Traveling through the second dimension, the joy system encourages me to laugh heartily!

But they fear failure, fear being unable to fulfill the core mission that has lasted for thousands of years: to resurrect the Demon King!

Therefore, Chen Ming must be eliminated first!

However, direct combat is too risky. The fall of five of their kind has already proven that even if the remaining three demons were to gather their power and confront Chen Ming head-on, the outcome would be uncertain, and it would likely delay the grand plan to resurrect the Demon King.

So they chose a more insidious and clever strategy: to undermine the enemy from within.

Impersonating the leader of the Yalan Cult was an extremely cunning move.

Having taken control of the church, the next step was naturally to control Yalan Garula—the unique and irreplaceable "channel" that connected the goddess with the world.

The demons, through the mouth of Yalan Garula, issued commands in the form of a goddess's decree. These words, imbued with a sacred aura, were regarded as absolute truth by countless believers.

At that time, the demon's words will be transmitted to all parts of the world as the goddess's words.

By simply using the name of the goddess, one can easily identify Chen Ming as a fallen angel and make him an enemy of the whole world!

Chapter 328: Wiping Them All Out at Once

This tactic of using someone else to do one's dirty work is extremely vicious.

If the armies of all human nations can kill Chen Ming, that would be ideal. The demon race would be able to eliminate their greatest threat without losing a single soldier!

If the human army is no match for Chen Ming, then the massive casualties and shattered souls generated in the war will be the perfect nourishment for the resurrection of the Demon King.

Regardless of the outcome, the demons remain invincible—if humanity wins, they remove the obstacles; if humanity loses, they reap the rewards.

Chen Ming, on the other hand, will be forever nailed to the pillar of historical shame, and will be despised by future generations as a fallen man who betrayed the goddess.

This plan was brilliant, but unfortunately Chen Ming saw through it beforehand.

He certainly wouldn't sit idly by—after all, the enemy had already set their sights on him, and this was intolerable.

Thinking this, Chen Ming turned around and his gaze fell on Niman again.

At that moment, Niman was staring straight at him, her beautiful eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and admiration.

This noble and intelligent duke's daughter, at this moment, resembled a young girl who placed all her hopes on a hero.

"Then the future of this world is in your hands."

Niman straightened her back slightly, her voice soft yet incredibly firm, "The Lomalin family will fully cooperate with your operation!"

She paused, seemingly weighing how much family secret to reveal in her next words, but ultimately chose to be completely honest: "Father has authorized me to mobilize the entire underground force of the family—including hundreds of elite stalkers, an intelligence network spanning various kingdoms, three secret knight orders, and the seventeen informants we have developed within the Yalan Church..."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Chen Ming's eyes. The Lomalin family had indeed made a huge bet this time, revealing almost all of the dark forces that the family had accumulated over hundreds of years.

This kind of decisiveness is something that ordinary nobles cannot achieve.

"Very well, then, do you know how the demons plan to set the trap? The specific time, place, participants, and methods of execution?"

Niman shook her head slightly, her hair fluttering with the movement: "The specific details are not yet clear. The demons' operation this time is extremely secretive. Our intelligence personnel can only observe some anomalies from the outside, but cannot infiltrate the core circle... However, we can infer some clues from the recent decrees issued by the Yalan Church."

She got up and walked to the bookshelf, took out a roll of parchment from a hidden compartment, and spread it out on the table.

That was a copy of the official decree issued by the Yalan Church, stamped with the leader's seal.

“Because you defeated five demons,” Niman pointed to a passage in the decree, “the High Priest has issued a notice inviting you and the hero Ebona to the holy land of Istalia in the name of the Goddess, to commend your outstanding contributions to the human world.”

Chen Ming leaned closer to take a closer look.

The edict was ornate and solemn, filled with praise and gratitude for the angels, almost portraying him as the second apostle sent by the goddess to save the world.

However, in Chen Ming's eyes, these words of praise revealed a carefully designed hypocrisy.

"It is said that he also invited kings and royal family members from various kingdoms to attend the ceremony."

Niman continued, her finger sliding to the list of invitees at the end of the decree—a list densely packed with the names of monarchs from human kingdoms. “As is customary, when a king travels, he is usually accompanied by the Royal Knights as his bodyguards, ranging in size from three hundred to three thousand.”

Chen Ming laughed, a hint of mockery in his smile: "No matter how you look at it, it's a trap. They've even found the army and the hostages—the knightly orders from various countries can serve as the armed force to besiege me, while the kings gathered together are the best hostage bargaining chips. How thoughtful of them."

"And the timing was extremely tricky."

Niman nodded in agreement, her brow furrowing slightly. "It just so happens to be the Yalan Church's once-a-decade Holy Spirit Festival, during which more than 500,000 believers will gather in the Holy City. In that atmosphere of religious fervor, any questioning of the leader will be considered blasphemy."

