Swallowing the Stars: Starting with Panlong

Chapter 140: The Destruction of the Holy See

Before the joy of the establishment of the Baruch Empire had faded, another major event followed.

On the seventh day after Linley's wedding, early morning sunlight streamed through the window into the study where the dragon ring was located. Linley was sitting at his desk reading a book about wind magic when suddenly, the dragon ring on his chest vibrated violently.

A powerful and vast force surged from the ring, carrying the weight and stability of the earth, like a colossal beast that had slumbered for millennia finally awakening. The force was so immense that it was awe-inspiring, yet so gentle that it caused no harm whatsoever. It flowed slowly through the study, tinging every inch of air with an earthy yellow light.

"Grandpa Delin!" Lin Lei suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with surprise.

A white phantom emerged from the Panlong Ring and hovered in mid-air. Delin Corvort's figure was much more solid than before, no longer the illusory, seemingly about to vanish, but rather tangible, every strand of hair and every wrinkle clearly visible. His long, silvery-white hair swayed gently in the invisible wind, and his aged face held an indescribable excitement.

After years of secluded cultivation, he had been quietly comprehending the laws of the earth within the Panlong Ring. His perception in his soul state was far more acute than in his physical body, and his comprehension of the laws was much faster. These years of accumulation had finally culminated in a qualitative leap today.

"Linley," Delin's voice was hoarse, tears glistening in his eyes, "I sense... the opportunity to become a god."

Linley's heart skipped a beat. Becoming a god—that was a realm countless Saint-level experts could never reach in their entire lives. Delin had been trapped in the Panlong Ring for five thousand years, and now this day had finally arrived.

Delin closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into the ocean of the laws of the earth.

The earth element in the world began to converge upon him frantically. The books in the study rustled in the invisible force, the tables and chairs trembled slightly, and the stone slabs on the floor cracked slightly. The force grew stronger and stronger, as if the entire earth was responding to his call.

Lin Lei took a few steps back, held his breath, and stared intently.

Delin's phantom began to solidify. Those originally illusory outlines gradually took on form under the infusion of earth element. His body went from translucent to semi-substantial, and from semi-substantial to fully substantial—muscles, bones, and skin were reshaped inch by inch, perfected bit by bit.

This is the process of divine body reshaping. When a cultivator in their soul state attains godhood, the laws of heaven and earth use divine power to reshape them into a completely new body. This body is not their physical body from their previous life, but rather formed from pure divine power, perfectly aligned with their divine nature.

After an unknown amount of time, the strange phenomena in the study finally subsided.

Delin Corvort stood in the center of the study, no longer a phantom, but a living, breathing person. He wore an earth-yellow robe, his long silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his face aged but his eyes piercing. He exuded a profound and steady aura, the aura of the laws of the earth, the unique pressure of a god-level powerhouse.

Lower god.

Delin looked down at his hands, turning them over and over for a long time, as if trying to confirm that this wasn't a dream. His fingers trembled slightly, his eyes reddened, and his lips quivered; he couldn't speak for a long time.

"Five thousand years..." Delin's voice choked with emotion, "Five thousand years, I finally... finally have my own body."

He had been trapped in the Panlong Ring for five thousand years, existing as a soul for five thousand years. Five thousand years of solitude, five thousand years of waiting, five thousand years of perseverance had finally been rewarded at this moment.

Lin Lei stepped forward, knelt on one knee, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Grandpa Delin, congratulations!"

Delin quickly helped him up, shaking his head: "Linley, don't be like this. It was you and Lin Yun who gave me this opportunity, gave me hope. If it weren't for you, I might have remained a lonely soul in the ring forever."

"Grandpa Delin, you've taught us so much, this is what we should do," Lin Lei said earnestly.

Delin patted him on the shoulder and said nothing more. Some favors don't need to be spoken; they're enough to keep in your heart.

Lin Yun also sensed the aura of becoming a god.

Lin Yun walked out of the cultivation room and into the study. A hint of excitement flashed in his eyes when he saw Delin.

"Grandpa Delin, congratulations on achieving godhood." Lin Yun bowed slightly.

