Wedding ceremony tomorrow

Chapter 211 Temple Horror!

On the Cangshan Mountain, the morning mist lingers.

Ancient trees in the mountains are verdant and towering into the clouds, with gnarled old vines resembling giant pythons.

In the early morning forest, it was cool, damp, and utterly silent.

After Luo Qingfeng and his companions hiked up the mountain, they became more vigilant, keeping their eyes and ears open and not daring to be careless.

The Great Buddha Temple is located atop Cangshan Mountain.

It has now disappeared into the clouds and tree canopy, and is no longer clearly visible.

The ancient morning bell just rang out from the temple, and it seems to still echo in the silent mountains and forests, carrying a sense of distant desolation.

The group discussed amongst themselves in hushed tones as they climbed the rugged path.

When they reached the halfway point of the mountain, Xu Can, who was walking in front, suddenly stopped and gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist.

The people following behind immediately became alert as well.

Just then, a figure emerged from the woods ahead and whispered, "Are you all disciples of the Northern Academy?"

Xu Can, still gripping the hilt of his sword, asked, "Senior Brother Lian from the South Academy?"

The man immediately emerged from the hazy mist, dressed in a blue outfit, tall with a dark complexion and sharp, piercing eyes.

"It really is Senior Brother Lian!"

Xu Can then loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword, stepped forward, and bowed in greeting.

The other party was a disciple of the Earth Rank Department of the Southern Academy, named Lian Sheng, who was the captain of the Southern Academy disciples for this mission.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Can inquired about the situation on the mountain.

Lian Sheng glanced at the people behind him before saying, "I sent two junior brothers up to investigate. According to them, everything seems normal. After the monks in the temple got up and ate breakfast, they chanted sutras in the main hall. There was nothing unusual about them, and they didn't find any trace of the missing disciples."

"Have you detected any demonic energy?"

Xu Can asked.

Lian Sheng nodded and said, "We secretly scouted outside, but we didn't find anything. As for inside, the two of them don't dare to go in yet."

Xu Can frowned and said, "Those disciples couldn't have disappeared without a trace. They should still be in the temple. We must find a way to go in and search for them."

Lian Sheng said in a deep voice, "There are definitely demons in the temple, and quite a few of them. The key question is, how do we get in? Should we go in openly to search for them, or should we send a few people in disguise as worshippers to offer incense and investigate quietly?"

Xu Can thought for a moment and said, "I think we should go in together. The disciples who went in to investigate before have all disappeared, and we haven't found any trace of them yet. If we split up and go in again today, I'm afraid something bad will happen again. With more people, those demons shouldn't dare to act recklessly, and even if they do attack, we won't be afraid with so many of us."

Lian Sheng nodded: "That's what I think too."

The two discussed it in hushed tones for a while before making a decision.

Lian Sheng recruited members from the Southern Academy, bringing the total to six members: two at the Star Transformation Realm and four at the Heaven Opening Realm.

There are seven people in total on the North Campus side.

"Let's go up the mountain!"

After exchanging instructions with their teammates, they gathered together and headed up the mountain.

The South Academy and the North Academy are competitors internally, but they are naturally united against external forces and against demons.

The group of thirteen people quickly traversed the rugged mountain paths and arrived at the summit.

The temple gate was open, but there were no monks guarding it.

Looking inside from the entrance, there is a four-legged bronze incense burner in the courtyard directly opposite the entrance, with sandalwood incense sticks inserted inside, and wisps of smoke rising from it.

From the main hall not far away, the solemn chanting of sutras by monks could be heard.

Inside the temple, everything appeared calm and peaceful, just like always.

The group exchanged glances, and Xu Can and Lian Sheng took the lead and walked into the main hall, followed immediately by the other disciples.

As soon as the group arrived at the entrance of the main hall, a young monk stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and bowed his head, saying, "Esteemed benefactors, would you like to offer incense or draw lots? If you only wish to offer incense and worship Buddha, please proceed to the main hall on the left. If you wish to worship Buddha and draw lots, please wait a moment. The abbot is currently chanting scriptures in the hall with his fellow disciples."

Xu Can said, "Then we'll wait outside. We've long admired the abbot's reputation and would like to meet him."

The young monk lowered his head: "Please wait a moment, benefactor."

He turned and went into the hall.

Xu Can and Lian Sheng turned around and glanced behind them, giving the others a look. Luo Qingfeng and the others immediately split up in pairs and went to explore various parts of the temple.

Luo Qingfeng and Lin Yun, as a group, passed through the round gate and went to the backyard of the temple.

Luo Qingfeng was quite familiar with the Great Buddha Temple, having visited it before and even secretly explored it.

The two went to the back courtyard and inspected the kitchen, woodshed, vegetable garden, wooden house, and other places one by one.

Luo Qingfeng also went through the back door to the back mountain and carefully searched around.

But nothing was gained.

The two met up, whispered their report, and walked together toward the front yard.

