In the end, none of their "brands" had any effect.
Izax's otherworldly demon bloodline directly rejected the Source Blood, making inoculation impossible. Vivian, as Bloodkin, was immune to all foreign blood factors. Nangong May and Elsa were elemental Sirens, so the Source Blood merely swirled around inside them once before being expelled through their skin. As for everyone else, after receiving the Source Blood, they were like Lily: there was no rejection, but there was no effect either.
Yet no one besides Hao Ren had made the Source Blood simply disappear inside their body.
"It seems that only devout faith and long-term mental training can establish a connection with the Goddess." Big Beard shook his head as he looked at Lily, then turned to Hao Ren. "As for you, there's simply no way to explain it. Perhaps your god can give you some answers."
"Hey, let's just leave it at that." Hao Ren himself was quite open-minded about it. "There have always been plenty of strange things happening to me. In any case, sorry for the trouble this time—I know having a bunch of foreigners accept the brand doesn't exactly fit your rules."
Archbishop Aubin still wore a stern, expressionless face as he replied, "It is no trouble. You are fated to be connected with My Lord, and the Goddess will gladly grant her grace to you."
Hao Ren smiled at the archbishop and prepared to leave. Before saying goodbye, however, he asked Big Beard what he planned to do next.
"The matter with the heretics here can be considered settled, and the Firstborn is no longer a threat. Are you staying?" Hao Ren asked.
Big Beard nodded calmly. "The pope died a martyr, the situation is turbulent, and the faithful need comfort and guidance. Besides, the truth behind the