Chapter 585: Morning Star

Fifteen minutes later, Li Mochen looked at the dazzling array of spoils before him, and a strong sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

This was the first time since being cursed by Dugu Tianyi; ever since he came to this world, he had been tormented by insatiable greed, an endless abyss of desire.

Even now, though the curse of Dugu Tianyi had been shattered by Li Mochen's powerful will after merging with the original owner, this extraordinary greed would still take a long time to fade.

From this, one could see how immense his gains were this time.

At that moment, Li Mochen saw that the eyes of Thomson Beo, the Enemy of Death across from him, were already bloodshot, looking as if he were mad with jealousy.

"Is this guy really a feathered serpent? Could feathered serpents be a type of dragon? I'm sure this is the greatest wealth I've ever seen in my life. Look at these—"

He grumbled while seemingly casually reaching out toward a pile of 'gems' in front of Li Mochen, but before he could touch them, Hazel slapped his hand away. She glared at Thomson, her eyes full of warning.

Thomson raised his hands, looking innocent: "Hey! I just wanted to look at them, OK? But I guess little Mr. Wiltonstein doesn't need so many things."

What he had tried to touch was actually a pile of divine shards, about a thousand pieces, from at least seventy different deities. Though their ranks were not high—the highest only at the intermediate god level—what was rare was that they were very comprehensive, covering various attributes, divine authorities, and conceptual authorities. Among them were two or three that Thomson desperately wanted, which could help him better delve into the source and understand the mysteries of divine authority.

But this was merely one of the more precious collections in Kukulkan's wealth. Besides this, He also had over three thousand soul gold coins, more than seventy top-tier materials from America produced in the Mythic Era, and quite a few unique 'witch medicines' of the indigenous people.

He also had a pile of holy relics and quasi-mythical armaments, and even two mythical armaments—apart from the crystal skull—but they were of the lowest grade, the entry-level kind, which Kukulkan disdained to use. However, for him, they were quite good weapons that could be used to enhance his subordinates' combat power.

The indigenous people's forging techniques were not advanced, and this was true for several successive civilizations. However, by harnessing the great power of nature and their superb leatherworking skills, they still had many powerful magical artifacts.

As the most powerful deity in America at the time, it was not surprising that the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan had such collections.

But the most precious among them was still the crystal skull.

Li Mochen did not know the name of this mythical armament, but calling it the 'Skull of Itzamna' would not be wrong.

This was a divine artifact forged from the core skull of the Mayan god-king 'Itzamna', combined with the divine remains of seven gods from the Ninefold Alliance.

It contained multiple powers such as 'Decree', 'Venus', 'Guardianship', 'War', 'Battle Wind', 'Wind', and 'Flame'.

Among them, 'Decree', 'Venus', and 'Guardianship' had reached the divine domain level. It was a mythical armament slightly inferior to the 'Holy Lance of Longinus' but superior to the 'Scarlet Dragon Armor'.

Of course, in terms of practicality alone, the latter could not compare with the 'Skull of Itzamna'.

Next came the remains of the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan himself—His spine and head, two eyeballs, a pair of wings, and divine shards—all priceless treasures.

This was a powerful being that had once elevated its rank to the quasi-god-king level through the faith of sentient beings. His bones were the best materials for forging mythical armaments, and His divine shards were excellent references for comprehending divine authority and delving into the source, serving as signposts on Li Mochen's path.

In Kukulkan's divine nature, at least two powers, 'Wind' and 'Venus', had been elevated to the divine domain level. Wind was a power He originally possessed, while 'Venus' was taken from 'Itzamna' but fully digested and controlled by Him.

Then 'Flame', 'Guardianship', 'Battle Wind', and 'Fertility'—which was not very useful in combat—had all reached the intermediate divine authority level.

Below that, there were numerous weak divine authorities, such as 'Ice', 'Rain', 'Water', 'Earth', 'Stone', 'Battle', 'War', 'Death', 'Rebirth', and so on.

Kukulkan had apparently attempted to encroach upon the divine domain of 'Death God Ah Puch', also known as 'Darkness God and Moon God Tezcatlipoca', but achieved limited success in death. However, the divine authority of 'Rebirth' was somehow developed by Him.

