Inside the cathedral, Elyne was gently kneeling in front of Liu Shu's statue. Naturally, the statue was that of her World Tree body and not her Avatar. The piece of stone art, vividly carved to show her World Tree figure, could leave anyone in awe.
The light of a crystal window fell on the center of the hall, enveloping Elyne's praying figure, making her look divine. As she prayed softly in her heart, she heard someone knocking on the door, interrupting her session.
This caused her to furrow her brows. Still, she didn't dismiss the person since it could very well be an important message.
"Enter."
The saintesses behind Elyne also stopped praying, turning to look toward the entrance. Once the gates opened, a male clergy member entered with a respectful expression. "Lady Elyne, there is someone causing trouble at the entrance. When we tried to deal with her, she spoke to Lady Cathedral directly, and to our astonishment, the cathedral answered. We don't know what to do, so we came to bother you during your midday prayer session."
Elyne was confused, her amethyst-colored eyes showing traces of confusion. "How could that be? Other than the Heavenly Willow, there are not many who can make our Eternal Cathedral…" Elyne paused here, her mind flashing with a very wild guess.
Not daring to leave it up to chance, Elyne quickly stood up and spoke. "Everyone, follow me." Her gaze toward the man was stern. "Guide me, quick."
The man quickly bowed in respect and walked in front, guiding them.
Meanwhile, Liu Shu walked into the cathedral, her long white gown moving like floating clouds with her steps. Her amethyst gaze swept the area, and to her relief, she noticed that there was no sign of abused power.
She had naturally been checking often with the cathedral with her main consciousness, helping Elyne detect some of those who hid deeply and wanted to stir trouble.
Therefore, the attitude of that saintess surprised Liu Shu greatly. 'It is one thing if I appeared here claiming to be what I am not. However, I had not even spoken when that woman came to bother me. That's very much her fault.'
"This place sure is beautiful."
Giant white, wooden pillars, with complex carvings and imagery, mixed with the complex construction and high ceilings, gave the place a sense of surrealism. 'It was because of its appearance that I chose to mimic it for the
As Liu Shu walked calmly, many people looked at her. After all, the color jade green for hair and the amethyst color for her eyes were signs of sacredness.
The cathedral spoke to Liu Shu softly. "What do you think, Mom? Do you think I should create a statue of your Avatar below your World Tree statue?"
Liu Shu smiled faintly, sitting down on one of the public seats. "There is no need, love. I feel that it is perfect as it is. Adding more will be too ostentatious."
"Mhm. Also, Elyne is already hurrying over. She should be here in a minute or less."
"Good." Liu Shu nodded. "I really need to ask what kind of conditions she is using to accept saintesses."
The cathedral asked softly, slightly confused. "But, mother. What that saint said was not that wrong, right?"
Liu Shu explained gently. "It was wrong because I did not do anything before I got called out. If I had come here acting grandly as if I were an Eternal Avatar, even changing my hair color or wearing some eye tint, then her reaction would be more than acceptable. However, what did I do before they called me out, love?"
"...Walk." The cathedral answered with a chuckle. "I understand now. Mother. If it happens again, I will make sure to warn them."
"Good. That's why I told you to tie her down without much else. It is her first mistake, so naturally, we can forgive her and teach her. I am sure that, while her heart carries some arrogance, there were also sincere feelings in her words."
As she spoke, she heard the steps of a group approaching. Looking over, she noticed Elyne and a group of saintesses behind her.
Elyne looked around, and soon, her gaze zeroed in on the woman sitting on the public benches inside the cathedral. When she did, her heart skipped a beat for a moment.
As Liu Shu's
She quickly walked forward, and when Liu Shu stood up, she knelt and spoke with pious reverence. "My lady, my all, I am sorry for making you wait."
Liu Shu sighed softly. Elyne knew that she didn't really like this type of formality, but Liu Shu understood that for the first meeting, at least, she needed to allow Elyne to express her sincere feelings.
The saintesses behind Elyne were stunned, but Elyne's words were more than enough for these women to quickly understand who stood before them. With their hearts leaping to their throats, all of them quickly knelt down. "Your Holiness, Heavenly Willow!"
Liu Shu nodded and spoke softly. "Raise and follow me. I need to speak with all of you. Also, Little Cathedral, release those outside and tell the one standing outside to come inside."
"Yes, Mother." Her words rang softly in the spacious cathedral.
The combination of events made every single other individual present open their eyes, their minds understanding quickly. Then, wherever Liu Shu walked, everyone knelt in pure reverence and adoration.
Liu Shu didn't turn to look at anyone, keeping an aloof front until she disappeared in one of the hallways.