Delin looked at Lin Yun, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He sensed the aura emanating from Lin Yun—the aura unique to a god-level powerhouse like himself.

"Lin Yun, you...you've become a god?" Delin's voice trembled slightly.

"Six lower-level gods." Lin Yun did not hide it.

Delin gasped. A sixth-level lower god, twenty-eight years old—such talent is extremely rare, not only in the Yulan Continent, but even in higher-level planes.

"Good, good." Delin nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of satisfaction. "With two geniuses like you two, the Baruch family has hope for revival."

Lin Yun smiled but didn't reply.

After Delin ascended to godhood, the Baruch Empire gained its second god-level powerhouse. The news caused a sensation throughout the empire. Having two god-level powerhouses in charge was unprecedented in the history of the Yulan Continent. Those forces that had previously been observing completely abandoned any thoughts of opposing the Baruch Empire.

In the days that followed, Lin Yun began to help Lin Lei, Walton, and the five immortal warriors improve their strength.

He took out several Wood Seed Crystals from his spatial ring and distributed them to the group. The Wood Seed Crystals contained immense energy, enough to allow cultivators below the Saint Realm to directly break through to the Saint Realm. Linley and Walton were already at the peak of the ninth level, with considerable comprehension of the laws and a solid foundation. After consuming the Wood Seed Crystals, their human forms also entered the initial stage of the Saint Realm.

The same was true for the five immortal warriors; with Lin Yun's help, their cultivation levels also stabilized at the initial stage of the Saint Realm.

Linley's understanding of the laws was already quite profound. Over the years, he had experienced countless battles in the O'Brien Empire, and his comprehension of the earth and wind laws had reached a considerably deep level. After transforming into a dragon, his strength was enough to rival that of a powerhouse at the peak of the Saint Realm.

The five immortal warriors already possessed astonishing defensive capabilities, and with Lin Yun using the Wood Crystal to enhance their physiques, even the second-tier powerhouses of the Holy Domain were helpless against them after their transformation.

Beibei also consumed the Wood Crystal, raising its strength from the mid-level Saint Realm to the peak Saint Realm. As a God-Devouring Rat, its strength already far surpassed that of its peers. At the peak Saint Realm, Beibei was also capable of rivaling a powerhouse at the limit of the Saint Realm.

In this way, Linley, Walton, Bebe, and the five immortal warriors make up a total of eight peak Saint-level combatants. Add to that nearly a hundred mid- and early-stage Saint-level experts, and this force is enough to sweep through a country.

Once everything was ready, Linley summoned everyone to the council hall of the city lord's mansion.

In the hall, eight peak Saint-level warriors gathered together. Lin Lei stood in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his eyes filled with determination.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Holy See kidnapped my mother and caused the deaths of your loved ones. It is time to settle this score." Linley's voice was not loud, but every word struck the hearts of everyone like a heavy hammer.

No one spoke. The same light shone in everyone's eyes—a fighting spirit. Everyone present, whether the five Buck brothers or Cyrus, harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Church of Light, and now that their revenge was about to be achieved, they were all incredibly excited.

Lin Yun stood to the side, looking at his elder brother, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He knew that Lin Lei had waited a long time for this day. From the day of destruction, from the day he learned that their mother had been captured by the Church of Light, Lin Lei had been waiting for this day. Ten years of forbearance, ten years of cultivation, ten years of waiting—it was finally coming to an end.

"Let's go." Lin Lei turned around and walked out of the hall.

Eight streaks of light rose from Huangshi City and flew south. Behind them, nearly a hundred Saint-level experts followed closely, like a meteor shower streaking across the sky, a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight.

The Holy Island of the Holy See is located in the sea south of the Holy Alliance.

The island is small, but its terrain is treacherous, surrounded by the sea on all sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. On the island stands a magnificent temple of light, entirely constructed of white stone, gleaming in the sunlight like a celestial palace. Surrounding the temple are tall towers, inscribed with runes of light magic, emitting a faint glow.

