https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1037-The-Ritual-Offering-of-the-Old-Evil/13132592/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1039-Out-with-the-Old-In-with-the-New/13132594/
Chapter 1038: Glimpsing the Ancient Temple's Afterimage
Chapter 1038: Glimpsing the Ancient Temple's Afterimage
Chen Chuan took the object and examined it, sensing a subtle connection to the rift. It seemed to be a ritual tool.
Aside from the key, the Old Imperial Court likely intended to use this object to stabilize the expanding rift.
He sought Lan Shengu's opinion, who agreed with this assessment, but added that the object likely had another purpose—it was probably a tool for communicating with the ancient god.
Chen Chuan kept the object for now, deciding to deal with the matters at the Convergence first and address this issue later.
The Grand Prosperity team worked tirelessly throughout the afternoon. As the evening approached, and the Convergence was not suitable for human habitation, they began to retreat in an orderly manner, returning to the hidden repository through the rift as the sky darkened.
Some supplies, including military equipment sufficient for tens of thousands of troops, remained on the plain. Even if they didn't need it, they couldn't leave it for the Old Imperial Court. These were simple tasks that could be completed the next day.
The Old Imperial Court, reeling from the recent blow, couldn't spare any high-level personnel for this area. They wouldn't waste resources fighting over these supplies. If someone wanted to come at night to detonate them, so be it; it would save them some trouble.
Once everyone had retreated through the rift, Chen Chuan glanced at the towering banner with the slogan "Rectify the World, Punish the Tyrannical Court" and, holding the Phoenix-Winged Long Hammer seized from Su Kuo, he turned and entered the rift.
Inside the hidden repository, numerous lights had been lit. The Yangzhi Civic Administration had mobilized additional personnel and vehicles during the day to assist in receiving and transporting the people and materials seized from the Old Imperial Court.
He Feng was waiting there, and after Chen Chuan placed the long hammer down, he stepped forward to salute respectfully, saying, "Director, the search team has been found, and both individuals are safe and sound."
Chen Chuan turned to look, spotting Ren Xiaotian and Lu Ke standing apart from the others.
He smiled and approached them, greeting them, "Brother Ren, Lu Ke, I'm glad you're both safe. Your efforts were crucial in allowing us to act in time."
Lu Ke had been excited to see Chen Chuan, but as he watched him approach, he felt inexplicably nervous, unsure of what to say.
Ren Xiaotian, wearing sunglasses that concealed most of his face, replied, "It's nothing; it's within our capabilities." He added, "Lu Ke has been a great help."
Chen Chuan nodded and smiled, "Well done, Lu Ke."
Lu Ke relaxed upon hearing Chen Chuan's familiar tone. Feeling embarrassed, he scratched his head and said, "It's mostly thanks to Brother Ren; I was just an assistant."
Chen Chuan said, "Get your friends out as soon as possible, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
Lu Ke nodded vigorously, "Yes!"
Chen Chuan continued, "Do you remember your favorite drink, Sha Zhen soda? I miss the taste from those days. Lu Ke, let's have a drink together when we have time."
"Sure," Lu Ke replied, touched that Chen Chuan remembered. He was both moved and excited, saying, "Chen Chuan, we'll have a good drink together!"
Chen Chuan smiled, thinking that this was the right approach, as there were no barriers between them.
He turned to Ren Xiaotian and said, "Brother Ren, I won't say more. I'll treat you to a meal another day, and the reward for this commission won't be small."
Ren Xiaotian responded, "The more, the better. I'm planning to buy a new car."
Chen Chuan smiled, knowing this was an easy matter. Later, he would open the internal purchasing channels for the government-cooperative armed personnel.
Both men knew Chen Chuan had much on his plate, so they exchanged a few words before departing.
Chen Chuan then turned to He Feng, who had been waiting nearby. He Feng hurried over as their eyes met.
Chen Chuan said, "Director He, your Yangzhi Processing Bureau made thorough preparations, which greatly contributed to the success of our operation. Your quick decision-making during the search team's communication was commendable."
He Feng humbly replied, "Our abilities are limited; we can only assist and run errands. The real credit goes to Director Chen, who strategized and led us to victory, defeating the enemy. Without Director Chen, Supervisor Xu, and the other gentlemen, our efforts would have been in vain."
