However, it was quite clear that Archbishop Doberman had never dreamt that someone like Chen Fei would dare to mock him with such a tone for 'not being calm enough', feeling both ashamed and annoyed. Yet, he frustratingly could not come up with a retort.
After all, at this moment, he did need to calm down, considering the individuals before him were indeed not to be trifled with.
Be that as it may, the reality was a different matter. Others might fear Doberman Scaldoran for his identity and power, but who was Chen Fei, Young Master Chen? A mere Ability User? How could someone like that truly be held in any regard by the current Chen Fei?
After all, now that Chen Fei had truly stepped into the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer Realm, his foundation and strength were such that he was fully qualified to challenge even a mighty expert of the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer and exchange several blows. Thus, so-called sss-Level Superpowered Powerhouses were truly nothing before him; they were all just 'trash' that could be disposed of with ease. Not even worth mentioning.
Unfortunately, Archbishop Doberman didn't quite understand this point. Upon hearing Chen Fei's 'daring' words, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger, an annoyed expression quickly spreading across his face. However, in the end, he was smart enough not to seek his own demise by spouting any more nonsense.
Seeing this, Holy Magister Melsdom sighed softly. He ultimately recalled that his relationship with the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church was normally quite good. Moreover, it was a colossal power, so there was indeed no need to offend them too grievously. With a flash in his eyes, he said slowly, "Archbishop Doberman, let's go. I'll see you out."
The moment Holy Magister Melsdom spoke, everyone couldn't help but shudder, despite having been mentally prepared. They stared at him with strange, trembling gazes... before their eyes shifted to Chen Fei, who stood calmly not far away.
This was a Peak Holy Magister, yet now he was surprisingly willing to be commanded by an Easterner, a young man!? This was simply too unbelievable for them, and they couldn't stop trembling inwardly.
"I..." Archbishop Doberman had reached his current position and status because he was, quite obviously, a clever man. Now that he had calmed down a little, how could he fail to see that Chen Fei, despite his youth, held terrifying weight in the hearts of Melsdom and the others? Otherwise, how could everything that just happened have occurred? Hales had been killed, and now this young man was ordering Melsdom around in such a manner...
Realizing this, Archbishop Doberman certainly didn't dare utter another word. Hearing what Melsdom had said, he simply bowed his head and followed him out, his expression gloomy. Yet, at the moment he turned to leave, he couldn't help but look back at Chen Fei with a gaze filled with unimaginable complexity and trepidation.
Clearly, even now, he couldn't imagine what kind of background this young man... this Easterner possessed, or what power he wielded, to make Melsdom and Mardo act to such a degree. They were even willing to nearly have a falling out with the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church for his sake.
Is this really worth it?
...
Melsdom escorted Archbishop Doberman out of the underground area. As they walked, he shook his head with a grave tone. "Archbishop Doberman, we've known each other for a long time. Although our relationship has only ever been average, I feel I must offer you a piece of private advice. Hales is Hales, and you are you. I suggest you stay out of this matter entirely, lest you lose your life..."
"Lose my life!?" Hearing this, Archbishop Doberman's expression changed dramatically. He never expected Melsdom to say something like that to him. A threat? No, that can't be right. If he truly wanted to threaten me, why wait to do it privately now?
With this thought, Archbishop Doberman couldn't help but tremble violently. He slowed his pace slightly and looked at Melsdom with a grave expression. "Honorable Holy Magister, indeed, we are old friends, and your relationship with our church has always been good. So... I will ask you this one time in a personal capacity: who exactly is that young man? Does he truly hold so much weight in your hearts that you would fall out with our church for him!?"
"I can't tell you Mr. Chen Fei's identity, because even I am not entirely clear on it. I only know that he is a very, very, very terrifying person!" Melsdom repeated 'very' three times, making Archbishop Doberman feel a chill deep inside.
But then, Melsdom's tone shifted as he continued, "As for your other question—how much weight Mr. Chen carries in our hearts—that I can answer. It's just as you saw. If Mr. Chen Fei gives the word, or if anyone is foolish enough to offend him, the few of us will support him without reservation and with all our strength!"