By this time, the other disciples had also finished their investigations.

The monks were all gathered in the main hall of the front courtyard chanting scriptures. Only a few monks were doing odd jobs. They were used to seeing these disciples and did not ask any questions.

This calm was unexpected by all the disciples.

Could it be that the temple staff guessed wrong? There are no demons in this temple, and the disciples disappeared elsewhere? Or perhaps the demons have already left.

At this moment, this thought unconsciously surfaced in everyone's minds.

Upon arriving at the front courtyard, Abbot Yunhai of Dafosi Temple had already come out of the main hall and was talking to Xu Can and Lian Sheng in the corridor.

Yunhai merely glanced at the other disciples of the Demon Suppression Academy who had come from various parts of the temple, without asking them any questions.

Luo Qingfeng looked at the abbot and saw that he was the same as before, seemingly unchanged.

Of course, Yunhai didn't recognize him, since he was wearing a mask when he first came here.

The disciples who returned from the investigation all shook their heads at Xu Can and Lian Sheng, indicating that they had not found any trace of the missing disciples, nor had they detected any demonic energy.

The two frowned slightly.

Yunhai sighed and said, "In recent days, some things have indeed happened in our temple, and I know what you all suspect. However, I have not seen those missing disciples of the Demon Suppression Academy. You all say they came up the mountain and entered the temple, but I cannot explain that. Please feel free to search the temple. If necessary, the entire temple is willing to cooperate."

It turned out that Xu Can and Lian Sheng had discussed it and directly stated their purpose to the abbot.

Even if they didn't say it, this abbot, who had lived for so many years, would surely be able to guess what it was.

Xu Can and Lian Sheng exchanged a glance. Xu Can cupped his hands and said, "Master, please forgive us. We have already sent people to check, and it seems that those disciples are indeed not in your temple. Recently, some demonic creatures have appeared in the mountains and forests, so it is likely that those disciples have gone missing there. We will not disturb you any longer."

Lian Sheng also bowed and took his leave.

The sea of ​​clouds bowed in respect.

"Let's go."

Xu Can and Lian Sheng glanced behind them and then led everyone away.

Inside the main hall, the monks remained seated, chanting scriptures.

After the group left the temple, a female disciple from the South Courtyard couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother Lian, are we really leaving? Now that the academy has confirmed that something strange is going on in the temple, we should check it more carefully, and we should check each of the monks one by one."

The other disciples nodded in agreement.

Lian Sheng glanced back at the temple, said nothing, and continued walking down the mountain.

When the group reached the halfway point of the mountain, Lian Shengfang spoke up: "There's definitely something strange about the temple. When we went in to investigate, all the monks were gathered in the main hall chanting sutras. What a coincidence! Just as Brother Xu and I were about to enter the main hall to check, the abbot came out."

"Does Senior Brother Lian mean there's something strange about that main hall?"

The female disciple's expression changed.

Lian Sheng said solemnly, "You've already checked the rest of the temple, only the main hall remains unchecked. All the monks are gathered together, their auras mixed. Even if we go in to check, we might not be able to find anything. And if we do detect demonic energy, we won't be able to confirm it quickly..."

Xu Can continued, "Perhaps this was their scheme from the start. If there are many demons inside, and the hall is full of traps and tricks, we might not be able to get out once we go in."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

Lian Sheng nodded and said, "So we need to go down the mountain temporarily, pretending to search elsewhere. We'll return quietly after dark. As long as the monks aren't gathered together, we'll have a chance to investigate that main hall again."

Everyone then realized what was happening.

"Let's go, continue down the mountain, and search for the monster in the forest on the right. It might be secretly following us."

Lian Sheng walked to the right.

No one dared to say anything more and immediately followed behind.

The mountains and forests are deep and shrouded in mist.

The men dared not be careless and all took out their weapons, ready at any moment.

"It's said that many monsters have recently appeared in these mountains and forests, so everyone should be careful."

Xu Can earnestly gave his instructions.

However, the group searched the mountains and forests for an entire day but found nothing.

Not to mention monsters, not even a single wild animal was found.

There weren't even any birds.

This situation made the group feel increasingly strange.

Such a large forest could not possibly be without any wild animals or birds.

There is only one possibility: something terrible is lurking in the forest.

As dusk fell, the group dared not wander around any longer and immediately returned.

By the time we arrived at the back of the Great Buddha Temple, it was already dark.

"Wait a little longer."

The group sat down to rest in the woods, while Xu Can and Lian Sheng went up to keep watch and discuss matters in hushed tones.

"Chirp—"

A night bird flew overhead, skimming over the treetops, and disappeared into the distant darkness.

Another hour passed.

The night is getting darker.

Lian Sheng then spoke, "Let's go up the mountain!"

The disciples immediately followed behind, climbing up the steep mountainside.

We soon arrived at the back gate of the Great Buddha Temple.

Xu Can went ahead and listened carefully to the wall by the back door for a while. Suddenly, he flashed through the wall.

