The worshipers, now calm and composed, began to file out of the chamber, their expressions a mix of reverence and satisfaction. Ling Xuan watched them go, noting the serene, almost blissful looks on their faces. It was clear that the ritual had deeply affected them, leaving them with a sense of fulfilment.
"Something is going on on this island, and that skull is at the core of it," Ling Xuan furrowed his brows, the lines of worry etched deep into his face. Originally, he had thought that the temple was merely a convent of fanatics and traumatised individuals seeking solace through religion. Yet, he now realised he was wrong. These people were certainly fanatics, but that skull made it difficult to believe that the temple was simply an ancient support group. Instead, it appeared to be a cult, possibly one with dark, otherworldly influences.
"Where there is danger, there lies the opportunity for growth!" Ling Xuan's eyes gleamed with determination. Was his thinking extremely flawed? Yes. Was he stupid? No. Ling Xuan had developed a formidable ultimate move, one that could obliterate Experts, but it could only be used once before leaving his body extremely weakened. To him, this was a trump card against his enemies. If he could make them believe he could easily eliminate their weak, they would send in their more powerful warriors. Only then could he absorb more Qi and grow stronger.
Of course, there was the risk that they would send in Master rank experts or a group of Experts, in which case Ling Xuan would lose. But would they truly expend their Masters to come after him? That was the question he didn't have an answer to. He was well aware of the unpredictable nature of temples and the lengths they would go to in the name of their God.
"Whatever the case, I'll have to get going now." With that, Ling Xuan began his descent from Lhayi Kangpa. The climb down was treacherous, the path winding and narrow, with loose rocks that threatened to give way underfoot. He moved with caution, his senses heightened to the surroundings.
Reaching the bottom, he entered the bustling marketplace. The air was filled with the scent of exotic spices, the clamour of haggling merchants, and the vibrant colours of countless stalls displaying wares from all over the region. Ling Xuan blended into the crowd, his presence seemingly ordinary amidst the throng of people.
Ling Xuan quickly found a place to eat. The small inn was bustling with activity, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. As he sat down and began to browse the menu, his attention was diverted by something peculiar. It wasn't the menu—no, it was someone.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ling Xuan noticed a certain individual. The man's attire was distinctive, a blend of humble simplicity and ritualistic elegance. It was the priest.
Ling Xuan had read enough to know that the priests of the Temple were an incredibly secluded group who rarely ventured outside its sacred walls. They spent most of their time in fervent worship of their god, engaging in ancient rituals and prayers. The sight of a priest in the bustling marketplace was unusual, to say the least, and it only heightened Ling Xuan's curiosity and suspicion.
As Ling Xuan continued observing, the priest turned to look at him and smiled. "Be not shy, Little One," he spoke gently. Then, he stood up and walked out of the inn.
Ling Xuan felt an inexplicable urge to follow the man. Despite his caution, he found himself compelled to obey. He quickly settled his bill and stepped outside, keeping the priest in sight as he made his way through the bustling marketplace and into the more secluded parts of the town.
"Why does every major event with important people always have to happen in jungles?" Ling Xuan sighed as he navigated through the dense foliage. Once again, he had been lured into a jungle.
The priest, now a few steps ahead, turned and smiled. "So, do you want to reveal why you've brought me here?" Ling Xuan asked, his patience waning.
The priest's smile widened as he spoke. "Our Lord has chosen you."
"Chosen me?" Ling Xuan frowned, the words causing a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Slowly, he began to piece together the reason for his presence here.
"Indeed," the priest continued. "But Our Lord has also said you will resist. Thus, it is our duty to bring you to the Temple and let you witness Our Lord's greatness, so you can fulfil your role as His chosen!" The priest's voice was filled with glee and reverence.
As the priest spoke, Ling Xuan noticed several individuals emerging from the trees, where they had likely been hiding. He grinned and cracked his knuckles, feeling a thrill he hadn't experienced in some time. It had been too long since he'd had a real challenge.
