CHAPTER 1010: CHAPTER 203: THE MASTER’S BANQUET

[Plankal Town: Facing the Barren Lands, no longer alone; backed by the rocky mountains, like a small Belfast; beautiful environment, enjoying the unique Gold Sand beach; having refuge caves, no longer fearing sea storms; neighbors... nobles, professors... scholars...]

The dilapidated wooden sign stood askew at the edge of the road buried in gravel.

The road behind led to the tranquil town, its outline emerging in the mist.

Ophelia walked in the front, with Lu Li, Puxiu, and the God of the Deep Sea slightly trailing behind, the believers surrounding and following them, infusing life into the silent town.

The ceaselessly eroding sea wind, day and night, had rendered the town’s colors no longer vibrant, overlaying it with a gray veil of gravel.

As they traversed the gravel-paved path through this town, capable of housing hundreds of residents, Lu Li halted the God of the Deep Sea’s impetuous move towards the mountain summit, retracting back to the town.

This was not the Ailen Peninsula, everything around was unfamiliar and unknown.

Lu Li let the believers explore the surroundings, and unfolded the map.

The map of the Lennon Islands before it shattered lacked information of the town, yet it seemed it could be deduced which island it was based on the mountain. The Lennon Islands only had two mountains; Snakehead Mountain and Watchers’ Mountain.

One was on the main isle of the Lennon Islands, the other on an island named Saint Lina — the latter seemed more likely.

No fragmented reefs surrounded the island, Plankal Town was also established during the Old Era, the integrity of the seas and buildings indicating the island was still relatively intact. Evidently — the center of the Lennon Islands was the most thoroughly shattered place.

Southwestern Saint Lina Island exactly corresponded to their location.

"Why don’t you directly ascend the rocky mountain?"

"Because we need to be cautious, look at how many caves there are on the mountain..."

Puxiu looked at Lu Li, who was seriously observing the map, and whispered to the God of the Deep Sea.

"Rocky mountain, caves, you can see the mountain?"

Lu Li frowned, looking up into the distance, the mist still enveloped the entire island, only the silhouette of the mountain was visible.

"Of course, I can see it." Puxiu replied, puzzled.

"I can also... see it." Ophelia said.

Everyone could see the full appearance of the island and the mountain, except in Lu Li’s vision, the mist veiled everything.

Was it because Lu Li was human?

Lu Li asked Puxiu for details of the rocky mountain, sketching out in his mind a barren peak clad only in rocks and deep caves.

The caves were dense and conspicuous, rather than the [Refuge Caves] written on the wooden sign, the entire mountain resembled a beehive, ominous and terrifyingly growing on its body.

"Does residual power affect vision?" Lu Li asked.

"I don’t know..."

"Can your power help me clear the mist?" Lu Li asked again.

"I cannot find the source..."

"Even the recovered residual power couldn’t help you when it revived the whole forest." Puxiu regrettably drooped ears, asked Lu Li again: "Mr. Luli, the fog hasn’t affected you, has it?"

"Not yet."

The Sanity Value Counter remained silent, nor did it produce delirium, except for the palm wound which itched from the tightly bound bandage.

"What’s that?"

Staring at the rocky mountain, Puxiu suddenly exclaimed.

They saw various outlines emerging from the caves. They lined up in two rows, clustering around a peculiar one approaching the town at the foothill.

They seemed to hold no malice. The two rows of peculiar creatures stopped outside the town, while the toad-like fat, bloated creature crawled and knelt, keeping reverent as it approached the people on the street.

"I sense... the presence of my believers."

The God of the Deep Sea murmured in whispers, Lu Li caught sight of the giant frog’s outline within the mist.

The mucus-secreting slippery body was enshrouded with gravel, beneath the buried head rose an eerie shout: "Your most loyal servant guards your sacred body, forever awaiting your return!"

"You know me?" The God of the Deep Sea whispered with solemnity.

The giant frog’s outline trembled at the sound: "The Lord who commands the sea, the ancient deity existing eternally, Guardian God of the world, the ancient master of old, God of the Deep Sea! The humble servant is your most devout believer!"

Their luck was rather good, the third residual body being unexpectedly guarded by a believer still faithful to the God of the Deep Sea.

"Did you just mention a sacred body?"

"Yes, master, it’s at the mountain’s summit!"

"Lead me there."

The giant frog outline dared not lift its head to gaze at the deity, crawling with reverence, shouting: "Your servant feels no faith from them, are they enemies!"

The God of the Deep Sea suddenly fell silent, the shadow beneath the cloak faced the crowd.

Ophelia quietly gathered power, Lu Li watched silently, only the clueless Puxiu noticed nothing.

"They... are my companions." It said.

"Please, God of the Deep Sea, and all the divine envoys, follow the servant."

The giant frog outline, keeping its head low, rose and led them back among its subordinates, setting foot on the rocky mountain.

"By whom did you come to have faith in me?"

Lu Li listened to the God of the Deep Sea’s murmurs, observing the giant frog’s subordinates. They consisted of various peculiar creatures, even seeing ghouls and mantis ghosts among them.

"It was Lord Campbell who guided the servant to become your believer."

"Who is Campbell?" Puxiu whispered at his feet.

"I..." The God of the Deep Sea paused slightly: "Some things are hard to remember clearly. Seems like my believer from the last era."

The giant frog believer led them into the cave. As they went deeper, the rocky walls were replaced by floors covered with carpets and arrangements resembling corridors in a Noble Manor with crystal chandeliers hanging.

The corridor even had windows, outside was an underground garden illuminated by fluorite, vibrant clusters of flowers blossoming amidst the lush green lawn. If not for the absence of natural light, they would have thought they were in some Noble Manor.

Ophelia particularly liked this place, each oil painting on the wall, each statue standing garnered her prolonged attention. She could recognize these renowned oil paintings and sculptures; if not so complete, she’d even think they were genuine.

Puxiu was the same. Seeing the nearly endless books in the library as they passed, enough for him to read until he was old.

However, for Lu Li, everything here was like being shrouded by a veil of isolation from the world. The flowers weren’t vibrant, the oil paintings and statues weren’t substantial, everything gave Lu Li an indescribable sense of detachment, as if the world was rejecting him.

The giant frog soon retreated, preparing for the upcoming ceremony—they still needed to participate in a ritual before retrieving the residual body.

That was a ritual left by the God of the Deep Sea, once an Ancient.

Though the God of the Deep Sea had long forgotten, its devout servant still remembered it. Unfortunately, scarce resources made the giant frog weep for being unable to fully restore the ceremony.

After the banquet ceremony, they would be able to retrieve the residual body. Yet before attending the banquet, they needed to cleanse themselves.

Servants dressed in human attire guided them into guest rooms, bringing hot water and towels, and clothing suited to each of their sizes. Perhaps intentionally arranged by the giant frog, a beautiful young woman, human in appearance at least, entered to attend to Lu Li.

And Lu Li recognized her.

"Jojo."