The crimson sunset bathed the ancient trees lining the path to the Great Mercy Temple's library, casting eerie shadows over the moss-covered stones. Dare Drake Tran stood before the heavy wooden gate, sensing a chill that crept down his spine—a sensation unusual for a cultivator of his level.
"Master, this place…" whispered Luna Snow, her tone betraying a hint of unease. The soft evening light played across her delicate features, illuminating her large, dark eyes which now held an unreadable worry.
Dare nodded, his gaze fixed on the intricate carvings etched into the gate. "I sense it, too. There's something… off here." Activating his livestream, he spoke in a low tone, "Greetings, friends. Today, we're diving into a unique place—the ancient library of Great Mercy Temple."
[Viewers tuning in: 500+]
CelestialPalace_001: "This place... holds more secrets than you can imagine."
Behind them, Zhu Bajie studied the old inscriptions on the gate with rare seriousness. "These symbols… I've seen them before. They're straight out of Heaven's records."
The gate opened slowly with a haunting creak, as if time itself groaned. Dust floated through the dim light, casting ethereal beams. Luna moved ahead, her movements light and precise as she lit the aged oil lamps lining the shadowed hall.
"We must proceed carefully," she murmured softly, her voice like a thin thread in the dense quiet. "This place has countless ancient defensive mechanisms. A single misstep could trigger devastating consequences."
CelestialPalace_001: "Be wary. Not all secrets should be uncovered."
Stepping cautiously into the dim library, Dare felt as if he were walking on layers of history, each step sinking into ancient dust. The soft glow of the lamps revealed towering shelves filled with thousands of ancient texts, their aged parchment scent mingling with faint traces of ink.
[Viewers: 5,000+]
Comment: "These shelves are eerie… it feels as though they're watching."Comment: "Is it just me, or does anyone else feel a chill?"
Dare's attention was caught by an old stone pillar. Illuminated by the flickering lamps, ancient carvings etched into the stone seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive. When he brushed his fingers against the grooves, he felt a dormant power, echoing from the past.
"These symbols…" Zhu Bajie said, his tone grave. "I've seen them in the Jade Emperor's palace. These are celestial script!"
[Viewers: 10,000+]
CelestialPalace_002: "Traces of the past never truly fade."
Luna Snow's eyes widened with a hint of anxiety. "Master… yes, Great Mercy Temple has… certain ties with the Celestial Realm." Her voice was soft, but in the oppressive silence of the library, each word rang as clear as a bell.
Suddenly, one of the ancient symbols on the pillar glowed a ghastly green, casting an unsettling aura. The air turned heavy, as if countless invisible eyes were now watching them.
"Watch out!" Zhu Bajie shouted, yanking Dare back. "This is a celestial defense mechanism—it could…"
But before he could finish, a deep, rumbling sound echoed from beneath their feet, like the breath of an ancient beast awakening. Luna moved swiftly to the pillar, her slender hands tracing intricate patterns in the air.
"Let me handle this!" Her voice had dropped, steady with newfound determination. Her fingers danced, leaving delicate trails of light as she whispered incantations in an ancient tongue, words that Dare had never heard before.
[Viewers: 20,000+]
Comment: "The Celestial Realm? Why are its traces here?"Comment: "How does Luna Snow know these symbols?"
The eerie glow gradually dimmed, but the air remained thick with unease. Dare watched his disciple intently, wondering how Luna had come to know such complex techniques that went far beyond the knowledge of ordinary healers.
CelestialPalace_001: "There are secrets long buried here…"
While Luna worked to stabilize the defenses, Dare ventured deeper into the library. The faint lamp lights cast strange shadows over towering shelves as he moved, until his eyes landed on an unusual tome resting on a pedestal carved with ancient symbols.
"This is…" He picked up the book, feeling a chilling aura radiate from the aged leather cover. As he opened it, rows of ancient script filled the pages, though parts of it had been deliberately blotted out.
Zhu Bajie glanced over his shoulder, his face going pale. "These are records on… soul harvesting?" His voice quivered, disbelief etched in his expression. "Why would something like this be in a temple?"
[Viewers: 30,000+]
Comment: "Soul harvesting? What exactly is this temple hiding?"CelestialPalace_002: "The truth is slowly unraveling…"
"Master!" Luna's urgent voice cut through the heavy air. Her face showed both worry and, strangely, a spark of recognition when her gaze fell on the tome in Dare's hands. "That's…"
"Yes," Dare replied, his eyes not leaving the ancient pages. "This records methods for gathering and refining souls. But why would such a text be here?"
