Church of Life, Sect Master Token

Spirit Pagoda branches were spread across every planet in the Federation, but only large cities like Haitian City had an actual tower.

The Spirit Pagoda had a very long history, one even older than that of the Federation government. Because of its importance to Soul Masters, its status was extremely lofty, almost on equal footing with the Federation. It was said that the Spirit Pagoda's founder, its first Tower Master, had been a Soul Master born in ancient times who had surpassed the limits of humanity. No one remembered that person's true name anymore. In fact, history from before the Federation's birth was quite vague, perhaps because it had been too long ago.

The Spirit Pagoda in Haitian City was a branch tower located in the city center, near the academy. Tang Chenfeng and the others often saw it. The branch tower was a twenty-story tower-shaped building, the tallest structure Tang Chenfeng and the others had ever seen. The main tower, meanwhile, stood in Cloud City in the sky and was said to have a full one hundred and fifty floors. It was the third greatest man-made project in human history, while second place naturally belonged to Cloud City, which supported the main tower. As for first place, that would remain a secret for now.

When the group arrived before the tower, everyone except Ling Wei was awed by its magnificence. If Cloud City was the number one holy land in the hearts of Soul Masters, then the Spirit Pagoda was undoubtedly second. There was no building larger than this Spirit Pagoda in Haitian City. Everyone knew it was here, but not everyone could enter freely.

There were actually fewer people around the Spirit Pagoda. After all, only Soul Masters came here. Even in a major city like Haitian City, with a population of one million, the number of Soul Masters absolutely did not exceed twenty thousand.

Led by Ling Wei, the four of them entered the Spirit Pagoda. Like curious children, they began looking around.

The Spirit Pagoda followed an octagonal design, with four sides and eight directions. The interior was exceptionally spacious, with the floor entirely paved in marble and the hall broad and bright. Every wall around them was lined with doors leading to unknown places. At the center of the hall stood a circular counter, behind which sat a person dressed in a gray robe. That was a Soul Master of the Spirit Pagoda, also known as a Spirit Transmitter.

The moment the Spirit Transmitter saw them, he stood up, his gaze falling on Ling Wei, who was leading the group. "Hello. How may I help you?"

Ze Ya hurried to Ling Wei's side and said respectfully, "Hello, sir. I've brought my child here to purchase a Spirit Soul. He's already level ten." As she spoke, she called Ze Ping over.

The warmth on the Spirit Transmitter's face immediately faded somewhat. Clearly, Ze Ya was not a Soul Master.

His gaze shifted to Ling Wei. "And you are?"

Ling Wei said calmly, "You can consider me a Spirit Soul appraiser. We're only here to accompany her."

The warmth on the Spirit Transmitter's face visibly faded even more.

"Did you bring enough money?" he asked flatly.

Ze Ping quickly said, "We brought it."

The Spirit Transmitter said, "What grade of Spirit Soul do you wish to purchase?"

Ze Ping said, "I'd like to look at Hundred-Year Spirit Souls."

The Spirit Transmitter's eyes flickered slightly. "You're choosing a Hundred-Year Spirit Soul? Fine. Our Haitian City branch has thirty-one Hundred-Year Spirit Souls available. Each costs five hundred thousand. Once you pay, you may go make your selection."

"Okay, then we... Hm? Sir, five hundred thousand! I remember Hundred-Year Spirit Souls costing four hundred thousand. How could it..."

The Spirit Transmitter said, "Recently, the Spirit Pagoda's upper management has been investing resources into researching and developing higher-quality Spirit Souls, so Spirit Soul prices have risen lately. We only received the notice recently and haven't had time to announce it yet. You don't have enough money, do you?" There seemed to be a trace of apology in his tone.

The Spirit Transmitter said, "However, Ten-Year Spirit Souls haven't risen much in price. You only need one hundred thousand to choose one. Four hundred thousand should be enough to get you one or more decent Ten-Year Spirit Souls."

The news was like a basin of cold water poured over Ze Ping, extinguishing some of the flames of his enthusiasm. Ze Ping came from an ordinary family. Everyone in his household besides him was an ordinary person, and their income was not high. These four hundred thousand had already been the limit of what his family could afford.

He had never expected something to go wrong on the very first step toward his dream. But there was nothing he could do. Perhaps this was fate's arrangement. Ze Ping laughed bitterly to himself.

"Then, I'll choose..."

"Wait a moment."

Ze Ping had just begun to speak when Ling Wei interrupted him.

"I have another way to help you obtain a suitable Spirit Soul, but success isn't guaranteed. And..." Ling Wei paused and looked at Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling. "...it may require your cooperation."

"Really? There's another way?" Ze Ping asked in surprise.

"Yes, but you alone won't be enough. Chenfeng, Ling'er, I'll need your help too. It may be troublesome. Are you willing?" Ling Wei asked.

The siblings answered in unison, "Of course we are."

Then she looked at Ze Ping again.

"Yes, of course I'm willing," Ze Ping said firmly.

Ling Wei nodded. "Sir, I would like to apply for Tower Climbing for them."

Tower Climbing. The moment he heard those words, the Spirit Transmitter was clearly startled.

"Tower Climbing? How do you know about that?"

Ling Wei continued, "Is it not possible? Are there additional requirements?"

"Of course there are," the Spirit Transmitter said. "I don't know where you learned of it, but I'm sorry. Tower Climbing has prerequisites, and it isn't something I can decide on my own."

"I see."

"Ah..." Ling Wei sighed. "This should be enough to count as a prerequisite, then."

