An invisible pressure filled the air, making even breathing difficult.
The crowd below the altar had long since fallen to their knees, pressing their foreheads tightly against the ground, not daring to look up at the deity.
Their bodies trembled slightly, their hearts filled with awe and terror.
Even those who usually considered themselves powerful felt as insignificant as ants before the god.
While everyone else prostrated themselves, only Ning Busan and Lucifer remained standing.
Not only was Ning Busan standing, but he was also openly sizing up the God of Light.
The god's face was like a snow-capped mountain shrouded in morning mist, possessing both the chill of ice and snow and a gentle golden edge gilded by the early sun.
His compassion and majesty were seamlessly integrated like light and shadow. Beneath his brow lay two miniature suns, while a galaxy flowed deep within his pupils.
Lucifer's gaze toward the God of Light was filled with resentment and hostility. His voice was cold and dismissive: “He has already been branded by Hell. You are too late.”
Wherever the God of Light's gaze fell, a massive rift tore open in space. A powerful suction force surged from the rift, drawing Lucifer inside.
Lucifer struggled, attempting to resist the invisible force, but his efforts were as futile as an ant trying to shake a tree.
“This trick again,” Lucifer snapped irritably, completely losing his usual elegance.
Watching Lucifer's body gradually vanish into the rift, Ning Busan couldn't help but ask, “What did you do to him?”
The God of Light's gaze fell upon Ning Busan, his eyes filled with warmth. “I merely sealed him inside my eyes.”
Ning Busan could not fathom this kind of operation.
Granted, he knew a deity's eyes were probably different from those of a mortal like him, but seriously...
Did he really have to seal him inside his eyes?
However, he wasn't particularly worried about Lucifer. Judging by the brief exchange between Lucifer and the God of Light, the two were clearly old acquaintances.
The God of Light gently raised his hand, showering a soft light over the crowd. Like a spring breeze, it dispelled the fear and unease in their hearts.
As the overwhelming pressure receded, the crowd raised their heads one after another to gaze upon the true face of the God of Light.
“I know what you seek.” The God of Light placed a hand on Ning Busan's shoulder. His voice sounded like heavenly music, yet it resonated like thunder.
“He is my chosen Divine Envoy, the incarnation of my will. His voice is my voice; his guidance is my guidance.
“Listen to his holy words and follow in his footsteps. You shall find light in the darkness and hope in despair.”
The onlookers instantly fell into shock, unable to believe their ears.
The messengers of the deity had always been archangels. But this time, the deity had not sent an angel. Instead, he had descended to the mortal realm himself to appoint a human as his Divine Envoy.
Ning Busan was certain that the God of Light had recognized him as Phoenix. Otherwise, the god would never have made him his Divine Envoy.
This cheap dad of his was pretty reliable—he was really giving him face.
The God of Light raised his hand, and a dazzling beam of light cascaded from the heavens like a golden waterfall, pouring directly onto the crown of Ning Busan's head.
“You are the darling of Heaven, born of the light.
“Where you step, thorns shall turn into blooming flowers, and darkness shall scatter into light;
“Where you touch, barren lands shall become oases, and fierce flames shall transform into auspicious light;
“Where your thoughts dwell, storms shall be pacified, and haze shall disperse into peace;
“Where you walk, evil shall have nowhere to hide, and justice shall be manifested.”
As the God of Light softly chanted, a massive halo slowly materialized above Ning Busan's head, appearing as though woven from countless stars.
The golden halo rotated slowly, emitting a warm glow that illuminated Ning Busan's face.
Everyone raised their heads in unison, witnessing the miracle with their own eyes.
Was this the legendary blessing of a deity?
Only Ning Busan knew what that thing on his head actually was.
Every little angel was born with their own angel halo.
Just as Lucifer had branded him with Hell, the God of Light had now branded him with Heaven.
Oh gosh, the thought processes of these two were exactly the same!
Ning Busan asked cautiously, “What do I need to do?”
Since the God of Light wanted him to be his Divine Envoy, there had to be some orders, right?
