Kumironi stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing.

Her eyes were blank. Though she was looking forward, it was as if she were staring into an endless void.

She couldn’t, for the life of her, connect the words "Lu Cang" and "Archbishop of the Death Church."

But soon, all sorts of theories began to form in her mind.

Eventually, her brain started to overheat.

Finally, after two long minutes of contemplation, Kumironi came back to her senses.

She stared at Lu Cang with lifeless, vacant eyes.

"Little Lu Cang, this Life Purification Technique will grant you a painless release..."

Hey!

’You’ve got to be kidding me!’

’Don’t just say something so terrifying out of the blue!’

"Ahem..."

Iz coughed.

"It’s not that serious."

The clarity returned to Kumironi’s eyes, and she turned to look at Izparut.

"Iz, explain the situation to me clearly."

"I’ve already postponed all my work at the Life Church for this."

’If the work was that important, she wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to drop it.’

Iz said, "You didn’t want to work in the first place, did you?"

Kumironi replied, "No, it was very important work. But if something even more important comes up, then there’s nothing to be done."

Kumironi leisurely sat down...

Lu Cang couldn’t see how that work was important at all.

She was clearly just looking for an excuse to slack off.

"Go on, then. After all, you’re the one who said it was important enough for me to skip work," Kumironi emphasized.

"Right, here’s what happened..." Iz began.

Iz repeated what Lu Cang had told her, and Kumironi asked her to slow down and explain the details.

Iz had no choice but to slow down her narration.

"So, you’re saying..."

"Little Lu Cang has been mistaken for the mortal incarnation of Bai?"

"That would explain it..."

Although that Death Cultist named Mu didn’t understand, Iz and Kumironi knew Lu Cang through and through. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

They knew that Lu Cang had only ever killed ants.

Lu Cang had been by Iz’s and the others’ side almost the entire time, so he definitely wouldn’t have had the time to commit any great massacres.

As for the ants and the souls...

They themselves had played Thousand Army Ant Mountain countless times on their way to Kernoya.

Everyone was well aware that the souls Lu Cang obtained were exceptionally Special.

Furthermore, his promotion to Level 2 Death Priest had also happened with everyone as a witness.

In their eyes, Lu Cang was quite open and honest.

He had his fair share of secrets, of course.

But he was definitely not some villain overflowing with evil deeds.

Besides, when it came to secrets...

Iz, Kumironi, Chi Cheng, Obades—every single one of them had secrets.

For example, how Kumironi was able to cleanse the corruption of Spirituality.

Iz’s talent for Magic.

Why Chi Cheng’s strength was so excessive.

Why Obades was a chef, and so on.

"The fact that Lu Cang was willing to tell us about this, and especially wanted to tell you, Kumironi, suggests he isn’t planning anything nefarious."

"Kumironi, what do you think?"

"This should be an opportunity to plant a mole inside the Death Church... And a mole at the Bishop Level isn’t an opportunity that comes along every day."

Kumironi pressed her temples.

"But Little Lu Cang is still just a child."

Iz said, "He’s already a renowned powerhouse on this continent."

"Besides, this might also be an opportunity that Lu Cang can use to his advantage."

Kumironi looked at Lu Cang. "Lu Cang, what are your thoughts?"

"I believe the Death Church’s evil deeds run too deep. If we can grasp their movements from the inside, or even Control their actions, it would be a good thing."

"I’m also willing to cooperate with Sister Kumironi’s plans."

Lu Cang continued, "If things go smoothly, the Death Church’s operations will no longer be a secret. Their every move will be under our surveillance."

"Alright," Kumironi said. "Let’s draw up a preliminary plan based on this."

"I’ll arrange to meet Mu tomorrow and discuss the matter of joining the Church with him."

"You need to be careful," Kumironi warned.

Iz nodded as well. "Yes, I’ll protect Lu Cang from the shadows."

...

With the decision made, Lu Cang didn’t wait for the next day. He went straight to the White Tower.

Mu had been on the third floor this whole time.

However, he had never once actively approached Lu Cang inside the White Tower.

Lu Cang picked up a book related to the study of Death and calmly walked over to Mu’s side.

"Senior Mu, I heard you are a master in the study of Death... I’d like to ask you some questions about it."

「Late that night.」

Lu Cang and Mu met in a private room in the Kernoya Library.

"Lord Lu Cang."

"You have summoned me this time to respond to this subordinate’s previous proposal, have you not?"

Lu Cang gave a slight nod.

He raised a single finger, and ten thousand Supreme, immaculate souls emerged at his fingertip, circling around him.

Lu Cang crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.

He looked down at Mu, who knelt on one knee before him, not daring to raise his head.

"What you said... I do find it rather interesting."

"I suppose it might be fun to take that position for a while."

The souls in Lu Cang’s small hand vanished, and he spoke in a flippant, childish voice, "I agree."

Lu Cang asked lazily, "But this position of Bishop... is it mine just because you say so?"

"No, my lord. The Church’s matters are not for me to decide alone, of course."

"But I am certain that once the other Elders in the Church witness your great power, they will all acknowledge you as their master."

Lu Cang’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So you’re saying I still have to prove myself?"

"I wouldn’t dare suggest such a thing!"

"But if my lord wishes to ascend to the Saint Sect Leader Position... you will, more or less, need to meet with the other Elders."

’Observing the fluctuations of Spirit emanating from him...’

’He doesn’t seem to be lying.’

’I might as well go with him. It probably won’t be a problem.’