After setting up this rune stone, the team continued on, heading to the next location to set up another one.

The atmosphere within the team was grim and dull. The hierarchy within the Thorn Church was strict; the Warrior Level leader would only give orders when necessary, instructing on the tasks to be done.

The Enhanced Elite Level Holy Warriors and Elite Level Fanatics under their command had no doubts about the orders from the leader and executed them silently.

Of course, the official Holy Warriors would bully the Fanatics, who in turn would bully the weaker believers. As the lowest in the "chain of disdain," Bai Pu naturally had the most work to do and gathered little information.

Finally, after setting up three rune stones, this team completed its mission.

The team returned and gathered with three other teams by the side of a relatively open underground lake.

The open space by the lakeside.

Each Thorn Cultist lowered their head, showing their respect and obedience.

"The great Divine Favorer, the Bound has arrived; do not speak of him, do not look directly at him, lest you commit blasphemy," the leader warned.

Bai Pu kneeled among a crowd of black-robed people, glimpsing out of the corner of his eye.

A group of people slowly appeared.

Leading them were two Holy War Legion Commanders. One was tall and thin, with two curved sabers strapped to his back, appearing very agile. The other exuded a gloomy temperament, wrapped entirely in a black robe, with an aura of death that warned others to stay away.

Behind the Double-Bladed Man and the Man of Silence was a guy carrying a black coffin, known as the "Bound."

Rather than saying he carried the coffin, it would be more accurate to say the Bound was tied to the black coffin.

Because the coffin was overly wide, the Bound’s arms had to be held horizontally, with black chains binding the coffin also firmly securing his wrists.

This posture was undoubtedly very taxing. Bai Pu figured this was related to the hardship the Bound chose; enduring the hardship of being bound might be a form of cultivation for him?

This guy might be even more formidable than the Two-Faced Man...

Unfortunately, Bai Pu couldn’t gaze directly at him. After a hurried glance, he obediently bowed his head like a quail.

Otherwise, he could have used the helm’s skill [Strong Enemy Detection] to see what this Lord’s combat power was like.

A faint sense of crisis always lingered in Bai Pu’s heart.

This sense of crisis came not from the Bound, but from the black coffin he carried!

Bai Pu’s spiritual perception was quite keen, as the Spirit was warning him to stay away from terrifying threats beyond his level.

"I’ve already come close to the ultimate secret of this Advanced Spirit Realm..."

Bai Pu lowered his eyes, listening as the Bound gave a talk to the leaders and some Enhanced Warriors present.

"The great Master of Suffering watches over us."

"This operation to recover the ’Creator Spirit’ is highly significant! Once successful, our god will fully possess this continent, transforming the world of Original Sin into his own Earthly Divine Kingdom. Everyone will bask in the glory of our god!"

"You are the lucky ones who endured the life-and-death test of the Divine Gifted Heavenly Pit and have done much preparation work these days, deserving commendation. However, the next task is critical, and you must treat it with utmost seriousness!"

At this point, Bai Pu suddenly understood. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Why only these minor followers were sent by the Thorn Church, despite its power spread across the continent.

Besides the two Holy War Legion Commanders, the others were only of Warrior Level, equivalent to a Priest, without even a Bishop.

Evidently, the Thorn Church’s forces infiltrated from a Divine Gifted Heavenly Pit, which likely contained a horrid life-and-death test. It might allow death randomly regardless of strength, leading to only these four teams arriving here.

Bai Pu had seen such tests before. In the Red Sand Kingdom ruins in the Demon Fighting World, there was a Gate of Courage that tested courage in facing death, with a 50% random mortality rate...

Bai Pu had forcefully entered through an underground dark river, bypassing weak spots in the earth veins, essentially exploiting a bug, so he had not undergone a similar test. Of course, he might have passed unknowingly had there been a test.

Now, the Bound’s speech was coming to an end:

"I know that recently, some things have happened in the Southwest Jungle, raising concerns about the Blasphemer organization resurging."

"You need not worry! Once our god completely grasps the Original Sin World, a religious purge will certainly occur, giving converts a chance to atone while leaving the defiant with nowhere to run!"

"Now, follow your assigned positions, awaiting the appearance of the Creator Spirit... Have enough patience!"

Everyone responded and moved in batches to different directions around the underground lake.

Bai Pu silently moved forward with his team.

"Hold on..."

Suddenly, the Bound halted and raised his hand to stop everyone.

He tilted his head, seemingly listening to something, his cold gaze swept over the four teams present, finally stopping before Bai Pu’s team.

"Lord Bound, do you have any teachings?" the Captain respectfully asked.

"Just a small matter."

The Bound’s gaze fixed on Bai Pu, "I did not expect such a secret matter to have a rat sneak in. If it weren’t for Our Lady of Thorns’ insight, I might have made the same mistake as the Gilder."

Whoosh!

Figures surrounded Bai Pu, keeping a certain distance.

Bai Pu stood up and removed his hood.

"I didn’t expect you could see through my spiritual shield."

Bai Pu removed his disguised black robe and straightened up. With his breathing, a powerful aura quietly spread.

"Hmph, all your concealment couldn’t escape the insight of Our Lady of Thorns."

The Bound scrutinized Bai Pu for a few seconds, "You are the new leader of the Blasphemer from the Southwest Jungle, Gangxin, right? I’m surprised you managed to find your way here and dared to disrupt my plans. But I’m also glad you foolishly delivered yourself alone, providing a great opportunity to eradicate the Blasphemer remnants!"

After Our Lady of Thorns was mentioned twice, Bai Pu finally confirmed his suspicions.

His heart sank, pointing to the black coffin behind the Bound, "Inside that coffin, could it be Our Lady of Thorns..."

"Don’t worry, there’s no need for Our Lady to act." The Bound raised his arm, and a bandage slowly unraveled, dancing with serpentine grace.

The Holy War Legion Commander, "Double-Bladed Man" Isra, sneered, "Lord Bound, you oversee the big picture. Leave this Blasphemer to me, ’Blade Dancer’ Isra!"

The Bound nodded, "Do not underestimate him. Lord Rosen, please assist Isra in killing this Blasphemer! Whether for our god or the Lord of Death you revere, it will be a delight."