Act 157: Revival III

Jiluobo, outskirts of White City--

Jiluobo Church was not the grandest church in the entire White City region. After the Jiluovi, Osrian, and Barbarisa Churches were completed during the Years of Distant Wilderness, Verdant Forest, and Frog Croaks, respectively, it had become even more obscure. But in terms of history, this weather-beaten church atop a hill, its outer walls mottled with age, was one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in the entire Ten Cities Region. Its priest, Father Salian, was also one of Bishop Rune's most cherished disciples. However, this branch of the Mensha Sect did not pursue fame or wealth, and had therefore gradually been forgotten.

The countryside outside White City was dark beneath the storm. Inside the church, on the lectern behind the altar, a priest with skin as dark as that of an old country farmer stared blankly at the holy water chalice before him.

The holy water chalice had been bestowed by Fanzan. The silver chalice was filled with magical holy water. Legend said that the filthy could see the sins of their lives in the water's reflection, the greedy could see their ugly desires, and the devout could see steadfast hope. But only the pure could see the Divine Oracle from above the clouds. Though it was merely a legend, the holy water chalice was indeed the most sacred vessel at a pilgrimage site, as well as one of the standard ritual implements used in several of the grandest ceremonies.

Farmers and the poor from the surrounding countryside occasionally came to the church to ask for holy water, which was said to possess healing properties. Father Salian was happy to distribute it, too. But at this moment, thunder rumbled, and ripples spread across the surface of the holy water. A layer of black mist seemed