Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 606 - 568 Luo Mountain Orthodox

Chapter 606: 568 Luo Mountain Orthodox

Although I know Huang Quan is currently inside this Evangelical Institute, I cannot pinpoint his exact location.

To be precise, it’s not advisable to attempt locating his exact position. Originally, I considered Huang Quan as a target I would inevitably kill, so trying to scan his location with my consciousness now would just be afraid that he might not notice our visit.

The abilities that a human god possesses can be somewhat glimpsed from their personality. After all, mana itself is usually a manifestation of the user’s mind. If a person is cautious, they are likely to find a knack for detecting danger. I believe Huang Quan has one or two unique talents in this regard as well. Even if we make no mistakes, the other party might still sense our presence at any time.

"So, what do you plan to do to investigate this Evangelical Institute? Are you going to conduct a thorough search foot by foot?" I asked No. 7.

"Of course not. That would be too inefficient, and if it takes too long, unexpected changes might occur," said No. 7. "Let’s ask the ’locals’ first. Could you lend a hand?"

I understood what she meant, then we left the courtyard together and entered the interior of the Evangelical Institute building.

The internal structure of the Huang Quan Evangelical Institute is similar to the ruins of the Tai Sui Evangelical Institute that we explored some time ago, except this place hasn’t been flooded, and its buildings are relatively intact, with more signs of human activity.

That being said, there’s not so much of a "human touch" here. Perhaps because this is the post-mortem world, people don’t care about the vitality of their surroundings, and the atmosphere is filled with a deathly stillness. It’s like the previous courtyard, clearly having a place for planting flowers and grass, yet there’s no one tending to them, allowing the flowers and grass in the courtyard to wither away.

If greenery can’t be properly maintained in the post-mortem world, then the related facilities should be removed to avoid seeing them, but it seems they’re too lazy to even do this.

This doesn’t seem to be because the institute lacks cohesion or organizational capability. On the contrary, the monks coming and going within the corridors give the impression of being orderly and well-trained. It sounds akin to a military unit, but in reality, it’s not. If one compares this power structure to a person, then this Evangelical Institute is like an ascetic. Despite being unkempt, it conceals a fervent collective faith and will.

"The monks of the Huang Quan Evangelical Institute are, for the most part, believers of Human God Huangquan," No. 7 said nonchalantly, "Believers are often influenced by the god they worship. The more devout the faith, the more the human god’s nature is reflected at the collective level.

"Generally, Huang Quan does not care about material enjoyment and uses rationality as a guide for action. Although he possesses skills and knowledge in interpersonal communication, he is not innately inclined to communicate with people and lacks the motivation to improve his surroundings. As long as things aren’t insufferably bad, he can adapt to them.

"Therefore, most of Huang Quan’s followers are of this type. Be it interpersonal relationships or living environments, they pass through life carelessly and drift along with the current when it comes to everything outside of serious matters. Although there are people responsible for maintaining and beautifying the environment within this Institute, since nobody cares, the standards for the environment are correspondingly lowered."

In some fantasy tales, a god’s personality is influenced by the beliefs and thoughts of their followers, but here it’s clearly the other way around.

No. 7 continued, "The same goes for the plan to massacre all of humanity. Although this plan was proposed by Huang Quan himself, he is not necessarily committed to the idea that ’even so, the world must be saved.’ He’s inherently indifferent to all of humanity’s survival, perhaps thinking, ’Since this is the method, let it proceed this way.’

"The monks here are the same, driven not by a deep-seated obsession with the survival of the world and races, but by the rationality of the plan, which grants them a chance to secure a ticket on the ark to the future. They don’t want to be buried alongside the old human history, so they drift with the current.

"As for how many tragedies and tears this process might create, they don’t care. What does it matter if billions of mortals die—as long as their deaths ensure the survival of these exalted monks, then mortals deserve it. This mindset is probably defined as ’Extraordinaryism’ on your side, yes?"

I thought about it and replied, "More or less."

As I was speaking, I saw a specially adorned monk approaching from the opposite side of the corridor. He was an elderly man, and although he wore the same black uniform, this monk had clearly more decorations and badges. The monks passing by all halted their steps and performed gestures of respect upon seeing him.

It was apparent that this person held a high position and must be privy to quite a bit of information. From the soul, it could also be judged that this was an achieved level character. Or, using the language of Extraordinaryism, he should be called an "achieved realm monk"?

Still, as I previously mentioned, while an achieved level is just a minor role in my eyes, in the overall perspective of Luo Mountain, an achieved level is very close to the pinnacle of the hierarchy. I believe it’s the same within the Evangelical Institute, and there shouldn’t be many roles higher than this monk.

——Well then, let’s choose him.

I deliberately obstructed this achieved realm monk with No. 7 and Little Bowl by my side. It was as if he had just now noticed our presence; he stopped his steps and then showed a puzzled expression, frowning as he asked, "Who are you... Wait, who are you? I don’t recognize you..."