For millennia, the Holy See of Light has been one of the most powerful forces on the continent of Yulan. Their influence extends across the entire continent, with countless kingdoms and duchies as their vassals. Their wealth is immense, their army numbers in the millions, and their number of Saint-level experts is innumerable. But the true strength of the Holy See of Light lies not in these things—but in the descent of angels.

The Holy See of Light collects bodies from the continent that possess physical strength at level six or higher, to serve as vessels for the descent of angels. The stronger the body, the more powerful the descending angel. A level six body can withstand the power of a two-winged angel, equivalent to the early stage of the Holy Realm. A level seven body can withstand the power of a four-winged angel, equivalent to the middle stage of the Holy Realm. A level eight body can withstand the power of a six-winged angel, equivalent to the peak of the Holy Realm.

The five Buck brothers were already at level eight physical bodies, which is why the Holy See of Light valued them so much. If they had been successfully brought to the Holy See, they would have been five peak-level angels of the Holy Realm!

For thousands of years, the Church of Light has accumulated an astonishing number of angel legions, which is the source of their confidence to confront all enemies.

But today, they face their doom.

Linley and the others landed on the shoreline of the Holy Island. In the distance, the Temple of Light shimmered in the sunlight, like a sleeping behemoth.

"kill."

Linley drew his greatsword from his back and was the first to charge forward. His body instantly transformed into a dragon, covered in azure scales, with dragon horns emerging from his forehead and his tail swaying behind him. At this moment, the peak-level Saint-level Dragonblood Warrior displayed his full power.

The greatsword blazed with an earthy yellow light, the power of earth-elemental laws. He swung it fiercely, unleashing a massive sword aura that cleaved a tower in two. Debris flew, dust billowed, and the magical runes on the tower crumbled instantly under the impact of the sword aura.

"Enemy attack!" The guards of the Holy See sounded the alarm.

Deep within the sacred island, countless angels poured forth from the temple, two-winged, four-winged, six-winged, densely packed, blotting out the sky. They radiated a holy white light, yet their eyes held no emotion, only a chilling killing intent. They were pure weapons of war, devoid of fear or pity, driven only by an endless spree of slaughter for their enemies.

Two-winged angels were the first to charge forward, numbering over a hundred. Wielding longswords of light, they attacked Linley and his companions from all directions. Four-winged angels followed closely behind, numbering in the dozens, their auras several times stronger than the two-winged angels. Only eight six-winged angels hovered above the temple, emanating a chilling pressure.

Linley's swordsmanship was sharp and domineering, each strike carrying the weight and power of earth-based laws. His greatsword shimmered with an earthy yellow light, and wherever the blade passed, two-winged angels were like paper, each strike capable of slaying several with a single blow. In his dragon form, his power reached a terrifying level; even four-winged angels could not withstand a full-force strike from him.

Walton also transformed into a dragon, his entire body covered in azure scales. Wielding a massive battle axe, he rampaged through the angelic ranks. Flames swirled around his axe, the power of fire magic. With a single swing, several two-winged angels were reduced to ashes. His dragon form greatly enhanced his defenses; even the swords of four-winged angels left only faint white marks on his scales.

The five immortal warriors stood back to back, forming an impenetrable defensive circle. An earthy-yellow light flowed around them—the defensive power of earth-based laws—making the attacks of the two-winged angels utterly ineffective. Their swords flashed, each strike claiming an angel's life. Even four-winged angels required several people working together to inflict wounds, which healed rapidly under the nourishment of the immortal warriors' innate power, seemingly tireless.

Bebe transformed into a streak of gray lightning, weaving through the angels. Its speed was too fast for the naked eye to follow, each strike claiming an angel's life. Two-winged angels were like ants before it, and even four-winged angels couldn't withstand more than a few blows. Even the eight six-winged angels were wary of its speed.

Nearly a hundred Saint-level experts clashed with the Angel Legion, turning the entire Holy Island into a battlefield. Swords flashed, magic roared, blood splattered, and screams echoed everywhere. White feathers and golden blood stained the ground, turning the Holy Island a golden-white hue.

Moreover, in addition to the astonishing number of angel legions, there were also quite a few Saint-level experts trained by the Holy See over the past thousands of years. Although Linley and his companions were powerful, they still felt a bit of pressure when facing so many Saint-level experts.

