Ch. 342 - Strange Temple

The two stepped on the withered yellow leaves.

The surrounding trees came in all shapes and sizes.

Some bloomed in spring, others grew green leaves in autumn.

Strangely, there were also trees that released fragrant blossoms in winter that lingered for miles.

Most of the trees still followed the seasonal changes.

Yellow leaves fluttered all around, and crisp "crunch" sounds came from beneath their feet.

Occasionally, strong winds would blow down from the mountain peak.

Leaves filled the sky, falling and swirling.

Xu Zimo and Death God Qin moved quickly, reaching the mountainside in just half a day.

Along the way, they passed a few other climbers.

Martial Magnificence Temple was located halfway up the mountain.

It was a rare and magnificent temple.

It stood like a giant beast among the peaks.

Its architecture was steep yet masterfully crafted.

Some great halls hung upside down from cliffs, and other shrines were built between narrow rock gaps.

Standing at the entrance of Martial Magnificence Temple, one could feel the ancient and solemn aura, unmatched by other buildings.

Two towering and ancient bodhi trees stood on either side of the entrance.

They were like two silent, meditating old monks, quietly watching over the gate, seemingly telling their long stories.

Bodhi seeds swayed gently in the breeze.

The temple gates were painted deep vermilion, looking majestic and solemn.

Two bright red lanterns hung at the front.

On each side of the gate stood a stone statue of an animal made from green stone.

Xu Zimo looked closely and realized they were Martial Fire Beasts. Also known as beasts of calamity, they looked a bit like dogs.

Their bodies were pitch-black, with bright red fur on their backs.

Their teeth were razor-sharp on both sides of the mouth.

They were considered vicious beasts.

Although they went extinct during the Desolate Era, legends about them continued to circulate.

It was said they fed on fire and thunder.

But just as they ate fire, what they excreted was also fire.

Wherever they went, blazing flames followed, making them incredibly fearsome.

Seeing these beasts placed at the temple gate left Xu Zimo puzzled.

"Looks like this temple is going to be interesting," Xu Zimo said with a smile.

"If it's connected to that place, how could it be simple?" Death God Qin replied. "They just keep a low profile most of the time. Normal people wouldn't pay attention."

Hearing this, Xu Zimo chuckled.

He walked to the door and knocked on the brass ring.

A dull "bang bang bang" echoed from inside.

Soon after, the vermilion temple gate creaked open.

A disciple with long hair and black robes stepped out.

"Do you need something, benefactor?" the disciple asked curiously.

"I'd like to visit your Martial Magnificence Temple," Xu Zimo replied.

"Sorry, benefactor. It’s not yet spring, so our Thirty-Six Grottos aren’t open. We’re not accepting visitors at this time," the disciple said.

"I’m just passing by and wanted to visit your head. Could you tell your sect leader that a young man named Xu Zimo is here to see him? Ask if he remembers meeting on the Yuan Clan’s ship," Xu Zimo said.

The disciple looked at him with suspicion.

"Please wait here. I’ll go report to the sect leader."

Then he shut the gate.

Martial Magnificence Temple was quite unusual.

Normally, temple leaders were called abbots or heads, but here they were called sect leaders.

The sect leader of Martial Magnificence Temple was Wu Qianjun.

Xu Zimo had met him before on the Yuan Clan’s ship, along with a couple and Yao Shengnan.

…

Martial Magnificence Mountain was unique in many ways.

Even the temple disciples kept long hair, not the typical image of monks.

Not long after, the temple gate opened wide.

An old man in green robes hurried out.

"Young Master Xu, it’s been a long time!" Wu Qianjun greeted warmly, energetic despite his white hair.

"It’s rare for Sect Leader Wu to remember me," Xu Zimo smiled.

"I thought you might’ve forgotten after all this time."

"You’re too kind, Young Master Xu. If it weren’t for the Yuan Clan’s ceremony, I wouldn’t have known you were the Holy Son of the True Martial Sacred Ground," Wu Qianjun chuckled.

"I hope our uninvited visit isn’t too much trouble," Xu Zimo said with a grin, pointing to Death God Qin.

"My friend here greatly admires Martial Magnificence Temple and always wanted to visit. Since we passed by Martial Magnificence Mountain, we figured we’d stop by to see you and take a look around this renowned temple."

"That’s no trouble. It’s just a shame that spring hasn’t come yet, so the Thirty-Six Grottos can’t be opened."

Sect Leader Wu led them inside.

Martial Magnificence Temple was vast.

Inside the gate stood a large incense burner in the center of the courtyard.

It was a common magical item that automatically absorbed and burned incense ashes.

A light fragrance filled the air.

The architecture was very traditional, with most of it in green, red, and blue.

As they walked further in, a monk approached.

He wore a light red robe and had very long, unwashed hair that hung in messy strands down to his chest.

Most notably, he walked barefoot, but his expression was calm and composed.

"Wu Tian, you’re out of seclusion?" Wu Qianjun greeted him.

The monk turned, nodded slightly, and said nothing as he walked away.

"God Meridian Realm," Xu Zimo muttered, frowning as he watched him leave.

This temple really wasn’t simple.

A random monk they ran into was a God Meridian cultivator.

…

"Don’t mind him. That’s just his personality," Wu Qianjun said, clearly used to it.

He turned to Xu Zimo and smiled. "I’ll prepare two meditation rooms for you. You can explore the temple anytime. I’ll have disciples accompany you. I have some matters to attend to shortly."

"That’s fine. Thank you, Sect Leader Wu," Xu Zimo replied with a smile.

They walked west and arrived at a quiet wing of the temple.

At that moment, a group of people walked out of one of the rooms.

They were all dressed in blue robes, carrying long wooden staffs on their backs.

They looked somewhat like warrior monks.

Upon seeing Xu Zimo and his group, the lead monk in the group barked sharply, "Who let you in here?"

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