Chapter 520: Lessons Under the Tree
In the next period of time, the seven exchange students including Lolan Hill were brought to a small chapel at the foot of a hill.
There was an older priest and two nuns here. The number of people wasn’t large, and it was relatively quiet, located on the west side of Mount Kallunriel. Pilgrims would not pass through this place.
The seven of them would learn about the basics of the Angelic Church here, such as the origins and changes in history of the church, how to preach and spread teachings as a clergy member, the rules they need to follow, how to guide people in prayer, cultivation of the heart, solving simple life questions, etc.
It would take approximately two months to complete these studies before being transferred to other institutions and departments.
Under a large tree in front of the chapel, several students dressed in black-and-white nun and cultivator robes sat on wooden benches and stumps, listening to the priest share his knowledge.
“The Angelic Church initially emerged with different branches in various places. Although all originated from the Angel Sequence, there were considerable differences in beliefs and ideas among people.”
“After several debates, one branch gradually grew stronger, which became the Candlelight Church.”
“Through hundreds of years of dissemination, the Candlelight Church gradually became mainstream, while other minor sects slowly faded away.”
“In the year 842 of the Third Era, a priest from a minor sect publicly published ‘Ten Sins Against the Candlelight,’ refuting and resisting many of the Candlelight Church’s evil deeds, including blind worship, persecution of dissenters, embezzlement of donations, and disregard for human life.”
“This matter caused widespread debate across the continent, and many royal families and nobles no longer supported the Candlelight Church as they had before.”
“Then, after nearly a century of internal debate, new doctrines and concepts gradually took shape. Finally, the 11th Pope proclaimed the ‘Reformation of Light,’ abolishing many unreasonable regulations, revising scriptures to make them more in line with human ethics, establishing a tribunal for self-inspection, separating from secular affairs, and ceasing interference in various countries and organizations.”
“Although the strength of the Church weakened somewhat, it also regained public trust and has continued to this day.”
Despite the Church’s less-than-glorious history, the old priest did not avoid the topic but openly shared these stories with the students from Emanas.
The Church was not lacking in wise individuals. For these well-informed students from Emanas, if they still used the same arguments used on commoners, it would be insulting. Besides, most of these students would become elites in various organizations in a few years; there was no need to leave a bad impression.
Therefore, those who taught these basic knowledge to exchange students were always the enlightened members of the Church.
A student raised their hand and asked, “Father Vincent, I have a question.”
“You may speak,” replied Father Vincent, looking at the student kindly and tolerantly.
He appeared to be around fifty years old with a kind face.
“Was the Candlelight Book we read recently revised multiple times?”
“Yes, it has undergone four major revisions and over a hundred minor ones.”
“Are the events recorded in it true?”
“I can only say that most of it is true. Just like history, even those who witnessed events firsthand might write different accounts depending on their perspectives.”
“All we can do is extract the most reasonable parts that align with everyone’s understanding and needs, compile them into scriptures, and disseminate them.”
“Then do you believe in the existence of God?” A male student asked, standing slightly taller. His name was Haise.
“I believe that God once existed,” the priest answered.
“What about now?”
“This is precisely what I strive to discover continuously.”
“If God does not exist, why should we still believe in Him?” asked a tall, thin student named Ya, who was a student of the Necromancer Sequence.
“Human beings have many imperfections, such as personality, willpower, strength, lifespan, and wisdom. Yet, we yearn to reach a perfect and unified state, and deities represent the end of our long journey.”
“His existence is our goal to strive for.”
“Can humans become deities?”
“I don’t know, but we are gradually approaching that goal. Perhaps one day, we will reach that endpoint.”
This seemingly ordinary and aged priest answered many students’ questions with simple yet wise words, making everyone accept his answers willingly. Any dissatisfaction previously felt due to the discomfort of living in the Holy Land dissipated, and anticipation for this exchange learning journey grew.
Lolan Hill sat on a stump under the tree, writing down every word on thick, yellowed paper with her pen.
Compared to her classmates, she understood better that this elderly man was extraordinary. According to the system, the old priest was an Angel Sequence 8, Divine Grace Priest, and a retired archbishop.
Although he was too old (around 120 years old) and lacked the strength to compete for the position of Pope, his seniority and rank within the Church were quite prominent.
After all the other students had finished asking their questions, the girl in black veils finally raised her wrist.
“Do you have a question, Lohil?”
Among these students, the one who caught Father Vincent’s attention the most was the silver-haired girl named Lohil. According to the instructions given by some important figures within the Church, if this girl could officially join the Church, she would soon become the Holy Maiden responsible for overseeing a large region.
“I am very interested in angels. Do they have genders? Are they physical entities? And where do they come from?”
Unlike the previous free-spirited conversation, Father Vincent pondered for a moment before answering slowly.
“Angels do not have physical forms or genders. When they attach themselves to living beings, they manifest in the form of those beings.”
“However, this refers to high-ranking upper angels. Some ordinary angels indeed have physical forms and are special.”
“Detailed knowledge about angels is recorded in the secret scriptures within the Church. Due to certain regulations, I cannot tell you everything right now.”
“If you join the Church in the future, as you grow older and gain more experience, you will gradually learn these secrets.”
“Oh?” Hearing this explanation, the students present were a bit disappointed but understood. After all, there was no obligation to fully open up to you.
“So it is,” Lolan Hill lowered her head, murmuring softly, and drew a small circle on the paper with the tip of her pen.
From another perspective, however, it was clear that the priest was honest. He neither deceived nor misled anyone but directly stated that he couldn’t casually disclose these things.
This piqued everyone’s curiosity and gradually brought these students closer to the Church.
Indeed, it was no wonder that a former archbishop would use such a transparent strategy to recruit geniuses from Emanas.
Knowing that she couldn’t get effective information from this priest, Lolan Hill had to think of another way.
(End of Chapter)