But 'Rebirth' is not 'Resurrection'; the latter is returning to life after death, while the former is starting life anew, both being derivatives of the powers of 'Life' and 'Death'.

There were also faint powers of 'Time' and 'Space', though not yet at the level of authority. Nevertheless, Kukulkan's views and insights on these two natural laws were quite novel to Li Mochen.

All these abilities were now fully replicated into the Scarlet Dragon Armor.

The only thing that made Li Mochen regret was that the power of 'Itzamna' to control daylight, the great power of Kukulkan as a sun god, was not retained at all within these divine shards.

Next were various war relics from the Mayan era, including the nine 'War Angel Hearts', fourteen 'Beast God Envoy Blood Crystals'—that is, finished products of the 'Beast Blood Sacrifice'. There were about forty more similar items. The techniques for manufacturing them were all inscribed on sturdy stone tablets, which had not been damaged at all even when the entire city was destroyed.

Finally, there were the spoils they had taken from the Moshlar people, totaling several thousand items. Li Mochen estimated that the Mayans had ultimately won; although the Mayan Empire led by 'Itzamna' was technologically backward, the Moshlar people were foreign aliens to this world and were rejected.

Just like the suppression faced by the Nine Desire Heavenly Demon Dugu Tianyi in the Primordial Dome Realm, the Moshlar people in the Bright World must have found it difficult to fully exert themselves.

These gains undoubtedly delighted Li Mochen immensely; he now even had the confidence to wage an all-out war against the Church of Light.

Of course, this thought only circled in Li Mochen's mind before being suppressed. He still had reason, knowing how formidable the foundations of the Holy See were.

Hadn't the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan, in his prime, suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Holy See's army that crossed the sea to fight on foreign soil?

Next, Li Mochen flicked his finger, sending seven divine shards containing the power of death and thunder directly toward Thomson Beo, the 'Enemy of Death'.

"Three intermediate god-level tasks, that is, protecting someone of Anthony's rank. If you agree, you can take them from me."

He knew Thomson Beo needed these things; he wanted to understand the authority of death and lightning.

Thomson did not refuse, but he grumbled: "You damned Scrooge! This wealth here can't be bought for a trillion gold shields. You're now much richer than Anthony."

Li Mochen ignored him and gave forty-two ice-blue divine shards to Hazel: "Do nothing else for now; just practice the Consistent One Primordial Step and the Ice Heart Dominating Sea Technique every day until you understand them. I hope that in the next few years, you can at least master the elementary ice divine authority."

These shards all came from deities who wielded ice divine authority. The most powerful seven were likely the remnants of the North Star God Saman Ek from the 'Ninefold Alliance'. This deity ruled over the North Star and the power of winter, and was also the god of commerce, providing guidance to merchants.

Li Mochen then manipulated the 'Dragon-Slaying Blade' to divide the divine shards left by the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan.

With extremely condensed and well-controlled sword energy, he cut out twenty-nine pieces of varying sizes of cyan crystals from a total of twenty-seven divine shards.

These items were given by Li Mochen to Robert: "These are the parts related to the divine authorities of 'Guardianship', 'Decree', 'Wind', and 'Battle Wind'. They are not very pure, but this is the limit of what I can do now. So it's best not to integrate them directly; the consequences could be severe—"

Another advantage of the 'Gladiator Divine Authority' was that as long as Li Mochen confirmed the enemy within the quota for seizing abilities, he could obtain double the harvest.

Robert calmly took the cyan crystals and replied succinctly: "I will master them, in the shortest time."

She would not disappoint her master, nor did she wish to experience again the helplessness and regret she felt when she woke up underground two years ago. But that required power.

And Li Mochen had already pointed out the path for her and provided all the foundations for climbing upward.

After this, Li Mochen stored the vast majority of these spoils into his Void Ring. However, the space within it, which he had gradually expanded to three thousand cubic meters, now seemed pitifully small.

Among them, Kukulkan's spine could not fit into the Void Ring no matter what.

Li Mochen had to use the 'Sky Scepter' to open a temporary demiplane space and toss it inside.

