The more they oppose, the more it shows that I am doing the right thing

Luojia didn't know what had gotten into her.

She had actually followed through and slipped out.

The snow gradually stopped.

The skies, clearing up after the rain and snow, became so transparent they were nearly see-through, with the sunset spreading along the mountains. From the Radiant Monastery, the endless golden clouds, stirred by the wind into layers upon layers of folds, resembled waves of swaying rice fields.

Although the guards were gone from the door, there were still nuns in the corridors of the monastery.

Watching Luojia closely.

Luojia didn't even dare to put on her shoes and walked barefoot with a pitter-patter on the gallery, fearing she might disturb those elderly nuns,

An Su was ahead, providing cover for her, and the two of them snuck down the stairs as if they were thieves.

After leaving the corridor and walking to the end of a small path, Luojia could only feel her heart pounding.

This was an unprecedented experience.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Without a doubt, she was doing something naughty now.

The monastery had strict schedules for the Holy Maiden, and it was already late and time for curfew. According to the rules, Luojia was not allowed to go out.

The Little Holy Maiden was an obedient top student; doing something against the rules like this was a first for her.

It was her first time being naughty, and she had no experience, so she turned her pleading eyes to the despicable An Su.

Committing mischief felt somewhat reassuring when teaming up with An Su.

"What should we do if the nuns find out after we leave?" Luojia asked quietly.

"It's simple," An Su said. "The lax defense of the monastery's nuns leads to the Holy Maiden being kidnapped by a devious villain, and then we can get rid of all of them."

"What about the devious villain?"

"The devious villain is a minor."

"..." Luojia felt she was becoming more enlightened.

It made quite a bit of sense.

She felt that indeed she needed a change.

Being compliant all the time will get you nowhere.

Maybe being a bit bad occasionally isn't such a bad thing?

Looking at An Su, she felt she should learn from this guy.

After pushing open the last door, they finally snuck out of the monastery. The evening breeze on the street was fresh and clean, softly brushing against their faces.

Luojia took a gentle breath, and for the first time since arriving in the imperial city, she felt such a crisp and free evening breeze.

"What should we do next?"

"Smuggling."

...Wasn't that a bit too bad?

Luojia almost couldn't catch her breath, "What did you say?"

"According to established custom, anyone who discovers the coordinates of a border world must voluntarily offer them to the Celestial Church,"

An Su smiled and said, "And then the Church will give you a 'Model Triple-Good Believer' pennant."

"So you've discovered the coordinates of a border world?"

"That's right." An Su looked at her. "Just enter the coordinates at the Astral Terminal, and you can smuggle in directly."

"...This is doing something bad, right?"

Border worlds, yet to be explored, are far more dangerous than the Church worlds but also offer rewards several times greater.

"It's not against the law."

An Su, who was most adept at the magic of law, said sternly,

"Neither the 'Astral Basic Laws' nor the 'Covenant of Order' stipulate that discovered coordinates must be turned in. As long as we clear it and get the fragment, no one can say anything."

"The Church would be too busy rewarding us."

Luojia felt like An Su sort of had a point.

"You've never been to the Nether World, have you? They don't let you go because they don't trust you,"

An Su had already seen through Luojia's thoughts. "Do you want to see what the Nether is like?"

"..." Luojia felt she was being tricked.

Originally, An Su had suggested 'how about sneaking out for some fun,' but once they got outside, it turned into 'how about checking out the Nether'.

The guy was like someone tempting a little girl step by step to go astray.

But she couldn't deny that she was somewhat tempted.

Ever since she set foot in the imperial city, she had been confined to the Seven Gods Church,

Staying in the monastery and dealing with all kinds of figures, attending all sorts of ceremonies—upon reflection, this life was not what Luojia had hoped for in becoming a saint.

She didn't like it.

"Would the Astral Terminal let us use it?" Luojia shook her head again. "I don't have actual authority."

"I have a plan." An Su was about to lead someone astray, showing that calm smile of his. "We can go to suburban dioceses, just as long as you can cooperate with me."

Luojia hesitated, biting her lip, "Isn't that a bit wrong?"

"You're always confined in that small place, dealing with boring people and events every day—don't you find such a life boring?"

An Su gazed straight into Luojia's eyes. "Let's find some fun."

"To hell with the Church, the monastery. To hell with the border and the imperial city,"

An Su's smile broadened, his azure eyes earnest and pure with the purest deception.

"Clearing the worlds inside, you can prove to those boring folks, to the outside world, that you're not a caged canary, you're Luoja Fast, you are the most authentic Radiant Holy Maiden."

Looking at this An Su, even though Luojia knew he was up to no good,

She still felt her heart softly tremble,

An Su was right,

She really was beginning to tire of such a life.

Luojia pursed her lips and nodded.

...

Astro Church, Tenth Temple, Ninth District.

