World Version Updates

This power is not overwhelmingly strong on an extraordinary level, but it can sway the kingdom's grand dynamics. For Elizabeth, the union is no longer just an organization, but the greatest capital for ascending the throne.

Having control of the union equates to grasping the lifeline of the era's changes and harnessing the power of tens of thousands or even millions of people. This power, once effectively organized and guided, is enough to make any traditional force that belittles it pay a painful price.

As for the union, Elizabeth's joining signifies a powerful umbrella and spokesperson. Her identity as a royal family member inherently carries certain symbolic significance and serves as a buffer.

More importantly, her ambition is tightly bound with the interests of the union, inevitably leading to greater expansion for the union.

"However, all of this is contingent upon the church's attitude."

Lu Yan murmured softly in a voice only he could hear.

Turning his head towards the entrance, Lu Yan spoke leisurely:

"Please come in!"

The heavy oak door of the office was gently opened by an invisible force, making no sound at all, as if manipulated by a ghost.

The soft corridor light filtered in, outlining a slender silhouette. Then, a clergy member dressed in a pristine, immaculate white robe stepped into the office.

This white robe was not made of ordinary fabric; it subtly flowed with a holy radiance, edged with complex yet understated silver patterns, symbolizing a high status within the Seven Gods Church.

The visitor had a slender face, a calm and profound gaze, precisely the Peak Saint of the Seven Gods Church, Saint Xi'en, with whom Lu Yan had a brief collaboration in the Great Collapse version.

Saint Xi'en's steps were steady and silent. He first walked to the center of the office, and facing Lu Yan, who was sitting at the main seat with an aura as restrained as the abyss, he meticulously performed a standard church ritual, right hand clenched into a fist lightly touching the left chest, with a slight bow.

"Mr. Lu."

Saint Xi'en raised his head, calmly gazing at Lu Yan, with a gentle and respectful tone, like a spring breeze, carrying a soothing power, "It's been a long time."

Even before Saint Xi'en stepped into the union building, Lu Yan was already aware of his arrival, even sensing the subtle tension and gravity hidden behind his calm exterior.

Lu Yan was not surprised by the visit of an acquaintance.

After all, in the last version, he had interacted with dozens of Saints from the Seven Gods Church, among whom the presence of the Steam Sect's Saint was inevitable.

With the two versions being so close, information mapping would be more distinct, especially under the special environment of the Great Collapse version, Saint Xi'en would undoubtedly know more.

And last night, when he opposed the Scepter of Royal Authority, showing the projection of the Divine Court and Underworld, Saint Xi'en had seen the Underworld Divine Court in the Great Collapse version. On top of that, Lu Yan's name was not deliberately concealed, hence understanding the key was only natural.

The only thing that slightly surprised Lu Yan was that Saint Xi'en came alone, without any other formidable church members accompanying him, nor did he carry the aura of powerful sealed objects, which indeed piqued Lu Yan's interest.

Lu Yan nodded slightly, indicating that the other need not be overly courteous. Leaning against the chair, his posture was casual, yet he possessed a regally significant presence, as if the entire office space was subtly pulsating with his breath.

"Saint Xi'en." Lu Yan's voice was calm, devoid of discernible emotion, directly getting to the point, "If there's something you wish to discuss, feel free to speak candidly."

Saint Xi'en straightened up, with a hint of exploration in his eyes, carefully choosing his words as he slowly began:

"Mr. Lu suddenly arriving in this realm and displaying such great power, the church was indeed stirred.

May I ask, what is the purpose of your visit?"

He paused, seemingly observing Lu Yan's reaction.

As if having contemplated deeply, he presented his hypothesis, "Forgive me for being presumptuous, but the projection you exhibited last night seems to originate from the renowned Underworld across realms, does it imply that you intend to spread the Underworld's belief in this world?"

Lu Yan's finger unconsciously tapped the table, producing a rhythmic tapping sound.

With matters progressing to yesterday's stage, Lu Yan hadn't considered that mere words would suffice to conceal the spreading of the Underworld belief.

After just subduing the Victoria Royal Family, even the Steam Sect would be somewhat wary; as long as matters were not placed plainly, the church would choose to prevent direct conflict.

