Chapter 643: The Tainted Place

Chapter 643: The Tainted Place

Su Youyue never imagined that the little scammer she had befriended by chance would one day go to such lengths for her.

She couldn't help feeling moved.

"Xie Yuan, during your time in the Holy Church, have you figured out what secrets are hidden in the Sacred Valley of the Holy Church?"

Su Youyue was well aware of the abilities of the shadow guards. If even they couldn't catch a glimpse of it, it meant that the security in the Sacred Valley was definitely not ordinary.

The man glanced at her, paused, then slowly nodded, his eyes dark and unreadable: "The Sacred Valley is a tainted place."

Su Youyue looked at him, puzzled.

...

"Young Master Hua, have you changed your clothes?"

With a creak, the door swung open.

Hua Qingyun had just finished tying his belt.

He had not yet tied up his hair, and his ink-black hair cascaded like flowing water over his white and gold robe as he looked at the newcomer.

Os's gaze swept over him, finally settling on his handsome, jade-like face.

"Today marks the purification ritual for the new divine envoys. After His Holiness the Pope performs the purification ritual for you, you will become true divine envoys serving the Sacred. The Sacred will bless you."

Hua Qingyun smiled gently and nodded: "Priest, I can go after I tie up my hair."

Hearing this, Os not only stayed but took two steps forward: "Qingyun, let me help you tie your hair."

Hua Qingyun took a step back: "Thank you for your offer, Priest, but I can manage."

Seeing this, Os's face showed a trace of disappointment, but he still agreed. However, he had no intention of leaving and stood in the room, watching Hua Qingyun tie up his hair, before personally taking him to the ceremony.

"Brother Hua..."

Chu Xiaozi, now changed, came bounding into the room, but as soon as she saw Os inside, her expression changed instantly.

Os also looked displeased upon seeing her.

"Jumping around in the Holy Temple? What kind of behavior is that?"

Chu Xiaozi secretly scorned him in her heart, then quickly walked forward: "Priest, is this the Holy Temple? Is the one in the Holy City also the Holy Temple?"

"This is not a question you should ask, nor am I obliged to answer. You should just prepare for the purification ritual. If you act so recklessly again and get expelled by His Holiness the Pope, you'll lose the divine envoy position that Young Master Hua worked so hard to secure for you."

Os's expression was haughty.

After all, for these commoner youths, being chosen as a divine envoy was an unparalleled honor. Once selected, no one wanted to be expelled.

According to Os's thoughts, after he said this, the black boy surnamed Chu should feel fear and quiet down.

But Chu Xiaozi just said "Oh": "If I get expelled, I think Brother Hua will leave with me."

Os's face showed more anger: "You disregard the rules, degrade yourself, and show no respect for the Sacred. You don't care about your future, and you want Young Master Hua to accompany you?"

Chu Xiaozi wanted to retort, but seeing Hua Qingyun give her a look, she reluctantly said: "Priest, I was wrong. I really shouldn't have disrespected the honorable Priest, and I naturally have no disrespect for the Sacred."

Os snorted coldly, about to shoo him away when Shu Mo walked into the room.

Suddenly, the private moment between two people turned into a group of four. Os's face darkened as he looked at Hua Qingyun: "Fine, the three of you can come together later."

With that, he left ahead of them.

Chu Xiaozi immediately snapped back to herself, grabbing Hua Qingyun's sleeve: "Brother Hua, I have a bad feeling about staying in this Holy Church. Why don't we make a run for it before they start that purification ceremony?"

Although she had noticed the Holy Church was heavily guarded, she feared that after the purification, they would become the so-called divine envoys, making it even harder to leave.

It would be better to try to escape now or just tell them we’re out.

She was afraid that if something went wrong, she couldn’t protect Hua Qingyun and Shu Mo, both bookish types, on her own.

If only the teacher’s hot air balloons or ammunition were here...

Hua Qingyun pressed her hand: "Brother Chu, don’t rush. After the purification ceremony, they might assign us to the Holy Capital Temple or keep us here. Let’s wait and see."

Chu Xiaozi still had her doubts, but feeling the sudden warmth of his hand, she quickly pulled away: "Cough... fine, I’ll listen to you!"

Shu Mo, standing nearby, scratched his head at her over-the-top reaction. This Brother Chu, who usually acted so tough, got all flustered when the young master touched her.

As if realizing she’d overreacted, Chu Xiaozi quickly changed the subject: "These Holy Church robes—they look like bathrobes. One tug and they’d come right off. Not great."

The robe’s tie could be undone with one tug, leaving you exposed.

Being a girl, she was naturally more cautious, so she’d secretly worn an extra layer underneath.

But seeing what Hua Qingyun and Shu Mo were wearing, she could tell they had nothing on underneath—the white gauze robes were practically see-through.

Chu Xiaozi patted herself on the back for being smart enough to wear an extra layer, but when she reached the Holy Pool, she was stunned.

The Holy Pool was filled with hot spring water, and the so-called purification ceremony required everyone to strip naked and soak in it!

"..."

Around the Holy Pool, besides their group of new divine envoys, there were the Pope, Os, four other Priests, and over a dozen tall, muscular young divine envoys watching them.

These youths, eager to become divine envoys, didn’t hesitate at all, stripping off their clothes and stepping into the Holy Pool without a second thought.

Soon, the Holy Pool was filled with naked young men.

The Pope and the Priests stared shamelessly at the youths in the pool.

Though the surroundings were shrouded in white mist, like a fairyland, Chu Xiaozi was suddenly reminded of the warm pools in the brothels she’d seen as a child.

The pool was filled with naked bodies, and on the shore were lustful patrons lost in pleasure. The memory suddenly overlapped with the present, filling her with deep discomfort.

She knew she wasn’t wrong—these people didn’t seem like the dignified Pope and Priests, but a bunch of lecherous old men.

Seeing the Pope's gaze occasionally lingering on Hua Qingyun, she couldn't help but tug at his sleeve again.

"Brother Hua..."

She regretted not insisting on leaving earlier. Now, not only was she in a dilemma, but she also didn't want these people to see Hua Qingyun's body.

Hua Qingyun turned back, seeing her hesitation, and reassured her gently: "It’s fine, Brother Chu. It’s just a quick bath."