Chapter 574: The Sealed Spell Map

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

However, just as Ji Chen was using the water chain to secure the Sea Heir Archbishop’s neck and moving forward, a sudden change occurred.

The Sea Heir Archbishop suddenly gave up struggling, and with a swift motion, plunged sharp nails into his own neck. His entire body rapidly dissolved like ice and snow, and within moments, it had completely turned into a pool of black blood, leaving no trace of bones behind.

Ji Chen was momentarily stunned, then turned to look at the other side.

Before he could say anything, he witnessed the heavily injured Sea Heir Priest’s hand transform into tentacles once again. In his terrified expression, those tentacles ruthlessly pierced into his own heart.

“Why, my lord… I was your faithful believer…”

The Sea Heir Priest spat out black blood, his words incomprehensible, his eyes filled with unwillingness. He attempted to struggle but felt as though his body weighed a thousand pounds. His consciousness gradually faded, and he finally lost his breath.

Looking at the puddle of black blood on the ground and the gradually dissolving body of Sea Heir Priest, Ji Chen fell into silence for a moment. Then, accompanied by a few heroes, he left.

Back at the Lienhardt Palace, Julius and Monica were waiting at the palace gates. They rushed forward when they saw Ji Chen returning.

Monica asked with a concerned expression, “Lord Ji Chen, are you unharmed?”

Ji Chen smiled and shook his head, saying, “No, how could some believers harm me?”

Monica carefully examined him from top to bottom and found no traces of injury. She then let out a relieved sigh and smiled.

“That’s a relief. My mother instructed me to ensure your safety. If anything happened to you, I would be scolded.”

“Is Lady Milorna doing better now?”

“Thanks to your help, my mother’s condition has improved significantly. She should be able to get out of bed and move around soon.”

Julius watched as Monica and Ji Chen engaged in a pleasant conversation, seemingly ignoring his presence. His large lion-like face turned dark.

Why did he feel like an outsider?

Clearly, he was Monica’s father!

Julius cleared his throat loudly and interrupted the two, saying in a deep voice, “Have the priests and the so-called archbishop of the Deep Sea Church been captured?”

It was evident that Julius had already received the news of the successful raid from the city’s defense guards and knew that the priests and archbishop had escaped through another passage.

Ji Chen nodded but then shook his head with a hint of regret on his face.

He said, “After I captured the priests and archbishop of the Deep Sea Church, they committed suicide.”

“Suicide!?”

“Yes, it seems they didn’t want to reveal any secrets or information about themselves. Even their bodies turned into a puddle of black blood.”

Ji Chen briefly described the situation of the Sea Heir Priest and Archbishop.

“It can be confirmed that the Deep Sea Church is a cult formed by a group of human-turned-Sea Heirs and Sea Heirs who have taken on human forms, and they are actively recruiting followers in coastal areas.

Their ambitions must be significant.”

Julius also looked solemn. This group of sea monsters hidden among humans, disguised as a church, and secretly recruiting followers was like a time bomb placed among them.

No one knew when it would explode.

Monica furrowed her eyebrows and asked, “Lord Ji Chen, how can we identify the hidden human-turned-Sea Heirs?”

“Based on the current situation, those who have become Sea Heirs tend to exhibit some mutations, such as growing blue scales on their necks and their skin turning gray.” Ji Chen observed the pensive faces of the two. “But 1 believe we should pay more attention to the Sea Heirs who have taken on human forms. Although their appearances still differ significantly from humans, no one knows if they will continue to evolve until they become indistinguishable from humans.”

Julius nodded; this was indeed his greatest concern. Human-turned-Sea Heirs would only become slightly more powerful, and the soldiers of the principality could handle them. However, Sea Heirs in human form were a much greater problem. Judging from Ji Chen’s encounter with the Sea Heir Archbishop, their tier was at least five, and their level was over 40.

“Your Grace Julius, the Deep Sea Church has likely already spread and become active in coastal cities.

Please be vigilant, especially considering that the war between Lienhardt and the Kingdom of Bass has just ended, leaving many homeless refugees. This might provide the Deep Sea Church with an opportunity for rapid expansion.”

Julius’s expression turned grave, and he didn’t say much, just nodded in acknowledgment.

After a pause, Ji Chen continued, “Since things have settled for now, it’s time for me to leave.”

Monica hastily spoke up, “Lord Ji Chen, are you leaving so soon? Won’t you stay a bit longer?”

“I’ve been away from my territory for over half a month, and 1 have no knowledge of the current situation in the Crown of the Ocean. The army 1 brought with me on this journey suffered heavy losses, and it’s time for me to return and recuperate.”

Hearing this, Monica felt a tinge of guilt. She understood how difficult it was for the Lord of Glory to assemble a tier-five army. These thousands of soldiers had likely depleted all the resources of one of his territories.

Especially the Crown of the Ocean’s army, sacrificed in a foreign land for Lienhardt’s sake, made her feel even more remorseful.

In Ji Chen’s puzzled gaze, Monica pulled Julius aside and whispered, “Father, Lord Ji Chen has done so much for us. Perhaps we should offer him more in terms of rewards to show our gratitude..”