But with Saint Xi'en's arrival, it actually revealed other opportunities to Lu Yan.

"Indeed."

Lu Yan candidly acknowledged, as if stating an established fact.

"I come here by the decree of the Great Emperor."

"In this chaotic and lawless realm, where good and evil are indistinguishable, where causality is unclear, the name of the Underworld must be sung."

As he spoke, Lu Yan quietly invoked the Divine Court and Underworld within the Underworld Heaven and Earth.

Even though it was separated from the Great Traverse version, the All Heavens Divine Court had lost the second Celestial Dao authority, its essence remained unchanged.

The supreme majesty of the Divine Court silently emanated from within the Underworld Heaven and Earth, causing even the Peak Saint Xi'en's eyes to involuntarily tremble slightly.

In his view, the decree of the Great Emperor represented a vast and ancient divine system, now beginning to cast its gaze upon this world.

Saint Xi'en took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart, continuing with his more critical probing:

"Was the true godly aura that briefly appeared in this realm not long ago, which even triggered a transformation in the enigmatic mist pervading the world..."

He paused, each word seemingly carrying immense weight, his gaze firmly fixed on Lu Yan, urgently seeking that answer, "also related to you and the Divine Court and Underworld behind you?"

This time, Lu Yan's gaze did not evade in the slightest, calmly meeting Saint Xi'en's mixed gaze of awe, anxiety, and inquiry.

He nodded slightly, as if confirming a trivial matter, but the words he spoke were like thunder, directly exploding in the depths of Saint Xi'en's soul:

"Emperor Fengdu watches over this world."

As these words were spoken, the order of the Divine Court and Underworld descended upon this confined room, with the divine shadows orderly arranged from Fengdu City towering high above, Lu Yan's left behind the second Celestial Dao great aura seemed to transcend versions to arrive here.

"Emperor Fengdu!"

These four words, as if imbued with some linguistic power, instantly penetrated all of Saint Xi'en's psychological defenses.

He felt his mind tremble violently, a shiver originating from the deepest part of his soul sweeping through his body instantly.

Even though he had speculated based on various clues and the church's confidential reports, when he heard this venerable name spoken from Lu Yan's mouth, the irresistible and overwhelming pressure from a higher life level still nearly suffocated him.

He could distinctly sense that in some distant and unknowable dimension, a pair of eyes, which could peer through sun and moon and overlook eternity, penetrated endless time and mist, with indifference and majesty, slowly casting their gaze upon this place.

Just the mention of the name invoked such terrifying perception.

"Fengdu..."

Saint Xi'en didn't even dare to speak the full revered name aloud, only silently chanting in the most pious and reverent manner in his heart.

This respect coincided perfectly with the ultimate divine name the Pope had captured with great risk using the church's zero-level sealed object not long ago.

Now, Saint Xi'en harbored no doubts whatsoever in his heart.

Lu Yan, behind the office table, quietly observed the changes in Saint Xi'en, discreetly dispersing the activated Divine Court and Underworld within the Underworld Heaven and Earth.

Saint Xi'en could perceive the great true name and divine court's majesty entirely because the Underworld Divine Court was right there.

Coupled with the successful momentum Lu Yan built last night against the Victoria Royal Family, a combination of factors led Saint Xi'en to make such a substantial misjudgment.

Realizing the True God's gaze had been cast, Saint Xi'en's attitude instantly underwent an earth-shattering transformation.

He again bowed slightly, his stance considerably low, filled with humility and submission.

His manner was completely unlike that of a Peak Saint serving the God of Steam and Mechanics, instead more like a devout believer about to witness a new deity.

"Given that the true god's majesty has bestowed decrees to spread belief in this realm and establish order, it should naturally bear its sacred name."

In fact, Saint Xi'en's current demeanor was the most genuine attitude from within the Seven Gods Church, especially from factions represented by the Steam Sect.

Unlike other possibly more conservative and orthodox sects, the Steam Sect is the most progressive and pragmatic regarding real-world interests and practicality.

In the situation where the God of Steam slumbers and another true god watches this realm, how could the Steam Sect dare to obstruct the spread of a true god's belief?