Apart from Old Vinegar—infamously averse to the opposite sex—the other three companions of Tang Jihede had all added Qin Yu as a friend, leaving Tang feeling slightly annoyed.
“What was your final evaluation grade?”
Qin Yu asked about Tang’s character profile.
“S. What about you?”
Tang Jihede wondered about this top player’s grade—surely higher than hers?
“Secret.”
Qin Yu had no intention of revealing his aptitude. If word spread about his Aptitude 9, he’d be swarmed by troublemakers—and that hassle was his to avoid.
“…”
Feeling deceived, Tang Jihede itched to punch him. But the Bloodkin standing behind Qin Yu was no pushover. She forcibly suppressed her irritation.
“Brother Yu~ Want to join our guild?”
Bingtang Xueli immediately tried recruiting him into their female-only guild.
“Absolutely not!”
Old Vinegar shot up in protest. “We agreed: female players only! Why invite a handsome guy the second you see him?”
“Your guild only accepts women. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to join.”
Qin Yu recalled this guild from his past life—strictly female recruits.
“How did you know?”
Tang Jihede was baffled. They’d only just formed the guild.
“Just a guess.”
Qin Yu brushed it off casually. Tang had doubts but let it go. Truth was, she’d stopped him to ask about the Territory Core.
“Territory Core? I happen to have one…”
Tang and the others froze.
“For real?”
“Brother Yu is so amazing~”
Tang believed him. In her eyes, Qin Yu was a legend.
“Brother Yu! Can we stay in your territory temporarily? We’ll help build it!”
Bingtang Xueli’s eagerness felt off-putting. Old Vinegar visibly scoffed.
Tang shared the same intent: learn territory management from Qin Yu first, then branch out once she obtained her own Territory Core—avoiding rookie mistakes. Like interning at a shop before opening your own.
“As long as you’re willing to help, no problem. I’m short on hands right now.”
Building a territory required early manpower. Qin Yu only had fifty children from the Bloodsoul Domain Monastery—and putting them to labor felt wrong. Normal settlers wouldn’t arrive for a week.
“Wonderful!!!”
Bingtang Xueli jumped up first.
“We won’t be shy about it. Once we get our own Territory Core, we’ll go independent.”
As guild president, Tang framed it clearly: not dependence, but temporary cooperation.
—
After logging back in, Xiao Ya stood at the church entrance, scanning the area with resigned certainty Qin Yu wouldn’t be there.
“…As expected, he’s not here.”
Alone, she stepped inside. This game world had given her a second life—a chance to live normally.
“May the Holy Light guide you.”
A nun greeted her. Xiao Ya gave a slight bow.
Noting her novice cleric robes, the nun cut straight to the point:
“The Holy Light welcomes believers. But first—I must emphasize this.”
“Mm.” Xiao Ya nodded.
“It brings light, banishes evil, and embodies kindness. To wield its power, your heart must hold kindness too.”
“Mm.”
“Light and darkness oppose each other. As a believer, never let darkness corrupt you—or you’ll fall into an endless abyss.”
“Mm.”
“As a follower, you bear the duty to spread the Light to the suffering and guide them to salvation.”
“Mm.”
…
After the nun’s guidance, Xiao Ya officially became a Tier-1 Holy Light Believer—the foundational rank for advanced Church troops.
“Follow me. You must choose one of three paths.”
The initiation continued. The Church had three sects:
- Holy Light Sect: healing and support (nuns belonged here).
- Inquisition Sect: Heretic Tribunal—combat-focused.
- Divine Grace Sect (Papal Sect): large-scale warfare and defense.
For Xiao Ya, the choice was clear.
“I… choose… the Holy Light Sect…”
“Then we are family.”
The nun had expected it. Such gentle kindness belonged here.
“Come collect your gear.”
In the equipment warehouse, Xiao Ya accepted the habit and gear. Her eyes lingered on the sword beside the staff.
“As nuns, healing is our duty—but never neglect combat skill.”
Though called “nuns,” their true title was Sword-bearing Nun: low-tier Holy Light Sect troops trained in both healing and fighting.
“When mana fades, the sword protects you. Remember that.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Ya silently memorized the words. After changing, she became a Sword-bearing Nun. Only then did she notice—the swords were hidden beneath the skirts, light and agile, nearly invisible.
“Xiao Ya.”
A familiar voice. She turned. Qin Yu approached, trailed by a group of girls.
“Class change complete. Staying in the Church or venturing out?”
Players could serve the Church or train independently; later, return for promotion. (Unless they owned a troop-building.)
“I… want to stay.”
The warmth here felt safe. Everyone was kind.
“A solid choice for beginners. Then I’ll say goodbye—we’re leaving the Holy Capital. See you when we can.”
A hint of reluctance flickered in Xiao Ya. Seeing the girls behind him, she simply nodded.
“Mm.”
After parting, Qin Yu’s group set off to scout territory sites—he already had a location in mind.
“Brother Yu, do you know that girl in real life?”
“No. Met her in-game.”
“Oh, good~ She seemed reluctant to see you go. Shy girls often cling to the first kind young man who approaches them… especially handsome ones like you, Brother Yu~”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Nearby, Tang quietly noted something odd about Xiao Ya.
Whenever she spoke, her hands would unconsciously rise as if to gesture—then drop again. Something felt strangely awkward…
