Above The Sky
Chapter 997 - 997 100 Local Sects Have Their Limits

997: Chapter 100: Local Sects Have Their Limits…

So We Must Surpass Humans!

(5200)_3 997: Chapter 100: Local Sects Have Their Limits…

So We Must Surpass Humans!

(5200)_3 Even if they are cult leaders, or large loose organizations like the Dragon Worship Cult, there are still quite a few people among them who occasionally believe in the Orthodox Church to some extent…

Strange?

On the contrary, it’s perfectly normal.

After all, unlike back home, Terra’s cults are fully aware that they are fake and deceptive, but also very clear that the Four Great Orthodox Churches truly have Prophets and Clerics.

Anyway, believing doesn’t cost money.jpg

With tacit approval from the Great Prince and Marquis Barton, the Empire officially recognized the Supreme Spirit Sect as an “advanced version” of the Mountain People’s faith, yet Ian still wanted to glean some vital information from Huai Guang Church…

For example, what exactly constitutes “Orthodox Church.”

And, how does one become an “Orthodox Church.”

At the very least, it must be on par with the Dragon Worship Cult, right?

Only by adhering to this standard can one avoid suppression from Huai Guang Church.

Ian certainly didn’t want to be calmly farming one day, only to suddenly be attacked and treated like a dungeon boss—that wouldn’t feel good at all.

So he came over and asked directly!

“Orthodox Church…”

The White Mist Bishop stroked his beard, contemplating for a moment, the white light flickering in his eyes, and finally giving a non-answer answer: “Orthodox Church is a faith that benefits Terra.”

Seeing Ian furrow his brow deeply, he explained further: “Whether it’s the Dragon Worship Cult or Iron Heart Church, Salt Sect or Joyous Sect, they have indeed made indispensable contributions to the world.”

“But they possess particular stances tied to nations or bloodlines.

Even if everyone wholeheartedly strives for good and helps others, they only benefit localized regions.”

“The Mountain People’s Dragon God faith…

and what you call the Supreme Spirit Sect, no matter how much they develop, will only reach this level.

At most, you transcend the roots of ‘Mountain People’s faith,’ but you can never transcend the stance of being ‘belonging to the Empire.'”

Speaking thus, the White Mist Bishop became rather emotional: “Ultimately, ordinary faiths are inherently limited.

They are constrained by their country, ethnicity, and culture.

Ultimately, they are confined within human thinking.”

“Unless they can surpass humanity.”

“That is the foundation of ‘Orthodox Church.'”

If it were a regular person, hearing this would have led to an immediate retort—surpass humanity?

Transcend nations, ethnicities, and cultures?

What a joke, how can such surpassing be easy?

Isn’t that like advocating for the abolition of nationalism or something—is it even possible?

It’s impossible.

As long as humans have distinct appearances, this easily understood and effective differentiation between “them” and “us” can never be surpassed.

But Ian…

Ian, who could vaguely discern the true goals of the major Orthodox Churches, understood clearly.

The White Mist Bishop was not joking.

He was a Cleric—he spoke the truth.

“Huai Guang’s Clerics, and their disaster response mechanisms, are fundamentally ‘beneficial actions’ that transcend all national, ethnic, and cultural stances…

They even treat Wise Magical Beasts equally, which undoubtedly makes theirs a faith that has surpassed humanity.”

“As for the Aether Arms Order, it goes without saying—they collect civilization data from previous eras, attempt man-machine integration, and construct Spirit Energy machinery for the path to Ascension, benefiting all countries and intelligent life.

These actions clearly transcend human limitations.”

“The Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits and the Retrospection Sect—I don’t understand them much, but surely they have corresponding paths driving them…

Judging by their names, their stance and actions are undoubtedly ‘beyond humanity’ and even ‘beyond life and death.'”

Hearing this, Ian experienced a sudden realization.

No wonder his journey along the Spirit Disaster Path had brought him to the ranks of the Fifth Orthodox Church—because spreading Sovereign Technology and achieving the Spirit God Era through the Supreme Spirit Sect was indeed beneficial to all beings.

Regardless of whether in the Empire, Fiery Flame Land, Azure Sky Royal Court, or Canaan Moore, all intelligent life would gain from such advancements.

Even Magical Beasts…

Even those extraterrestrial beings who might only lack souls and hence lose their intelligence…

Under the widespread application of artificial souls, they would reclaim their wisdom and subsequently be assimilated and integrated into the Era of the Gods alongside humanity.

Such initiatives and operating frameworks are unmistakably the standards of an ‘Orthodox Church’!

“If you’re afraid that founding a faith will incite suppression from other Orthodox Churches…

my answer is that as long as you do not endanger intelligent life or engage in evil sacrificial rites like human offerings, then there will be no issue.”

To Ian’s genuine concern, the White Mist Bishop offered a clear and forthright answer: “The Supreme Spirit Sect is already under our observation.

If any discord arises, we will issue reminders, warnings, and ultimately three formal notices.

Only after those three will corrective measures be taken.”

“Don’t worry, Ian.

Lords founding faiths to better administer their domains is a very common practice in Terra.

No need to be overly sensitive about it.”

“Then I feel reassured.”

With the White Mist Bishop’s endorsement as a Cleric, Ian could finally let go of a heavy burden in his heart—managing a domain is not merely a technical challenge; much of it pertains to interpersonal dynamics.

By ensuring all parties are satisfied with the development of his domain, and by making them eager for his domain to prosper, the domain itself will thrive and gain greater support.

Of course, having suitable enemies is also essential.

Without foes, the domain residents cannot distinguish “them” and “us,” leading to no cohesion or sense of crisis, ultimately preventing unified development and thought.

“No wonder everyone likes to shift blame onto Fiery Flame Land.

With such an enemy, it is indeed a great stroke of luck.”

Having obtained the answers he sought, Ian bid farewell to the White Mist Bishop—the bishop still needed to liaise with the Retrospection Sect’s team, which would surely keep him busy.

Meanwhile, Ian himself had plenty yet to do.

For instance, he had already instructed Green Tide to go find Shasha, Hua’an, and Frost Butterfly.

Once everyone was gathered, they would all head to the South Sea Great Labyrinth to check on what’s going on with the Crystal Dragon Egg.

But just as Ian stepped outside the gates of Huai Guang Church, he heard his brother Alan’s voice, brimming with confidence.

“You’re all wrong—my brother is the strongest!”

At that moment, Alan was surrounded by a group of children around his age.

He stood tall beside the church entrance’s fence, radiating energy as he declared to them all: “Viscount may be strong, but he’s old; Grandpa White Mist is a Cleric, so he won’t compete through combat.”

“Others might have power, but their knowledge pales in comparison!

Be it alchemy or inscriptions, my brother is among the very best!”

“Perhaps you think South Ridge still has many powerful figures, but they are all relics of the past!”

“At this very moment, my brother is unmistakably the strongest in South Ridge!”