With godlike talent from the start, how did he become invincible?

Chapter 352 They Won't Succeed

Her azure eyes reflected the dappled sunlight filtering through the cracks in the rocks, a light that was clear and resolute.

"Marcus and William's motives were never 'maintaining order' or 'ensuring fairness'."

That was just a fancy robe they wore to convince themselves and others.

Tearing away this outer layer reveals two things they absolutely refuse to acknowledge, yet which truly drive them—'fear,' and something deeper, 'the desire for control.'

"Fear?" Helena repeated softly.

“Yes, fear.” Emily nodded. “They fear the power that Lin Tian has displayed, a power they cannot understand or control.”

"This force disrupted their carefully planned steps to build a power pyramid centered around them."

"In their pre-set script, the strong should come from among them, or at least be those who can be won over, intimidated, or even manipulated by them."

"But Lin Tian is different. He went too fast, too far, so far that all their calculations seemed ridiculous, and all their sense of superiority vanished."

"This unknown, which is out of their control, is the source of their deepest fear."

She paused, then continued:

"And this fear breeds an even stronger desire for control. They cannot tolerate a powerful being that is not within their 'order'."

"Therefore, they want to nip this 'destabilizing factor' in the bud. Not through fair competition, but through alliances, conspiracies, and scheming, to nip the seedlings that could threaten their future path to hegemony in the bud."

Emily's tone contained no fierce criticism, only a calm understanding of the essence of things:

"The 'order' they speak of is never a universal and just order, but a pyramidal order with themselves at the absolute top."

"Any powerful entity that is not in its designated position within this pyramid, any entity that might shake the stability of the base, will be labeled as 'unstable' and then eliminated in the name of 'maintaining overall interests'."

"This isn't about protection, Karl, Helena; it's a rehearsal for dictatorship. It's a practice run-up to their 'those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish' law before the real chaos arrives."

Silence fell between the rock walls, with only Emily's clear and powerful voice echoing:

"The path of the Holy Light that we believe in is fundamentally different from the path they have chosen."

She looked at her teammates, her gaze gentle yet filled with unwavering conviction:

"The Holy Light teaches us to protect—to protect lives that are worth protecting, and to protect the goodness and hope in our hearts."

"The Holy Light grants us the power to purify—to purify evil, to purify filth, and to purify the jealousy and greed that twist people's hearts."

"The Holy Light guides us to practice redemption—to light a lamp for the lost in despair, to provide a haven for the wandering in darkness, and to deliver the final judgment on incorrigible sins."

"And their path is plunder—plundering resources, plundering opportunities, plundering the efforts and achievements of others."

"It is suppression—suppressing dissent, suppressing potential threats, suppressing any voice that might challenge its authority."

"It's about elimination—eliminating obstacles, eliminating 'destabilizing factors,' even at the cost of conspiring with darker forces, all to ascend the throne they desire."

Emily gently shook her head:

"So they won't succeed, Carl, Helena."

Her gaze deepened, as if she could already foresee the outcome of the conspiracy that had yet to unfold:

"I say this not just because I believe Lin Tian might be stronger than their barren imagination—although it is very likely true."

Furthermore, any alliance built on fear and jealousy is as fragile as quicksand. It may appear vast, but it is actually incredibly weak.

The moment the balance of interests tilts even slightly, cracks will appear within; the moment an unexpected setback is encountered, the so-called "unity" will crumble instantly.

"And what's even more tragic is..."

Emily's tone carried a hint of pity.

"Those who think they are controlling the game and regard others as pawns often fail to see that they themselves are just a pawn on a larger chessboard."

When they become immersed in a cycle of scheming and being schemed against, they have long lost their original direction and the possibility of true strength—the kind of strength that stems from inner beliefs, from protection and responsibility.

She stood up, her silver-white plate armor gleaming softly in the light filtering through the cracks in the rocks.

"Therefore, my answer has always been clear. I will neither participate nor endorse it. The Holy Flame can burn away all evil in the world, but its light will never be tainted by the filth of conspiracy."

Emily's gaze swept over Carl and Helena, her tone resolute:

"Our battlefield is in the light, before those who need protection, and before those enemies who truly deserve to wield their warhammers and staves."

Not in a trap shrouded in shadows, not in a conspiracy filled with scheming and betrayal. That is not the path for paladins, nor the path we, the Oath of the Holy Flame, would choose.

Karl nodded emphatically, a pleased and admiring smile spreading across his face. "Well said, Captain! This is the Emily I know! With those guys hanging around, even the Holy Light would be tarnished!"

Helena nodded vigorously, her unease replaced by determination: "I understand, sister. We'll go our own way."

"Okay." Emily nodded slightly. "Let's pack up and head back to Holy Radiance City. We need to make some extra preparations in this last bit of time."

Karl and Helena's expressions tightened, and they solemnly replied, "Understood!"

As the sun set, the three returned to Holy Radiance City.

This Tier 3 city, characterized by its dilapidated churches and relics of the Holy Light, was also shrouded in an atmosphere of anxiety, fervor, and desperation in the final countdown to the preliminary rounds.

The streets were more crowded than usual, filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, arguing, and shouting to form groups. But Emily and her two companions seemed to possess a calm aura as they walked through the crowd, shutting out the surrounding noise.

Instead of going to the bustling square or trading area, they went straight back to a temporary camp located in the northwest corner of the city, near the ruins of an ancient church.

It was a dwelling simply repaired and reinforced from an existing, half-collapsed stone house. Although simple, it had been repeatedly purified by Emily with holy light, and the interior was clean and dry, exuding a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

Carl and Helena began to prepare and purchase supplies separately, as instructed by Emily, and to conduct final skill practice.

Emily walked alone to the empty church ruins behind the camp.