"HISS!" Archbishop Doberman drew a sharp breath. "Holy Magister Melsdom, what you're saying..." Even for a major figure like himself, he couldn't help but feel an icy chill spread through his limbs. People of their station are normally extremely careful with their words. It's often impossible, and certainly not appropriate, to speak so bluntly, as one must always leave room to maneuver. But now? Melsdom had spoken with complete candor, even declaring they would act 'without reservation and with all our strength.' What did this imply?
One can only imagine what would happen if we truly offended that young man, that Easterner! Would we truly have to make enemies of all of them at once? This is simply...
After all, Melsdom alone was a Peak Holy Magister, a powerhouse of the most terrifying tier in the Western Dark World! And that wasn't even counting Mardo and the others... each of those individuals possessed a vast and deeply rooted power base. While any of those factions taken alone could not compare to the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, it would be a completely different story if they were to unite! Isn't there a saying that 'quantity begets a qualitative change'? Not even the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church could possibly fend off a coalition of so many immense powers!
At this thought, Archbishop Doberman's expression changed repeatedly. A chilling sensation began to grow inside him, and cold sweat beaded on his back.
"Holy Magister Melsdom, does that... gentleman truly possess such influence?" Doberman pursed his lips, still finding it hard to believe.
"What else could it be? Do you really think I would lie to you after saying so much?" Melsdom said slowly. "Sigh. For the sake of the past friendship between myself and your esteemed church, there is one more thing I will tell you in private, Archbishop. However, you must guarantee that you will take this secret to your grave. Otherwise, if I hear that it has been leaked, don't blame me for being merciless." By the end, his voice had turned unmistakably cold. Clearly, his final warning was no empty threat.
"Please speak, Holy Magister. Rest assured, I guarantee I will take what I hear to my grave and never reveal it to another soul," Archbishop Doberman replied, his body trembling as his expression became exceedingly grim.
"Alright then. Listen closely." Melsdom nodded slowly and continued as they walked, "You should be aware that Wenn Tianxiong and Wenn Yongshou were also here before, correct?"
"Wenn Tianxiong? Wenn Yongshou?" Archbishop Doberman's face froze for a moment before he answered hesitantly, "I did hear from Hales. Wenn Tianxiong and Wenn Yongshou were also invited by Schumacher to help out..."
"Help out? Heh." Upon hearing that laughable term, Melsdom let out a cold laugh, cutting him off. "It wasn't just Wenn Tianxiong and Wenn Yongshou. At least ten or twenty people were invited by Schumacher to 'help.' Now, how many of us did you see walk out of there just now?"
"What!?" Archbishop Doberman's face contorted, and he nearly cried out in shock as a wild surge of horror filled his eyes. He wasn't a fool; he had already guessed something from Melsdom's words. He pursed his lips and asked slowly, "The others? Are they all dead?"
"Yes. They're all dead." Holy Magister Melsdom nodded slowly, his face devoid of expression. "This entire affair was a trap. There was a monster hidden in that seal, and Schumacher intended to use our lives to resurrect it! We were set up by that bat-like beast from the very beginning. The only reason you see a few of us standing here, alive, is entirely because of Mr. Chen Fei. It was he who saved every single one of us!"
"Now, do you think Mr. Chen Fei has that kind of qualification? That kind of power?" Melsdom's gaze swept over Archbishop Doberman's face with a tone that was both cold and mocking.
After hearing Melsdom's words, Archbishop Doberman felt a deep, bone-deep chill. He finally understood. He understood why Melsdom and the others would be willing to turn on their own church for an Easterner, a mere youth, even uttering such terrifying and astonishing promises to support him 'without reservation and with all our strength'. So this was the reason!
So this incident was nowhere near as simple as I'd thought. It was a complete trap? A monster in the seal? Schumacher wanted to use their lives to resurrect it?
This... wait... could it be?! At that thought, Archbishop Doberman's heart trembled violently. His expression was that of a man who had just realized a terrifying truth.