She paused, a strange light flashing in her eyes. "Honestly, this is quite interesting—the demons, who have for thousands of years revered pure violence and crushed everything with strength, have actually started to engage in a battle of wits with humans!"

“By the way,” Chen Ming suddenly remembered a crucial question, “how did the Lomalin family know that the cult leader had been replaced by the demons? Is this information reliable?”

Niman's expression became somewhat subtle, and she lowered her voice, saying, "It was Lady Yalan Garula who personally revealed this to one of our senior intelligence agents."

“That makes sense… However, if others knew that Yalan Garula had discovered the cult leader's true identity, she herself would be killed immediately. She should have thought of that. In that isolated and helpless situation, surrounded by powerful enemies, she chose to seek help from the Lomarin family… Such trust is unusual.”

"This trust was not built overnight."

Niman smiled slightly, a hint of family pride in her smile. "The Lomalin family predicted five years ago that this young witch would have a crucial impact on the situation in the future. We spent a great deal of time and resources helping her in the most discreet way—sometimes secretly eliminating her enemies, sometimes 'accidentally' providing her with much-needed ancient documents, and sometimes arranging timely assistance when she was in danger. All of this was done so discreetly that she gradually realized that beneath the bright facade of the Yalan Church, there was an undercurrent supporting her."

She picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Of course, Lady Yalan Carola's real target for help isn't us. She hopes to send a distress message to you through the Lomarin family's channels. After all, you defeated five demon angels... She seems to believe that with you by her side, she can be saved."

Chen Ming estimated that Yalan Garula trusted not only his combat power, but also that the goddess must have told her that his true purpose in coming to this world was to save it.

"This information is crucial; I will rescue her!"

Chen Ming made this promise.

Rescuing Yalan Garula was not only due to her beauty, but also a key step in unraveling the demons' conspiracy.

As long as Carol is safe, she can serve as the most authoritative witness to expose the true face of the imposter cult leader.

At that time, even if the cult leader wants to frame Chen Ming as the goddess's enemy, Carol can stand up and declare his innocence, and point out that the cult leader is the demon.

Public opinion will reverse instantly, and the demons' plan to frame them will become their own grave.

"Well then, I wish you all the best, my angel."

Niman also stood up to see him off. She walked up to Chen Ming, then suddenly remembered something, a rare hint of awkwardness appearing on her face. "Oh, right, I've already asked the kitchen to prepare. It's not a grand feast, but the chef has specially prepared moonfish imported from the Eastern Islands, as well as fruit wine aged for thirty years... Would you like to dine together?"

Chen Ming looked at the duke's daughter before him. Under her feigned composure and invitation, he could sense a faint expectation—perhaps not just to discuss the plan, but also because she wanted to spend more time with him.

He smiled and shook his head, his tone gentle: "Next time."

A fleeting hint of disappointment crossed Niman's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by understanding.

“Saving lives is urgent,” Chen Ming explained. “Every moment of delay increases the danger to Yalan Garula, so I must set off immediately.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the space rippled slightly again, and his figure began to blur and become transparent. Before disappearing completely, he said one last thing, "Thank you for the tea."

The room returned to silence, with only the faint scent of floral tea lingering in the air, mixed with the aroma of parchment and ancient wood.

Niman walked to the window, looked at the bright silver ring in the sky, and murmured to herself, "No, we are the ones who should say thank you. Because of your arrival, this world has the possibility of avoiding destruction."

Farong quietly tidied up the tea set, her movements still precise and elegant, each cup placed at the perfect angle. But when she picked up the last teacup—the one Chen Ming had used—she suddenly stopped.

“Miss, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask,” the maid’s voice broke the silence, “Lady Yalan Garula mentioned at the end of her secret letter… ‘The hero will eventually destroy the world,’ is that true? Did the goddess foresee this future?”

Neman did not turn around.

Her gaze remained fixed on the space city in the sky, but her body stiffened noticeably for a moment.

After a long silence, she spoke slowly, her voice calm yet filled with a heavy certainty:

"Lady Yalan Garula would not falsely convey divine pronouncements."

She turned to face Farong, her beautiful eyes deep and unfathomable. "The goddess has made such a prophecy, so there must be a reason for it. What we need to do is follow the goddess's guidance and do our best to assist the angel. Because at this intersection of prophecy and reality, Lord Chen Ming may be the only variable, the path outside the prophecy."

Fa Rong bowed deeply: "I understand."

Niman looked out the window again. Although the space city seemed small from the ground, she had actually been up there and knew how magnificent and spacious it was.

Moreover, Chen Ming said that the second phase of the space city is under construction, and starships are also being prepared...

"Don't worry, Farong." Neman's voice regained its usual calm and decisiveness. "Our Lomalin family has staked everything on the Angel. Even if he ultimately fails to save the world, we still have a way to survive..."

