The red cloak, surprisingly, was the current Dark Pope's master.
This was a secret no one had ever known.
As the red cloak departed, the Dark Bishops waiting outside could only ponder their thoughts.
Even they had not known that the red cloak was the Pope's master.
"Come in."
The Dark Pope's voice echoed from the great hall.
The crowd filed in.
Upon the papal throne, the Dark Pope had already regained his composure.
He could sense the emotional shifts of his subordinates.
After a moment of contemplation, the Dark Pope spoke first, "Years ago, I personally sealed my master and usurped the position of Dark Pope."
"..."
Silence.
At this moment, no one dared to speak first.
Yet, the Dark Pope continued, "Now, my master is about to emerge, which is why he has been able to break free from the seal, once or twice."
"Please continue..."
Still, no one spoke, all waiting for the Pope's next words.
"Alas."
The Dark Pope sighed, "I do not wish to bear the title of matricide, so I have suppressed my master. Now that the supreme rules have reappeared, my master is restless."
Seeing that no one was still speaking, the Dark Pope took the initiative to ask, "Do you have nothing you wish to ask me?"
The crowd shook their heads.
"Never mind."
The Dark Pope lost the mood to speak, sighing, "The system of the Western Regions has completely collapsed. Time is running out for us, everyone..."
His gaze swept slowly over each person present, and the Dark Pope's voice deepened, "We have walked together for so many years. Now, how the Dark Church should proceed, everyone has the right to speak."
The Dark Church was not just the Pope's alone, but everyone's.
Everyone had a say in its future.
Only three Black Robed Bishops remained: the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh.
The Fifth Black Robed Bishop spoke solemnly, "Your Holiness, we have allied with the Temple of the Gods. To deal with the upcoming crisis, is the Temple of the Gods not prepared to do anything?"
His question hit the mark.
The Dark Pope shook his head, "The Temple of the Gods is currently unable to look after itself."
This defeat had cost the Temple of the Gods greatly.
Even their God-Lords had perished.
The Sixth Black Robed Bishop lamented, "I thought the Temple of the Gods was so powerful, with so many Half-step Supremes... but the fact is, those fellows couldn't even defeat a peak God-level like myself."
This was the truth.
They hadn't known before they acted.
This time, they understood.
Tigers raised in a zoo could not compete with wolves who had struggled for survival.
"I didn't expect it either."
A hint of bitterness crept into the Dark Pope's tone.
Allying with the Temple of the Gods had its benefits, but it also revealed the sheer number of Half-step Supremes they possessed.
He had been foolish, not considering a direct confrontation at the time.
He bore great responsibility for their current predicament.
What was the use of Half-step Supremes who were inferior to even God-level powerhouses?
'Then, what do we do next...'
Before the Seventh Black Robed Bishop could finish his sentence, he suddenly turned, a trace of panic in his eyes.
At this moment, everyone in the great hall sensed it.
A powerful, incredibly powerful aura.
There were four in total, revealing themselves without reservation.
"They've arrived."
The Dark Pope's voice was grave, "Alright, there's no need to discuss further. The fate of the Dark Holy See has already been decided for us."
"Hahaha."
Laughter echoed from afar, "Dark Pope, I've come to see you..."
The Skull King brothers laughed in unison.
Before their laughter faded, their figures appeared within the Dark Holy See.
Everyone present tensed up.
Though only four had arrived, these four were the most formidable existences in this world.
Chen Fan, the overlord of the Eastern Region; Madam Howard, the overlord of the Southern Region; the Skull King, the overlord of the Northern Region... these four represented three overlord-level factions.
"Heh heh."
The Dark Pope showed no fear.
His voice, devoid of emotion, calmly asked, "You four have come together, are you here to destroy my Dark Church?"
"Haha, Your Holiness jokes," the Skull King said with a smile, "We are all friends, there's no need for such talk."
Despite his words, Chen Fan could clearly sense the tension emanating from the Dark Church members.
Yes, tension.
These were four overlords; who wouldn't be nervous?
The Dark Pope's gaze fell upon Chen Fan, who remained silent.
Chen Fan, who had not expressed his stance, was the most important.
Chen Fan was implicitly leading the way.
Slowly, the Skull King brothers and Madam Howard fell silent, their gazes fixed on Chen Fan.
It was as if they were saying... it's your turn.
Alas.
Chen Fan was not adept at socializing, but he had to speak now.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Let's let this matter go, as long as you no longer assist the Temple of the Gods."
No excessive promises were made, yet they were more effective than any guarantee.
The Skull King brothers and Madam Howard looked at Chen Fan... Is that it?
Chen Fan pretended not to see, looked at the Dark Pope, and added, "If Your Holiness is willing to help open the spatial gate together, you are also welcome."
"..."
The Dark Pope remained silent.
In contrast, the members of the Dark Church all breathed a sigh of relief.
This was good; Chen Fan was not pursuing the matter.
"Let it be so."
With these final words, Chen Fan turned and left.
He still wasn't very good at this sort of thing.
The Skull King brothers shrugged, clasped their fists in greeting to the Dark Pope, and turned to leave.
Madam Howard followed suit.
...
A monumental event concluded so simply due to Chen Fan's inaction.
Three days before the opening of the spatial gate.
On this day, the entire continent of Damilia was remarkably peaceful.
The blockade of the Western Regions was lifted, and countless people fled from it.
It was rapidly becoming a living hell there.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the final day.
On this day, the world was filled with a somber aura.
Despite the apparent tranquility of Damilia, an unexplainable energy seemed to flow through the world.
Even ordinary people sensed the gravity of the atmosphere.
Unlike the tension generated by continuous battles, something seemed to have been added to the world.
Yes, something had been added to the world.
Ordinary people couldn't see it, but that didn't mean others couldn't.
In Wenlan City, within the Eastern Manor.
All the powerhouses of the Eastern Region had gathered at the Eastern Manor.
It was worth noting that just yesterday, a reclusive powerful figure had emerged and joined Wenlan City.
An incredibly ancient elder, whose lifespan was nearing its end.
The changes in the world's energy had drawn out this nearly extinguished old man.
The energy in the world had transformed into the shapes of demonic beasts, constantly roving throughout the land.
There were so many, so densely packed that they were dazzling.
Some were as large as mountains, others as small as fists... Chen Fan had never seen so many demonic beasts, let alone such a diverse range of species.
The world was filled with spiritual energy transformed into demonic beasts, moving rapidly.