Alone and Infinite.

Chapter 521 The Final Expedition to Godhood
The name "Fallen Archbishop Simmons" seems to possess a certain magic.

Li Xia noticed that the atmosphere in the room had become quiet, and everyone's expression was gloomy.

“I used to be lost too, and now you see the result.”

The Judgment Knight touched his bare inner thigh:

"Simmons' strength has exceeded the realm of normal people. With the blessing of darkness, he has reached the legendary demigod level."

The realm of demigods? What is that?
Iris, who was beside him, explained in a low voice, and Li Xia nodded in understanding.

This is another unique division of power in each world, just like the Saint-level powerhouses in the previous world.

Black Star roughly divided top-tier strength into several levels, not to mention the lower levels.

The strongest individuals here are called "below-god level," meaning their strength is only below that of a god.

Before darkness descended, the 'Lower God Level' was the pinnacle of the entire Black Descendant Star. Countless brilliant geniuses stopped there, not because they lacked talent, but because of the limitations imposed by the world's hierarchy.

It is precisely because countless people look at the road that has come to an end that they roar in frustration and devote their entire lives to how to go further.

They proposed that above the 'lower level of gods' there is the 'side of gods,' which is demigods, and above demigods there is the realm of 'ascended gods.'

Reaching the 'side of God,' reaching 'ascension to Godhood,' completely breaking the limiter, and becoming a higher being.

It was based on this conjecture that the Seven Sages boldly broke through the boundary wall, wanting to lead this world forward.

Unfortunately, darkness descended, but the corruption also caused the original ceiling to become rotten and loose, allowing the strong to advance even further.

To become a so-called 'side of the gods' strongman.

Li Xia suddenly remembered Collins, whom he had just met, and the strange pseudo-upper limit on his panel.

In other words, Collins is a powerful figure from the 'side of God'?
Why don't apostles have such a pseudo-upper limit?

“Boss, we’re different from them. We’re special apostle templates, all from the 0th-tier world.”

Aowu had been keeping an eye on the meeting in the team channel. After working side by side for so long, Li Xia and the two little ones had developed an extraordinary level of understanding.

"Hmm, I think I understand."

Li Xia nodded knowingly. Seeing this, the Judgment Knight assumed that Li Xia had agreed with his opinion and continued in a low voice:
“Not going is a wise choice. I even suspect that Simmons has already transcended the ‘side of God’ and is close to becoming a god, or has already become a god, and has broken out of the scope of our understanding.”

He raised his head, looked at Li Xia, and gave a bitter smile:
"Although we don't know how much longer we can survive, we still exist, which means there are still people in this world who have not given up."

Perhaps all of this is a choice of fate, and we are powerless to resist the destiny of the world falling into darkness.

Then die standing, as a human being.

The knight of judgment remained silent for a moment before closing his eyes.

"I don't want to see any more of my comrades die for a sliver of hope."

The archbishop, who had been forcing himself to stay upright, sighed, but the movement aggravated his wound.

"Cough cough cough cough cough -"

After a violent cough, he looked at the dark red liquid mixed with black in his palm, which was covering his mouth and nose, and quietly clenched his fist under the table.

The situation is already so dire that if he falls, the Burning Heart Church might really not be able to hold on.

“Xia, Ken (the Judgment Knight) has a point. A year ago, Burning Heart was a powerful rebel sect.”

There were five bewildered individuals, more than a dozen 'lower-level god' level experts, and hundreds of warriors capable of fighting.

"It all turned out this way because of Simmons."

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly somber, as if Archbishop Nar had not yet recovered from the battle that had caused the complete decline of the Burning Heart.

He said, somewhat dazed:
"Our scouts were corrupted and sent back questionable intelligence, but we were completely blinded by a string of victories."

Ultimately, based on intelligence, they gathered the majority of their forces to attack the Church of the Night's key stronghold, but Simmons had already laid an ambush there.

His four black-clad bishops dealt us a heavy blow and relentlessly pursued us during our escape.

Many people stayed behind to draw the pursuers' attention for the sake of everyone else.

The heaviest casualties in large-scale battles occurred during the pursuit, and that battle directly shattered Zhuo Xin.

