In the temple hall, behind the Buddha statue, a massive golden lotus flower gleamed. Atop the lotus sat a monk with a stern expression, meditating with his eyes closed.
The monk slightly raised his gaze toward Jay and his companions. His indifferent eyes were like an abyss, as if everything was under his control.
The prayer beads in his hands turned slowly, and he chanted a low Buddhist mantra:
"Ahmitabha. Why are you so fixated on the Black Calamity Land?"
Jay looked at him calmly and replied, "Because my journey doesn't end here, and neither do my purpose or goals."
The monk's lips curled into a faint smile. Rising slowly, he clasped his hands behind his back and spoke softly:
"Do you think the Black Calamity Land is what it seems?"
Jay frowned slightly but remained silent.
The monk continued, "The Black Calamity Land is not a natural disaster; it was created by my guardian spirit. Its purpose is not to block but to devour."
"What?" Jay and Wilk's pupils constricted in shock.
The monk's deep voice reverberated through the air:
"You only know that the Black Calamity Land drains the spiritual power of spirit hosts, but have you ever wondered why ordinary humans and undead can live here peacefully?"
Jay's heart trembled. At that moment, he realized why only spirit hosts were targeted—the monk's goal was them all along.
"You... you're using us as sustenance?" Jay finally spoke, his voice filled with anger and disbelief.
The monk closed his eyes and smiled faintly, showing no concern for Jay's fury. Behind him, the lotus trembled slightly as if resonating with his inner thoughts. His voice echoed once more, deep and ominous:
"Humans, with your ignorance and insatiable desire. You chase power, cross boundaries, yet fail to see the consequences of your actions."
Standing beside Jay, Wilk's expression grew grim. He could feel the oppressive power filling the air, and his doubts deepened. This monk was clearly not an ordinary practitioner but a being of extraordinary strength—perhaps something from a higher dimension. His words carried an undeniable sense of menace.
"If this land is truly created by your 'guardian spirit,' what is its purpose?" Wilk asked cautiously, his voice laced with suspicion.
The monk's smile grew colder, his gaze piercing. "It's simple: to target spirit hosts. Draining your spiritual power is just one step; annihilating spirit hosts entirely is my ultimate goal."
"We're just tools for your schemes?" Wilk growled, his voice trembling with rage. "Then you're not human? What exactly are you after?"
The air seemed to thicken as the monk shook his head. "I'm merely borrowing a human vessel."
Looking at Jay, the monk sneered. "It doesn't matter whether it's you humans or those worthless beings in Spirit Domain City. Your ultimate fate is extinction."
Then, with a faint smile, he added, "Ruling the Spirit Realm is a task best left to beings like us—gods."
Jay and Wilk took a deep breath, realizing they were in serious trouble.
Wilk cursed angrily, "Gods? What nonsense! What gives you the right?"
The monk chuckled. "You spirit hosts have guardians—human, beast, or demon spirits. But some spirits are divine, only to fall into disgrace and foolishly choose to protect humans. That was their mistake."
His gaze grew colder, as if staring at ants.
Jay met his eyes, unyielding. "Gods? Perhaps the only one who has fallen is you."
The monk's smile deepened. "So be it. Now that you've stepped into this place, you cannot leave so easily. One way or another, this land will devour your power and make it mine."
Jay's eyes gleamed with a cold, sharp light. He took a deep breath, and a faint, icy smile appeared on his lips. His voice was resolute and frigid:
"In that case, let me show you what a true god really is!"
As his words fell, a blazing crimson light surged from behind him, tearing apart the silence of this desolate space. A towering war god, clad in fiery red armor, slowly emerged. Holding a spear engulfed in roaring flames, his very presence exuded an overwhelming aura with every step he took.
Jay tilted his head slightly and said coldly, "Ares, it's your time to have some fun."
Ares smirked, his expression bloodthirsty. His sharp gaze locked onto the monk seated atop the lotus. Slowly raising his spear, flames coiled along its length. His voice was deep and arrogant:
"A mere human vessel, no matter where you came from, dares to call yourself a god? Today, I'll show you what it means to be a real god!"
Yet the monk remained indifferent, his prayer beads still turning steadily in his hands. He appeared entirely unaffected by Ares' imposing presence. Raising his head slightly, his gaze was profound and icy, and his tone was eerily calm:
"Be it god or human, none can escape karma in this land. Since you insist on defying me, let's see the extent of your resolve."
Meanwhile, Wilk stood nearby, his eyes sharp and vigilant, gripping his weapon and preparing to assist Jay. Just then, a familiar, chilling laugh echoed in his ears.
"Where do you think you're going?"
A figure appeared, blocking Wilk's path. It was the young monk who had earlier guided them up the mountain. He had shed his simple robes, revealing a muscular physique. A menacing aura surrounded him as he gripped a staff that glinted with a cold metallic light.
Wilk's pupils narrowed as he shouted angrily, "What is the meaning of this?"
The monk smirked, his tone laced with mockery:
"Don't misunderstand. My name is Hayes , and I've simply been ordered to deal with intruders. As for your friend, you'd better pray he survives."
Fury surged in Wilk's chest as he clenched his fists tightly. With a low growl, he said, "If that's the case, I'll shatter your arrogance!"
He raised his hand and summoned his guardian spirit:
"Adam! Come forth!"
A freezing wind swept around him, and a towering figure clad in silver armor, wielding a massive sword, appeared. Adam's expression was solemn, his body emanating an icy aura that instantly dropped the surrounding temperature.
Hayes grin widened as he observed the sight. "Interesting. Looks like I'll get a good workout today." Gripping his staff tightly, his figure suddenly vanished.
"Wilk, be careful!" Adam warned, stepping forward with his sword raised.
Hayes reappeared at Wilk's flank, swinging his staff down with incredible force. Adam reacted swiftly, raising his sword to block the strike. The clash of weapons sent a sharp metallic sound reverberating through the air, and the powerful impact scattered fragments of rock in all directions.
"Your strength is impressive, but let's see how long you can last," Hayes taunted, his voice teasing yet menacing.
Wilk snorted coldly. "You'll regret saying that!"
Two battles erupted simultaneously—one between Ares and the monk, the other between Wilk and Hayes.
Ares swung his spear, unleashing a storm of fire that engulfed the surroundings in blazing red. Each strike carried destructive force, aimed directly at the monk.
The monk remained rooted in place, his prayer beads spinning faster in his hand. He traced intricate patterns in the air with his fingers, summoning a surge of dark energy that formed a massive black barrier, effortlessly deflecting Ares' assaults.
"Nothing but bluster," the monk remarked coolly. Pressing his palms together, he conjured a massive black handprint that descended from the sky, hurtling toward Ares.
Ares snorted disdainfully, thrusting his spear upward to meet the attack head-on. Flames and darkness collided, intertwining in a cataclysmic clash that shook the entire space, as if heralding the end of days.