Chapter 346

Early the next morning, Bao Xi arrived at the Heiyao encampment right on time, accompanied by two guards.

Qi Bai and Lang Ze put on fur cloaks typically worn by guards and pulled their hoods low as they silently followed behind Bao Xi out of the marketplace.

They walked up white jade-carved stone steps, climbing steadily until they reached the mountainside, where the city finally came into view.

The City of the Beast God was built along the mountain. From a distance, the mountain appeared to be divided into five tiers. Each tier had its own gate, guarded by silver-robed sentinels holding swords.

Unlike most mountains, where the temperature dropped the higher you went, this one became warmer as they neared the summit. By the time they reached the boundary between the third and fourth tiers, their fur cloaks already felt unnecessary.

Qi Bai quietly took in his surroundings.

There were noticeably more buildings and beastmen on the fifth and fourth tiers, and most of them were not wearing temple robes. Signs of daily life could be seen everywhere.

These two levels were likely home to common beastmen or lower-ranking temple officials.

From the third tier and upward, the number of buildings dropped sharply. In their place stood palaces carved with intricate patterns — spires, arches, and winding corridors interconnected, lending an air of mystery and solemnity.

It was from this tier upward that the Central Temple began.

“Who goes there?”

Just as the three of them were about to pass through the gate to the first tier, a voice called out abruptly.

Bao Xi turned around and looked at the speaker calmly. “Zhan Shenshi, I am Bao Xi of Qitu City, summoned to the First Tier of the Holy City.”

“How presumptuous. The First Tier houses the Great Shen Si’s temple. How dare a mere Si Shi bring guards?” Zhan Shenshi's eyes darted sharply. “Only you were summoned. You may go up, but your guards must stay behind.”

“Since when did matters of the First Tier require Qin Shensi’s approval?”

A gentle floral scent floated in the air. With his hood obscuring his view, Qi Bai could only catch a glimpse of a flowing white robe descending the stone steps.

The guards at the gate gripped their bone-blades and held them upright at their chests. In unison, they shouted, “Jia Shenshi!”

Jia Shenshi stopped in the center of the stone gate, eyes lowered from above.

“Jia Shenshi,” Zhan Shenshi bowed his head, the darkness in his eyes vanishing when he looked up again. “There’s been a misunderstanding. Qin Shensi isn’t aware of this matter. I only feared that an inexperienced Si Shi might offend the Great Shen Si.”

He straightened up and forced a smile. “I don't believe Bao Xi Si Shi meant any offense. Jia Shenshi, perhaps it would be best not to punish them.”

Jia Shenshi cast a glance at the beastmen below and elegantly turned around. “Come with me.” Then he began to walk uphill without looking back.

Zhan Shenshi was ignored, and his face flickered with suppressed anger. Just as he tried to follow, a clang-clang of weapons made him stumble back.

Twelve silver-robed guards simultaneously lowered their bone-blades, both hands folded over the hilts, and turned in unison to face the path downward — subtly blocking the entrance to the First Tier.

Zhan Shenshi tried to take two steps forward, but when the guards didn’t move an inch, he angrily flicked his sleeve and left, unwillingly.

Once they passed into the First Tier, Qi Bai finally lifted his head to look at the person who had come to escort them — Jia Shenshi — and was struck by a sight: waist-length black hair, flowing like ink.

Plenty of beastmen kept their hair long, but Qi Bai had never seen hair this long or this beautiful, on man or woman.

While Qi Bai was still admiring it, the person ahead suddenly turned their head and locked eyes with him.

Elegant and aloof — unlike any beastman Qi Bai had ever met on the continent — Jia Shenshi resembled more a noble youth untouched by the dust of the world.

No… Qi Bai quickly corrected himself. In the depths of those glass-like eyes, he saw emotions far deeper, carefully concealed.

Of course. This person appeared to be around Bao Xi’s age, yet had already become a Shenshi of the Great Shen Si. There was no way he was an ordinary man.

“I hope next time we meet, it won’t be under such troublesome circumstances.”

After a few seconds of eye contact, Jia Shenshi spoke this cryptic sentence, then turned and continued walking in silence.

Qi Bai was still turning the words over in his mind when the group entered a garden — meticulously trimmed hedges and flower beds, fresh green vines crawling up courtyard walls, blooming with roses of all colors.

At the garden’s far end stood a pavilion made of bird bones, with two rows of attendants outside. Inside, a white-robed elder sat quietly, gazing at the sea of snow in the distance.

Hearing movement in the courtyard, the elder turned his head. Sunlight poured through the openwork dome, casting a soft glow around him. From a distance, it looked as if he were bathed in divine light.

Lang Ze noticed that Qi Bai had suddenly paused mid-step. Curious, he turned to glance at him.

Qi Bai furrowed his brows slightly and, without making a sound, placed a hand under his cloak and discreetly tugged something from his chest.

Lang Ze narrowed his eyes slightly. That item around Qi Bai’s neck…

Before Lang Ze could finish the thought, they had already crossed the garden path and arrived before the bone pavilion.

“Great Shen Si,” Jia Shenshi bowed deeply and stepped aside. “The people of Heiyao are here.”

By now, Qi Bai had regained his composure. He and Lang Ze simultaneously removed their cloaks and bowed respectfully.

“Heiyao’s Bao Bai, greetings to the Great Shen Si.”