The physically weak church members were unable to escape the pursuit, and the Holy Prophet of the other two major sects went into complete hiding.

Nature is better at farming and defense. It was the final support from the Church of Nature that prevented Simmons from destroying the entire Burning Heart.

However, Simmons didn't take the few old, weak, sick, and disabled people who escaped seriously. With its fighting force wiped out, Burning Heart was already a candle in the wind.

They don't need to do anything; their generation will simply die out on its own.

"Sander, arrange a room for Xia. Let her settle down and accept her fate sometimes."

The archbishop leaned on the table, but before he could finish speaking, he heard Li Xia's voice again, carrying an unwavering resolve:

"Thank you, but I still need to go see Simmons."

Time seemed to freeze in the room; everyone stood there, stunned, and looked up at Li Xia in astonishment.

Even the usually absent-minded and somewhat senile data officer, Fafner, showed an uncontrollable surprise in his eyes.

Even if you know it's like a moth drawn to a flame, would you still go?

The archbishop looked several years older.

"Yes, this is my mission, and my only purpose."

"Is that so? Perhaps this is what the Lost Ones are like—warriors who can withstand the torch-lighting ceremony and survive, whose faith and spirit have transcended everything."

"Just for the long-cherished wish in my heart"

Archbishop Nal sighed and sat down again. He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the boiling emotions in his heart.

At this moment, he actually felt a kind of desire, a desire to follow Li Xia to defeat Simmons regardless of everything.

People say that the Church of the Burning Heart is full of stubborn people. If they weren't such stubborn people, when the whole world had basically knelt down to that darkness, where would there be such a group of people stubbornly upholding their human identity?

Fighting against darkness and never yielding—this is the sole tenet of the Burning Heart Church.

But he opened his palm again, staring at the blood in his hand; he was about to give up.

"If you insist on going, then go. The Church of Burning Hearts will offer its help to every warrior who steps out to fight against darkness."

Archbishop Nar looked at him with eyes as red as fire:
"To help in any way possible."

The Judgment Knight Ken also sighed and shook his head:

"Although I don't agree with your choice, I support all your choices."

He leaned forward, bracing himself against the chair, and said in a deep voice:

"If we want to defeat Simmons, besides strength, the most important thing is his four bishops and a Virgin Mary who has just arrived."

Legend has it that this Virgin Mary was pregnant with God's child, held a high position, possessed great power, and had rather strange abilities.

Many of our comrades who died in battle were killed by the Virgin Mary.

He stared at Li Xia and said with utmost seriousness, "We have been studying Simmons for so many years, so we have information about Simmons, but that mysterious Mother is the one we really need to be careful of."

She is completely unknown; you must try it yourself, and the price of that attempt could very well be your life.

Li Xia nodded, watching the Burning Heart Church members whispering and recalling relevant information.

He sighed inwardly. No wonder the Temple of Light insisted on finding the Church of Burning Hearts for his advancement mission this time.

Without the help of the Burning Heart Church, going straight to Simmons without the support of relevant intelligence could very well have backfired.

The special promotion battle, with a difficulty level of A-SSS+, already put immense pressure on Li Xia, even though he had only just begun the main storyline.

"But we don't have time—"

Sander, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, the short, stocky last member of the Mechanicus tapping the table:

"Collins has become corrupt, Ogan has fallen. Our sacred artifacts have been stolen by Simmons, and the once-powerful Three-Point Sacred Domain Formation is now only being held up by nature."

The collapse of the Brilliant Ring is foreseeable, at which point the entire world will be shrouded in darkness.

Based on our previous predictions, the entire world will be swallowed up, which will be the moment Simmons reaches his 'perfection,' at which point he may perform the 'ascension to godhood' ritual!

According to Black Star's deduction, the lower level is the peak of the third rank, while the higher level is a pseudo-breakthrough due to the weakening of the rank barrier caused by the corruption of darkness.

That is, the third stage of Great Perfection - half a step into the fourth stage.

Ascending to godhood, on the other hand, is a complete sublimation, entering a higher level of life, which Li Xia understands as—advancing to a higher level.