"Let's do this!" Ling Xuan shouted, bursting forward toward one of the attackers. He hurled a fist toward the attacker, who dodged it swiftly, responding with a kick of their own. But Ling Xuan caught the kick effortlessly and, using his sheer strength, hurled the attacker toward another who was rushing at him, causing them to collide with a satisfying thud.
"We're just getting started!" Ling Xuan grinned, his muscles slightly bulging as he prepared to engage another attacker.
Potential Transmutation Art: Lower Abdomen Reinforcement!
With a powerful burst, Ling Xuan shot toward his next opponent. However, at that moment, a sudden impact threw him back.
BANG!
Ling Xuan gasped for air as he struggled to comprehend the force that had struck him. "What the hell was that?"
The priest from before stepped forward, his bare arms glowing with a blue hue. "Don't think us priests know naught to fight, Chosen One," he said with a triumphant smile. "This is the blessing of Our Lord Almighty!"
As the priest spoke, his arm shone even brighter, and the other four attackers began to glow as well. Ling Xuan's eyes widened as he realised something he hadn't noticed before. He had been too excited to observe it earlier, but now it was clear—none of these attackers exhibited any signs of being even an Apprentice! They were ordinary men, yet they moved with strength and precision far beyond their natural capabilities.
The priest, seeing Ling Xuan's shock, smiled even wider. "It seems you've begun to understand the greatness of Our Lord Almighty! Very well! Let me show you His greatness!"
With a fervent chant, the priest's arms bulged to even greater levels. "Namkhyi Nyenpo Chenpo'i Mchinpa!" His muscles swelled, veins protruding as the blue hue intensified, casting an eerie glow in the dim jungle light.
The four attackers' arms glowed with deeper hues of blue as they all shot toward Ling Xuan, their expressions filled with determination to beat him to a pulp. Yet Ling Xuan merely welcomed them with a confident grin.
The first attacker hurled a fist at Ling Xuan, who calmly met the punch with his own.
BAM!
The impact resonated through the jungle, a shockwave rippling outward from the point of contact. Ling Xuan's punch was so forceful that the attacker's arm buckled under the pressure.
CRACK!
The sound of bones breaking echoed through the air as the attacker's arm snapped, the blue glow flickering and then fading entirely. The attacker let out a pained cry, stumbling backward, clutching his now useless arm.
Without pausing, Ling Xuan turned to face the second attacker, who leaped at him with a flying kick. Ling Xuan sidestepped swiftly, his movements fluid and precise. As the attacker sailed past him, Ling Xuan grabbed the man's ankle, using his momentum against him to slam him into the ground.
CRASH!
The attacker hit the dirt with a bone-jarring thud, the blue glow around his arm dimming as he struggled to rise.
The remaining two attackers, realizing the severity of their situation, decided to join forces and double-team Ling Xuan. Noticing the approaching enemies, Ling Xuan's eyes narrowed with determination.
Ling Clan Technique - Crimson Barrage!
As the two attackers closed in, Ling Xuan shot toward them, a blur of motion. His fists moved like lightning, each strike a calculated and devastating blow.
BAM!
His first punch landed squarely on the nearest attacker's chest, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the man's body. The attacker stumbled back, his face contorted in pain, the blue glow of his arm flickering as he struggled to remain standing.
THUD!
Ling Xuan didn't pause. He spun around, his other fist connecting with the second attacker's jaw. The impact was brutal, lifting the attacker off his feet and sending him crashing to the ground.
The priest, seeing the scene before him, was unmistakably shocked. Yet as soon as the shock registered, his face returned to its normal expression, a calm mask of serenity. With a voice that was not his own, resonating with an inhumane tone of a higher life form, he spoke.
"Avalokiteśvara Isle."
"What?" Ling Xuan asked, confused by the sudden name.
"Avalokiteśvara Isle is where you shall complete the construction." After saying those words, the priest collapsed to the ground, lifeless.