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Such remarkable achievements are largely attributed to Youlijia, the Crystal Dragon Knight endowed with human-like wisdom. Her swift reading and processing capabilities have saved me the trouble of consulting ancient tomes one by one, and she has also assisted me in summarizing and organizing various martial arts, selecting those that meet my criteria, listing them for my research and deciphering. Moreover, she can simulate all martial moves, allowing me to personally practice the techniques. Although, as an artificial construct, she is unable to wield Qi, she can still perfectly reproduce the movements and speed, experimenting with me on various applications of the moves and identifying weaknesses for further study. Thanks to her formidable abilities, I have been able to rapidly enhance my swordsmanship. Were it not for the "Tushan Eight Scenery Sword Technique," which becomes increasingly challenging and profound as one progresses, with each breakthrough requiring twice the time and effort of the previous one, I would have thought I could reach the pinnacle of mastery within a year.

Of course, I never forgot my mission. While remaining inconspicuous and undermining the vigilance of the Temple, I instructed Youlijia to consult all the literature, piecing together the structure and defensive clues of the underground palace beneath Saint Spirit Mountain from fragments of text. The "Seven-Tiered Lock Prison" is a defense system left by the Twelve Sages, consisting of seven levels of underground palaces. With each descent, the defenses escalate in strength. The first four levels are not only equipped with various powerful magic and mechanical defenses but also guarded by numerous hidden masters of the Temple, including a multitude of ascetics with astonishing divine powers who watch over a lifetime of treasures, divine weapons, and secret scriptures. The next three levels imprison and seal various ferocious creatures and non-creatures. It is said that the fifth level seals several immortal liches and demons, the sixth level is accessible only to the Pope himself, and anyone else who dares to step in is executed without mercy. As for the mysterious seventh level, we have no idea what it contains. It is said that even the Pope is not allowed to enter, making it the utmost secret within the Temple.

Of course, the cunning Twelve Sages would never design a defense system as foolish as a hero's level-by-level challenge. Imagine if one day, a powerful being imprisoned underground breaks free from its stronghold and ascends, wouldn't it conveniently collect all the divine weapons, armors, and magical artifacts, and then easily annihilate the Temple? That would be an act of suicide that hands a weapon to the enemy. Thus, the "Sevenfold Lock Prison" is actually composed of two parts. The first four levels are mainly for external defense, to guard against forced intrusions or stealthy infiltrations. In terms of defense, the fourth level is already the strongest. It was at the third level that the "War Saint" Leimen could not proceed further and had no choice but to retreat, turning his attention to the "Eternal Holy Grail" placed in the Sistine Chapel for rituals. As for the lower three levels, they are designed for internal defense. There is no direct passage from the fourth level to the fifth; one must enter through a magical passage that connects to the Pope's secret chamber. And should any mishap occur within the prison, countless terrifying measures would immediately destroy everything inside. If they fail to annihilate, they will cut off all exits, causing the upper four levels of the underground palace to sink, using the immense weight and energy of Saint Spirit Mountain to eternally suppress whatever lies within.

The "Trumpet of Doom" I seek is placed on the fourth level, and the Temple is well aware of the significance of this artifact to the orcs, especially with the record of the old man Leimen's attempt to forcefully take it. Therefore, the security is exceptionally tight. At the same time, the "Eternal Grail" is also hidden here, only to be taken out during significant ceremonies. It was a fortunate coincidence that Leimen arrived when he did, otherwise, it would have been impossible to find this treasure that holds the fate of humanity. After the "Radiant Sword Saint" embraced the "Eternal Grail" and leaped off the cliff, he, with his severely injured body, managed to return the Grail to the underground palace through a secret passage before Leimen's arrival, leaving the notorious "White-Haired Demon Lion King" with nothing but frustration. However, the "Radiant Sword Saint" later succumbed to his injuries, for although a Sword Saint can integrate with the power of the "Starry Abyss," forming a "Holy Domain" that interferes with the laws of the planes, and possesses several times the lifespan of an ordinary person, their physical body is no stronger than that of a Sword Emperor. Injured, they are unable to receive divine healing due to the influence of the "Starry Abyss," making their injuries more troublesome than those of an ordinary person.

Compared to Leimen, I may not possess his strength, but I have three advantages that he lacks. First, I wield the divine sword "Divine Retribution Lightning," capable of slicing through all things in the world, fearless of any prohibitions and defenses, rendering even the most solid barriers and gates as if they were nothing. Second, I have the automaton Youlijia, crafted by the hands of the Twelve Sages, whose authority can easily disarm many hidden traps without triggering any alarms. Third, I am currently lurking within the Temple, able to continuously seek opportunities, devise plans, and strike at the right moment, without having to resort to the bloody battles that Leimen had to endure, where the hills were stained red with blood and the ridges strewn with corpses.

In truth, if I were to strike now, with the element of surprise, I would have at least a fifty percent chance of successfully acquiring the "Apocalyptic Horn." However, I lack the confidence to evade the Temple's pursuit afterward, especially with a "Divine Favored Paladin" stationed here. I believe that the moment I make a move, before I could even leave the underground palace, I would be reduced to dust by him. Thus, I must wait, and even create an opportunity for this Temple Sword Saint to leave. In fact, I have already begun to do so. The day I handed over some golem technology to the Free Chamber of Commerce Alliance, I anticipated that the Mercenary Empire, Yellow Dragon Empire, and the 16 Kingdoms Alliance would surely get wind of it, and they would surely deduce that I am the one who seized the "Divine Punishment," entered the Magic Tower, and then vanished without a trace. They must have guessed that I have found the true laboratory and materials that they have not discovered, and they would certainly not be willing to let the Temple monopolize this invaluable treasure. Eventually, they will come to the Temple to cause trouble. At that time, by instigating from the shadows, I am certain that several Sword Saints will take action. As long as the "Divine Favored Paladin" leaves or gets injured, my chance will come.

Indeed, after waiting for four months, these troublemakers, envious of the benefits, have finally come knocking on my door.

"Sir Knight Feng Xuan, the High Priest Davidian requests your presence." A junior priest hurried to the courtyard where I was practicing, conveying the command of my superior, the Gold Badge High Priest Davidian, who is the commander of the Holy Grail Knights. However, since our first encounter, which led to a minor quarrel, I have hardly seen this nominal superior again.