For a couple of seconds, everyone blankly stared at Mark as if they couldn't believe their eyes.
Shi Chong at the back frowned at his statement and suddenly transformed into the half-elf who was supposedly standing on the stage, "How did you know?"
Mark let out a smirk of victory without turning his head, "that is quite obvious. You both have almost identical souls. But, your soul seems stronger. I bet this avatar of yours is created by soul-splitting technique, although you somehow managed to separate your race too."
Mark's eyes were on Shi En who was near the altar and his eyes were reading the information written on the holographic screen floating before him.
Shi En
Rank: low-8-circle
Age: 3 weeks old
Species: Human
Attribute: Fire
Spirit Path: Summoner
Affiliation: Church of Nuwa, Western Yan
As Shi En went silent, the Supreme Pontiff of the church hollered in displeasure, "Can someone tell me what's really going on here? Shi En?" He looked at the guy standing beside him.
With everyone's attention on him, Shi En got up and spoke, "I apologize, Your Grace. I merely wanted to make sure that my race shouldn't become a problem for the church, as my fellow Cardinals keep pointing it out."
Shi En, on the podium, then opened his mouth, continuing his explanation, gaining the attention of the others, "So, we split up into two beings. Me, a complete human, and my other self is a complete elf. I will lead the church as an authoritative figure while my other self will protect the church from the shadows. That's why we have decided to gain trust from our believers."
*Clap* Clap* Clap*
Mark started clapping then, earning a frown from both versions of Shi En, with his comment, "Your intentions are good but it doesn't change the fact that you still tried to cheat your people in your church's most sacred ceremony."
It was then the old man opened his mouth, "No, Cardinal Shi En didn't cheat anyone here. In fact, it was admirable for him to think of the church's reputation first and the feelings of the believers."
A supporter of Shi En and a noble of the Qilin Empire, Wen Chao then said, "I agree with His Grace. I'm sure Lord Lu would also understand, considering the fact that he himself is a ruler of a country now. A leader must always make certain decisions for the welfare of his people. The fact that he is willing to sacrifice himself to lead the church itself shows how mature Cardinal Shi En is."
"Hmm..." "It seems like Lord Lu doesn't like Cardinal Shi En for some reason" "Of course, it goes without saying" "Lord Lu is against Leon Empire now and Cardinal Shi En is the grandson of Emperor Shi" "But then again, like he said, he isn't a patron of the church anyway. His opinion doesn't matter." "Yeah, why is he meddling in our affairs in the first place" "I wonder why His Grace invited him to the ceremony" "Shh... He will listen. If you offend him, it is over for you"
Inwardly, he decided his next course of action.
Once the message is over, the heavenly messenger disappeared.
However, Shi En started floating in mid-air, enveloped by the divine energy of Nuwa.
His ether particles were steadily rising, leaving the spectators in awe.
"Look, His Grace is going through a breakthrough." "I wonder if he will become a demigod" "I don't think so. Since he is not his whole, the most he could become is a Supreme being, the peak stage of the 9-circle realm." "Yeah, you are right. However, I wonder what powers he would be receiving from the Mother Goddess" "I heard His Holiness (past supreme pontiff) has received the gift of Xalar venom, the most poisonous venom known for the man."
Having nothing else to do at the moment, Mark started focusing on the murmurings of the audience, entertaining himself to pass the time.
It was at this moment one of the deacons, the attendees of the former Supreme Pontiff who are standing not far away from Shi En, suddenly charged forward at the target.
"Wha..."
Before anyone could even make a move, the supposed deacon reached a vulnerable Shi En in an instant and attempted to stab in in the chest.
Just as the black, corruptive, energy dagger about to stab in the heart, the deacon was frozen on the spot.
In the meantime, Mark was seen having his hand stretched forward. As he tightened his fist and motioned it above, the hooded deacon raised high above the floor.
Those with high cultivation bases could see that the deacon was suppressed by some kind of attribute energy on all sides, effectively controlling the target's movements.
At the same time, they also observed that there was absolutely no sort of resistance from the captured target anymore.
Using his spatial control, Mark brought the target closer to him, feeling a bit familiar of the exposed partial face.
The hood fell down eventually, revealing the face of one of the most beautiful woman a man in this world ever laid his eyes on.
Mark got up with a shocked expression on his face, "Alina?"
"Argh..." Shi En, on the podium, also screamed at the same time with some kind of needle struck his neck before he flopped to the ground.
*Thud*