Chapter 73: If You Truly Exist, Save Us

Suvalle.

This small nation, located on Xuanlan Star, covered only approximately 5.63 million square kilometers and had a population of around five million. In the past, many people hadn’t even heard of its name, and it was rarely seen participating in international conferences.

However, since the resurgence of spiritual phenomena, Suvalle became the first country on Xuanlan Star to shock the world as its government collapsed due to the mysterious revival. The most unfortunate turn of events was that the enigmatic event named ‘Night Parade of Hundred Ghosts’ remained unresolved when the spiritual tide erupted.

Previously, adhering to the principle of mutual aid during great catastrophes, several countries provided assistance to Suvalle. Yet with the onset of the spiritual tide, it inevitably meant that the final support for Suvalle would be limited.

The country was effectively doomed, but today, a young man quietly stood upon this land.

With his tall stature and strikingly handsome features radiating vitality, he seemed starkly out of place amidst the nearly hellish terrain. His pale golden eyes reflected pain and distress as he looked around sympathetically.

This individual was none other than Hu Fu, who had quietly departed alone after resolving the Gate of Sin and Virtue with Duan Wenxuan. Hu Fu’s purpose for coming here was specifically to pay homage.

In the second personality crafted by Duan Wenxuan, Hu Fu was inspired by the Universal Church’s saints and became a devout holy knight, embodying virtues such as courage, justice, fearlessness, compassion, and even self-sacrifice. As a fervent believer, it was only natural for him to visit this place.

Suvalle indeed was a small nation, lacking significant resources and devoid of any outstanding figures known to the world.

However, there was one exceptional aspect… According to the sacred texts of the Universal Church, the first divine incarnation, the Holy Spirit, descended upon Earth to bear the suffering of all living beings. The chosen vessel for the Holy Spirit was a Suvallean woman named Aisha Khalili.

Ah Yi conceived through divine intervention, and later, the first Holy Spirit sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Following suit, Ah Yi also passed away, being revered in the sacred texts as the Pious One.

As the Universal Church spread throughout the Western Alliance over time, its doctrines underwent several changes. Eventually, by the present day, Suvalle’s significance was largely unrecognized. Instead, the commonly accepted holy site of the Universal Church is located within Batan, part of Chengxing Country.

Batan was essentially a state within Chengxing Country, very small with no dedicated military or specific governmental institutions. However, it remained autonomous.

Batan is governed by the current Pontifex of the Universal Church. Due to the widespread influence of the Universal Church, despite its tiny size comparable to that of a small county and being nested within another country, the Pontifex frequently attends international meetings. Naturally, whenever voting on matters arises, this current Pontifex consistently abstains from casting a vote.

And now, instead of heading to Batan in Chengxing Country, Hu Fu found himself entering Suvalle.

To honor the Pious One, a holy site was established at Ah Yi’s former residence in Suvalle. Unfortunately, adherents of the original Universal Church are scarce nowadays; apart from the people of Suvalle, hardly anyone else follows this faith.

It has been about three to four days since the outbreak of the spiritual tide. The torrential rains have significantly decreased, but their aftermath remains prevalent. In just a few short months, the city, left without maintenance, has nearly turned into ruins. Collided vehicles litter the streets, buildings stand damaged, and floodwaters tainted by the spiritual tide reach up to thigh level. Most terrifyingly, amidst the murky water, corpses occasionally float to the surface.

Some of these corpses were bloated from being submerged, others emaciated like mummies, and even some had been stranded on car roofs or in corners due to the force of the polluted water.

It was a scene of hell on earth.

As Hu Fu traversed through, he did not encounter a single living person.

At some point, Hu Fu heard faint weeping and praying. He noticed Ah Yi’s sacred site built upon ordinary land, with the floodwaters still engulfing most of the church.

Inside the dilapidated church, there stood a sculpted figure of a woman draped in thin white cloth, modestly covering certain parts of her body without evoking any indecent associations. On the contrary, her expression was loving and devout. With her head slightly bowed, she held a sleeping child nestled in her arms.

Bellayoz struggled to stand atop the makeshift platform formed by tables her mother had arranged, upon which some simple clothes were placed. Weakly kneeling, her frail body trembled as she cried and prayed.

When the Suvalle government’s initial brutal handling of the mystical event led to complete loss of control, her father had hastily fled with their entire family.

However, as various calamities unfolded, during the eruption of the spiritual tide, her mother led Bella, their grandmother, and several strangers to seek refuge within Ah Yi Sanctuary.

Soon, diseases caused by contaminated water combined with the chilling effects of the spiritual tide took their toll. People died one after another, leaving only Bella and her mother behind.

Her mother saved the last bit of food for her, urging her to pray devoutly and insisting she must strive to survive. Then, on the previous night, her mother too became a cold lifeless body.

“Are you alright?”