Before he could take precaution, I spoke first, "From this moment on, you are our slave. You will not make any actions against us and shall not respond with lying, concealing, or silence to our questions."

"What...!" The achieved realm monk widened his eyes in shock, "Who are you exactly—"

He seemed to want to raise his voice and attempt some form of attack. However, his voice was suddenly cut off, as if choked by an invisible hand; the actions he intended to execute were also abandoned mid-way, his whole being seemingly petrified.

My Power of Word Spirit has completely bound him. No matter what kind of commotion he wants to create to attract the surrounding attention or intends to make harmful actions against us, he will eventually be stopped by his own body and soul.

This not only affects the decrees of his body and soul but also acts on the air and space around him. Even if he finds a way to break free from this decree and starts yelling to escape, the air around him would refuse to carry his voice, and the space would stretch and change automatically, preventing him from ever escaping our side.

Perhaps he still has other tools and spells specifically used for signaling... those are also useless. Under the overwhelming power of the decree, such flashy methods will only end up being nullified. Even his life’s fate is something I can decide with a single word.

I concentrate all my strength on him as much as possible to prevent any fluctuations from leaking out, causing a reaction from the distant Huang Quan.

Though Little Bowl certainly had anticipated it, she was still amazed by the scene: "Solved so quickly..."

"Although the specific effects aren’t quite the same, you also have the ability to do similar things to others," I said.

As the Divine Son, Little Bowl also possesses the Power of Word Spirit, though it’s somewhat different from Impermanence’s Power of Word Spirit.

Little Bowl can make others feel trust and affection toward her, unconsciously believe her words, respond to her orders, becoming her followers. In ancient times, this kind of extraordinary leadership charisma, answering to one’s call without exception, was also regarded as the aura of a sage king, with even the heavens and earth becoming harmonious like people’s hearts, a "power of governance."

Although the existence of Frenzy makes it difficult for her to wield this power on people in the Post-mortem World, I believe with the Power of Divine Seal Fragments, she can find a way to break through this barrier.

And all of these prerequisite her own sincerity towards others—because the Power of Word Spirit of Divine Son is a "conversational ability," seeking harmonious results.

Impermanence’s Power of Word Spirit, on the other hand, is a "commanding ability," ultimately forcing others and the world to produce ideal reactions.

"The God’s word spirit... no matter how many times I witness it, it’s so unreasonable..."

No. 7 seemed to empathize strangely with the achieved realm cultivator in front of him, who, despite being in high position, was manipulated into life and death in an instant, and sighed.

"You are... Hongcao!"

The achieved realm cultivator obviously recognized No. 7’s identity, then looked at me with more astonishment, "Human God... no, this mana fluctuation... Catastrophe Demon? Why is the Catastrophe Demon appearing here!?"

"Long time no see, I remember now, you and a few other officers are managing this Evangelical Institute on behalf of Huang Quan, right?" No. 7 looked coldly at the other, "The Yellow Springs Evangelical Institute’s pursuit in killing the Tai Sui Army, I suppose you had a hand in the planning behind it too, have you ever thought that you might fall into my hands one day?"

The achieved realm cultivator’s expression changed several times.

It turned out these two knew each other. Both were once high-level figures in the Evangelical Institute, which is quite sensical.

From my first impression, this achieved realm cultivator is probably not a Blessed Monk, but one of those No. 7 mentioned who were cultivated as high-level cadres after receiving comprehensive systematic education from the Evangelical Institute. Judging from his aged appearance, perhaps he even became a senior cadre before such a system emerged.

"However, those grievances need to be set aside for now, we have questions to ask you," No. 7 said, "’Du Shuo Mountain’ technical information is kept by you where exactly? Also, do you know where Huang Quan placed the Divine Seal Fragments?"

The achieved realm cultivator was momentarily stunned, "’Du Shuo Mountain’? Divine Seal Fragments? I don’t know... wasn’t ’Du Shuo Mountain’ just in the conceptual stage? Could it be the Yellow Springs God completed it?"

No. 7 showed a very disdainful expression, saying, "You know nothing? Useless... Come to think of it, such important information, how could Huang Quan possibly tell someone like you who’s asked casually and spills everything."

However, the achieved realm cultivator did not mind the humiliation he encountered, the keyword "Du Shuo Mountain" seemed to stimulate his associative power, leading him quickly to deduce much information.

His gaze shifted to me, with a tremble and reverence in his voice, "I-I get it... you’re not the Catastrophe Demon, no demon can take human form or speak human words... you’re the prototype of a Catastrophe Demon who crossed from the Living World to the Post-mortem World? The Impermanence of the Second Luo Mountain?"

"Your mind is indeed quick, but haven’t you forgot that you’re supposed to answer our questions now?" I said, "Also... what do you mean by ’Second Luo Mountain’? Is there a First Luo Mountain? Tell us everything you’ve thought of."

The achieved realm cultivator could not defy my orders and could only say reluctantly, "Have even our records been erased over there? Our Evangelical Institute... is the authentic successor of Luo Mountain after all."