Pillar of Yita

”Because they haven’t appeared in this world for a long time,” Miss Fairy’s voice was quite calm, as if from another world: ”Because the Blind Followers are already dead, in the middle of the Giant War, slain by the God of Elves. ’The Lady of the Forest stabbed Dika’s heart with a rapier, and he let out a sharp scream, causing a bloody rain to fall across the plains, mountains, and skies above the forest, lasting seven days and nights. Afterwards, this monster turned into a mass of flesh and blood, disappearing into ashes.’

’These are the records in the Holy Book of the Tree Elves.’

Tata, have you read the Tree Elves’ Holy Book?”

Fang Hong turned his head, glancing at Miss Atira not far away.

Scholars have a strong curiosity, always wanting to uncover all the secrets of this world, often landing themselves in trouble. The Tree Elves’ Holy Book is placed in the central area of the Giant Tree Sanctuary, a true forbidden item. Except for a few Holy Chosen of the Lady of the Forest, rarely anyone has read this book.

He feared that once the Miss Elf learned of this, she might just carry out justice and, under the Lady of the Forest’s guidance, stab him through as well.

But Miss Tata replied, ”There are fragments of the Elf Holy Book’s knowledge scattered outside.”

Fang Hong stood still, asking quietly, ”Tata, you say the Blind Followers are already dead, but could it be they have resurrected, just like...”

Just like the Lizardman God.

”It’s completely possible,” Tata nodded, her gaze in Fang Hong’s Mind World, yet her emerald eyes seemed to pierce through the barriers between worlds, quietly observing the long bloodstain in the center of the hall: ”Judging by the scale of the blood ritual, the Blind Followers’ strength is still weak, they should be in the process of revival.”

Another God of Darkness has awakened.

Fang Hong felt something ominous.

The Dark Saints who perished in the Giant War are reviving one after another, does this indicate something? Could it have some mysterious connection with the arrival of the Third Calamity Star?

Yet what he pondered more was—why he always seemed linked to such matters. It was as if ever since Mazak handed him the Ring of Golden Flame, he involuntarily got caught in a massive whirlpool, once wanting to escape, but no matter the struggle—

He only sunk deeper.

Just as the issue with Dragon King Leifgard concluded, now another ’Blind Followers’ appears, will more follow?

He subconsciously overlooked, perhaps the origin of all this was even earlier than ’Traveler’s Rest’. When he was beneath the Elf Ruins, when the mark from the Hailin Crown etched into his bloodline, everything subtly changed.

”Alright.”

Fang Hong sighed softly.

At least he had clarified that these Slave Traders indeed held little connection with the Dragon Worship Sect, and Hilveld’s analysis was proven once again.

However, the people entering the hall had even less understanding of the Dark Saints. Except for Gita showing some thoughtful expression, most probably linked the scene to the ’Cultists’ they’d previously encountered. They had dealt with ’Cultists’ multiple times, even having rich experience; Luo Yu, Gita, and Tianlan all came from Dolifen.

Xiangzi and Elisa had also experienced the Fenris incident.

Even Luo Hao, the latest addition to the group, personally participated in the battle between Idus and Fanric.

Colin Ishurian had many active Dark Followers, but due to the Dragon Witch’s influence, the mainstream remained as Dragon Worshippers.

Among all, it was only Atira who went over to the dark brown bloodstain and examined it for a moment. Miss Elf walked from one end of the hall to the other, bowing her head in thought, without speaking for some time.

And Fang Hong watched this scene, due to the knowledge obtained from Miss Tata—he roughly understood, as a ritualist at the Holy Tree Temple, a believer of the Forest Goddess, Miss Atira should have perceived something. He saw Atira slowly walk to the end of the bloodstain and stop there.

”The blood paves a road leading to a world of bones—” At this moment, Tata spoke again: ”According to the Blind Followers’ customs, this blood road should signify something; today, few know this ritual. These people should have taken little precaution.”

Accompanying her voice, Miss Elf extended her hand, placing her palm against a gray stone wall there.

Fang Hong felt a stir in his heart, comprehending Miss Fairy’s words.

He turned back to Xiangzi and said, ”Xiangzi, detect over there.”

Xiangzi understood, with one hand on his sword sheath, the other holding a magic wand, maintaining a cool demeanor, he walked in that direction.

Abed was somewhat surprised, kindly advising, ”Mr. Ade, the Royal Family’s Guard has thoroughly checked this place inside and out, there should be nothing overlooked. Her Royal Highness—”

He was speaking, but suddenly paused.

Because he saw a glowing light beam from Xiangzi’s magic wand, like a ripple of water, refracting towards the gray stone wall. Moments later, the outline of a glowing door slowly emerged where Miss Atira’s hand rested—

Parker couldn’t help but whistle: ”Is this the eighteenth-level spell you just learned, detecting secret doors?”

”Great, we’ll no longer fear finding the entrance to secret treasure vaults.”

Xiangzi listened, thoughtfully looking at his wand.

Meanwhile, Atira had already found the secret door’s switch.

She pressed down on a brick painted with dark red patterns, which emitted a faint grinding sound and slowly recessed back.

In just a moment, the mechanism behind the stone door issued a rumbling noise, gears turned, dragging the stone door aside to reveal a dark entrance beyond. Behind it lay a flight of steps, tiered downward, with dark red bloodstains like a carpet, sprawled across the stairs, descending until they disappeared into the darkness.

Tianlan and Ai Xiaoxiao then ran in from outside, just catching sight of this, and couldn’t help but exclaim: ”Ah, a secret door!”

And Fang Hong turned back, with a somewhat serious expression, speaking to Abed: ”Mr. Abed, please inform Princess Rupert, to bring in the builders and craftsmen of this structure, and protect them first—”

He was yet to finish speaking when a low growl, unhuman-like, echoed from within the hall.

Fang Hong instinctively turned his head, only to see Miss Atira take a step back, and in the next moment, a blood-red shadow lunged at her.

”Watch out!”

Seeing the Miss Elf about to be injured, Fang Hong couldn’t help but shout softly.

...