Lin Yun hovered above the battlefield, concealing his aura, his gaze sweeping across the entire area. He didn't make a move, but simply observed quietly. He was waiting, waiting for the true powerhouse of the Holy See to appear.

The eight six-winged angels finally moved.

Their speed was incredible, leaving eight golden afterimages in the air as they pounced on Linley. They exuded the pressure of peak Saint-level experts, and the golden light on their luminous longswords surged—the power of the Law of Light.

Linley stepped forward to meet the attack. The greatsword clashed with the longsword of light, producing a deafening roar. Linley was forced back several steps, and the eight six-winged angels were also shaken. The two sides were evenly matched.

Walton and Bebe joined the fray. Walton's battle axe cleaved at a six-winged angel, while Bebe's claws tore at another. The five undead warriors held off the four-winged angels attempting to flank them.

The battle reached its climax.

Just then, the gates of the Temple of Light burst open.

Three figures emerged from the temple.

The first figure, clad in a golden papal robe and wearing a triple crown, held a scepter of light, his face dignified and cold. He exuded a strange aura—not the fluctuations of laws, but a deeper, more mysterious power. It was the power of the rules of destiny.

Haitings. Pope of the Holy See, one of the top experts in the second tier of the Holy Domain, who has cultivated the "Great Destiny Technique" for hundreds of years, and whose strength is unfathomable.

Behind him followed an old man dressed in a black ascetic robe, his face gaunt, his eyes sunken, but his gaze sharp as a knife. He emanated fluctuations of light-based laws, like scorching sunlight, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at him.

Fallen Leaves. The leader of the ascetics, who has cultivated the laws of light for hundreds of years, has reached an extremely profound level in the laws of light, and his strength is no less than that of Haitings.

The last person, dressed in a red referee's robe, had a stern face and a slender battle sword hanging at his waist. He exuded the fluctuations of wind-elemental laws, light and ethereal, as if he might vanish into the wind at any moment.

Usenno. The chief referee, whose mastery of the Wind Law's clone technique is profound, can create multiple solid clones, each possessing most of the original's strength, making them extremely difficult to defend against.

"Linley!" Haitings's voice was icy, echoing across the Holy Island. "You dare attack my Church of Light?"

Lin Lei forced back the six-winged angel in front of him with a single sword strike, then turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Haitins, more than ten years ago, you kidnapped my mother." Linley's voice boomed like thunder. "Today, I've come to avenge that blood debt."

Haitings's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Your mother's matter is God's will," Haitings said coldly. "Do you want to be an enemy of God?"

"Gods?" Linley sneered. "Your gods are nothing but a bunch of false gods. Today, I'll show them that mortals can also slay gods!"

Without further ado, Haitings raised the Scepter of Light, and a golden beam of light shot out from the top of the scepter, soaring straight into the sky.

"Great Destiny Technique - Judgment of Fate!"

Golden light coalesced in the air, transforming into a massive golden longsword that slashed down at Lin Lei. The sword contained the power of the rules of fate, ignoring both physical and magical defenses, acting directly upon fate itself. Those struck would have their fate erased, vanishing completely from the realm of cause and effect.

Linley's expression changed. He could sense that the golden longsword contained a power he couldn't comprehend—not laws, not battle qi, not magic, but something more fundamental and terrifying.

Just as the golden sword was about to strike, a bolt of purple lightning descended from the sky and struck the golden sword.

The lightning collided with the golden longsword, producing a deafening roar. The golden longsword trembled violently, then shattered with a crash, turning into countless golden specks of light that dissipated into the air.

Haitings's expression changed.

"Who?"

Lin Yun slowly descended from the sky, standing in front of Lin Lei. Six-colored light flowed around his body, radiating a suffocating pressure. It was the pressure of a god-level expert, the pressure of the laws, the power of heaven and earth.

"God...God-level..." Haitings' voice trembled.

"Haitins, I am your opponent." Lin Yun's voice was calm and cold.

Haitings gritted his teeth and turned to run. He knew he had no chance against a god-level expert. But he had only taken a few steps when a purple lightning spear pierced his chest.