This church was located in the outer suburbs of Farol, and despite its remote location, there was still an endless stream of saints challenging the Nether World.

The church stored a massive amount of world fragments that needed to be guarded regularly.

Within the vast expanse of the church hall, one door after another shimmered with starlight, as the saints first registered with the priests in the antechamber, confirming the coordinates of the Nether World they intended to protect, before walking through these doors to choose their Astral Terminal, where the clerics would input the coordinates.

Every part of the process required registration with a holy seal.

But today, a visit from a significant figure has come to the Ninth District.

The priests were frantically asking their superiors for instructions, as the Priest in charge of this diocese didn't even know who was coming—such an important figure with an unknown face, someone they had never seen before, but definitely a mysterious big shot.

Although looking low-key, and with a seemingly plain and unadorned face, they were definitely not simple.

Even terrifying.

After all, the Radiant Holy Maiden herself had personally opened the door for him!

With such treatment, how could his status be low?

At the very least, he must be at the level of a Cardinal!

...Luojia's expression subtly changed as she opened the door, thinking of the plan the other had mentioned, she laughed helplessly, made way for him, and ushered An Su inside,

The Little Holy Maiden tried hard to suppress the corners of her mouth, conjuring a solemn and sacred expression, deliberately lowering her voice, yet just loud enough to be heard, "Your Excellency, please come in."

Luojia felt she was about to lose hold of her composure and laughter.

The priests who witnessed this scene were sweating profusely.

At this moment, An Su was wearing the mask of 'Xianzong.' That plain and unadorned face concealed a superior's dignity, and with a nod to Luojia, he walked straight into the grand doors of the Astro Church.

His eagle-like pupils surveyed the surroundings, occasionally making tsk-tsk noises.

The priests were even more afraid.

Although he was dressed plainly, no priest dared to underestimate him,

Besides the Holy Maiden Luojia, there was also a young girl following him, who just by her aura alone, had already reached the Fourth Order.

The Fourth Order was sufficient for one to become a Priest, yet she merely served as this person's guard.

All the priests responsible for registration were guessing the identity of this man,

He must be a leader from headquarters.

But why weren't they informed in advance?

Was it a surprise inspection from above?

With such a mysterious identity,

Could it be someone from the Heretical Tribunal?

What mistake had their own district made to attract the attention of the Heretical Tribunal?

To the point of prompting a private investigation?

Were their performances substandard, or did something go wrong within the organization?

The priest at the front desk stood up with a sweaty forehead, and he mustered his courage to say, "Please... could you register?".

"I am not in a position to register right now."

An Su turned to him with a kind smile, speaking in a low voice, "Just treat me like an ordinary saint. I'm just here for a look."

An Su's statement was entirely truthful, of course, he couldn't register,

Once registered, once his identity was checked, ordinary saint An Su, everything would be exposed! Explore more stories with empire

But the priest certainly wasn't going to think that way. Only an idiot would believe your nonsense!

An ordinary saint who could make the Holy Maiden open the door for you?

This person must be carrying out a special mission and doesn't want to cause panic.

The Priest on duty approached with a serious expression, a smile plastered on his face as he greeted him with hellos, all the while wondering who the esteemed visitor could be. Had he made a mistake?

He wouldn't be removed from his position this year, would he?

"The matter of my visit here, don't mention it to anyone for now." An Su spoke sternly, "Keep it confidential."

If he spoke, the cat would be out of the bag.

But to the Priest, these words

were alarming indeed, making him think it was certainly a secret operation. He accompanied his words with a smile, "Please look around as you like, visit at your leisure."

"I can also look inside? Is that okay?" inquired An Su.

"Please do, look at anything you want," the Priest wasn't afraid of the inspection; their progressive funds were well hidden and not susceptible to discovery.

"Can I also have a look at the Astral Terminal?"

As expected, an old hand even suspected the Astral Terminal.

"Please, as you wish." The Priest smiled, "Feel free to inspect, I won't disturb you further."

Seeing this Priest's obsequious bureaucratic demeanor, Luojia found it amusing, almost unable to hold back her laughter. Her snow-white eyes watched An Su's profile, wondering how he had come up with such a clever ruse.

She forcibly kept her face straight.

From the moment he entered until now, everything An Su said was true.

Not a single lie.

Even if it was later discovered,

it would only be the Priests who had misunderstood,

Only those with a guilty conscience would misunderstand.

Leading Luojia and Enya, this brand new frontier trio, An Su walked straight to the inner parts of the Astral, activated the terminal, and quickly input the border world coordinates.

[Coordinates XC288378]

[Free City of Light (One-third of the Kingdom of Chaos)]

[World Rank: Fourth Order]

[Chaos is not a vortex, but an ascending ladder]

[People thirty thousand years later, welcome to the City of Freedom— the gateway to the Kingdom of Chaos, the most free City-State in history]

[This world has but one theme: 'Freedom']