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*****
The Sun Moon Cult was founded upon the existence of two deities.
Su Wen had long harbored a deep curiosity regarding this religious organization. Looking up from the foot of the Sacred Mountain, he could see thick plumes of faith energy swirling around the peak. At the summit, this energy was so dense that it seemed capable of coalescing into pure power on its own.
In fact, it was highly likely that this faith had already been condensed and was being systematically received by the two deities.
Su Wen ascended the mountain. He did not seek out Elder Yang, nor did he request an audience with the high-ranking officials of the temple. Instead, he unleashed his spiritual power, blanketing the entire Sacred Mountain.
His Martial Soul, the Heavenly Book, manifested and expanded until it blotted out the sun, casting a shadow over the entire peak.
In a sense, Su Wen felt a greater kinship with the Sun Moon Cult than with the Imperial Family. Since he had already brought a large group from the palace to experience the Scholar's Realm, he intended to bring even more from the Cult. Gold ripples of light cascaded down from the hovering book, enveloping the mountain.
On the slopes, the Soul Masters and Soul Engineers of the Sun Moon Cult turned pale. They felt the overwhelming pressure of that spiritual might and the anomalous fluctuations of soul power.
The two Holy Sons, the Hall Masters, and numerous Enshrined Elders rushed out of their palaces, staring up at the massive book in the sky. They felt a tugging sensation—a pull on their spiritual consciousness—the purpose of which remained a mystery to them.
Looking around, everyone except for a few Titled Douluo had already sat down cross-legged, seemingly involuntarily.
Seeing their state, Elder Yang, who seemed to have an inkling of what was happening, spoke up: "This is the reaction when Su Wen pulls people into the Scholar's Realm."
"Su Wen?"
"The fellow who supposedly developed the ten-thousand-year core formation technique. He hails from the Douluo Continent," the Hall Master of the Radiant Sun Hall noted. He had been paying close attention to intelligence regarding Su Wen, so he recalled the details immediately upon Elder Yang's mention.
"So you're saying Su Wen is currently pulling every Soul Master and Soul Engineer on this mountain into that realm?" The Holy Son of the Waning Moon narrowed his slender eyes, his voice carrying a feminine, cold edge.
"Why are the two of us able to resist it?" The Holy Son of the Radiant Sun asked. Despite his rugged, burly appearance, he possessed a keen mind and noticed the discrepancy.
Aside from the Titled Douluo, only the two Holy Sons remained conscious on the mountain. The Radiant Sun Holy Son was self-aware; he was currently only a Soul Saint—not even a Soul Douluo yet. Even if he was special, he shouldn't be this different. They weren't arrogant enough to believe their spiritual power surpassed every Soul Douluo present.
"He's here," the Waning Moon Hall Master said.
She looked toward the distance, where a man exuding an aura of refined elegance was slowly approaching. The others followed her gaze.
"Su Wen."
"I presume you all are the high-ranking members of the Sun Moon Cult?" Su Wen said with a calm smile. "Please forgive my unannounced arrival."
"Even if you hadn't come, we would have sought you out eventually," Elder Yang said. He had been tasked with the liaison work between the Cult and Su Wen, and although that work had never officially begun, it was his duty. He stepped forward to speak. "However, is it not a bit improper for you to act so directly?"
Elder Yang gestured to the surrounding disciples who had all succumbed to the Scholar's Realm. The meaning was clear: pulling so many people in without warning could be seen as an act of goodwill by those who understood, but what about those who didn't? Even those who did might harbor resentment. Even if one is giving gifts, it is customary to give notice first.
Su Wen shook his head, unwilling to get bogged down in social niceties. He had done this to save time—letting them experience the benefits of the realm first. If he had negotiated with the Hall Masters and Holy Sons first, they might have refused to let their followers be pulled in.
The possibility of a breakdown in communication with the Cult was low, as they already knew about the Scholar's Realm and Su Wen's theories. However, precisely because they knew so much, it was harder to tempt the leaders with mere meditation techniques—especially after Su Wen had been missing for so long. The Cult had grown suspicious, assuming Su Wen might have already defected to the Imperial Family.
"Everyone, I shall enter the Scholar's Realm first to see for myself."
No sooner had they finished discussing Su Wen than Elder Yang took the lead, yielding to the calling force. The Hall Masters and Enshrined Elders exchanged looks, their expressions shifting. One by one, they sat cross-legged, allowing their spiritual power to follow the summons of the Heavenly Book into the realm.
Only the two Holy Sons were slow to react and were forced to stay behind to watch over the temple. They couldn't have everyone enter the realm and leave the Sun Moon Temple vulnerable to Su Wen. Even if Su Wen intended to wait patiently, it would be disastrous if he stole precious data or resources. In matters like this, they preferred to be overly cautious.
Su Wen took the opportunity to observe the two Holy Sons closely.
The Waning Moon Holy Son had a delicate, feminine face; his narrow eyes gave off a sinister vibe, and his body radiated a chilling, frigid aura. The Radiant Sun Holy Son was the polar opposite: masculine, rugged, and upright, radiating a searing, intense heat like the sun itself.
Standing together, there was no clashing of auras. Instead, there was a strange, latent harmony between them.
Su Wen's eyes narrowed slightly. This was the very scene he had envisioned—the fusion of Sun and Moon Martial Souls.
Perhaps these two possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill? Even if they didn't, there was clearly a high degree of compatibility between them. With training, that compatibility could likely be heightened further.
"Brother Su," the Radiant Sun Holy Son began. "Lin Tian, the Pavilion Master of the Sun Moon Pavilion in Ninghai City, mentioned that you have only been studying Soul Tools for a few months."
"That is correct."
The Radiant Sun Holy Son's eyes flickered. He asked directly, "Brother Su, did you truly develop the ten-thousand-year core formation technique during that short period of study?"
He gave a wry smile. "I don't mean to doubt you, but I'm sure you understand the significance of that technique. It's hard to imagine a Soul Engineer who has been in the field for less than half a year developing something like that." He seemed to be lamenting his own perceived inadequacy.
Su Wen shook his head. "I wouldn't say it was developed entirely during that time. The Visualization Method I used is a technique from my own cultivation. By applying it to the creation of Soul Tools, the development of the ten-thousand-year core formation became possible."
The two Holy Sons were aware of the existence of the Visualization Method, but because it was so complex, even though Lin Tian had received the inheritance, he hadn't mastered it enough to teach others. Thus, they had only heard of it by name. Hearing Su Wen mention it now, they both looked intrigued.
"If you are interested in the Visualization Method," Su Wen said with a smile, "you are more than welcome to enter the Scholar's Realm and receive the inheritance for yourselves."
(End of Chapter)