The more they oppose, the more it shows that I am doing the right thing

Seven Gods Hall.

The setting sun spilled over the myriad of mountains.

The crimson sunlight spread out like an endless golden carpet.

His Excellency Merlin Andre walked indifferently on the brilliant golden path, his cardinal-red robe, symbolic of his episcopal status, trailing behind him on the ground.

His presence even seemed to overturn the concept of time, with the brilliant golden sunlight and the pale green starlight taking turns shifting amidst his robe.

His pure white eyes were as still as ancient wells.

Indeed, as His Excellency Merlin had said, he was undoubtedly the saint with the most perfect visage.

Even though his face was indistinct, his soul's aura already overflowed in abundance.

His soul, pure white and almost snowy, could be described as perfect.

And at this moment, that soul's aura carried an unangered yet commanding presence.

Wrapped in a profound authority.

His gaze was calm, yet it was like the ocean before a storm, capable of stirring whirlpools that could overturn the entire world deep beneath its tranquil surface.

Powerful and supremely beautiful, serene and yet impassioned, this was the man known as Merlin Andre.

As the sunset slowly descended, the whole world seemed to sway with the footsteps of His Excellency the Archmage.

The saints he passed, whether deacons or priests, upon seeing His Excellency the Archmage, invariably showed expressions of astonishment and shock, quickly stepping aside, their eyes filled with nothing but admiration.

Many female clerics, be they young girls in the bloom of youth, or mature, ample nuns, even the aged priests with lingering charm,

widened their eyes at the sight of His Excellency Merlin and could walk no further, shyly whispering amongst themselves, straining to keep their voices low, for fear of being noticed by the object of their affection.

A succession of hushed 'wow's of amazement, the girls' voices chirping like cuckoos, were as tender and beautiful as the light of early spring.

This moment was the season of spring's return when everything revived.

Feeling the surroundings filled with looks of admiration and adoration, His Excellency Merlin remained indifferent.

He seemed very aloof.

After all, he had been famous as a beautiful youth since his younger days, accustomed to such covetous and admiring gazes, he found them normal and not worth concerning himself with, displaying a very aloof demeanor.

The corner of his mouth drew a composed smile.

Hmph.

To say it again, it was not self-admiration; rather, he indeed had not encountered anyone more beautiful than himself.

Slightly beyond Merlin's expectations was that the onlookers grew in number, which disturbed the reporters, prompting them to start taking pictures.

Even some regional bishops had arrived.

The regional bishops gathered closely, watching Merlin intently, occasionally exclaiming in soft tones,

"...Look at the one in the red robe, quickly!"

"It's the Great Mage, has the Great Mage returned?"

"It's been a year since we saw His Excellency the Archmage."

"Who could have imagined that after a year... His Excellency Merlin would appear so incredibly intelligent."

"I can feel it, His Excellency Merlin has become more mature and powerful..."

Listening to these bishops' praises, the arc of Merlin's smile continued to rise, yet he still maintained his unperturbed expression.

After all, his return this time was to settle accounts with the Church.

Heaven cannot be left unwatched, so he must resolve matters quickly, unable to spare any attention for anything else, heading straight for the uppermost level of the Seven Gods Hall.

An entire year, he had diligently worked for an entire year.

And for an entire year, he had not returned to reality.

The rare vacation he managed to get was ruined by An Su!

He would not lower himself to settle scores with the likes of An Su, a petty junior; it would diminish his stature. Merlin sought to reckon only with the old men who were also cardinals.

It was because of their dereliction of duty and laziness that the Church had become so corrupt.

A crooked beam leads to a crooked house, and surely it was these old men's fault that juveniles like An Su had emerged!

Merlin's dissatisfaction with the high ranks of the Church had been brewing for a long time.

Their old and doggedly conservative thoughts were rotten to the core and long overdue for a thorough cleansing.

The head of the Radiant Holy See should be Merlin.

Merlin had made up his mind; he wouldn't rest until he achieved his goal.

With this thought, His Excellency Merlin's aura became even more terrifying and ancient, the Holy Light in his eyes and above his head grew brighter as if a great sun were falling,

The surrounding saints were dazzled by Merlin's Holy Light, rushing to retreat and avoid its sharpness, shouting "Retreat!" while also feeling secretly shocked within their hearts, never expecting that in just one year His Excellency Merlin had reached such a terrifying level in his cultivation of the Holy Light.

Not only did he have the Holy Light in his eyes, but now it was also above his head!

The pure white pupils were no longer enough to satisfy His Excellency Merlin!

Truly, His Excellency Merlin, truly the God of Law!

Even his bald head shone brighter than others.

Seeing the saints around him in such a state, Merlin secretly thought they hadn't seen much of the world.

He strode with a majestic air toward the highest place of the Seven Gods Hall, the vast Holy Light invading everything in its path.

This aura had long since alarmed the high echelons of the Church, with both the Order Church and the Radiant Holy See on high alert, and a row of purple-clad bishops standing apart, the venerable white-haired Cardinal of the Order Church—His Excellency Randal also waiting in the holy hall.

This old man was held in high esteem, his hair and beard pure white, his forehead and temples slowly creasing with wrinkles, at the age of two hundred, he was about to retire. Experience new tales on empire

Upon seeing Merlin's appearance, Randal's pupils trembled slightly, thinking that no good would come of this.

"Randal," Magic God Merlin called out Randal's name with a stern tone, "I hope you've been well."

Merlin knew that the old man in front of him was famously rigid in his thinking, relying on seniority to act imperiously, stubbornly adhering to his own outdated set of ideas. To persuade this fellow would not be an easy task.

If verbal persuasion failed, then Merlin would have to resort to force.

"I've missed this year's leave," Merlin said coldly, "compensate me, or else…"

"Okay," Bishop Randal hastily replied.

Merlin's brow lifted slightly, not expecting it to be so easy. He suspected there was some trickery and said, "I want one week."

"Of course, that's no problem," Bishop Randal nodded, his eyes filled with pity, "I'll arrange it for you now. Poor child, these days have truly been hard on you."

Huh?

Merlin was bewildered.

Had his commanding presence frightened the old man?

How could it be so simple!

He closely observed the old man's expression, seeing no fear, panic, or terror, but instead noticed a faint pity in those eyes... Damn it, why was there pity!

And Randal was not looking directly into his eyes; his gaze was fixed higher, on Merlin's own head,

Merlin felt even more that something was off; only then did he remember the odd looks from the others.

He sensed something amiss.

His pupils trembled slightly.

Trembling hands slowly reached up to his head, only to find a void.

All the bishops around were staring wide-eyed at him in disbelief—

At last, Merlin realized that horrific truth,

He seemed, to have, gone bald?

Merlin gasped in a breath of cold air.

So the look in the eyes of all the saints of the Church along the way!!

—

Magic Association.

The warm sunlight spread out over the endless river, like a vast golden-yellow blanket, with the slightly intoxicating spring breeze gently causing ripples on the water, making the golden blanket crafted by Sun Valley wrinkle accordingly.

In the face of an interview by a group of reporters, the well-informed An Su Moningsta said,

"Since ancient times, His Excellency Merlin Andre has been an extremely intelligent bishop, and we must acknowledge that he is indeed the leader of our Radiant Holy See."

Today is a day worth commemorating, from this day forward, a title commensurate with "Pure White Pupils" will be known throughout the empire.

"The Radiant Primus"—Merlin Andre.

Surely his teacher in Heaven would be proud and honored on his behalf.