Chapter 1610: I, Ye Guan, Swear On My Blood!

"It's over?"

Gu Pan turned to Ye Guan, his voice trembling. "Brother Ye... What do you mean by that? Don't scare me..."

Ye Guan looked at the silent city before him with a complicated expression. "It's impressive, really impressive. I thought the Central Gods Temple was their limit. But clearly, I was wrong."

Gu Pan's face darkened. "You mean that the Temple of Divinity is also under them?"

Ye Guan nodded.

Gu Pan's body went numb.

Following Brother Ye meant that I would receive three beatings a day? It was outrageous!

Suddenly, a mysterious barrier appeared around them, sealing off the space where they stood..

Seeing that, Gu Pan said in a deep voice, "Brother Ye, you're the Divine Emissary. Are they trying to rebel?"

Ye Guan remained silent. He couldn't quite figure it out either.

Were these people really trying to rebel? No, that wasn't it!

Suddenly, Ye Guan exclaimed, "Jun You!"

"You finally figured it out?" A voice echoed from behind.

Ye Guan and Gu Pan turned to look. It was Jun You. Beside her stood a mysterious figure draped entirely in black robes. Completely shrouded, this person was like a ghost and gave off an eerie feeling. He was completely undetectable to Ye Guan and Gu Pan.

Ye Guan said to Jun You, "I had originally thought that you could influence Central Gods Temple at most, and that you were able to do so because they wanted to absorb the South Gods Temple. But I didn't expect that even the Temple of Divinity is under your influence."

Jun You smiled. "Are you surprised?"

"No," Ye Guan suddenly said. "I'm guessing the Temple of Divinity wasn't influenced by you. Their hostility toward me is likely due to Mu Rong. I suspect that, because the Divinity has been absent for too long, serious problems have arisen within the Divine Order.

"In other words, there are many factions within the Divine Order now. Mu Rong of the Central Gods Temple likely belongs to a faction, and the Temple of Divinity is their allies. As for you..."

Ye Guan narrowed his eyes. "You probably have another identity."

Gu Pan looked at Ye Guan in shock and admiration.

Damn! This kid's sharp!

From afar, the smile on Jun You's face faded. She stared at Ye Guan. "No wonder you're known as the son of the King of Relying on Others. You've got the brains."

Hearing her words, Ye Guan frowned deeply. He grew doubtful.

A slow clap echoed from the city gates.

Ye Guan and Gu Pan turned their heads to see an old man in an ornate divine robe walking out from the gate. Though his hair and beard were white, he looked full of energy.

The elder looked at Ye Guan and smiled. "Let me introduce myself. I am Xi Zhong, Hall Master of the South Temple of Divinity."

Ye Guan raised his right hand and showed him the Divine Seal. "So the Divinity no longer recognizes this?"

He took a glance at the Divine Seal and said, "I don't know how you managed to replicate the divine aura, but I'm certain that the Divine Seal is fake."

"And how are you so sure?"

"Clearly, you don't understand our Divine Civilization well enough. Of course, it's understandable. Most of the people within it know little as well. Let me ask you a question. Do you know how long the Divinity has been gone?"

Ye Guan frowned.

Xi Zhong replied, "A very, very long time. And even if the Divinity did send down a decree, it wouldn't be sent to you. After all, you are a blasphemer, aren't you?"

"What if it's real?"

"What do you think then?"

Ye Guan laughed. "I get it now."

Gu Pan was confused. "Brother Ye, what do you understand?"

Xi Zhong looked curious, too. "I'd like to know as well. What is it that you've understood?"

"The Divinity is gone, but the Divine Civilization remains. That means that someone, or a group, is running the state. From what I see, it seems to be a group clinging to power. If it were just one person, there wouldn't be inner strife.

"Now that a Divine Emissary has appeared, claiming to represent the Divine Will, it threatens their power over the state. You all have grown used to holding onto that authority. How could you hand it over? Even if I truly am the Divine Emissary, you'd still call me a fake."

The smile faded from Xi Zhong's face.

Ye Guan quietly remarked, "The Divine Civilization is already rotten to the core."

"Hahaha." Xi Zhong suddenly laughed. "I'm quite curious, Young Master Ye. How did you replicate that distinct divine aura? You even fooled the Divine Nun."

"Old man, I know you may be the Divine Hall Master, but surely there's someone above you. Let me ask you, what if I am the Divine Emissary? What then?"

Xi Zhong's eyes narrowed.

Ye Guan continued, "Or do you think your superiors could really defy the Divinity? I don't think they could. If they could, they would've silenced all dissent long ago. Don't you agree?"

Xi Zhong said nothing.

Ye Guan added, "You're saying I fooled the Divine Nun... That was a test. It shows you're unsure because you know that she's not easily tricked. Am I right?"

Still, Xi Zhong said nothing.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Ye Guan went on, "Not to brag, but have you seen anyone this young and powerful?"

Gu Pan and Zong Xin were speechless.

"You're definitely curious to know how someone my age can be so monstrously strong. How does my sword surpass even divine weapons? You've thought about it, but you have no explanation... Or rather, you do have an explanation, but dare not accept it as the truth.

"The truth is that I really am the Divine Emissary. Only this explains everything, doesn't it?"

Xi Zhong continued staring at Ye Guan in silence.

Meanwhile, Jun You frowned tightly.

Ye Guan didn't say anything more. He opened his palm, revealing his Qingxuan Sword and Divine Seal, which floated before Xi Zhong.

He stared at the two items. He said nothing, but his heart was wavering.

That sword was no ordinary weapon. It far exceeded divine weapons. Even within the Temple of Divinity, the countless divine relics he had seen couldn't be compared with the sword.

The aura within the Divine Seal was undeniably a divine aura. Of course, he couldn't be completely sure. He had only sensed Divine Will before, but the aura that the Divine Seal exuded was nearly identical.

Ye Guan said, "Senior, you should know that a person's achievements in life often boil down to the choices they make. Now it's your turn to choose. Will you continue to submit to those above you, or will you choose to follow your original faith?

"To believe in the Divinity and fight for the Divinity?"

Xi Zhong slowly looked up at Ye Guan. "Why hasn't the Divinity shown themselves?"

Ye Guan had anticipated this question, so he answered without hesitation, "How about an entrapment?

Xi Zhong's pupils constricted upon hearing that. That actually made sense. He knew exactly how deep the rot within the Divine Civilization went. Without doing that, how else would the corruption be revealed?

He had one last concern. Xi Zhong looked at Ye Guan, wanting to speak, but he hesitated.

Ye Guan, sharp as ever, understood. He raised two fingers. Immediately, his fingertip split open and blood spilled out. He stared at Xi Zhong intently and swore, "I, Ye Guan, swear on my blood, that if I attain wealth and power, I will repay you in full."

Xi Zhong hesitated no longer. He took the Divine Seal and Qingxuan Sword, and then he stepped before Ye Guan. Holding the items respectfully in both hands, he said, "Divine Emissary, please enter the city."

Ye Guan collected his items and pulled along Gu Pan, who was still bewildered, to enter the city.

Xi Zhong turned and followed. At the same time, his voice thundered across heaven and earth, "Men! Send word across the Divinity Star System; inform the people in the Temple of the Gods Star System, the Nine Sacred Lands, the Outer World Battlefield, and the Divine Continent to come here and defend the Lord!"