After that, he looked with a solemn gaze toward a certain point in the east.

"Sir, may I ask your purpose here?"

Only then did Robert and the others notice that on the eastern sky, about a hundred meters away, stood a black figure completely shrouded in a robe.

This person must have arrived long ago, but without making a sound, they had all failed to detect him. The blood-eyed maid and Hazel both changed color, lowering their bodies slightly, assuming a vigilant and cautious posture like lions or tigers before battle.

Thomson Beo, on the other hand, remained relaxed, not even reaching for his sword.

He had once been an outstanding assassin and mercenary, possessing keen danger perception and superb combat skills covering all ranges. But since gaining his nearly immortal ability, Thomson Beo had gradually lost his good habits and remained calm no matter the situation.

However, a look of confusion appeared in Thomson Beo's eyes. He smelled a familiar scent from this person, but for a moment, he couldn't recall where he had encountered it.

It seemed to carry a hint of sulfur—

"For the things in your hand."

The robed figure pointed toward the divine shards in front of Li Mochen that had not yet been stored in the Void Ring—those belonging to the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan.

"You should know what I want? Can you give it to me? Young man?"

Li Mochen looked thoughtful: "Morning Star, is it?"

The feeling the other gave him was the darkest darkness before the light, and a glimmer of light nurtured within the darkest darkness.

"Morning Star Lucifer?"

Thomson Beo's eyes sharpened, and he immediately drew his twin blades, but before he could act, a bolt of lightning suddenly erupted at the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious.

The robed figure's tone was helpless: "You shouldn't have revealed my identity."

"He would have guessed!"

Li Mochen replied nonchalantly, then asked curiously: "May I ask? What happened between you? Or rather, what did he do to make you give him that nearly immortal curse?"

"That is a matter between him and me."

The robed figure had no intention of answering: "I believe that if you knew the truth, you would regret this question."

"OK!"

Li Mochen smiled and put away his curiosity: "Then, Supreme Monarch of Hell, what do you intend to use in exchange for it? You can't just take it from me, can you?"

Since it was Lucifer, the chief of the Seven Princes of Hell, what he was after could only be Kukulkan's divine authority 'Venus', also known as 'Phosphorus', 'Evening Star', or 'Hesperus'. Besides appearing in the morning, it also appears at dusk, always the brightest star in the darkness.

The robed figure did not speak; he simply produced a sapphire-blue gem in his hand.

At first, Li Mochen did not recognize it, but after a moment, his blood surged, and his scalp tingled. He looked at the other in disbelief: "Is it the Miracle Stone?"

"Don't be too surprised. It is a gift from the entire world, and each person can only use it once. Although precious, I have already used it. And I am quite willing to cause some trouble for the Church."

The robed figure's tone was calm: "But just His Venus divine authority is not enough. Give me Kukulkan's eyeballs as well, and you, little Mr. Wiltonstein, can take it."

Meanwhile, in the Vatican, within the tumultuous hall of the College of Cardinals, as a black-robed priest walked to John Honorius's side and whispered, the Pope's expression changed drastically. Without even informing the many cardinals who were fiercely debating around him, he hurriedly rose and left, rushing to the rear hall of the Apostolic Palace.

There, Cardinal Loft Clement and Danny Hankins, along with several of his confidants and the Cardinal Protector Angel Isolde Alank, arrived one after another.

"What happened, Cardel? Just one day later, that Andrew has killed the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan again?"

John Honorius looked solemnly at a red-robed figure standing in the hall—though equally noble red, the details of the attire differed slightly from those of the cardinals present; it was the attire of the 'Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church'.

According to the decree issued by Pope Martin V in 2836, the hierarchy of the Church of Light is divided into the 'Priesthood' and the 'Diaconate'. The Priesthood consists of seven ranks: Priest, Bishop, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocesan Bishop, Diocesan Archbishop, Metropolitan Archbishop, and Cardinal Bishop, known as the 'Seven Holy Orders'; the Diaconate consists of seven ranks: Novice Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Assistant Deacon, Diocesan Assistant Deacon, Vicar Deacon, and Chancellor Deacon, known as the 'Seven Ministerial Orders'.

