The island of Lhayi Dewa was not significantly larger than Jialin Pinjia Zhiyin, perhaps only a few more kilometres as Ling Xuan had read in ancient texts. Yet, the central fact that made the island appear humongous was the mighty structure that loomed over everyone: The Grand Temple of Chung Gzug Mar Med, or just CGMM for short, as Ling Xuan liked to refer to it.
""Whoever was the architect, kudos to them," Ling Xuan thought as he climbed the mountain, which was also the only path to the Temple, along with others who had come to worship. The mountain, called Lhayi Kangpa, which translates roughly to "God's Knee," was not that large nor steep; it even had steps carved from the mountain for better climbing.
"Well, this is quite the sight," Ling Xuan quietly exclaimed as he reached the top with ease.
The temple was unlike any Ling Xuan had seen before. Its entire structure was intricately engraved in the Archipelago's tongue, with all the inscriptions repeating a single phrase: The Mighty Giant of The Unfettered Thought Traverses The Endless Heavens. Ling Xuan didn't have a single clue as to what it meant, but he didn't care and continued to view the temple.
The temple was shaped like a lotus, with each petal-like structure radiating outward in a symmetrical pattern. The material, resembling marble, had a lustrous sheen, reflecting the sunlight and giving the entire temple an ethereal glow. The surface of the temple was polished to perfection, with the engravings adding a textured contrast that played with the light.
The lotus petals, each one towering over twenty metres high, formed natural corridors and alcoves. These petals were not solid but intricately designed with latticed stonework, allowing light to filter through and cast mesmerising patterns on the ground below. The edges of the petals were adorned with gold leaf, which shimmered in the sunlight, giving the temple an almost divine aura.
At the centre of the lotus stood the main sanctuary, a towering dome that rose majestically above the petals. The dome was crowned with a spire that reached towards the heavens, tipped with a large, crystalline structure that sparkled with every ray of light.
As Ling Xuan entered the temple, he found the interior enveloped in a deep blue hue. The walls and ceiling seemed to glow softly with a mystical light, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. The floor was made of the same marble-like material as the exterior, polished to a mirror finish that reflected the blue light, making it feel as though he was walking on water.
The temple's interior was stark and minimalistic. There were no decorations, no altars, no statues—nothing but an open space that stretched ahead in a straight path. The silence was profound, amplifying the sound of his footsteps as he walked deeper into the temple.
And then he saw it.
His eyes widened in shock. In front of him, several naked individuals were bowing and praying. Their postures were humble, their heads touching the cold floor, their hands clasped in fervent devotion. The people who had entered the temple with him were also on the ground, praying with a fervor that was almost palpable.
But it wasn't what they were doing that shocked Ling Xuan—it was what they were praying to.
Before them stood an object that defied explanation. It resembled a skull, but it wasn't made of bone. Instead, it was crystalline, with a translucent quality that refracted the blue light, casting eerie patterns on the walls. The skull was adorned with two stones embedded in its eye sockets, each one a different color—one a deep, blood-red ruby, the other a bright, icy-blue sapphire. Paint was smeared across the skull, forming strange, unreadable symbols that seemed to pulse with an inner light.
Ling Xuan felt a chill run down his spine as he stared at the object. It radiated an unsettling aura, a sense of power and malevolence that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
"What the hell is this?" Ling Xuan muttered under his breath, unable to tear his eyes away from the bizarre spectacle.
Ling Xuan stood there, shocked at what he was seeing. The surreal scene before him felt like a twisted dream. Soon, the individuals who had come with him stood up and began to chant in unison.
"Glory to The Namkha Lamdro'i Jongs Chenpo!" they chanted together, their voices echoing through the temple's vast, blue-lit interior.
They bowed deeply, their movements synchronised as if part of a well-rehearsed ritual.
"Glory to Kun La Jampa Tsal Mkhan!" they chanted again, their voices growing louder and more fervent.
"Glory to Gya Mtsho Drang Mé Khyudpé Chenpo!" Their chants reached a peak as Ling Xuan felt the crystalline skull twitching, almost as if responding to the fervent invocations. The light within the skull's eye sockets pulsed rhythmically with the chants, casting eerie reflections across the blue-lit chamber.
The air was thick with a palpable energy, charged with the collective devotion of the worshipers. Each chant seemed to resonate deep within the temple walls, amplifying the sense of otherworldliness that pervaded the space. The marble-like material of the walls shimmered with the reflected light, creating an almost hypnotic effect.
Ling Xuan watched as the worshipers, still chanting with unwavering intensity, slowly began to calm. Their voices softened, the fervor gradually ebbing away as the ritual drew to a close. The crystalline skull seemed to relax in response, its pulsating light dimming slightly, though the air remained charged with an underlying tension.
Finally, one of the priests stood up and faced the worshipers. The priest, like the others, was completely naked, his body adorned with intricate, swirling patterns of paint that mirrored the designs on the crystalline skull. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the remaining whispers of the chant died down.
"Thank you for your prayers," the priest spoke, his voice resonant and calm. "Our Lord is delighted by your fervor." His eyes swept over the group, a serene smile playing on his lips. Despite his lack of clothing, he radiated an aura of authority and tranquility, his very presence exuding a sense of deep spiritual connection.
Ling Xuan took in the details of the priest's appearance. The paint on his body seemed to glow faintly in the blue light, enhancing the otherworldly atmosphere of the temple. The intricate patterns formed symbols and shapes that Ling Xuan couldn't quite decipher, but they felt ancient and significant, as if holding a deeper meaning.
The priest gestured towards the exit, inviting the worshipers to leave and make way for the next group. "Please, allow the next seekers to enter and offer their devotion," he continued, his tone gentle but firm.