If Simmons has indeed completed his ascension, according to the prevailing theory among the Apostles that 'the fourth order is a qualitative change'...
Li Xia let out a breath. He was afraid that even if he used all his trump cards and went all out, he would still not be able to defeat Simmons, who was at the fourth level.

"Therefore, the best way is to set off immediately and head straight to Edmunds!"

After saying his last words, Sander sat down again.

Silence fell once again in the small room.

At this moment, a hoarse voice sounded:

"I'll go with Xia."

Everyone suddenly looked up at the old man sitting next to the archbishop.

"Although you all call me senile Fafner—"

The rather elderly man chuckled and tapped his forehead with his finger:

"Well, I am indeed getting a little senile, but I am still the recorder and data officer of the Burning Heart Church. Every battle and every piece of intelligence is in my mind."

Watching those children die one by one, all I could do was record their causes of death and the information they gave their lives for.

This is the cruelest punishment for an elderly person.

It was so cruel that I dare not recall it, yet this blessed mind can remember every detail with unparalleled clarity.

I recall how they told me every bit of information they had, filled with anticipation and longing, hoping to bring about some change to this damned world.

Then die with that hope.

Fafner's voice began to tremble, and his greyish-white eyes slowly filled with tears.

"Twenty-four thousand six hundred and seventy-two!"

I experienced 24,672 deaths and recorded the experiences of my companions dying 24,672 times.

Countless times, I've asked myself in the dead of night, "What use is this old body of mine besides recording a few things?"

Fafner lowered his head and quickly wiped away his tears with the back of his wrinkled, withered hand.

"But now I understand that this is my last chance before I die with regret and despair."

The meaning of my life up to this point lies here.

Carrying the memories of those more than 20,000 deaths, let them become a force and embark on the final expedition.

Even if we fail.

His words suddenly carried an unprecedented weight, making everyone feel suffocated by this heavy weight.

The knight of judgment covered his eyes, and glistening tears dripped down his stubble-covered chin.

Only the most fervent emotions can forge the most steadfast knights; beneath the cold armor of every Judgment Knight lies an incomparably passionate heart.

He was also most concerned about the death of his companion.

I'll go too.

The priest Victor, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, stroking his severed arm and tilting his head:
"Hmm—although I'm missing an arm, I can still cast divine spells to help you a little."

I imagine you'll need some help dealing with Simmons, the Virgin Mary, and his four bishops, won't you?"

"Then, can I join you too?"

Suddenly, Iris cautiously extended her hand, but the others immediately refused.
“What are you going there for? You haven’t even reached the level of ‘God’s Sub-God’ yet. You’ll only cause trouble if you go.”

Sander valued this girl, who was about the same age as his daughter, exceptionally highly, and immediately waved his hand to dissuade her:
“Iris, this isn’t about you going to Ogan for holy water, or to the Church of Nature for some food.”

This is about venturing deep into the corrupted and dark realms to fight real monsters!

"But I'm very useful too! I know all the divine spells of the Heart-Burning Divine Art, I know the divine spells of the Church of Nature, and I even know quite a few of the spells of Ogan!"

Iris said with dissatisfaction:

"Moreover, some divine spells require prayer gestures, which Uncle Victor can't use at all, but I can help with that."

Besides, running errands, scouting enemy positions, and most importantly, without me, you wouldn't be able to get out of the Thorn Forest!

"you--"

Sander wanted to say something more, but Archbishop Nar shook his head:

"Sander, let her go. I'm afraid she doesn't want to hide like this and live a painful life."

Sander paused, his gaze lingering on Iris's face, which was covered by scars, and looking at the determination in her eyes.

The surging emotions in his chest finally turned into a long sigh:
"Okay, I got it."

"Then it's decided. Iris, Fafner, Victor, and Xia, this is the final expedition of the Burning Heart Church."

It was also the final expedition.

The archbishop forced himself to stand up and addressed the four other people who were also standing:
"May the indomitable flame forever burn in our hearts, and may you shatter the darkness and return in triumph."

Li Xia, who had been silent all along, looked around at the people present and suddenly nodded very seriously:
"Thank you"

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

My dad is in the hospital these next few days, so please forgive me if my update schedule is disrupted.
(End of this chapter)