Me and My Cold CEO Wife

Chapter 2060 - 2049: The Truth of the Saint Prison

"Oh!"Seeing Ning Fan respond so calmly, Vivian was a bit puzzled, "Why are you so calm? Shouldn't you be surprised?"

Ning Fan chuckled softly, "Human nature is inherently complex. Some people commit lowly deeds under the guise of justice. Likewise, there are those who use despicable means but in fact aim to resurrect justice. Human nature is complex by nature, what's so strange about that."

"That's true."

Vivian nodded slightly, somewhat understanding. She then asked, "Should we go inside and take a look?"

"Let's go see."

The end of the passage led to a large room resembling a beehive.

The walls, illuminated by Shining Stones, were painted with some unknown black material, making the whole room somewhat dim, with hardly any light.

Both of them had eyesight sharp enough to make night look like day with ease.

In the center was presumably a living room, furnished with a giant conference table.

Around the table, the four walls featured over ten iron doors.

The rooms behind these doors were obviously the resting quarters for members of the Tribunal of Heresy.

Similarly, it was void of people.

Some rooms were locked; others were left open.

The members stationed at the Holy Mountain, like those on external tasks, all had been transported to the Middle Earth via a fixed-point teleportation formation.

They walked into a room that was unlocked.

It was approximately ten square meters, containing only a bed and two cabinets.

One cabinet was filled with identical black robes, while the other was stocked with various weapons and assorted teeth.

The weapons were all cold arms, ranging from ranged to close combat: knuckle busters, daggers, longswords, crossbows, and more.

As for the teeth, they weren't human but rather the fangs of some animal.

As expected, these fangs were trophies.

Each fang meant the room's occupant had killed a member of the Alien Clan.

"It's the same everywhere. Even the Holy Church recruits aliens as Tribunal members."

The Tribunal deals with dirty work that cannot be exposed. In some techniques, human experts can't compare to the innate talents of the Alien Clan.

Ning Fan understood why the Holy Church recruited aliens but couldn't fathom why the Alien Clan would cooperate with the Holy Church, whom they inherently despised, acting willingly as assassins in the shadows.

"Aliens joining the Tribunal are usually the outcasts from their own clans, seeking refuge under the Holy Church when left with no choice."

Vivian sneered, "These individuals are even more vicious than the Holy Church when it comes to tormenting their kin."

Ning Fan scoffed, "Does the Holy Church show mercy? I think they want to see if these defected aliens are loyal, so they deliberately give them opportunities to present their allegiance."

"Makes sense."

At this moment, Ning Fan found a diary under the pillow.

After glancing through it, he placed the diary back.

What could a diary possibly record? Nothing but recounting each mission and how many people were killed, how many grudges were relieved.

With Vivian's forceful door-breaking, all remaining rooms were opened.

Both left disappointed; Vivian didn't find the treasure she sought, and Ning Fan didn't obtain useful information.

However, those diaries made Ning Fan realize the beastly side of the Tribunal of Heresy.

As they reached the central passage, Ning Fan gained a deeper understanding of this beastly aspect.

The end of the central passage was basically a prison.

This prison, like the Tribunal of Heresy earlier, was also deserted.

Upon stepping inside, Ning Fan immediately felt an overwhelming aura of grievance and death.

All torture devices were encrusted with layers of thick, dark brown blood stains.

It was easy to imagine how many aliens or humans had been through here.

Some devices, how to describe them? They were uniquely shaped, not appearing like tools of torture, but rather resembling some niche toys.

Seeing this, Ning Fan knew all too well; he didn't want to stay even a second longer in this nauseating place.

As they approached the last passage, not yet reaching its end, Vivian suddenly said, "I finally know where those Demon Beasts came from."

Glancing ahead, Ning Fan asked, "What place is ahead?"

"The Sacred Prison!"

Seemingly aware of Ning Fan's thoughts, Vivian explained directly, "It's a prison."

"But wasn't there already a prison just now?"

"Do you call that a prison?"

Vivian sneered, "Just based on an iron railing, do you think it can hold Demon Beasts?"

"That's true."

Recalling the previous scene, Ning Fan couldn't help but nod.

Although every iron pillar on the railing was as thick as an adult's wrist, for non-humans, it seemed inadequate.

"The Church of Light is harming itself and others."

Saying this, Vivian's expression changed, shaking her head and sighing, "But it's also a helpless act."

An intrigued Ning Fan asked, "Is there anything special about the Sacred Prison?"

"The uniqueness of the Sacred Prison lies in its ability to isolate and absorb all energies. Even Divine Spirits, after staying here too long, have their divine power slowly dissolved."

"That's impressive. No wonder the Holy Church uses it as a prison; no one can escape once inside."

"You're wrong."

Vivian shook her head, "The Sacred Prison was never meant to be a prison; it's only because the people of the Holy Church lack ambition that they use it as such."

"Then what is it?"

Vivian didn't answer but remarked, "The Sacred Prison has another peculiarity: it preserves vitality from escaping. It seems those extracted Demon Beasts have been imprisoned here for many years."

"Preserve vitality?"

With this in mind, Ning Fan quickly asked, "Does that mean one could achieve an alternative immortality by staying in the Sacred Prison?"

Vivian nodded and continued, "Originally, the Sacred Prison was a place for Ascetics to retreat in seclusion, allowing their state of mind to gradually transcend in the absence of power."

Ning Fan fully understood by now.

The state of mind, such a mysterious concept, has always been synonymous with high status.

Without reaching a certain realm in cultivation, one can't even touch the threshold of the state of mind.

The Sacred Prison, a sanctuary for enhancing the cultivation of the state of mind, holds no attraction for most and is indeed a hazardous place.

What's the point of an elevated state of mind if all one's cultivation is lost? While it might be reclaimed through cultivation, how many possess such resolve?

If Ning Fan had to choose, he wouldn't opt for such an extreme approach.

"No wonder the Holy Church uses it as a prison."

"The true purpose of the Sacred Prison is no longer known to anyone."

Vivian sneered, "Otherwise, the Church of Light would not dare to casually bring people inside."

Some peculiar races don't cultivate Magic Power or Battle Aura but rather spiritual power.

If they could tap into the Sacred Prison's power to break through mental barriers—

A single mental storm could instantly bring down the Church of Light.

"Do the escaped Demon Beasts possess spiritual power?"

"Certainly not. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been such a fierce slaughter."