“Heiyao’s Lang Ze, greetings to the Great Shen Si.”

The Great Shen Si looked at them with a momentary flash of emotion in his eyes, but the expression vanished so quickly that even the two men bowing before him didn’t notice — nor did his personal attendants standing nearby.

Once they raised their heads, the Great Shen Si said warmly, “I’ve heard that a new city has risen in the north, filled with novel things. After seeing what you sent yesterday, it truly is fascinating. Pity that I’m too burdened by temple affairs, or I’d go see it myself.”

Though his tone was relaxed and even friendly, it couldn’t mask the innate authority radiating from him — the aura of one who stood above all others.

Qi Bai and Lang Ze, of course, didn’t dare be misled by his words. They hadn’t forgotten where they stood — and that this seemingly frail elder was the most powerful beastman on the entire continent.

Qi Bai responded respectfully, “What we’ve created are just small trinkets. If they’ve piqued your interest, it is our great honor.”

“What’s good is good,” the Great Shen Si looked down toward the marketplace below. “Seeing these things made me realize — though the temple protects more and more beastmen each year, the tributes from the various tribes are the same old things over and over again.”

“I hear that the items you’ve made aren’t just for your own tribe’s use, but are being traded with many other cities and tribes?”

Qi Bai nodded. “Just as you said, Great Shen Si.”

“Not bad,” the Great Shen Si said mildly. “All beastmen of the continent are the children of the Beast God. The tribes ought to help one another.”

“The artisans in the temple are highly skilled, but even they may run out of inspiration someday.” He looked toward Jia Shenshi and his personal Shenshi, Pi, and continued, “You’ve been in the City of the Beast God too long, with nothing but the sky above Sacred Mountain in view. Don’t forget — the continent is vast and rich, and the wisdom of beastmen is boundless.”

Pi Shenshi bowed his head. “Your teachings are true, Great Shen Si. Unfortunately, I was too ignorant to understand — until I saw Heiyao.”

Jia Shenshi lowered his gaze as well, clearly taking the message to heart.

“You are both still young. It’s not too late to understand now.”

Pi Shenshi added, “But understanding alone isn’t enough. I’ve heard that many tribes are eyeing Heiyao’s wealth, hoping to claim it for themselves.”

The Great Shen Si’s eyelids lowered slightly. “The great Beast God has slumbered too long. His children have forgotten what this land once was. They are now blinded by slaughter and greed.”

After a pause, he sighed softly and asked Qi Bai and Lang Ze, “Would you be willing to join the temple and receive the protection of the City of the Beast God? After that, no one would dare harm you.”

Pi Shenshi held his breath, waiting for that expected yes.

But he had clearly underestimated Qi Bai and Lang Ze’s resolve — or overestimated the Central Temple’s appeal to Heiyao.

Lang Ze’s expression didn’t change. “We thank you for your kind offer, Great Shen Si, but we

currently have no plans to join the temple.”

The congratulatory words Pi Shenshi had been ready to say got caught in his throat. He couldn’t help but interject, “Do you not understand your situation?”

“Heiyao is like a young beast caught in a trap — already surrounded by predators. Once the strongest among them wins, they’ll come for you next. Your only way out, your only chance at survival, is to join the temple and accept the Great Shen Si’s protection. Don’t be foolish. Don’t throw away a chance others would die for.”

Qi Bai said calmly, “Heiyao does face strong enemies. But these hardships will keep us vigilant and force us to grow stronger. Perhaps then will be the right time for us to join the temple.”

Qi Bai and Lang Ze were certain — Heiyao would never join the temple. But they left things open-ended. This was not the right time to fall out with the Great Shen Si.

Pi Shenshi wanted to say more, but the Great Shen Si raised a hand to stop him.

“There’s no need to decide now. After the Grand Assembly, perhaps you’ll change your minds.”

At that moment, two attendants approached with two bone boxes. The Great Shen Si said calmly, “These are fruits of the Dan Tree of Sacred Mountain — eating them wards off all poisons. The Dan Tree bears fruit only once every hundred years. These two just ripened this morning. It seems you are fated to receive them.”

Qi Bai and Lang Ze accepted the bone boxes solemnly. Even their gifts reflected the Great Shen Si’s power — rare and priceless.

Even Pi Shenshi was stunned. He had personally prepared the gifts for the city lord and priest of Heiyao a few days ago — he had no idea the Great Shen Si had switched them for Dan fruits.

The Great Shen Si closed his eyes and waved his hand. “I’m tired. You may go.”

Qi Bai and Lang Ze exchanged a glance, bowed with the bone boxes, and took their leave.

One by one, the beastmen in the courtyard left. But suddenly, the Great Shen Si opened his eyes.

“You, the young one from the Ling Bao Tribe.”

His voice rang clearly in Bao Xi’s ears, though the others acted as if they heard nothing. Bao Xi glanced at the tall figure ahead of him, then turned and walked back to the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, only the Great Shen Si remained. Leaning against the back of his chair, he looked slumped and tired — no longer glowing with divine energy. Even his voice sounded far older.

“I have old ties with your Ling Bao Tribe. If you’ve heard the rumors… they may not be false.”

Bao Xi clenched his fists. Though the Great Shen Si didn’t say it outright, he instinctively knew which rumors he meant — and vaguely understood why he had been called back alone.

“A disaster is coming. Tell me… what is your choice?”