Chapter 2363: A Demonic Deity
The party walked up the mountain along a sacred path. At first, Salamay’s group was a bit annoyed, but the Demon race guide reminded them that ever since ancient times, everyone had to take this path when they paid their respects to the Priest Temple. Otherwise, it would be viewed as blasphemy against the Demon Deity.
The ‘Lord of Slaughter’ quietly said, “Let’s just take this path and decide what to do when we arrive. Let’s not create a disturbance here.”
Salamay gave the Demon race natives in the distance a look. Even though she wasn’t scared, if there was any conflict, their sheer numbers would be a bit tricky. Thus, she gave the order for her subordinates to go ahead on foot. Inwardly, though, she was quite surprised.
Father is much calmer now than before. If this had been in the past, he would’ve already started a great massacre.
But she didn’t suspect him and just assumed her father’s temper had become much milder after being imprisoned under that mountain seal for thousands of years.
Her attention was soon grabbed by the sculptures off to either side of the temple. Every few meters, there was a sculpture of a ferocious beast. They were made with extraordinary skill and attention to detail. Each one seemed as if a real, living beast lay in wait to swallow them all up.
Salamay’s eyes flickered with light. These were all rather strong beasts from the Monster World. She hadn’t expected this world to have records of their appearances. It seemed the connection between the two worlds was closer than she had imagined.
Her subordinates also clicked their tongues in astonishment. They began to discuss just what kinds of beasts these were. But eventually, there were many statues even they didn’t recognize.
They continued all the way to the mountaintop, where they finally saw that all manner of fiendish-looking humanoid creatures were carved on the massive stone pillars. Even Salamay and the others, who had seen their fair share of shocking things, felt a bit alarmed. They even felt as if they really weren't supposed to look those creatures directly in the eyes.
“This really is strange…” Salamay secretly said to the ‘Lord of Slaughter’, “Father, these humanoid figures seem to be very similar to some legendary beings in our world.”
“Indeed. It seems those legends weren’t just simply legends after all.” The ‘Lord of Slaughter’ noticed that some of these sculptures resembled the ones in the Monster World’s underground city. But there were more that he had never seen before.
These were different from the beast sculptures that had been present along the way. Apart from being fierce, these creatures also carried a mysterious air of holiness. Normally speaking, such fiendish creatures would be the very embodiment of evil, and yet they looked practically divine. The contrast created a particularly special sort of feeling.
The Demon race guides had already prostrated on the ground, kowtowing respectfully.
Meanwhile, Pei Mianman and the other women, apart from Suolun Shi, didn’t really believe in these so-called demonic deities. Even though they could feel some kind of pressure, it wasn't to a point that they would prostrate themselves in worship.
“Father, this is a bit strange. The humanoid figures on those cylindrical pillars look monstrous, but there seems to be a sense of fear in their eyes. Every one of these sculptures is of an entirely different style, and yet they all seem to be paying their respects toward a certain direction in their own way.” Salamay’s observation was very detailed. She quickly noticed the common trait between these sculptures.
“Inside should be the so-called Demon Deity,” the 'Lord of Slaughter' said casually. He then walked straight toward the shrine at the very center. With him taking the lead, Salamay and the others all followed him inside.
The Demon race guides were all lying on the ground, praying devoutly. How could they dare to follow the group?
“Father, just what kind of being is this Demon Deity? Could it be something even more frightening than the Annihilation Beast or something like that?” Salamay asked. Along the way, she had become more and more curious.
Over the past ten thousand years, the Monster World had conquered many worlds. The natives of those worlds usually worshiped their own deities. But all of those deities, without exception, had been just some creatures who were much stronger than ordinary people. And yet, before the powerful Monster World, those deities weren’t even worth mentioning. It was to the extent that when the Monster World was at its strongest, any random monster would have been able to become a deity to those worlds’ natives.
They'd thought that this world’s Demon Deity or whatever would be just like that. But on the way here, even though they hadn’t seen any Demon Deity, they were already a bit intimidated by these statues. Someone who could gain the respect of so many powerful creatures was definitely not ordinary.
The ‘Lord of Slaughter’ said gravely, “It’s probably even stronger.”
After all, someone on the level of the Necropolis Emperor had once been in charge of this world's underworld. This Demon Deity was definitely no pushover either. When Zu An remembered Mi Li stating that this was a special world, that it was a Wonderpoint World that was extremely rare across the cosmos, he felt certain that it definitely had many secrets.
…
While talking, they had already entered the temple. There were three rows of sculptures around them, different from the menacing creatures outside. There were quite a few amiable-looking creatures, but also others that had mocking and angry expressions. There was even one that lay on the ground, fast asleep… It was as if every emotion was displayed by these sculptures. The creatures depicted seemed to be of an even higher rank than the ones on the stone pillars outside.
Those present realized something. These statues likely depicted the Demon Deity’s family members. Each one would be powerful enough to be a ruler in the outside world.
Suolun Shi suddenly kneeled down and muttered some words that were clearly a sincere prayer. Her expression was especially solemn and pious.
Everyone else looked up and saw a massive statue that was dozens of meters tall sitting in the middle.
Salamay was a bit surprised, because this one looked different from the dignified stances of other statues they had seen across the different worlds. This giant statue before them seemed a bit… frivolous.
The Demon Deity's statue was in a seated stance. He didn’t sit upright in a dignified manner, instead leaning against a handrail very casually. His right leg was lifted up to rest on the seat, and his left hand was propping up his head. His right hand rested casually on his raised knee. He looked just like a playboy without any respect.
But they couldn't see his face. He was dressed in voluminous robes, with a mantle over his head that completely covered his face. The only thing that was visible was his sharp chin and the enchanting grin on the corner of his mouth.
“Father, why didn’t they carve the face of this Demon Deity?” Salamay asked, feeling really confused.
The Monster World had conquered so many worlds and seen countless divine sculptures. Every one of them had a proper appearance, one that countless believers over the years recognized. But this divine image didn’t have a face!
“There are some beings that are so powerful that their true names and appearances cannot be known by the people of the world. If someone mentions their name or draws their appearance, the attention of such an indescribable being will be drawn to them. In less serious cases, that someone's soul might scatter, while in more serious cases, their entire world might be destroyed,” the ‘Lord of Slaughter’ explained slowly.
“There were actually beings that powerful…” Salamay swallowed with difficulty. At the same time, she was full of admiration.
As expected of father, he really knows a lot.
How could she know that this ‘Lord of Slaughter’ was actually extremely overwhelmed inside? This sculpture was very similar to the giant sculpture he had encountered in the Tomb of Ten Thousand Dragons. Even though the form and personality was entirely different, its face was also concealed by all kinds of methods, carrying an indescribable air of universality.
He really wondered just what kind of background this Demon Deity had!
When she saw that he was staring at the Demon Deity’s statue absentmindedly for a long time, Salamay couldn't help but quietly remind him, “Father, it’s time to look for that item. Where should we use the key from before?”
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