"The ability to pass through walls!"

The disciples were all somewhat surprised by this supernatural power.

A moment later, the back door quietly opened from the inside.

Xu Can appeared inside the door, waved to the disciples, and indicated that they could go in.

The disciples immediately followed Lian Sheng and entered the temple silently.

Xu Can looked at the five disciples of the North Courtyard and whispered, "Junior Sister Huo Man, you stand guard outside the door. If there is an emergency in the temple, don't worry about us, leave immediately and go to inform the courtyard."

In this situation, we definitely can't let everyone go in. If something happens, they'll all disappear again, and no one will be able to go back and report.

Huo Man said somewhat reluctantly, "Let someone else guard it. I like fighting, not keeping watch."

Xu Can frowned slightly.

Wu Lan quickly whispered, "Junior Sister Huo, you're fast. If there's an emergency, you can quickly call for reinforcements. Let's listen to Senior Brother Xu, shall we?"

Huo Man snorted and said nothing more, turning her gaze to someone.

Lian Sheng also instructed a female disciple named Xu Hui to stay behind.

Then, the others followed behind Xu Can and Lian Sheng, walking silently toward the main hall in the front courtyard.

The temple was dark and silent.

The monks seemed to have all gone to sleep, and there were no lights in any of the rooms.

There was no one along the way.

Xu Can and Lian Sheng led their disciples to the main hall in the front courtyard without any hindrance.

Just as he was about to enter, Lin Yun suddenly spoke up: "Isn't it too quiet?"

The group already sensed something was amiss, and these words only heightened their vigilance and tension.

"You guys wait at the door, I'll go in and take a look first."

Xu Can gave the order, then passed directly through the wall and entered the main hall.

The others waited silently along the corridor walls.

But after a long time, there was no sound from inside the hall, and Xu Can did not come out again.

Ning Yifeng, who was also at the Star Transformation Realm of the Earth Rank in the Northern Academy, sensed something was wrong and quickly called out softly towards the window, "Senior Brother Xu!"

However, there was no response from inside.

Everyone's expression changed.

Lian Sheng made a quick decision: "Let's go in through the main gate!"

He drew his sword directly.

The disciples immediately took out their respective treasures and followed nervously into the main hall.

The main hall was completely silent.

The enormous golden Buddha statue, as if alive, sat on the high platform in the center, its eyes open, silently watching the crowd that had entered the temple.

On the table, on the left and right, were two oil lamps with thin wicks and tiny flames burning above them, barely illuminating a small area.

The rest of the main hall remained completely dark.

The front hall was empty.

Lian Sheng gripped his sword tightly and immediately led the group through the right side of the Buddha statue to the rear hall.

Inside the rear hall, several stone statues of bodhisattvas sat, but the hall was empty.

"Senior Brother Xu!"

Wu Lan's voice trembled slightly.

Seeing this bizarre scene, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

A master of the Star Transformation Realm vanished without a trace?

Just as everyone was at a loss, a strange sound of striking a wooden fish suddenly came from the front hall: "Dong... Dong... Dong..."

The sound was slow, muffled, eerie, and sinister, as if each sound was striking the hearts of the disciples.

Everyone's expression changed drastically.

They just came from the front hall, where there was no one at all!

It's also impossible for a monk to get up in the middle of the night and come over to strike the wooden fish.

The sword in Lian Sheng's hand suddenly glowed, and he immediately turned and walked towards the front hall, saying in a deep voice, "Let's go, let's go take a look!"

As everyone hurried to the front hall, the sound of striking the wooden fish abruptly stopped.

The wooden fish sat quietly on the table, with no one else around.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Lian Sheng walked to the wooden fish, observed it carefully, and while he was pondering, he suddenly looked up at the golden Buddha statue above it.

"Brother Lian... what's wrong?"

A male disciple from the North Courtyard was startled when he suddenly looked up.

Lian Sheng's eyes gleamed with greed as he stared at the enormous golden Buddha statue above, and he said in a deep voice, "When you came in just now, did you see anything in the hands of this Buddha statue?"

Upon hearing this, all the disciples immediately looked towards the Buddha statue's hands.

The Buddha statue has one hand raised to its chest and the other placed flat on its abdomen, with several fingers bent as if forming a mudra. The golden palm on the abdomen seems to be supporting something, a dark, indistinct mass.

Even though everyone had excellent eyesight, they couldn't see clearly at this moment.

"Tick-tock...tick-tock..."

Just then, the sound of dripping water suddenly rang out.

Something seemed to be dripping from between the fingers of the Buddha statue's hand and onto the table below.

Upon closer inspection, everyone realized it was blood!

Lian Sheng's figure flashed, and he leaped up. The sword light in his hand swept across, and the black shadow that was held in the palm of the Buddha statue suddenly rolled down and fell onto the table in front of everyone with a "thud".

It was a bloody head—Xu Can's severed head!

(End of this chapter)