Chen Chuan said, "Every individual played an indispensable role. I've had your contributions meticulously recorded, and I will recommend you and your colleagues from the Processing Bureau for commendation."
He Feng's heart raced with excitement. He stood at attention and saluted, "Yes, I thank the Director."
Chen Chuan nodded, and He Feng, sensing the conversation was over, saluted once more before departing.
Chen Chuan called over the leaders of various departments, asked about their tasks, and then sent them off to their duties.
He instructed those around him to create some distance, and then he unsheathed the Xuejun Knife and headed towards an unoccupied area near the temple.
As he walked, Chen Chuan felt a mental barrier here, similar to what he had experienced earlier. But this time, the peculiar sensation didn't resurface.
He pondered for a moment and realized the difference was that he now carried the statue, which seemed to serve as some sort of pass.
After taking a dozen steps, he saw a spacious passage ahead, with numerous half-carved figures on both sides. All of them had only their upper bodies, their lower halves fused with the stone wall, and their faces contorted in eerie expressions.
At first glance, these figures seemed eerie and terrifying, but upon closer inspection, they became less intimidating. However, as he walked past, the statues seemed to come to life, slowly turning their heads to watch his retreating figure, whispering softly.
Chen Chuan glanced at the second statue, but there was no sign of any illusion, indicating that these statues were indeed moving.
A flash of insight struck him, and he noticed a faint red pattern on the statues, resembling human blood vessels.
He observed closely and realized that these were the 'Divine Blood,' but it wasn't the statues themselves that carried it; it was tiny insects that had infiltrated the statues, merging with them.
His instincts told him that allowing these creatures to exist was inappropriate. With a thought, his body radiated light, and he became like a small sun walking forward.
The light spread, and the red substances within the statues instantly turned black and withered. The statues stopped moving, and cracks appeared on their surfaces, causing them to crumble and fall from the wall.
As he walked, the statues crumbled one by one, their fragments covering the passage behind him.
Chen Chuan continued walking for a long distance until he finally stopped. He found himself on a suspended platform.
The area around him seemed like a vast, hollowed-out space within the mountain.
The most striking feature here was a colossal statue, its material indistinguishable, but its body closely resembled the images on the leather scroll and the small statue.
He was about thirty to forty meters above the ground, and the statue stretched from the ground up to above his head, forcing him to look up. However, the statue's head and many of its outstretched arms had been chopped off.
The statue bore marks of heavy weapon strikes and cracks. Additionally, thick, long chains were bound around it.
On the chains were yellow ritual papers, each about three feet long. It was unclear how many years had passed, but some had become brittle and decayed, leaving only fragments of ritual diagrams and texts that could barely be discerned. The style seemed to blend elements from both the Zen and Mystery Schools.
He examined the chains and noticed that there were originally countless ritual papers attached, but now only a few scattered ones remained. This wasn't due to natural decay but had been forcibly torn off.
Unless something unexpected had happened, this was likely the work of the former imperial court.
He looked down and jumped, landing lightly from the height. After steadying himself, he turned to look back. A few meters behind him, there were alcoves carved into the wall, containing a desiccated corpse.
Judging by the skeleton and shriveled flesh, it was likely a martial artist who had been responsible for guarding this place in life. His spirit had long since vanished, leaving behind an empty shell.
Chen Chuan surveyed the surroundings and noticed numerous alcoves of various sizes, totaling over twenty. Some smaller ones still held remains, while the larger ones were empty.
There were signs that heavy objects had once been inside, leading him to suspect that the former imperial court might have taken these people away.
He circled the statue and soon reached its back, where he found more small statues with similar chopping marks. There were also piles of white bones, haphazardly thrown together. The upper halves of the bones had been chopped off, reminding him of the half-carved figures in the cave.
The signs indicated that this had happened not too long ago, likely a sacrifice by the former imperial court. He didn't want to dwell on the reasons.
He looked up again, recalling how the Mystery and Zen Schools had gone to great lengths to bind this statue. It seemed that Lan Shengu was right; this was indeed an 'High Deity.' Even so, its head had been severed.
If it were to reappear today, the people of this era could also leave a deep impression on it.
As he was observing, his peripheral vision caught something. His aura expanded, and his body slowly rose, bringing him to the back of the statue's severed neck. There was a small, neatly carved hole, containing a palm-sized box.
His gaze fixed on it, and the box slowly floated out, coming to rest before him. He reached out and took it in his hand.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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