A low sound echoed through the depths of the library as other symbols along the stone pillars began to glow, like eerie beacons in the shadows. The atmosphere grew oppressively thick, a heavy presence bearing down upon them.
"We have to leave," Zhu Bajie warned, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "The defenses are activating fully. If we don't leave now, we're in serious danger!"
CelestialPalace_001: "It's time to retreat. Some secrets require patience to understand…"
Dare quickly stowed the book into his storage space as the pressure around them intensified. The stone pillars trembled, sending clouds of dust raining down from the ceiling, creating an almost stifling environment.
[Viewers: 50,000+]
Comment: "Get out of there! Something's wrong!"Comment: "The symbols… they're reacting more intensely!"
"Behind you!" Luna cried, her eyes wide with alarm. An arrow of green light shot forth from a pillar, slicing through the air. With a swift motion, Luna pushed Dare aside, tracing a protection sigil in the air.
The ghostly light struck her sigil with a muted explosion, shaking the nearby shelves and scattering clouds of dust. Dare observed in awe as Luna's calm, concentrated expression held despite the formidable energy she was channeling.
CelestialPalace_002: "Secrets aren't confined to books alone…"
With no time to reflect on her remarkable abilities, Dare grabbed Luna's hand and pulled her towards the exit. Zhu Bajie followed closely, occasionally glancing back to deflect the strange energies emanating from the pillars.
"Look out!" Zhu Bajie shouted as a massive shelf tipped over, blocking their path. With no other option, the trio ducked and weaved their way through narrow spaces as ancient books tumbled around them like rain.
[Viewers: 100,000+]
Comment: "The Celestial Realm, dark arts, this temple… how are they all connected?"CelestialPalace_001: "This is only the beginning of secrets…"
Finally, they burst out into the open air, gasping as the heavy wooden doors slammed shut behind them, reverberating through the stillness of dusk.
[Mission Complete: "Uncover the Library's Mystery"]
[Reward: 200 Credits + Skillbook: "Celestial Script Mastery"]
Standing up straight, Dare cast a thoughtful look back at the ancient library. A hundred questions buzzed in his mind—about the celestial symbols, the dark text, and especially the mysterious abilities Luna had just displayed.
"Master…" Luna whispered, her hands trembling slightly. She gazed at him, her dark eyes reflecting a mix of unspoken thoughts and emotions.
[Viewers: 150,000+]
Comment: "Those symbols Luna used—those aren't typical temple arts!"Comment: "Could she be from the Celestial Realm, too?"
Zhu Bajie glanced between Dare and Luna, a long sigh escaping him. "I think we've just brushed against one of Great Mercy Temple's darkest secrets. Those symbols… they're more than just celestial script."
"Yes," Dare replied, patting the space where he'd stored the mysterious book. "This shows that the temple has connections with the Celestial Realm. But why is there a link to dark arts here as well?"
CelestialPalace_001: "The brightest light can hide the darkest shadows."
The twilight deepened, and the last light of day was replaced by an encroaching darkness. In the fading light, the faintly glowing symbols on the walls of the library remained, like ghostly eyes following their every move.
"Master," Luna finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps… I should tell you more about myself."
But before she could continue, a rustling from the nearby bushes startled them. They turned just in time to see a shadow flit through the trees, carrying a familiar chill—an aura of dark energy.
CelestialPalace_002: "Someone is watching you…"
"Wait!" Dare raised a hand, stopping Luna. "Now isn't the time. We need to leave. We're not alone here."
[Viewers: 200,000+]
Comment: "Dark energy! There's definitely something sinister in that temple!"Comment: "Run! The situation is getting dangerous!"
Zhu Bajie took position at the rear, his expression more serious than usual. "Let's go. But something tells me this is only the beginning. The secrets of Great Mercy Temple, the Celestial Realm… and even"—he glanced meaningfully at Luna—"our own pasts, are starting to emerge."
As they left the shadowy confines of the library, Dare's mind was a whirl of all they had uncovered—the celestial symbols, the dark texts, Luna's inexplicable abilities, and the lurking shadow. Each was a piece of a puzzle that seemed to hold far more than even he had anticipated.
CelestialPalace_001: "Tonight marks the beginning of many changes. Prepare yourselves…"
The livestream ended with over 200,000 viewers, leaving countless questions unanswered. But in his heart, Dare knew that this journey to unravel the mysteries of the Great Mercy Temple had only begun, and that the secrets they would face next could be far more dangerous than what they had found hidden in the ancient library.