The Ancient Gods' Whisper-Chapter 785 - 378: Gu Jianlin’s Way (Part 2)

Gu Jianlin thought to himself that it was indeed like negotiating with a tiger, as he weighed the worn-out doll in his hand.

"What’s inside this?"

He calmly asked, "A Qi guarded this for so many years before giving it to me; it should be very important."

No. 5 responded succinctly, "Petals of the Ghostly Glowing Lotus."

Gu Jianlin’s hand, holding the worn-out doll, recoiled as if electrified.

Back then, Xu Fu once told him on Penglai Fairy Island that one of the highest symbols of the Ancient God Clan, the Sun Candle, corresponded to the ultimate Holy Object, which was that towering Golden Divine Tree.

Then theoretically, the other highest symbol of the Ancient God Clan, Taiyin Youying, should also correspond to something.

Now he already knew the answer.

The Ghostly Glowing Lotus!

"This is something your father obtained through mortal danger many times over. It’s said that the Ghostly Glowing Lotus doesn’t even exist on Earth; its petals were brought by meteors from beyond, making it a nonrenewable resource. The petals can lift the Curse of the Candle Light Divine Tree, and you need to use it to gain the trust of the Jiang Family."

No. 5 eventually typed in a series of cryptic codes, then said, "Good luck."

The communication terminated.

Gu Jianlin put the worn-out doll in his pocket and walked slowly up the long stone steps, following the bell through the massive red torii gate, somehow finding himself alone.

The subordinates of the Si Family, including Old Master Si, seemed to have vanished into thin air.

He guessed that he might have entered an Alchemy Domain, and it was still the awakening bell causing mischief.

This was an isolated time and space, and those traveling with him had all scattered.

If he hadn’t had spiritual immunity, he would probably be seeing endless illusions right now.

Amidst the silence, heartrending wails could be heard, and one could feel the Life Rhythms fading away.

The ancient shrine was already a river of blood, and at the end of the stone steps stood dilapidated bronze pillars, where shackled prisoners with battered bodies were tied up, whipped by the Red Priest with a Blood Whip.

Crack!

The head of a prisoner was struck off by the Blood Whip.

The head rolled like a ball and fell to the ground.

"Useless waste, being used by others without knowing anything."

The Red Priest flicked the Blood Whip, speaking coldly, "Sixty Million Dollars could buy you, but how can you take your wealth with you once you’re dead? Look closely; this is the price of betraying the Dark World!"

Gu Jianlin looked down at the head with eyes that couldn’t rest in peace, then looked up at the shrine.

A heavy bronze bell was suspended in mid-air, rendering the prisoners incapable of resisting through its sound.

"Heh, another one has come."

It was a one-eyed old man, kneeling in prayer to the heavy bronze bell with devout sincerity.

Noticing another person arriving, he grinned, "Hope you’re clean."

Besides him, many others were kneeling, seemingly never having committed betrayal, all praying devoutly to the bell, like pilgrims, swearing to dedicate their lives to their master.

"Kneel."

The Red Priest looked at him coldly, saying indifferently, "This is the awakening bell. If there’s a Devil in your heart, then the evil spirits will have nowhere to hide under the bell. If your soul is pure, then swear before the bell, pledge your eternal loyalty to the darkness, and vow never to betray in this life."

"Don’t try to resist."

His voice was hoarse like iron scraping: "Young Master Chu Ge is watching outside."

Gu Jianlin instinctively frowned, thinking even such words about swearing allegiance to the Dark World could be uttered.

Loyalty to the old ghost of the Jiang Family might be more fitting. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

He glanced at the people kneeling before the awakening bell.

It was obviously impossible to expect him to kneel like some foolish believer.

He never believed in the existence of Gods in this world.

Because the definition of a god is omniscient and omnipotent.

Even Ancient Supremes have things they cannot achieve, so they are not true Gods.

Not worthy of faith.

"Sorry, I refuse."

His eyes devoid of any emotion, he said coldly.

The Red Priest nodded with satisfaction, then reacted, "What did you say?"

Gu Jianlin repeated, "I said, I refuse."

Not only the Red Priest but even the believers kneeling before the awakening bell stared at him in astonishment.

According to the Shadow’s plan, Gu Jianlin was supposed to easily shed any suspicion on himself, then offer a solution to the Curse of the Candle Light Divine Tree, thereby completely gaining the Jiang Family’s trust and uncovering its secrets.

But he was never one to act strictly according to plan.

Therefore, he had an alternate plan for emergencies.

"Is the awakening bell all-powerful?"

Gu Jianlin suddenly asked, "Does the awakening bell work on everyone? Can the awakening bell make the President of the Ether Association speak the truth? Can the awakening bell make the King of Qing reveal their innermost secrets?"

"There never has been anything absolute in this world."

He spoke indifferently, "Step aside; I want to see the Family Head of the Jiang Family."

The Red Priest’s voice turned stern and fierce, "Is Old Master someone you can just see?"

He suddenly drew a long sword, the tachi emanating a chilling cold light, breaking through the air with a shrill wail.

Ghost Slayer Path, Sixth-Order Soul Master!

Such a decisive strike, the trajectory of the blade’s fall completely invisible, only a star-like blade’s flash, this is the Iaido Slash within the Divine Speed Domain, like late cherry blossoms, grim and poetic.

His Sword Skill, having gone through countless refinements, was theoretically capable of instantly killing anyone below the Sixth Rank.