……

Meanwhile, on the other side,

Chen Ming first teleported back to Sky City and briefly explained the situation to Alice and the others.

The lively Taldo was the first to exclaim in surprise, her emerald green eyes widening and her golden twin tails swaying with her movements:

"Wow! The leader of the Yalan Cult is actually a demon? This world is doomed!"

Maho gently pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses (an accessory used to increase Chen Ming's attack speed) and nodded in agreement:

"That's the most powerful person in the world! It's unbelievable that the barrier of the Yalan Holy Land has no effect on the demons..."

"Actually, the demons have already used this move before."

Tia calmly analyzed, "That snake demon Mina brazenly infiltrated noble society, so it's not surprising that the church is now being infiltrated by demons."

As she spoke, she brought up the relevant files, and an elegant female figure appeared on the holographic screen—the serpent demon that Chen Ming had eliminated.

Alice concluded, "Indeed, demons are not just powerful monsters; they also know how to use cunning, which makes them even more troublesome. Pure violence is easy to deal with, but infiltration and disguise... are hard to guard against."

Alpha gently bit her lower lip. As the head maid who was the first to follow Chen Ming, her loyalty to her master was almost instinctive.

"So how should we solve this problem?"

She asked worriedly, "What if the demons make unfavorable statements in the name of Yalan Garula? Wouldn't Master be unjustly accused? At that time, not only church personnel, but the whole world would become Master's enemy. Master might even be cursed and pelted with stones by passersby on the street..."

Although slander cannot truly harm Chen Ming, Alpha does not want him to suffer any harm, not even damage to his reputation!

In her heart, her master was a hero who saved the world, a beacon of hope, and should not bear any stigma.

The maids present all shared the same thought as her!

Mei Jia's beautiful eyes flashed, a dangerous glint in her pupils.

“Then there’s no other way,” her voice was as cold as winter ice, “we can only launch a great purge, sweeping across the globe with a space-based fire network to eliminate all heretics who are hostile to our master!”

As she spoke, she immediately brought up the weapon system interface, where the lock cursors for the ninety-nine space fortresses flashed on the map.

"I'll be the one to press the launch button then!"

Meimi clenched her small fists, a surprising aura erupting from her petite frame. She was Meijia's younger sister, and shared the same unwavering loyalty.

"Even if I bear the infamy of being a devil, I will still press it!"

The twin sister, Susie, nodded emphatically, her amber eyes sparkling.

The twin sister, Sophie, smiled gently, but her words sent chills down one's spine: "Leave the troublesome things to us; we can't dirty Master's hands."

"That's right! Because we are our master's most loyal and personal maids!"

Lilia straightened her chest, her pink curly hair swaying gently with the movement.

Arlene tilted her head and, in an innocent tone, recited the sentences that [Crimson] had taught her during her moral education classes when she was a child:

"Heaven gives birth to all things and man, but man has nothing to give to Heaven. Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Every time she said the word "kill," she would lightly press her finger in front of her, as if she were actually inputting an attack command.

Looking at this group of harem girls with different personalities, Chen Ming felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but at the same time, he was also somewhat amused and exasperated.

“Calm down,” he reached out and ruffled the hair of Taldor, who was closest to him. “It’s not at the point where we need to destroy the world yet. Besides, if we did that, wouldn’t we be falling right into the demons’ trap? They’d love for us to go on a killing spree so they can collect souls and resurrect the Demon King!”

The girls fell silent upon hearing this, exchanging bewildered glances.

Chen Ming continued patiently, "So my main purpose in going to the Holy Land this time is to infiltrate and rescue Yalan Garula! As for the demons, only the one who replaced the leader has shown up so far, and there are two others hiding in the shadows. I plan to wait for them to show up before wiping them out in one fell swoop!"

"Understood. We will make all necessary preparations to provide support. We wish you good luck in your military campaign!"

The 11 girls bowed in unison, watching Chen Ming teleport away...

Chapter 329: Walking on Thin Ice

After leaving the Heavenly Palace Space City, Chen Ming teleported directly to the area above the Holy Land where Yalan Garula was located.

The holy site is called Fong Vorai, and it is the smallest country in the world.

Although the capitals of all the major kingdoms also have sanctuaries, these are more like churches.

Here, the entire town is a sacred place.

To protect against monsters, most towns have city walls.

There were no city walls, no fortifications, not even basic watchtowers. Instead, a pale golden magical barrier, almost visible to the naked eye, enveloped the entire city.

The barrier radiated a soft and sacred light, and faint hymns drifted in the air, as if the prayers of countless believers over thousands of years had permeated every inch of this land.

This is a special gift granted by the goddess!

In fact, wide-area magical barriers that cover the entire city are not uncommon in World 2.