Charlie took out a card and inserted it into the slot at the bottom of the elevator. Immediately, the panel flipped, and several buttons leading to the top floor appeared. Charlie pressed them, and the elevator started moving all the way to the top, finally stopping at the top.
When he opened the door, he saw a reception room that was decorated in a classic western style. Two rows of maidservants stood on both sides of the door. On the opposite wall, there was a blood red cross with the letters VENTRUE, which meant Vatican. Lu Zhiyu had previously guessed where this so-called Vatican Clan came from.
Its name was borrowed from the thirteen clans in the novel. Lu Zhiyu had thought that it was just a joke, but now it seemed that this was not the case. Lu Zhiyu could feel the force field emanating from above his head. It was a power that he had never seen before, and it was different from mind power.
They watched as Charlie skillfully followed the maid's lead. The two of them changed into black cloaks and passed through a quaint corridor filled with oil paintings. The oil paintings in the corridor were all done by famous artists. Most of them depicted scenes of hell and the abyss in myths and legends. Many of these scenes were from Dante's Divine Comedy.
What came into view after that was a dark golden world. This was a wide hall, probably the top of The Shard. Only internal personnel were allowed to enter and exit. Even the elevator did not have a button for this floor, and there were no other stairways that led to this floor.
The hall was built like a temple, with dark golden pillars carved with ancient dark myths and legends. The entire hall exuded a dark and mysterious atmosphere, especially when everyone was wearing the same black cloaks that Lu Zhiyu was wearing.
Above the dark dome was the outline of angels and gods, but their eyes and the corners of their mouths all revealed a sense of evil. They were called smiles, but it made people feel a deep chill down their spines. There was no gentleness or light in their dull eyes, and they stared at the creatures on the ground as if they were sneering.
There were no windows in the hall, and the only windows were at the highest points on the four sides of the hall. Sunlight shone in at a slanted angle, but could only illuminate part of the hall. It was hazy and dreamy, while it was still dark below.
The lights suddenly lit up and shone on the stage in the middle of the hall. Immediately, a man in a black robe could be seen sitting next to the piano. As everyone's eyes were focused on him, he began to move. Starting from the gentle touch, melodious music began to play.
Lu Zhiyu paused for a moment. He could tell that this was the prelude to Croatian Rhapsody. The rhythm was dark and hazy, but there was a sense of anger in the darkness. Lu Zhiyu seemed to see the broken walls under the setting sun, as well as the lonely figure, the grave, and the sorrow.
Many people even started singing along. In the darkness, a special holy feeling enveloped the entire hall. It was not the holy of light, but the chanting of the bible of darkness.
"Genesis, millet or sheep, the tears of brothers flow from the Garden of Eden."
"Exiled, forbidden power, Cain's bloodline extended upon the earth."
"Under the moonlight, there is a faint fishy fragrance. Who is it that has quietly awakened the sleeping tomb?"
"…"
The rhythm gradually became faster, and the fingers on the keys also became faster and heavier. The music filled the hall, as if it was a pilgrimage. All the people in black robes slowly gathered and stood under the stage. They looked at the man playing the piano. Everyone was silent. Many people even stretched out their hands and began to pray. Each of them held a black cross in their hands.
The hands on the keys became faster and faster, and the rhythm became more and more passionate. Lu Zhiyu could feel that the man on the stage was becoming more and more emotional, like a volcano that was about to erupt from his chest. The music drove the emotions of everyone in the hall, and the atmosphere was perfect.
"I want you, to give me, the last treasure of your life, the last happiness and glory."
"Once again, sink into my arms, and enjoy the arrogance of ruling eternal life together."
At the end of the song, there was no applause, but everyone's expressions were solemn and solemn. Many people held the crosses in front of their chests and prayed to the other person.
He walked down from his seat and stood in front of the stage. Lu Zhiyu saw that he was a young man in his twenties. His face was pale, and he was thin. He was handsome and elegant, and he had the aura of a nobleman.
"Today, we have a few more brothers and sisters. I hope that we can always be united. No matter where you come from, or what people you come from, since you are here, you are one of us. Now, let's invite our new brothers and sisters onto the stage."
Lu Zhiyu followed Charlie's signal and walked onto the stage, followed by three other people. Below the stage, there were hundreds of people. The four of them took off their cloaks and hats at the same time, revealing Lu Zhiyu's face. Immediately, the audience gasped.
Even the young man on the stage said to Lu Zhiyu, "Oh, what a perfect race. You were born to be a member of the Vatican Clan. Perfect, beautiful, and without a single flaw."
Lu Zhiyu nodded slightly, then looked at the other three. Lu Zhiyu even knew two of them. One of them was a famous female singer that he had seen before. She had recently released a single that had taken the number one spot on the American Billboard Chart.
When Lu Zhiyu came back to his senses, he saw the man on the stage recite a prayer, then hang a black cross on each of their necks. That was the completion of the initiation ceremony. Then, he left the stage.
The ceremony seemed very simple, but before joining, one had to be recommended by an official member of the Vatican Clan. Then, the Vatican Clan would conduct multiple checks and verifications of one's identity. Those who were unqualified or had problems would definitely not be accepted. Logically speaking, it was impossible for Lu Zhiyu to be selected to join the Vatican Clan.
However, the man in front of him seemed to be very interested in Lu Zhiyu's identity and past. After looking through Lu Zhiyu's information and investigating his background, he found out about Lu Zhiyu's problems and invited him to join the Vatican Clan.
After the ceremony, it was finally time for the main event. Lu Zhiyu had been looking forward to the prayer ceremony of the Vatican Clan. It was held once a month within the Vatican Clan. It was because of this mysterious prayer ceremony that so many celebrities and rich people fought to join them.
In Charlie Andrew's memory, every prayer ceremony would extend their lives, make them younger and stronger, and cure their diseases. The man in front of him was a living example. His name was Nicholas Debye. Although he looked like he was in his early twenties, he was actually nearly fifty years old. He was the current head of the Debye Group. All of this was due to the power of this ceremony.
This power was most likely derived from the existence that Lu Zhiyu had sensed before, the existence that had blocked his mind senses. It was also the legendary Cain's Left Hand that Lu Zhiyu had read from Charlie Andrew.
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