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When everyone looks at you with a puzzled expression, it usually means that you have a problem.
Of course, Liu Zheng didn't think so.
Is it reasonable to get a few more injections in exchange for some benefits for believers?
Back in the Metropolis, even buying a coffee would involve getting your eyes scraped, your ears cleaned, and your face ripped.
"If you can pass the Great Baptism, my Lord will naturally reward you."
The old woman composed herself and said...
"OK."
Liu Zheng agreed without hesitation.
"Mr. Liu Zheng, you must be careful."
Anke quickly reminded him.
"What's wrong?"
He asked.
" The Great Baptism is the highest ceremony of the Church of Pain, and all who undergo the Great Baptism ultimately become saints."
Anke said.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Speaking of which, the Round God Sect actually wanted him to become their Holy Son; being a Holy Disciple sounds much more prestigious than being a Holy Son.
"Only after death can a person be considered a saint."
Anke said helplessly.
"That sounds so exciting, I definitely want to try it!"
Liu Zheng looked very interested.
I hope you won't regret it.
Under the old woman's meaningful gaze, everyone began to take turns receiving the baptism.
Marianne was alright, but the three little girls couldn't stop crying after just one injection.
Whether it's Nina and her sister or Fula, they were all pampered at home from a young age. They wouldn't even be allowed to prick their hands with needles, let alone be hit hard with a slap.
The old woman's expression became even more excited when she heard their shrill cries.
The Church of Pain hasn't had a child for many years; the Lord of Pain must be very happy this time.
Not only the three little girls, but even the unconscious Renhe and the Calico Cat couldn't escape; they were all pricked with needles.
However, the Helmet Man seemed to have a special needle-pricking technique; even after five needles, the hunter still didn't wake up.
It was Liu Zheng's turn last.
The Helmet Man glanced at him, then pulled a long nail from his shoulder, at least twice as long as the nails used to stab the others.
The Helmet Man, holding the nail, didn't act immediately but quietly watched Liu Zheng.
"Come!"
Liu Zheng readily agreed.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Helmet Man immediately grabbed a nail and smashed it down on his shoulder.
A nail, at least an inch long, was hammered into Liu Zheng's shoulder, sinking all the way into the handle.
"Ah!"
Screams erupted immediately.
But it wasn't him who cried out; it was three little girls, especially Fula, who screamed the loudest, as if nails had been driven into her body.
Why didn't you call out?
The old woman asked, displeased.
"I think if I were to cry out at this level, the Lord of Pain would find me shameful."
Liu Zheng said nonchalantly.
If you're talking about pain, then it definitely hurts.
But to say you'd actually shout it out would be a bit fake, like the female lead in a movie that can be acted out by two people.
This Lord of Pain might actually exist, but to fool a real deity, one should at least be a bit more professional in their acting.
"Our Lord is all-encompassing; He will gladly accept any degree of suffering."
The old woman refuted his statement.
"However, your patience truly pleases my lord."
But immediately, she put on a smiling face again.
"Come in, the Church of Pain welcomes you."
After everyone entered the church, the Helmet Man pulled the door shut and then locked it.
Liu Zheng noticed that the church doors were actually made of solid metal.
No wonder Anke was so eager to seek refuge here; given the strength those beasts have shown so far, it's impossible for them to breach this church.
Moreover, this Helmet Man who acts as the gatekeeper seems to be no ordinary person either.
He looked at the Helmet Man's arms, where the thumbtacks had sank deeper due to the exertion of his muscles, and blood had almost soaked through his robe, yet the Helmet Man remained oblivious.
Seemingly noticing Liu Zheng's gaze, the Helmet Man turned around.
Their eyes met, and it seemed as if lightning flashed through the air.
However, there was no hostility in the Helmet Man's eyes; it was mainly curiosity and inquiry.
Liu Zheng shifted his gaze and began to survey the interior of the church.
The church doesn't have many ornate decorations; it has very few stained-glass windows, which are common in Yate City. Instead, it features a large number of murals.
The content of these murals is almost entirely related to suffering.
Most of them depict scenes of people committing self-inflicted punishment or being executed by others, while a small portion shows the sorrow or fear of an individual or a group of people.
Some people raised their hands in the flames, some curled up in the water, some pierced themselves with spears, and some held their stillborn children and cried out silently.
It is evident that these murals were not all created by one person, but their style is highly consistent, suggesting that they are the result of generations of artists passing down their skills.
In the very center of the church stands a wooden statue.
A naked young man is fixed to a piece of wood in a contorted position, his limbs resembling vines.
His expression was very strange, looking both pained and happy.
"This is the Twisted Saint, who is both our Lord's prophet and the founder of the Church of Pain."
The older woman introduced it in a reverent tone.
Did his hands and feet really turn into vines, or was it just an artistic expression?
Liu Zheng asked.
"."
The old woman looked at him speechlessly.
I'm telling you I kill people often, and you ask me if there are many people in Changsha?
"It's true. The Twisted Saint was like this in his lifetime, and people surrounded him to listen to his sermons until he returned to the embrace of our Lord."
Driven by her desire to spread the word, she earnestly began to explain.
"Is this statue the Twisted Saint himself?"
Liu Zheng asked.
"No, this is just a statue. The body of the Twisted Saint is not here."
The old woman shook her head.
Where is it?
"You have too many questions, stranger. Ask them again after you've passed through the Great Baptism."
The older woman was getting impatient.
"Alright, by the way, can I specify the reward?"
Liu Zheng asked.
What reward do you want?
The old woman asked.
"I think that one is pretty good."
He pointed to the feet of the statue.
There was a wide-mouthed wooden cup there, filled with a golden, viscous liquid.
"You want to Twisted Holy Grail?"
The old woman's gaze became wary.
"Is it not allowed?"
Liu Zheng countered with a question.
So this thing is called the Twisted Holy Grail?
The City Hall's task list specifically requested the Golden Ointment of Pain Miracle.
He proactively requested the Great Baptism because he felt that what the City Hall wanted should be related to the Church of Pain.
However, the contents of the Twisted Holy Grail look a lot like ointment, so the City Hall probably doesn't want the grail itself, but rather what's inside.
The old woman stared at Liu Zheng for a long time before walking up to the statue of the Twisted Saint.
She knelt down and then headbutted the Twisted Saint's legs.
One, two, three times, until her forehead was covered in blood, she finally stood up.
"Okay, if you pass the Great Baptism, I will give you the Twisted Holy Grail."
The old woman turned around and said.
Blood streamed down her face, making her look horrific.
"Clang clang clang!"
The Helmet Man tapped the key three times rapidly.
"This is a revelation from our Lord."
The old woman said sternly.
The Helmet Man clutched the key, lowering his head in resentment.
"Let's begin then."
Liu Zheng said calmly.