Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2728 1498: Shock and Astonishment (Part 2)
Previously on Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong...
Gazing upward, the enormous structure assembled entirely from colossal stone slabs and pillars emerges as an awe-inspiring and splendid colossal bastion, its loftiest peak undoubtedly surpassing a hundred meters in height.
The pristine white facade of the edifice boasts immense golden motifs as well, evoking a profound majesty that radiates sanctity and inspires deep reverence.
"My goodness, it's way larger than the Temple of Light's main hall, absolutely one of a kind."
Leo Ray stared at the immaculate white colossal stone columns encircling the temple, each rising like a titan, his mind overwhelmed with wonder.
Because of the profound delve into the subterranean depths, Elder Bing had stayed behind this time. Had he joined, the former Chosen Son of God would surely have felt a wave of reminiscence and connection, since shrines of this magnitude were commonplace in the Silver Moon Era.
Surrounding Leo Ray, his other powerful comrades were equally struck with amazement, for such immense and lavish temples had vanished long ago from their world, now devoid of divine presence!
While immersed in this wonder, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Leo Ray's expression once more.
This towering temple dwarfs all other structures; how had their group overlooked it from afar?
"Lord Brave, the Great Temple utilizes space folding in its vicinity, rendering it invisible from distant vantage points."
Old Book appeared to catch Leo Ray's puzzlement and clarified: "This measure also safeguards the Great Temple, given the sheer terror of our foes."
"I understand."
With this explanation, Leo Ray turned to Moli, who nodded in affirmation, confirming the presence of space folding in this location.
"City Lord, might we venture inside the temple for a closer inspection?"
Collecting his thoughts, Leo Ray questioned Old Book.
As he finished, a spark of intrigue lit up Leo Ray's features.
Should the entity enshrined here truly be the Prompting Voice, he yearned to witness its form firsthand.
"Of course, that's precisely my plan moving forward."
Old Book inclined his head, signaling the silver-armored sentinels at the entrance to unseal the temple's doors.
As the massive stone portals groaned open with a resounding grind, a cadre of robust figures clad in spotless white magical robes promptly greeted them upon entry.
Per Old Book's account, these individuals served as the temple's priests, and he himself held the dual roles of city lord and High Priest in this sanctuary.
Stepping into the lavish temple interior, no words could fully capture the sanctity and splendor enveloping the space. Guided by Old Book, the group traversed a chamber brimming with floral arrangements and cascading fountains, arriving shortly at the prayer chamber.
This prayer chamber sprawled out immensely, clearly benefiting from space folding, its inner expanse vastly exceeding the modest exterior and resembling a modest settlement.
Surveying the area, rows upon rows of ornate benches and tiered steps gleamed with golden accents, extending endlessly into the distance.
Within the prayer chamber, multitudes of residents—thousands in number—continued their devotions, forming a breathtakingly grand tableau.
As Old Book described, more than a hundred access points and numerous minor teleportation arrays dotted the temple, sufficient to host the entire city's populace.
Following Old Book's overview, the wonder etched on everyone's faces intensified, including the seasoned Moli's. Pouring such vast resources and effort into building and sustaining this site would be inconceivable even for the Forest Elf tribe!
More accurately, in the current era bereft of gods, no premier power among the Ten Thousand Clans' elite would undertake such an endeavor!
Sensing the astonishment rippling through their group, Leo Ray narrowed his eyes faintly, ultimately fixing his attention on the enormous statue dominating the prayer chamber's far end.
"Is this most probably the likeness of the Prompting Voice?"
Leo Ray examined it closely, picking out additional nuances.
The statue bore an olive laurel crown, swathed in flowing garments, its stance upright and unyielding, with the robe's creases, along with the defined musculature and visible arm hairs, rendered in startling precision—the craftsmanship was masterful.
Furthermore, despite lacking arms for weapons or a staff, the figure clutched an unfurled hefty tome, exuding an aura of holiness and profound wisdom.
The sole baffling aspect for Leo Ray remained the statue's featureless face, utterly smooth without eyes, nose, or mouth, which struck a jarring note.
"Does this represent the actual guise of the Prompting Voice? No face whatsoever."
Leo Ray creased his forehead lightly, clearly caught off guard.
Spotting this anomaly, not just Leo Ray but his other mighty allies mirrored his reaction, their faces clouding with confusion.
"There's no cause for alarm; during Divine Revelation, we sometimes behold the deity's exalted form exactly like this."
Old Book responded calmly, elaborating: "It may stem from our faith not being profound enough to reveal the deity's true visage."
With those words, the Divine Grace Badge adorning Old Book's chest glowed radiantly, and alongside the priests, he prostrated himself before the statue, their countenances grave and pious.
Meanwhile, Leo Ray's entourage remained unmoved, feeling rather incongruous amid the prayer chamber's fervor, for their realm had endured without divine safeguarding for ages.
When Old Book straightened up, Leo Ray gave a subtle nod, pressing: "City Lord, now it's time to reveal details about those adversaries."
"Come with me, please."
Old Book dipped his head solemnly, escorting the assembly from the prayer chamber to a spacious VIP chamber deep within the temple.
"To speak candidly, Lord Brave, our foes are none other than 'Corrosion'!"
Old Book stated directly, his tone grave.
"So it is 'Corrosion' after all?"
Leo Ray showed no shock, whereas Moli, Grey Elder, and several of their potent allies had clearly foreseen this, their brows knitting successively.
After all, probing for signs of 'Corrosion' formed one key aim of their expedition to these ancient ruins. Yet none had anticipated encountering 'Corrosion' in this foreign territory.
"City Lord, don't you hold the [Stone of God]?"
Leo Ray mulled it over briefly before inquiring further.
As everyone knew, the [Stone of God] stood as the sole counter to 'Corrosion', prompting Leo Ray's question.
"Indeed we do, but it's deteriorated to this extent long ago."
Old Book let out a soft sigh, sweeping his hand over the table to unveil several shattered and marred gem fragments.
"What is this...?"
Eyeing the lusterless, fractured pieces of gem, Leo Ray paused in surprise.
Even in their ruined state, these remnants were unmistakably portions of the [Stone of God]!
In the same vein, Sheila and the other Stone Spirits recognized them too, their eyes bulging as they detected a faint familial essence emanating from the shards!
"Wait a moment, I'm puzzled—didn't the [Stone of God] only slumber without sustaining harm?"
Moli observed this as well, her eyes widening in astonishment.
"That's what we believed at the outset."
Old Book's eyes grew shadowed, as he commenced his tale.
Via the elder city lord's chronicles, the group at last grasped that the conflict between the Ten Thousand Clans and 'Corrosion' had raged ceaselessly across this land since the Blank Era.
Initially, humanity dominated via the [Stone of God]'s might, though numerous [Stone of God]s entered dormancy post-victory over 'Corrosion', only to awaken and resume combat thereafter.
In this endless loop, astonishment struck one day as dormancy grew frequent, with many [Stone of God]s developing fissures that worsened, culminating in total fragmentation upon the subsequent clash with 'Corrosion', much like the remnants displayed here.
"Then, on the day the final [Stone of God] splintered, we forfeited every defense against 'Corrosion'."
As Old Book reached this juncture, Leo Ray and his companions stood completely stunned, exchanging glances of sheer disbelief.