Ling Wei turned sideways with her back to Tang Chenfeng and the others, took something from the pocket at her collar, and showed it to the Spirit Transmitter.

"This is!" The Spirit Transmitter cried out when he saw it, involuntarily taking a step back.

Then he took the badge and immediately ran off.

"Alright, now we just need to wait patiently."

Since Ling Wei had turned sideways with her back to them, most of them had not seen clearly what she had taken out. But Tang Chenfeng, whose Martial Soul was himself, caught a glimpse through a gap. What Ling Wei had taken out seemed to be a shield-shaped badge slightly smaller than a palm. It was emerald green overall, with golden patterns inlaid along its edges. At its center appeared to be a golden pair of Six-Winged Angel wings.

"Alright, let's wait in the hall. We should have an answer soon," Ling Wei said calmly.

"Mom, what was that thing you took out just now? I could sense an incredibly strong life aura from it," Ye Hongling asked in confusion.

Ling Wei thought for a moment, glanced at Ze Ping and his mother, and said, "It's a secret. You have to keep it confidential."

"Ah..." Ye Hongling let out a somewhat dissatisfied snort.

Tang Chenfeng had no objection to that. After all, everyone had a few little secrets. But just then, a voice rang out in the siblings' minds. "Chengfeng, you saw it all, didn't you?"

The two were stunned and looked at Ling Wei. She gave them a look telling them to stay calm, while the voice in their minds continued, "I'm transmitting my voice directly with Soul Power right now. Only we can hear it. What I took out was a position badge from the Church of Life. I obtained it by chance when your grandfather and I were adventuring in Cloud City."

The Church of Life. The siblings were nearly dumbfounded. The Church of Life was also an extremely famous organization. Its influence might not compare to that of the Spirit Pagoda, but its status was in no way inferior.

The Church of Life was a Soul Master organization. Most of its Soul Masters were healing-type Soul Masters, and its core beliefs were benevolence, tolerance, and protection.

The Church of Life had been present during many major disasters throughout history. Whether in Cloud City or on the ground, they generously protected everyone, sparing no cost and willing to give everything they had. This made their image among the public increasingly prominent. They could be called synonymous with peace. There were not many combatants in the Church of Life, but many people were willing to protect these angels, so the church still possessed countless powerful experts.

However, Tang Chenfeng and the others had never imagined that their grandma was connected to the Church of Life. After all, Ye Jiulong had said that they had never affiliated themselves with any faction or organization.

Ling Wei said, "Don't worry, your grandfather knows about this. Back then, people from the Church of Life approached us on their own. They valued my Martial Soul talent and hoped I would join their core team. They even offered some very tempting rewards." A trace of regret entered Ling Wei's voice.

"However, the condition was that only I could join. Your grandfather would not be allowed into the core area. So naturally, we refused their invitation."

Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling simply stood there quietly, listening as Ling Wei recalled her past. To them, it was an absolutely fascinating story and also an opportunity to learn more about the future.

After they refused, the Church of Life did not take any forceful measures. However, they gave me their position badge and said that I could contact them at any time if I changed my mind. But I never intended to do so, so I kept it on me. I never expected to use it here."

Tang Chenfeng suddenly asked, "Grandma Ling, what rank of position does that badge represent?"

Ling Wei froze for a moment and said, "Now that you mention it, I actually don't know either. But it probably isn't low."

Elsewhere, in a meeting room within the Spirit Pagoda, the Spirit Transmitter who had been stationed at the entrance was already inside. Before him stood another person who appeared quite old. That person wore a gray robe of the same style as his, but its edges were adorned with silver patterns, making it appear extremely noble.

"Someone from the Church of Life?" the person said in a somewhat hoarse voice.

This person was the deputy Tower Master of the Haitian City Spirit Pagoda branch, an old man nearly a hundred years of age. He was extremely powerful, only slightly inferior to the Tower Master. However, his temperament was very steady, so most of the Spirit Pagoda's affairs were handled by him.

"Yes, Deputy Tower Master. But their clothing looked far too ordinary, and I couldn't sense any Soul Power from the person leading them, so I wanted to ask you to take a look," the Spirit Transmitter said. At the same time, he explained the entire situation.

The deputy Tower Master said doubtfully, "Where is that badge? Let me see it."

The Spirit Transmitter handed over the badge Ling Wei had given him earlier. The moment the deputy Tower Master took it, a look of shock and uncertainty immediately appeared on his face.

"Where are those people? Where are they now?!"

"I... I had them wait in the hall first." Faced with the deputy Tower Master's sudden shout, despite his normally calm temperament, the Spirit Transmitter seemed at a loss.

"What is it, Deputy Tower Master?" the Spirit Transmitter asked in confusion.

The deputy Tower Master tightly gripped the badge in his hand. "Do you know what this is? This is a Sect Master Token, a sacred token that only a Sect Master of the Church of Life, whose status is second only to the Pope, can possess. A Sect Master is usually the Pope's successor. If anything happens, even several dozen of your lives would not be enough to make up for it." There was a hint of anger in the deputy Tower Master's voice.

"Ah... but... they really didn't seem like it. And if this isn't real..."

Before the Spirit Transmitter could finish, the deputy Tower Master cut him off. "And you think you would be able to tell? Besides, if my senses are correct, this badge should have been polished from an entire Life Crystal. Could that possibly be forged?"

The more the deputy Tower Master spoke, the more the Spirit Transmitter sweated. "Then, Deputy Tower Master, what should we do now..."

The deputy Tower Master interrupted him again. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up. I'm going with you."