Lord Ma.'"
"Banner Lord Ma it is then." Yang Kai readily agreed—calling him Senior might be more than the man could handle.
Ma Chengze shot him a glare and continued walking. "I'm not supposed to say much to you, but for some reason I find you rather agreeable, so I'll tell you a few things. There's no need to investigate your identity or background. If you pass the trial, then you are the Holy Son of the Divine Church. But if you fail, you'll be a dead man—and what would it matter what your identity or background was?"
Yang Kai considered briefly. "That's fair enough." He shifted the topic. "What does the Holy Maiden look like? Have you ever seen her?"
Ma Chengze shook his head. "Kid, you don't strike me as the type to be ruled by lust, so why this curiosity about the Holy Maiden's appearance?"
Yang Kai replied solemnly. "My stated reason in the great hall is the honest answer."
"To verify that conjecture concerning the fate of all living beings and the welfare of the world?" Ma Chengze turned his head to ask.
Yang Kai nodded.
Ma Chengze couldn't be bothered to continue the conversation. He stopped and pointed toward a courtyard ahead. "You'll stay here. Once the church is ready, they'll send for you. If you need anything, call for someone. Otherwise, don't wander around aimlessly."
With that, he turned and left.
Yang Kai watched him go, then headed straight for the courtyard. Servants of the Divine Church were already waiting in attendance. After a brief arrangement, Yang Kai entered his quarters to rest.