"W-Was that…"
"Shh… Knowing it in your heart is good enough."
"Branches in the sky, my eyes have been blessed!"
After walking into Elyne's main praying room with everyone, Liu Shu walked below her own statue and sat on the single seat under it, waiting.
No one dared speak, their heads bowing down as they controlled their breaths to not make a breathing sound.
After a few minutes, the doors opened, and a trembling and pale-faced woman entered, her legs barely working. When she saw Liu Shu sitting on the seat reserved for the one above, her legs finally gave in, her body falling flat onto the ground. "T-This one… di-didd-didn't know, know…"
"Enough." Liu Shu cut her off, her amethyst eyes falling onto her. "I know you understand your mistake. However, I fear that your understanding is due to fear towards me, and not truly knowing what you did wrong this time. Therefore, I will explain."
Her voice was not stern, as she spoke calmly and with a touch of softness. The rest were confused, but they didn't dare jump and ask. Even when Elyne had told them that Liu Shu liked them to be more casual, in front of the Avatar of "She" whom they believed in, they dared not behave freely.
So, they listened to Liu Shu explain the situation and her thoughts about it. The rest of the saintesses almost gasped. 'Branches above! Our sister was truly unlucky!'
After all, if it were they, they would not be able to guarantee that they wouldn't have stopped Liu Shu due to her appearance.
"Do you understand?"
The saintess quickly nodded, her eyes tearing up due to her stirred-up feelings. "T-This one, hic, understands. I am, so-sorry, hic."
Liu Shu's heart softened when she saw her cry so heartbreakingly. With a gentle sigh, she stood up and walked forward. 'After all, as an
So, she approached and then crouched in front of her, lifting her face and cleaning her tears. The woman began crying even more after feeling the gentle and reassuring touch.
Liu Shu spoke softly. "Alright, don't cry anymore. I forgive you. However, you, as my saintess, need to be benevolent but decisive. If it is someone trying to break our peace and harmony, ruthlessness is not out of the question. However, for those who just mind their own business, at most, we can only warn them gently. Understood?"
The saintess, bawling her eyes out to the point of breathlessness, nodded very exaggeratedly, as if she were afraid that Liu Shu couldn't see her gestures. Liu Shu almost wanted to laugh at her silly but cute appearance.
"Elyne, stand up. All of you do so."
After returning to her seat, Liu Shu waited patiently for them to stand up. Some of them, whose legs were a bit wobbly due to nervousness, actually fell twice before standing up.
Elyne didn't say anything, but inwardly, she scolded herself. 'I really misguided them this time. It is my fault. I must be clearer next time.'
"Tell me, Elyne. I have not checked your teaching methods in a while. What has changed?"
Elyne answered calmly, her tone more casual now. "Actually, there have not been many changes. Only, I have stepped down from instructing all new saintesses, leaving it to the veteran ones. It was my fault for being hasty this time around."
Liu Shu smiled teasingly. "Indeed. It is your fault~."
Elyne smiled wryly. Then, she chuckled. "Also, I have the next
Liu Shu guessed. "Is it Tanya?"
Elyne didn't deny it. "Indeed. However, do not misunderstand me, Liu Shu. Her position was earned due to her merits, attitude, talents, and heart. Even if you didn't know her, I would've still chosen her among the current group of 49 saintesses."
Liu Shu nodded. "I trust you. Also, I've been hearing that some other religions have been suppressed by ours. Is it a forceful suppression?"
"Not at all." Elyne sighed. "You should know that your presence is more than enough to suppress everything, Liu Shu. It's just a matter of nature. Of course, we've heard of people hating us for being born as well, most of them believers from others."
"Hate…" Liu Shu pondered. "What are they doing to remedy this hatred?"
"They are not attacking us… yet." Elyne pondered. "At most, they are slandering our religion. Although most of the time, there is no need to involve anyone, as the people on the street become quite disgusted with their slanders."
Liu Shu felt amused. "I see. If everything is happening naturally, then there is no need to suppress things forcefully. As long as their groups do not use mental or physical force, you don't need to be forceful. After all, we have nothing to fear about slandering. Just fight truth against lies, and you will always be victorious."
Elyne shook her head. "That's a bit naive, Liu Shu. A lie repeated a thousand times can even twist the truth."
"Usually, that's the case. However, it is only possible when those wanting to hide the truth are in charge. Otherwise, the truth will surface forcefully, like grass under concrete. It is a matter of time."
Elyne pondered and understood Liu Shu's view. "If that's what you believe, then we will follow it."
"Great." Liu Shu smiled, looking at everyone present. "How about we all get acquainted again? Hello, girls, I am Tianlian Liu Shu, the Avatar of the Heavenly Willow."