However, the God of Light merely said, “Follow your heart, and do as you wish.
“I will watch over you and accompany you forever, from the first light of dawn to the deep shadows of dusk, from the twinkling of the stars to the slumber of the cosmos, from the creation of heaven and earth to the return of all things to silence.”
If these words were spoken by the God of Light to any of his other believers, they would surely weep with gratitude and go wild with excitement.
But Ning Busan had only one thought: Are you a pervert?
What did he mean by "I will watch over you forever"?
Just the thought that he might be watched no matter what he did was absolutely terrifying!
Before Ning Busan could fully digest the words, the God of Light reached out to stroke the crown of his head and said softly:
“There is no need to resist their power, nor any need to fear your own changes. They are all you, and you will eventually become them.”
Ning Busan's breath hitched.
What did that mean?
Why did it feel like there was a hidden meaning behind those words?
Did the God of Light know that he had seven other accounts?
Ning Busan grabbed the God of Light's sleeve, suddenly becoming agitated. “I want to know the truth.”
Why did he come to this world?
What exactly was the game Xeno Invasion?
And what were the irreversible consequences warned about in that red text?
“Seek the answers yourself,” the God of Light said, emphasizing each word. “I will wait for you in Heaven.”
His figure gradually turned translucent until it completely vanished into the sky.
Ning Busan scratched his head, feeling a bit frustrated.
His intuition told him that the answers to all his doubts could be obtained from the God of Light.
But the God of Light was a total riddle-monger!
However, now that the God of Light had departed, Ning Busan had to get down to business.
The Holy Spirit Festival couldn't just end like this. He still had a score to settle.
Ning Busan looked around and found that everyone's eyes were filled with reverence and dread.
The corners of his mouth curled slightly as he spoke unhurriedly, “Those who offend the majesty of the gods shall surely face divine retribution. Those who harbor disrespect toward the deities shall have their sins cleansed by the Holy Fire.”
Having said this, he looked toward William and Phil.
With the brands of both Heaven and Hell empowering him, he could now use the power of both sides at will, without fearing any backlash.
William and Phil's eyes widened, their pupils reflecting the dancing tongues of fire, their hair curling into ash under the intense heat.
Their expressions twisted in agony. They wanted to roll on the ground and scream, yet they were completely immobilized, unable to move a single muscle, forced to maintain their kneeling posture.
The flames wrapped around them like crimson serpents, licking their bodies. Their skin cracked inch by inch, and their flesh sizzled.
Finally, their bones dissolved into wisps of black smoke, curling upward.
This scene unfolded too quickly for anyone to react. Even if they had, there was no way they could have extinguished the Holy Fire.
The King rushed toward William, crying out in sheer grief, “William—”
Yet, under the burning of the Holy Fire, not even William's bones remained.
“Ning Busan, you killed my son!” The King's gaze toward Ning Busan was filled with pure hatred. “I will make you pay with your life!”
Ning Busan smiled. “The Holy Fire burns the guilty. This is the oracle of the God of Light. Your Majesty, do you wish to defy the deity's will?”
The King's eyes nearly split from rage. He wished he could tear Ning Busan into a thousand pieces, but he had no choice but to suppress his anger.
No one could defy the will of the gods. No one.
Ning Busan pondered to himself. If he could make good use of this identity as the Divine Envoy, he would practically be invincible.
Facing the commoners gathered around the altar, his voice rang out with passion:
“People of the Empire, the favor of the God of Light is with you! You must revere him with a devout heart, defend justice with fearless actions, and defeat all evil and injustice! Though darkness lurks in the corners, the light shall never be extinguished!”
As his words fell, golden light showered down from the sky, as if the God of Light were responding to his call.
Devout prayers and cheers erupted from the crowd.
The King's chest heaved violently, the veins on his forehead bulging like writhing snakes beneath his skin.
Yet, there was absolutely nothing he could do.
He could only watch as Ning Busan stood before the statue of the God of Light, surrounded by the adoring crowd.
In this era of the divine right of kings, Ning Busan's words were absolute truth.
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