Walker Of The Worlds

Lin Mu's expression hardened. "That explains everything. The Pestilent Cursed Energy must have seeped into the Qi Channeling Array after the protective formations weakened. And these statues… they are the source."

Just gazing upon them made his skin crawl, an instinctual warning that these relics should not exist. The air around them felt heavy, thick with a sinister energy that sent shivers down his spine. Even the flickering torchlight seemed to dim in their presence, as if afraid to shine upon such abominable creations.

"How do we cleanse this blight?" The Grand Elder's voice was desperate, a rare crack in the composure of a man who had seen centuries of turmoil.

"Amitabha, we will purify it," the Abbot declared with unwavering resolve. "But we will need reinforcements and a large-scale ritual."

"Whatever you need, Abbot. Please, rid us of this misfortune." The Grand Elder bowed deeply, his weathered hands clenched in determination.

"We shall." The Abbot's eyes burned with conviction. "Such corruption has no place in this land."

"We shall support you too," the Ten Petals Company owner added. "If this is something that can threaten the empire, then it can affect our business as well."

"That will be good. This is our unified duty," the Abbot agreed.

"Then I'll speak with the council about it," the Ten Petals Company owner continued. "I'll also inform the emissary of the empire."

"The Emissary?" The Grand Elder was surprised. "Would that be wise?"

"Considering this is the remnant of a demonic power, we are duty-bound to report it. Perhaps they might even know about this Filth Bone River Cult." The Ten Petals Company Owner stated firmly.

"Then we should investigate further while we're still here," Lin Mu suggested, scanning the room. "We might uncover more about them."

"Yes," Daoist Chu agreed.

"Then let's take a look." Lin Mu stepped forward, eyes narrowing as he examined the altar. He quickly spotted a hidden compartment beneath it.

CLICK.

A soft mechanism released, and a concealed drawer slid open, revealing its contents.

"Huh… Looks like we might have some luck after all," Lin Mu muttered, pulling out an old, dusty scroll.

The scroll was about a meter long and thick with age, its edges frayed. Unrolling it carefully, Lin Mu revealed a canvas densely filled with archaic script.

"What's written on it?" the Grand Elder asked, peering over his shoulder.

"This is the Shamanic Script of the Demonic Tribes, isn't it?" the First Elder remarked.

"I'll read it," Lin Mu said, beginning to decipher the ancient text.

The scroll seemed to be some kind of memorial, chronicling the history of the Filth Bone River Cult. At first, Lin Mu had thought they were a tribe or perhaps a sect, but it turned out they were actually a religious faction devoted to worshiping the Evil Demons of Pestilence, Filth, Blight, and Corruption.

The cursed energy permeating this place had been generated through their dark rites, accumulating in the grotesque statues around them. The figures carved into the stone—warped, monstrous, and oozing with a sinister presence—represented the four demons: Pestilence, Filth, Blight, and Corruption.

These deities had been revered not only on the Jiu World but across multiple demon worlds, their influence suppressed by righteous forces who had sought their complete eradication. The Filth Bone River Cult was merely an offshoot that had survived by remaining hidden within the Jiu World's vast wilderness.

However, their downfall came with the expansion of the Shanxi Empire, which had crushed their forces. What happened to the last cultists remained unknown, but they had left behind this hidden temple as a final relic, a beacon for any surviving demons to one day return and rekindle their foul practices.

When Lin Mu finished reading, the group fell into a heavy silence.

"We certainly cannot let this place remain," the Abbot declared grimly.

"Since they were eradicated by the Shanxi Empire, it seems likely that the empire has records about them," Daoist Chu remarked.

"Probably," Lin Mu agreed before turning his attention to the remaining items in the compartment.

His fingers brushed over what appeared to be a small book, but as he lifted it—

Crumble.

It disintegrated in his grasp, reduced to mere dust.

"Sigh… it's deteriorated too much," he lamented. He could only guess what knowledge had been lost—perhaps forbidden techniques or ancient incantations.

"There's still that pouch," Daoist Chu noted.

"Yeah." Lin Mu carefully picked it up, relieved to find it intact. But when he opened it, he frowned.

"Sand?" Daoist Chu leaned closer. "Did its contents deteriorate as well?"

Lin Mu examined it closely. "It looks that way."

"That cannot be helped. This place has been hidden for far too long," the Ten Petals Company owner said.

"Perhaps it's for the best," the Abbot mused. "Such foul things should not exist."

Lin Mu nodded outwardly but secretly stored the contents in his spatial ring, replacing it with common dust. He had recognized the substance immediately.

Spectral Mirror Stones… so this is where they were hidden.

This rare resource was precisely what he needed to master the Spectral Phantasm Strike. He had assumed he would need Lady Kang's assistance to acquire them, but fate had delivered them into his hands.

For now, however, his work here was complete.

"I think I'll take my leave," Lin Mu announced. "There isn't anything left for me to do."

The Grand Elder hesitated before bowing deeply. "I… thank you for your help."

Despite Lin Mu's actions leading to the sect's downfall, the Grand Elder knew the truth. Even if Lin Mu hadn't intervened, their sect had been on the brink of destruction. Their Patriarch's Qi deviation had been proof enough. If he had lost control, what was to stop the other elders from succumbing to similar fates? It would have only been a matter of time before their sect imploded, drawing enemies from every direction.

The others bid Lin Mu farewell, and he left alongside Daoist Chu.

Monk Hushu, however, remained behind to assist the Abbot in purging the temple of its lingering corruption.

As Lin Mu walked away, he could not help but glance at the sky.