The moment the possessed Daoists touched the barrier, they were thrown back, but they still kept trying to push through. Xu Zimo immediately understood.
"This barrier is a prison for them," he realized.
He didn’t bother with those struggling cultivators and instead walked straight toward the largest hall within the temple complex.
This great hall stood over fifty meters tall, with a gilded exterior and an oval-shaped dome. At the entrance, six red pillars stood tall, and the area was surrounded by iron railings.
Xu Zimo climbed the steps to the front of the hall. Above the door, a plaque read: Hall of Atonement.
He frowned slightly, then pushed open the vermilion doors with a creak and stepped inside.
The hall was divided into several rooms. In the room he first entered, three statues stood prominently in the front.
From left to right.
The first statue was entirely brown, except for its pitch-black facial features. Both hands were raised, the left foot grounded while the right foot was lifted forward. The figure wore golden ribbons wrapped around its body.
The central statue was a one-eyed lone wolf. Its fur was fiery red, and it lay on a platform in a reclining pose somewhat like a Buddha. It gave off an eerie, bizarre feeling.
The right statue was a monk wearing black prayer beads and a dark robe. His entire body was black, including his eyebrows, eyes, and lips, clearly painted with makeup. His ears were especially large, drooping like upside-down leaves.
"What are they even worshiping here?" Xu Zimo muttered in confusion.
At that moment, a cough echoed through the room.
An old man in Daoist robes emerged from one of the side rooms. His face was pale and sickly; he looked weak.
"Who are you?" the old man asked sharply, visibly alarmed.
"I'm just a traveler passing through the mountain," Xu Zimo replied calmly.
"Don’t joke with me. The mountain’s sealed, how did you get up here?" the old man asked coldly.
Power from the God Meridian Realm radiated from his body as he eyed Xu Zimo warily."I'm heading to the Ninelands Region and passed by this place. And I didn’t see any seal," Xu Zimo replied.
"To get to the Ninelands Region, you should've taken another path. This mountain, White Sage Mountain, has been sealed for years. Don’t you know that?" the old man said.
"I’ve never been here before. I came with others," Xu Zimo shrugged.
He then asked, "You’re Master Universe?"
"You're clearly not just some passerby if you know my name," Master Universe squinted suspiciously.
"Relax, your disciple Deepfeather told me," Xu Zimo replied.
"It was him who brought you here," Master Universe murmured, falling silent.
He looked conflicted, and Xu Zimo sensed killing intent from him. The old man struggled between killing and sparing Xu Zimo, but after a long pause, he sighed.
"Stay here tonight. Leave first thing in the morning," Master Universe said quietly.
"This Black Demon Temple sure is lively," Xu Zimo said with a smirk.
"Leave and forget everything you saw. It’s better for you that way," Master Universe replied. "Don’t get involved. Just pretend nothing happened."
"So you’re not going to explain anything?" Xu Zimo asked.
"What’s the point? Just stay put," Master Universe sat cross-legged on a prayer mat and began chanting softly.
Xu Zimo didn’t press him. If the old man didn’t want to talk, there was no point forcing it.
But he remained curious about the beings they were worshiping.
He didn’t leave the hall but instead explored the other rooms. Master Universe didn’t try to stop him.
Each room was similar, filled with statues of strange creatures Xu Zimo had never heard of. It didn’t feel like a Daoist temple at all.
…
The night passed in silence.
As dawn broke, the temple bell rang three times again.
Master Universe had been sitting there the entire night. When the bell rang, he stood and walked out of the hall with Xu Zimo.
“Master!” a voice called out as a chubby Daoist appeared.
Xu Zimo recognized him, it was one of the possessed he saw last night trying to escape through the barrier, just like Deepfeather.
“Master, there’s an outsider here?” the chubby Daoist looked at Xu Zimo in surprise.
“Don’t worry about it. Just clean the Hall of Atonement this morning,” Master Universe said calmly.
The Daoist nodded, humming a little tune as he entered the hall.
Xu Zimo noticed the man’s demeanor was completely different from last night, like he had a split personality.
"This temple’s getting more and more interesting," Xu Zimo muttered with a smile.
Master Universe didn’t respond. He led Xu Zimo back to the Hall of Far Guests and told the group to leave immediately.
When Xu Zimo returned, he found Cai Yue and their attendants chatting with Deepfeather.
“Sister Yue, why did you tie me up?” Deepfeather asked, confused.
Before she could answer, Xu Zimo and Master Universe walked in.
“Master!” Deepfeather called out, shrinking back a little.
“Leave,” Master Universe said coldly to Cai Yue and the others, looking increasingly grim.
Cai Yue looked at Xu Zimo, who shook his head slightly.
“Deepcloud!” Master Universe called.
“Here, Master!” a voice shouted from afar. Soon, a man in a black cloak came running.
He looked plain, except for his unusually large ears that resembled folding screens.
“Escort them down the mountain,” Master Universe instructed. Then, turning to Deepfeather, he said, “You’re coming with me to the Hall of Atonement.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked off, not sparing another glance.
“Everyone, this way please,” Deepcloud said with a smile.
Xu Zimo didn’t say much. He and Cai Yue followed him down the mountain.
“Since I was a kid, this is the first time I’ve seen outsiders come up here,” Deepcloud said curiously.
“What were you doing last night?” Xu Zimo asked him.
“Nothing. I was just meditating and then went to sleep,” Deepcloud replied warmly.
"Looks like none of them remember a thing," Xu Zimo thought, narrowing his eyes.