Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 601 - 602: Humiliation

In the southern part of Asumos Cathedral, within the Heaven’s Garden, which was once a vibrant part of the cathedral and the dwelling place of the church’s sacred beast, Huiming, the scene was now one of desolation. Following Huiming’s defeat and weakening at the hands of an enemy from three hundred years ago, the once flourishing garden had gradually faded from the church’s concern and had fallen into decay.

Now devoid of its former beauty, it was left with nothing but a heartbreaking desolation.

However, being neglected by the church wasn’t entirely bad.

Because Heaven’s Garden was out of focus, Kael didn’t include this vast area in his protective barrier when setting up the great shield for the church. So, when the church was sealed off and the barrier was activated, Heaven’s Garden remained untouched and was spared from the catastrophic battle that ravaged the church.

When the barrier dissipated and the cathedral turned into ruins, Heaven’s Garden remained unharmed.

--

In the central area of Heaven’s Garden,

A massive beast covered in golden scales and white fur stood out prominently. The beast, standing at a height of about ten meters and over thirty meters in length from head to tail, had sharp, ram-like horns on its head and a tail adorned with a red blood diamond. Its limbs, like pillars supporting the heavens, were covered in white-gold mane, and its chest bore a dazzling but cracked blue gemstone that drew attention.

Despite the apparent weakness in its amber eyes, the faint golden aura surrounding it and the dignity in its eyes still commanded a primal respect.

This giant figure was none other than Huiming, the sacred beast of the Asumos Church from it’s past history.

In its prime, Huiming was a revered figure in the church, possessing a status not inferior to that of the Pope and the Saintess. It was an entity admired wherever it went.

But now?

After being defeated by humanity’s enemy three hundred years ago and even cursed, Huiming’s power had drastically diminished, as had its status within the church. The once-respected being had become an object of disdain.

It was even shackled in chains by Kael, mercilessly locked within Heaven’s Garden like a mere animal, and its offspring were forcibly taken away by Kael.

As a sacred beast that served the ’Goddess’ and guarded the church for thousands of years, receiving such treatment was truly lamentable.

Huiming had long since become disillusioned with the church. Having spent its vital energy resisting the enemy from the other realm for several minutes to buy time for the church’s retreat, Huiming found itself in this plight. The thought of the Saintess who died in that battle made Huiming feel it was all in vain.

With the church seemingly abandoned by the Goddess, why should Huiming continue to guard it?

"What foolishness" Huiming muttered to itself under the moonlight, a sound filled with self-mockery.

During the centuries locked in the garden, Huiming often expressed such regret for its past actions.

However, today was slightly different. After a few groans of pain, Huiming managed to raise its head, turning its gaze towards the distant Asumos Cathedral. Though its senses had weakened, Huiming could still tell that the church had been attacked by a formidable enemy that day.

A hundred years ago, such news would have made Huiming restless.

But now?

It harbored a hope.

A hope that Kael, the despicable one, would be torn apart by the invaders. Only with his death could Huiming’s children be safe and possibly return to its side. Only then could the Asumos Church, led astray by Kael, possibly return to the church Huiming once knew.

Thus,

Huiming constantly monitored the cathedral, awaiting news of Kael’s demise.

Unfortunately,

Huiming’s hopes were dashed.

Not only did Kael survive, but his aura seemed even stronger than before, indicating his victory.

This undoubtedly disappointed Huiming.

But now, disappointment was not the issue. Huiming was concerned about why the Pope was visiting Heaven’s Garden late at night.

Exerting all its strength and dragging its weary body, Huiming slowly stood up.

Even though Huiming had been reduced to a state akin to a prisoner, the pride of being a sacred beast did not allow it to lie on the ground like a dead dog in front of Kael. Even now, it had to stand tall and look down upon that despicable man.

As Huiming struggled to rise from the ground,

Dozens of figures emerged from the ominous shadows of the surrounding forest – they were the church’s holy knights, and leading them was a man in a magnificent white-gold robe with golden hair: Kael.

Bathed in moonlight, Kael’s face, wearing a false smile, appeared before Huiming, igniting a nameless fury within the sacred beast, wishing to tear him apart on the spot.

"What are you doing here, Kael?!" Huiming growled, demanding an answer.

The beast’s body began to glow with faint golden light, with its red diamond tail and blue gemstone chest emitting fierce red and blue flames. Its already majestic appearance became even more imposing, and an invisible pressure radiated from Huiming, like a wild beast threatening its intruder.

However,

Facing such a display from Huiming, Kael merely smirked coldly.

The sacred beast had lost more than ninety percent of its power. Its intimidating presence might subdue ordinary people, but to scare Kael was laughably futile.

The current Huiming was akin to a ’broken house,’ which Kael could easily destroy with a mere kick.

"Don’t be foolish, Huiming. You’re in no position to threaten me now."

With a snap of his fingers,

A terrifying dark red holy energy burst from Kael, overwhelming Huiming with a nightmarish force that easily shattered the sacred beast’s protective aura! As the red and blue flames extinguished, Huiming’s massive body crashed to the ground.

When Huiming tried to rise again, dozens of holy knights quickly restrained it with energy chains formed from their holy energy. Under Kael’s commanding gaze, they firmly pinned Huiming to the ground, stripping the sacred beast of its dignity.

"Just stay down," Kael commanded.

"Kael, you bastard!"

Though unable to move, Huiming glared at Kael with a gaze full of loathing and resentment.

"What are you planning to do?!" Huiming asked sternly, glancing at the holy knights surrounding it.

The grandeur of Kael’s arrival this time was definitely not just for the usual humiliation of Huiming. There had to be another purpose.

Kael, however, did not directly answer Huiming’s question. Instead, he slowly lifted his hand with a meaningful smile...

In the next instant,

Accompanied by a swirl of dark red holy energy,

A small, fluffy, and round creature suddenly appeared in Kael’s hand. The creature, visibly excited upon seeing Huiming lying on the ground, made cooing sounds and waved its plump little paws at Huiming.

Huiming’s eyes widened in shock,

"My child! My child!!"

Indeed, in Kael’s grip was Huiming’s only daughter.

Overwhelmed with joy at seeing her long-lost child, Huiming instinctively tried to rise and retrieve her daughter from Kael’s clutches. The intense longing for her child momentarily unlocked Huiming’s latent power!

Energized by her offspring’s cries,

Huiming forcefully broke free from Kael’s suppressive aura, shattering the energy chains binding her, and charged forward with full force!

"Oh?"

Kael was slightly surprised by this turn of events, but soon smirked coldly.

He had no intention of letting the sacred beast take back her child.

Boom!*

With a loud crash, Kael effortlessly kicked the motherly Huiming several meters away, causing her to howl in pain. The small creature in Kael’s hand, seeing its mother being attacked, bravely tried to retaliate, puffing up and shaking Kael’s hand as if seeking vengeance.

Unfortunately, the young sacred beast’s teeth were too weak to break through Kael’s protective aura.

Unperturbed by the young creature’s futile attempts, Kael slowly approached the bleeding and half-dead Huiming.

Looking down at the sacred beast, Kael’s face showed a trace of disgust.

Then,

As the terrifying dark red holy energy swirled around him, Kael spoke in an indisputable tone:

"If you want your child back, make a deal with me, Huiming."

"A deal?"

"Give me your power, and I will reunite you with your daughter."