Chapter 61: Your Holiness! I’m Increasing Your Sense of Participation!
Mist curled above the Sacred Pool, where three figures stood in silent reverence, performing the ancient ritual of Sacred Union.
Although the Pope herself did not participate directly, Bai Xuan nevertheless consulted her at every step, deliberately drawing her into the process and heightening her sense of involvement.
“Your Holiness, am I doing this correctly?”
“Your Holiness, did I make a mistake?”
“Your Holiness, please allow us to try again!”
“Your Holiness, I think I—”
“Your Holiness—!”
After several hours, the sacred ceremony finally drew to a close. The chanting that had echoed through the sanctuary gradually faded into silence.
The Pope of Light, who had observed the entire ritual without a word, quietly withdrew from the hall, her expression unreadable and complex.
Now, the Sacred Pool’s golden waters had turned a pure, radiant white, and a rich, exotic floral fragrance mingled with the rising steam, filling the air.
Phew—
Bai Xuan leaned against the edge of the Sacred Pool, letting out a long, contented breath.
He was quite satisfied with his performance—even facing a Succubus for the first time, he had managed the legendary feat of five rounds of resistance!
If he discounted the fact that Serene had clearly been going easy on him, he could almost call himself a master at this!
Heh heh~
Bai Xuan turned to look at Serene. She was resting with her eyes closed, quietly leaning against him.
On her abdomen, a golden magical sigil glowed brilliantly—far brighter than it had after their simple feeding before. Now, its radiance was dazzling.
Not bad~
“Master,”
Serene suddenly opened her eyes and softly reminded him, “Do you feel any changes in your body after soaking in the Holy Water?”
“Hmm?”
Bai Xuan immediately summoned the Book of Worlds:
【Bai Xuan】
【Age: 18】
【Rating: E】
【Attributes: Strength C+, Agility C+, Constitution C+, Spirit S】
【Identity: Transmigrator (Red), Student (White), Medium (Green), White Dove (Green), Dragon Knight (Blue)】
【Abilities: Book of Legends (Rainbow), Mental Immunity (Purple), Invisibility (Blue)】
“My attributes increased!?”
Seeing the significant boost to his stats, Bai Xuan could hardly contain his excitement.
He’d been so absorbed in his struggle with the Succubus that he’d nearly forgotten the Holy Water had been quietly baptizing his body all along!
And it wasn’t just him—Serene’s attributes had also been greatly enhanced!
【Serene】
【Age: 23】
【Quality: Epic】
【Level: E (Linked to you)】
【Identity: Paladin (Blue)】
【Race: Succubus (Blue)】
【Affection: 88】
【Attributes: Strength S, Agility S, Constitution S, Spirit S】
【Abilities: Sword of No Light (Purple), Fire of Justice (Purple), Source of Life (Gold)】
【Hidden Settings: ?, ? (Unlockable)】
【Character Mission: Grace of Light (Completed)】
【Status: Mana Full】
【Mana Full: Serene is at her peak, combat power increased by 20%.】
“All S attributes!”
Seeing all of Serene’s attributes reach S rank, Bai Xuan couldn’t help but grin.
With stats like these, even D-Rank Missions would be a walk in the park, let alone E-Rank ones!
“So this is the Sacred Pool of the Holy See? Its effects are truly astonishing!”
Bai Xuan nodded, deeply satisfied. The Sacred Pool’s blessings had far exceeded his expectations.
“By the way, Master,” Serene said suddenly, “I just mastered a new spell.”
“You learned a new spell?” Bai Xuan asked in surprise. “What is it?”
“Watch.”
As Serene spoke, she gently raised her right hand. Four golden swords of light instantly formed behind her, floating serenely in the air.
“So cool!”
Bai Xuan’s heart surged with envy—he wanted that too!
Wait!
He suddenly noticed a new skill on his own panel: 【Holy Radiant Sword】.
Huh? I learned it as well!
Bai Xuan immediately tried to activate it.
As his mana gathered, a delicate, petite short sword slowly materialized behind him.
“?”
Bai Xuan frowned slightly. Why did his version look so different from Serene’s?
But Serene praised him calmly, “As expected of Master—your first time casting magic, and you can already conjure a high-level magical sword.”
“If you’d been born on the Aeria Continent, you would certainly be an outstanding mage within the Holy See.”
“R-Really?”
Bai Xuan forced a smile, a vague sense of unease lingering.
Still, being able to cast a high-level spell on his first try was definitely something to be proud of.
Could it be… he really was a magical prodigy?
“Since the baptism is complete, we should return,” Bai Xuan said, rising and turning to Serene.
“Alright.”
After getting dressed, the two left the sanctuary.
The two Phantom Angels still stood silently outside, as if they had been waiting for them all along.
Just as Bai Xuan was about to activate the Teleportation Array, a bold idea flashed through his mind:
Could he… bring these two Phantom Angels back to his own world as well?
For example, by taking the two Stones of Light above the temple doors…
“You may.”
The moment the thought surfaced, Isiah’s voice echoed in his mind.
Bai Xuan froze. “You can still hear my thoughts?”
“I can hear a little.”
“…”
Bai Xuan narrowed his eyes, a strange feeling rising in his heart.
This Pope… always gave him the sense that something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Still, since the Pope herself had permitted him to take the Phantom Angels, there was no reason to leave such powerful guardians behind.
As it happened, he needed two doorkeepers.
Bai Xuan immediately reached up and removed the two Stones of Light embedded above the sanctuary doors.
In that instant, the entire sanctuary seemed to freeze, as if time itself had stopped.
“Let’s go, Serene.”
“Mm.”
Bai Xuan placed the Stones of Light into the Book of Worlds, then stepped into the Teleportation Array with Serene.
A flash of golden light—and they were home.
Bai Xuan glanced out the window; the flow of time in both worlds was the same, and it was nearly dusk.
His gaze fell on Mare Alera, waiting at home. The little one was hugging her battle-scarred pillow, dreaming sweetly, drool soaking the fabric.
“Perfect, time for a new pillow.”
Bai Xuan chuckled, then sat on the bed and opened the Book of Worlds.
【Ding!】
【Serene’s Character Mission (Completed)!】
【Mission Reward: Combat Setting—Starlight Ember (Green)!】
【Starlight Ember (Green): You may ignite a Starlight Ember at any location. Within a fifty-meter radius, all allied units will slowly recover health and mana. Current number: 2. (Upgrading increases the number of embers and their healing effect.)】
“Starlight Ember?”
Bai Xuan read the Combat Setting description, then lit a Starlight Ember in the house. A blue flame quietly appeared, floating in the air, burning with a gentle, silent light.
“So this is Starlight Ember?”
He examined the ghostly blue flame, feeling its warmth as his fatigue gradually melted away.
At its current strength, Starlight Ember couldn’t regenerate lost limbs, but it could heal wounds and restore mana.
【Ding!】
【Thank you for helping Serene complete her trial!】
【You have obtained Serene’s advancement material—Dawn Scabbard】
“Dawn Scabbard?”
Bai Xuan noticed a golden scabbard had appeared in the Book of Worlds.
【Give to Serene?】
“Yes!”