Young Bella, nearly fainting, had shed all her tears but maintained her praying posture steadfastly.

“Save my mother, save my family, save my country, save me.”

“If You truly exist, please rescue us.”

“Rescue us.”

Bella could feel her body losing sensation, her mind gradually numbing, and her eyes unable to stay open any longer. Yet, she never forgot what her mother told her - to pray devoutly. Even at this moment, she remained faithful, without harboring any resentment.

“Save us.”

Bella could no longer produce any sound, but suddenly, she felt a slight warmth spreading through her skin. This sensation of warmth gave Bella a hint of strength, and she slowly opened her eyes to see a young man filled with compassion and radiating a divine aura lifting her up.

“I heard your prayer and sensed your devotion. Are you willing to join me in saving this place as much as possible?” Hu Fu looked gently at the frail, dying girl.

“A god,” Bella’s weak face flushed slightly with excitement.

“No, I am merely a knight who was once guided by a saint, escaping my absurd past life and finding redemption. My name is Hu Fu.”

Bella displayed an indescribable yet deeply moving smile, raising her hands and clasping them together at her chest. “Thank the gods, the Holy Spirit, and the saints.”

Hu Fu carried Bella gradually out of the Ai Sanctuary. Strangely, while Bella devoutly chanted prayers to the gods, Hu Fu felt a unique surge of power entering his body. This force was promptly absorbed by the Photonic mutant Bracelet he wore. After absorption, the previously dormant bracelet became even more tranquil than before.

In Li Kingdom, within a clean yet starkly monotonous room, An Gaoyang, a determined and unyielding elderly man, knelt on the floor dressed in white ceremonial robes. Not far in front of him, a sleek handgun lay quietly.

He was awaiting the final news.

Under his decision, numerous citizens of Li Kingdom shifted from scattered retreats to a concentrated evacuation, effectively guiding the sea spirits towards Geshan City at great human cost.

The death toll was reported to him daily, with the heart-wrenching pain and pressure enough to break anyone. Yet, he persisted, keeping his head held high as he waited.

Today would determine the outcome of everything.

If Geshan City’s Mountain God could not resolve the tide-like onslaught of creatures, the bullet in this handgun would be used upon himself. His sins might be too deep for one life to atone, but it was the last action he could take.

“Soon, very soon,” An Gaoyang kept repeating silently to himself. Despite appearing calm, only he knew how rapidly his heart was beating.

—Tap, tap, tap—

Footsteps approached outside the door.

An Gaoyang’s heavy hands clenched tightly on his thighs.

Creak…

The wooden door opened.

Instantly, An Gaoyang jerked his head up, glaring fiercely with bloodshot eyes at the person standing in the doorway. The newcomer stumbled back, startled by An Gaoyang’s intensity, but quickly regained composure and excitedly shouted, “Prime Minister, Prime Minister! You saved the Li Kingdom, your choice was right. The Mountain God completely halted the sea spirits… No… more accurately, the Mountain God is carrying out a complete massacre of the sea spirits. Our Li Kingdom, we’re saved! Our nation has been preserved!”

Although the coastal regions would undoubtedly have to be abandoned, as long as the sea spirits could be contained, half of the Li Kingdom’s territory would still remain under control. In that case, the kingdom would not yet be lost.

“Did it succeed?” An Gaoyang suddenly murmured, momentarily bewildered. In the next moment, he abruptly rose from the floor, feeling slightly dizzy due to having knelt for too long. Fortunately, someone nearby managed to steady him just in time.

“It succeeded!” An Gaoyang exclaimed loudly, vigorously waving his arms with veins bulging on his forehead, overwhelmed with excitement.

“Yes, you succeeded!”

“No, it’s not just my success; this is the success of all Li Kingdom citizens. Those who were tragically sacrificed will forever be heroes of our kingdom.” Despite his joy, tears began streaming down An Gaoyang’s face.

It had been over twenty years since An Gaoyang last shed tears.

“Good, good. Right, where is Mr. Mountain God? I must go see Him immediately. Additionally, even amidst these events, we shall promptly mobilize all resources for a grand sacrifice ceremony. We need to conduct a thorough national offering!”

This gesture aimed both to express gratitude and gain favor with the Mountain God, as well as to unite the hearts of the people during such tumultuous times. It would remind everyone that amidst the mysterious chaos, their Li Kingdom was protected by its own mythical power - ‘the Mountain God’. Of course, the most crucial goal was to firmly bind the Mountain God to himself.

Although the Mountain God appeared indifferent, through this incident, An Gaoyang realized that at His core, He remained a benevolent deity, holding genuine affection for the Li Kingdom.

Under An Gaoyang’s direction, news swiftly spread throughout the entire Li Kingdom about Geshan City successfully repelling the majority of sea spirits and commencing large-scale elimination efforts.

Simultaneously, preparations for the national sacrifice ceremony were immediately set in motion.