The 'Seven Holy Orders' preside over liturgy and churches, while the 'Seven Ministerial Orders' manage affairs; the two cannot be interchanged.

However, the identity of Chancellor Cardel Kitley was different from that of ordinary deacons; he belonged to the department known as the 'Inquisition'.

About four centuries ago, under secular pressure, the Church abolished the 'Inquisition'. However, this department that upheld the authority of the Church, the Bible, and the Lord has always existed, merely changing its name to the 'Department of Faith Theory' to remain hidden.

And Cardel Kitley was one of the most powerful individuals in the current 'Department of Faith Theory' and its director.

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

Cardel's brow was furrowed: "He made no attempt to conceal it; many witnessed it at the time. So the situation has changed. I don't know if he could kill Kukulkan alone, but if so, that means—"

His voice was unusually grave: "The Scarlet Dragon Armor has already acquired all the power of the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan."

The hall erupted in uproar.

"Killing the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan alone? Is that possible? He was once a quasi-god-king, and even now, he is at the rank of an angel king."

"According to reliable records, Kukulkan's physical body is dead. He has the 'Kongtong Seal' and the 'Holy Lance of Longinus'; even if he returned the former to that Eastern ancient country, his strength is still at the main god level. It's not impossible. But if it's true, that's very frightening."

"That Barbarossa emperor only relied on the Scarlet Dragon Armor to hunt a high god—"

"This is truly bad news. Our previous plans will likely have to be completely overturned."

"That is to say, he is now capable of contending with a complete angel king in the outer realms?"

"This is the terrifying aspect of the Scarlet Dragon Armor; to some extent, it is stronger than the 'Holy Lance of Longinus'."

The Protector Angel Isolde Alank sighed softly: "But Chancellor Cardel, the real bad news is probably the death of Kukulkan itself?"

"Yes, Lady Isolde!"

Premier Cardinal Kittery's eyes flickered: "The reason the Church ultimately let Kukulkan go and allowed him to escape to recuperate was that the divine authority he wielded overlapped with the power of one of our enemies."

Pope John Honorius's eyes immediately narrowed: "The Morning Star?"

……

After waking up, Thomson Beowulf found himself aboard a Holy Eagle 350 aircraft. Not far from him, Li Mochen was carefully examining and admiring a gem that looked ordinary and lacked luster.

"He's gone?"

Thomson Beowulf asked a question he himself felt was meaningless, then rubbed the back of his neck and cursed: "Damn Lucifer! I'll kill him sooner or later."

Then Thomson's gaze fixed on the sapphire in Li Mochen's hand: "Is that—the Miracle Stone?"

"You recognize it?"

Li Mochen looked at Thomson.

"Of course I do, but this is my first time seeing the real thing. It has other names: 'Divine Wish Stone' and 'Gaia Stone,' though it has nothing to do with Gaia. In the East, it's called 'Chaos Stone,' condensed from the primordial energies of Xuan and Huang. Legend says it originates from the 'source' of this world, a creation from the dawn of heaven and earth, carrying the world's will. It can transform into countless treasures, change into any mythological material you desire, and even directly elevate the rank of divinity or the level of divine authority—but only in the Bright World. A piece this big... Lucifer was truly generous to you."

After speaking, Thomson glanced around: "Are we returning to America? Did the Mexican government let you go?"

"They weren't willing, but I convinced them. The existence of the feathered serpent Kukulkan was the greatest hidden danger to this world. I did a good deed; it's already good of me not to ask them for a reward."

Li Mochen's tone carried a hint of self-righteousness. He genuinely believed this, especially since after Kukulkan's death, the 'Divine Pneuma Fortune Purple Gold Pagoda' had gained over thirty thousand strands of merit energy.

Thomson Beowulf looked bewildered, but soon guessed the reason: it must be that he was impressed by the 'virtue' of the man beside him. This young Mr. Wiltonshire was indeed a rare moral gentleman in today's world.

At that moment, Li Mochen's expression turned serious: "If you feel fine physically, go do something for me, Thomson. I have a new commission here."