CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 140: THE TRUE HOLY FATHER (PART 2)

Only one left.

The monster was being besieged by Xie Liu, Ji Xing and others.

A breathtaking arc of light flashed, and Chen Jian watched as Xu He, described by Ji Xing as "far surpassing the average Blood Source" fall from a height.

Powerful Slash!

An anachronistic, almost excessively classical combat style produced astounding results.

The long blade cut at an incredibly precise angle, creating a long gash on the monster’s chest.

Immediately, the 201-class pistols in the hands of Xie Liu and Ji Xing fired simultaneously, and bullets penetrated straight through the open gash.

In an instant, blood flowers bloomed on the monster’s back.

A few seconds later, as if unable to bear the weight of the bullets, the monster staggered and fell to its knees.

"All clear!"

"I’m finished here!"

Reports came through Chen Jian’s earpiece from other squads, and in the distance, Lei Jie, having successfully completed the interception mission, was speeding back in a 30A tank...

......

Smoke, explosions, and flames.

Blood, poison gas, and mucus.

Inside and outside the walls of the Imperial City was a scene of devastation.

When Chen Jian led his team back into the city after taking down the last solitary monster, he saw people celebrating.

Everyone was cheering for this swift, yet abrupt victory, everyone relieved that they wouldn’t have to leave their homeland.

But he knew clearly, this wasn’t the end.

"The first wave of the Beast Tide had only twelve monsters, all of which were level four or below."

"This was just a test, even without our power, the Holy Blood Temple could withstand it and protect the Imperial City."

"However, the second wave of the Beast Tide is already on its way."

"Those two monsters advancing northward from Ande City are part of the second or third wave of the Beast Tide."

"We can’t afford to waste time, and we don’t have the ability to hold this city."

"Take me to see the Holy Father, I demand that people here immediately withdraw to the south!"

As he followed Xie Yuan quickly toward the Holy Blood Temple, Chen Jian spoke urgently.

"Understood."

Xie Yuan immediately nodded.

After the intense battle, he put aside his previous slow, polite demeanor and instead displayed a capable and decisive stance.

This change gave Chen Jian some confidence in these Holy Blood followers, at least enough to show they were not merely opportunistic "Rangers", but rather warriors capable of enduring high-intensity battles.

The two pressed forward, as civilians and Holy Blood followers along the way paid the Holy Blood Ceremony respects to the group like saviors.

Their faces were full of gratitude and respect, but Chen Jian didn’t spare them a glance.

His brain was racing, thinking about what kind of strategy to use in the upcoming meeting to convince the high and mighty Holy Father to accept his proposal.

But obviously, in such a rush, he couldn’t possibly think of a better strategy.

Maybe, just take him out directly?

Chen Jian’s brow slowly furrowed, and at this moment, the real "Holy Blood Temple" appeared before him.

It was an extraordinarily plain building.

Square, with no unnecessary design, the only indication of "religious attributes" being the uniform color of the outer walls and the occasional simple murals.

This was entirely different from the complex and ornate style of the Mechanical God Sect.

But what was even more different was the demeanor of that "Holy Father".

He stood in front of the central building, quietly watching the approaching team from afar.

When Xie Yuan led the group in front of him, intending to salute him, he raised his hand to stop them.

Then he spoke:

"Guests of the Huaxia Army, follow me."

"Others, stay outside."

"Xu He, you too, remain here, don’t come in."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Chen Jian blinked in surprise, then stepped forward to follow the man’s pace, while the others trailed closely behind.

Xu He seemed to want to follow, but in the face of the Holy Father’s authority, he ultimately stopped.

As everyone entered the room and the darkness enveloped them, Chen Jian switched on the thermal imaging.

The "Holy Father" seemed so familiar with his dwelling that he proceeded steadily through the darkness, descending step by step.

The hollow echoes resounded in the corridors, and a few times Chen Jian wanted to speak, but didn’t know what to ask.

Perhaps it was best to let him go first?

This thought flickered in his mind, and almost simultaneously, the man in front spoke up.

"I know what you’ve come here to find."

"You are pursuing the truth of the gene origin."

"In fact, we are also pursuing the same truth, but we have never truly found it."

"We don’t know who created us, nor do we know what the intentions of the real ’Holy Father’ who created us were."

"But we know very well that we have an unerasable mission."

"So now, come."

"I’ve waited too long for you..."

"Now, come fulfill our mission."

Having said that, the man stopped in front of a stone wall.

He pushed hard against the wall, and the fragile, even unconnected brick wall collapsed instantly.

In the midst of dust, the man stepped inside.

Chen Jian followed closely behind, but what he saw before him froze him on the spot.

A massive passageway.

A sealed heavy isolation door in the distance.

This kind of scene was all too familiar to him.

Facility 001.

He had thought that after meeting this so-called "Holy Father", he would have to spend an unknown amount of persuasion to truly get him to agree to cooperate with his side.

But to his great surprise, he was directly brought to what was clearly the biggest secret of the Holy Blood Temple.

How could this possibly be the entrance to Facility 001?

The Imperial City Ruins and Imperial City are nearly 40 kilometers apart, so what’s here...

"Underground nuclear facility."

Beside him, Lei Jie spoke:

"This is the entrance to the nuclear protection facility, not the entrance to 001."

As soon as he finished speaking, the man in front glanced back at him with slight confusion, then nodded understandingly and said:

"I don’t know what facility or treasure vault this entrance belongs to."

"But I’ve been guarding this facility for a very long time."

"I’ve tried many ways to enter this treasure vault, but I’ve never succeeded."

"And after you opened the vault of the Jinling Ruins, I knew you were the people I was looking for."

"You certainly can open this facility and unveil all the secrets."

"This is what I want."

"Now, dear Huaxia Army... esteemed officers."

"Open the vault."

"I don’t know if the answers you seek are behind this door."

"But this is all I can do."

Having said that, the Holy Father stepped aside.

His expression was solemn, yet carried a few traces of relieved ease.

Chen Jian stepped forward, staring into his eyes, then asked:

"Do you know what’s going on outside? Do you know the Beast Tide is threatening the Imperial City?"

"I know."

The Holy Father slowly nodded, then said:

"The Beast Tide is irreversible, brief victories do not signify the ultimate conclusion."

"If the truth behind it is not unraveled, these battles will never end."

"And that’s precisely why I urgently brought you here."

"Because I know this city is destined to be abandoned."

"And before leaving... none of this should be wasted."

"Understood."

Chen Jian let out a light breath.

Then he asked:

"What exactly do you want to find out? What is behind this door that is drawing you?"

The Holy Father silently watched Chen Jian, and after a long while, he finally spoke:

"I just want to confirm one thing."

"Whether you are... Our Holy Father?"