Chapter 164: Ancient City

There were many Beastkins in the village, most of them had Three-Star strength. When they saw Xu Feng, their faces showed eager expressions, as if they wanted to come and challenge him.

“I feel like they really want to fight me?” Xu Feng whispered.

The Minotaur Xihua’er chuckled and said quietly, “That’s just how Beast Demon Village is. When they meet an enemy, they rush to fight. When they meet a friend, they also rush to fight first. When they meet a stranger, they can’t wait to fight even more…”

Xu Feng was speechless. This really was a battle-loving race. Fighting was as necessary as eating and sleeping.

“Do you have any herbs here that can increase attributes?” Xu Feng asked.

“Herbs that increase attributes? Yes, they’re in the mountains here. But usually, we eat them as soon as we find them. None are kept in storage. If you want some, you can go into the mountains to search yourself. As long as you don’t trespass into the Celestial Garden at the top of the Main Peak or the Ancient City where the Priest lives, you can enter any of the other mountains here. But be careful of monsters!” Xihua’er said.

Herbs that could increase attributes were extremely rare. The herb Xu Feng had eaten was only the most common kind; there were even more valuable ones than that.

“Xihua’er, what Quality is your longbow? It’s amazing—it pierced that Four Stars Giant Python’s body with one shot,” Xu Feng asked.

“You mean the Giant Hunter Bow? It’s just an ordinary hunting bow, Gold Quality. Its power isn’t because of the bow itself, but because of the one who shoots it!” Xihua’er puffed out his chest proudly.

Creeeak…

Far away, the gate of the Ancient City slowly lifted, and two figures walked out from inside.

“The Priest has another decree to announce,” Xihua’er said with a serious expression, bowing toward the Ancient City.

The two figures from the Ancient City came up to Xu Feng and looked him up and down.

Xu Feng also studied them. They were both Beastkins—one appeared to be a snake beastkin, with a snake’s head and fine scales covering the skin on its face and neck. It had a long tail that slid along the ground as it moved.

The other one had a face that looked quite human, with a square jaw and short, pale golden hair standing straight up. His beard was also golden, and he even had a ring of golden mane around his neck, shimmering like flowing water. He was tall and burly, similar in build to Xihua’er, and radiated a sharp, imposing aura.

The snake beastkin was only Three-Star, while the one with the golden mane was Four Stars. It seemed the higher the strength, the less they differed from humans.

“Guest from afar, welcome to Beast Demon Village. The great Priest invites you to meet him in the Ancient Castle!” The golden-maned Beastkin seemed quite proud, nodding slightly toward Xu Feng.

“The Priest invites you?” Xihua’er looked surprised, turning his bovine head toward Xu Feng.

“Is it rare?” Xu Feng asked.

“Of course. Aside from the Awakening Ceremony, we rarely get to see the Priest,” Xihua’er nodded. “Maybe you’re the first human to come here, so the Priest is a bit curious about you.”

Xu Feng nodded.

“This way, please!”

Xu Feng expressed his thanks and followed the two Beastkins toward the Ancient City.

Passing through the tall city gate, Xu Feng entered the Ancient City. Under his feet was a blue stone path that glittered with starlight. On both sides stood grand structures, with many Ancient Castles and palaces visible in the distance. They looked somewhat old and worn, carrying a sense of historical weight.

“Ahead is the Sanctuary where the Priest lives. Without the Priest’s summons, we cannot enter. Guest from afar, you may go in by yourself. The Priest is waiting for you inside the Sanctuary.”

The two Beastkins bowed to Xu Feng before turning and leaving.

Once they were far from the Sanctuary, the golden-maned Beastkin glanced back toward it, a mocking smile on his face.

“Lord Suoman, he’s just a human who just reached Four Stars. Why would the Priest pay any attention to him? I could crush a weakling like that with one hand,” the snake beastkin beside him hissed, its tongue flicking out with a sharp, sibilant sound.

“The Priest’s thoughts are not for us to guess. Just focus on your duties,” Suoman frowned, staring coldly at the snake beastkin. “Besides, that human is powerful. If you dare to provoke him, be careful he doesn’t kill you.”

“Yes, Lord Suoman!” The snake beastkin seemed quite afraid of the Beastkin beside him, trembling slightly and lowering its head respectfully.

“Let’s leave now. We need to prepare for the next entry into the Celestial Garden. This time, we must accomplish what the Priest requires,” Suoman waved a hand, a trace of worry visible between his brows.

Hearing the words “Celestial Garden,” the snake beastkin’s face showed fear, but it made no sound, only bowing even more humbly as it followed Suoman away.

Xu Feng stepped onto the Sanctuary’s staircase. Faint chanting seemed to whisper in his ears, and pink flower petals swirled before his eyes, falling onto the steps and covering them in a thick layer.

The Sanctuary’s staircase wasn’t high—only a dozen or so steps. With each step, the chanting in Xu Feng’s ears grew louder, though he couldn’t make out the words. The petals before his eyes multiplied, and when Xu Feng reached out, he couldn’t catch any of the swirling petals.

Illusions!

Xu Feng’s heart tightened. He took a deep breath and stopped paying attention to the changes around him, simply lifting his feet to climb toward the Sanctuary.

Back on the Skeletal Road, he had experienced something similar. All of this was an illusion, a test of one’s will. If he lost himself in it, he would become a mindless puppet.

Steadying his mind, Xu Feng kept his head down and slowly ascended. Though it felt like he walked for a long time on just a dozen steps, Xu Feng remained unhurried, steadily moving upward.

Finally, Xu Feng stood before the Sanctuary’s entrance. The chanting and petals vanished the moment he stepped onto the final stair. Looking back, the stairs were just stairs—there were no petals paving the way.

“Come in, Earth’s Chosen!” A voice called from inside the Sanctuary.

Xu Feng entered the Sanctuary, and his gaze first fell on an Altar to the left.

This was a Spacetime Altar, capable of connecting to another world. It seemed that whenever alien invaders arrived, the first thing they did was build a Spacetime Channel to their own world.

However, constructing an Altar required many precious materials. The one in this Sanctuary was only just begun, still a rough outline.

“Earth’s Chosen, what is your purpose in coming here?”

Xu Feng looked up. Priest Hu Tian sat upright on a stone chair, his bright eyes fixed on him.

“I came here to seek Strength, to gain even greater Strength!” Xu Feng said.

Hu Tian’s lips curled slightly, and he nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with pursuing Strength, but there are many ways to do it. For greater Strength, what price are you willing to pay?”