Chapter Forty-Nine

Hearing Zhou Tian’s words, Vivian couldn’t help but furrow her brows, but in the end she suppressed her displeasure and said to him, “I believe you’ve misunderstood me, Mr. Zhou Tian. If you join our Holy Church, you will be an equal among us. I have absolutely no intention of treating you as a pet.”

“No need to say more. I will never join your so-called Holy Church. Give up on that idea!”

Seeing Zhou Tian flatly reject her proposal, Vivian sighed helplessly and retreated to stand beside her companions. Only then did she speak, “Originally, I hoped to negotiate with you and invite you as a guest to our Holy Church. But since you refuse to cooperate, don’t blame us for taking more forceful measures.”

“So, when you can’t fool me, you resort to violence? Sorry, but you’ve made a grave miscalculation this time—I’m not that easy to bully.” No sooner had Zhou Tian finished speaking than a swarm of venomous snakes suddenly appeared around Vivian and her group, poised to attack at his command.

Yet the result…

Zhou Tian ultimately did not give the order to attack. Just as he was about to command the snakes, he saw Vivian open her mouth and chant a spell. Through his connection with the snake swarm, Zhou Tian knew that a magical shield had enveloped Vivian’s group. Now, the snakes could not even approach them, let alone launch an attack.

Sensing that something was amiss, Zhou Tian’s expression shifted and he immediately prepared to flee.

But before he could act, he noticed several members of Vivian’s group instantly appear in each direction he might escape. Seeing this, Zhou Tian realized that escaping today would not be so easy.

Fight? Zhou Tian estimated he would hardly be able to defeat Vivian and her companions. However, if he wanted to escape, he had plenty of ways to slip from their grasp. Still, Zhou Tian decided not to run. At this moment, he wasn’t certain if Vivian truly meant him harm. If she did, he could always escape from their Holy Church later. But if Vivian bore no ill will, fleeing now would cost him a significant amount of spiritual energy—something he was already short on. He was reluctant to waste it.

With confidence in his heart, Zhou Tian was not truly afraid of entering the so-called Holy Church Vivian spoke of. Since fleeing was impossible, he decided to accompany Vivian and see for himself what this Holy Church was like. If there were benefits to be gained, he would seize them; if not, he could always slip away later.

Having weighed the pros and cons, Zhou Tian took the initiative to recall the snake swarm into the Serpent Basin, and, with a helpless glance at Vivian, said, “Fine! I’ll go with you. I want to see for myself what your Holy Church of Light is really like.”

“I assure you, Mr. Zhou Tian, you will not be disappointed.” With her usual gentle expression, Vivian replied to Zhou Tian, then stepped forward and, under the watchful eyes of the others, lifted him onto her shoulder.

Stared at like a thief by Vivian’s companions, Zhou Tian naturally felt a bit annoyed. In a mischievous mood, he wrapped himself tightly around Vivian, and, sticking out his tongue at the others in a show of defiance, refrained from causing her any real harm.

“Damn it! How dare he take advantage of Miss Vivian. I wish I could slaughter that guy.” More than once, Zhou Tian heard the muttered threats from the two warriors. Yet he was completely unafraid. Instead of curbing his behavior, he occasionally flicked his tongue across Vivian’s face, much to the fury of the two warriors.

Because no one knew that Zhou Tian’s body contained a human soul, Vivian simply assumed his actions were instinctual behavior. Though his antics made her uncomfortable, she showed no sign of displeasure.

Thus, Zhou Tian lay atop Vivian’s head, watching as her group sped toward a certain direction, moving faster than a car. In just an hour, they arrived outside a desolate little town.

“Greetings, Divine Envoys!” Before they had even entered, a group of officials hurried out from the town, bowed to Vivian and her companions, and carefully ushered them inside.

“You’ve traveled far, Divine Envoys. I’ve prepared a banquet for you—please honor me by dining at my residence!” Concealing the hint of astonishment in his eyes at Vivian’s beauty, the man who appeared to be the mayor greeted them with a near obsequious expression.

Vivian frowned at his words and was about to refuse outright, but when she happened to glance at Zhou Tian, a new plan formed in her mind. Her expression softened slightly, and she finally agreed, “Then I’ll trouble you to make arrangements, Mayor.”

“No trouble at all! It is my honor to serve the Divine Envoys!” The mayor, who had braced himself for rejection upon seeing Vivian’s frown, now looked utterly surprised at her agreement. Stunned for a moment, he quickly went off to make preparations, his excitement evident.

After settling in a modest temple, Zhou Tian, by Vivian’s arrangement, sprawled out on a bed and fell asleep.

Vivian, meanwhile, gathered with the others once Zhou Tian was settled.

“Miss Vivian, you—”

“Call me Sister Vivian!” Vivian interrupted the nearby warrior curtly.

A flash of embarrassment crossed the warrior’s face, but he showed no anger. At her insistence, he quickly corrected himself, “Yes, Sister Vivian!” After seeing her nod, he relaxed and asked, “Why are you so concerned about that snake? Its ability to summon a swarm is impressive, but surely it’s not worth so much attention?”

With a dissatisfied look at the warrior, Vivian sighed but did not answer his question, instead evading, “I have my own reasons. Don’t ask further.”

“But—”

“No buts. I am the captain, and my word is final!” Without hesitation, Vivian cut him off again. As the warrior’s expression darkened, she soothed the two warriors briefly and then found a pretext to send them away.