Haitings froze. He stared down at the bloody hole in his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief. Then, his body collapsed to the ground, never to rise again.

Luo Ye and Wu Senno exchanged a glance, knowing they couldn't escape, and simultaneously pounced on Lin Yun. Luo Ye's speed of light reached its limit, leaving afterimages in the air; Wu Senno, on the other hand, created seven or eight clones, attacking simultaneously from different directions.

Lin Yun did not move.

He raised his right hand, and a bluish-white light condensed in his palm. It was the power of the fusion of the laws of wind and light.

The light exploded, transforming into countless tiny blades of light that spread in all directions. Fallen Leaf's main body was struck by one of these blades, its body stiffening abruptly before it plummeted from the sky. Usenno's clones shattered like bubbles before the light blades, one after another. His main body was struck simultaneously by three blades of light, exploding in mid-air into a cloud of blood mist.

From start to finish, it took less than three seconds.

Seeing the situation was dire, the six-winged angel tried to escape. Lin Yun casually waved his hand, and several lightning spears shot out, piercing through their bodies. The six-winged angel's body exploded in mid-air, turning into countless golden specks of light and dissipating.

The angelic legion on the battlefield lost its leader and began to crumble. But Linley and his men gave them no chance to escape, pursuing and killing the last angels.

The battle is over.

The Holy See's millennia-long accumulation vanished in this battle. Those once-arrogant popes, ascetics, and judges were now cold corpses. Hundreds of angels perished.

Lin Yun entered the Temple of Light, spreading his spiritual energy in all directions, searching for anything that might be useful. Deep within the temple, he discovered a hidden chamber.

The stone door to the secret chamber was very thick, covered with defensive runes of the light element. Lin Yun casually waved his hand, and the stone door shattered.

The secret chamber wasn't large, only a few dozen square meters, but it was crammed with things. Gold coins, crystal cores, magical materials, secret manuals... a dazzling array, countless in number. Lin Yun scanned these items with his spiritual power and, at the deepest part of the chamber, discovered a thin book.

The book's cover was gold, with no words on it, only a badge of light. Lin Yun opened the book, and on the first page were four large characters—Great Destiny Technique.

His heart started racing.

The Great Destiny Technique, the most prized possession of the Holy See of Light, is one of the three supreme magics alongside necromancy and life magic. The Holy See of Light's ability to stand strong for thousands of years on the Yulan Continent is largely due to the existence of this secret technique.

He opened the book and read it carefully. The language was obscure and difficult to understand; every word contained the secrets of the rules of fate. With his current level of understanding, he was completely unable to comprehend its profound meaning.

But he wasn't in a hurry. He had plenty of time.

Lin Yun put the books into his spatial ring, turned around and walked out of the secret room.

On the sacred island, smoke filled the air, and corpses littered the ground. Thousands of years of accumulation by the Holy See had vanished in this battle. Those once-arrogant popes, ascetics, and judges were now cold corpses. Thousands of angels turned into golden specks of light and dissipated into the air.

Linley stood before the ruins of the Temple of Light, his greatsword gripped in his hand, silent. His face showed no joy, only a weary sense of relief.

"Brother," Lin Yun walked to his side, "Mother is not at the Holy See of Light."

Lin Lei turned to look at him: "Do you know where she is?"

"I know," Lin Yun nodded, "She's in the Realm of the God of Light!"

"The Realm of Light?" Linley asked, puzzled.

"I found in the documents within the Temple of Light that all those with pure souls are offered to the chief god of the Realm of Light and transformed into angels. One day, I will step into the Realm of Light and find my mother."

Lin Lei was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I trust you"

As the sun set, it dyed the island blood red.

Lin Yun stood on the coastline, gazing at the distant sea, his mind filled with countless thoughts. The Church of Light was destroyed; he knew the true enemy wasn't the Church of Light, but the ruler of the God Realm of Light. His current strength was far from sufficient.

"I need to become stronger," he said softly.

A night breeze blew by, and the waves crashed against the rocks, making a rhythmic sound. Lin Yun turned and walked towards the group.

It's time to go home.