074、Summoning of the Divine Spirit

  At some point, a layer of ice had formed on the ground in front of Amun, and the drifting fog had not yet completely dissipated. A layer of white mist clinging to the ground just covered the ice layer, and the surface of the ice layer still had ripples flowing with the fog, as if it was in a semi-melted state, making it even harder to detect.

  If it were usual, Haiwen could still stabilize his body on the ice surface, but at this moment he was already exhausted, and suddenly slipped down. But his reaction was extremely fast, and in a situation where his body was out of control, he did not give up attacking, and the short knife held in both hands was still shining brightly, sweeping towards Amon's waist.

  Amun leaned forward, pushing his staff just in time to block the knife. The blade shattered, and the hilt slid down the staff, the tip of the knife already piercing Amun's chest. If it had gone an inch deeper, it would have pierced his heart and ended his life. But the fight ended at that moment. Amun's staff also struck downward, hitting Haiwen's occipital bone. The warrior didn't even groan before falling to the ground, dead. His short knife slipped from his grasp, and his upper body fell onto Amun's leg. Amun was knocked to the ground and didn't get up for a long time.

  After a long time, Amun struggled to sit up, pushing Haiwen's body aside. The wounds on his back, chest, waist and thighs had stopped bleeding, but the pain was piercing. In the desperate battle just now, he finally won with the help of divine magic, and the remaining weak magical power allowed him to cast only the simplest divine magic with his staff.

  Silently and quietly, a layer of ice condensed on the ground, which was the first thing that Old Maniac had Ah Mon cultivate. At that time, he subdued Ma Qi with this move, and today, when facing a powerful enemy, it was still this move that saved his life at the last moment.

  Amon's legs couldn't even stand up, and he didn't care about the corpses scattered all over the field or the things that had fallen off. He just sat quietly on the spot with his eyes closed, resting. The intense panting gradually subsided. Xue Dingyuan didn't know where he ran to, and he never came back. Amon sat there until nightfall, without opening his eyes or moving. Between life and death, once relaxed, he was so exhausted that he didn't even want to move.

  When the sky was completely dark, Amun finally stretched out one hand to pick up his staff and stood it in front of him. A soft white light quietly fell on his body, which was a healing spell he had spent half a day re-condensing his magic to cast. The wound that no longer bled slowly healed, but the pain and internal injuries did not heal, and he weakly put down his staff and began his nightly meditation practice.

  Just as Amun and Vitru were encountered, Julian in the Strait City-State also couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. The high priest of the Isis Temple had just reviewed Nero's private notes and found the article mentioned in his will, only to realize that the scroll left by Nero for Amun was actually the legendary "Doomsday Storm"!

  It is called a legend because this scroll can hardly be made successfully, except for the records in the secret classics, very few people have really seen it. It is an advanced scroll that can be unfolded with the mastery of intermediate divine techniques, but "Destruction Storm" is different from any other scroll, to activate it, one must pay the price of their own life, and its power cannot be controlled at all.

  Nero spent years pouring his heart and soul into the creation of this scroll, finally reaching the pinnacle of scroll-making art. The Destruction Storm is said to not only consume the user's life force but also destroy all life within its range, even gods are said to be severely injured by it.

  Julian thought of a possibility - if Amun hadn't told the truth, and Nero still had those three scrolls in his hands, then destroying the storm would be the last choice when his life was threatened and he planned to perish with the enemy. If Amun really used this scroll, he would certainly die, and Vitrue and Haibin would not be able to come back either.

  If that's the case, this action would be a loss, the captain of the guard and his trusted followers mysteriously disappeared, Julian didn't know how to explain.

  Julian could only secretly pray for divine protection. Amun hadn't used that scroll, either he wasn't a magician or Vitru and the others hadn't given him the chance to use it. Julian thought again, even if Amun was a magician, it's unlikely he had achieved mid-tier, his worries were unnecessary, and he smiled self-mockingly, wiping away the cold sweat from his forehead.

  As Julian sweated in the seaside city-state, a girl on a large ship in the Roni River also showed a look of surprise.

  This magnificent ship was made of cedar wood, with a crescent-shaped bow and stern, the hull was painted with precious tree lacquer into a beautiful light gold color, on which were carved the hieroglyphs of Aegyptus and various complex divine arrays. In addition to the deck below, the cabin on the deck had three layers, decorated with luxury, mystery, and majesty. It was the sacred barge of the High Priestess of Isis, representing the Pharaoh's control over the divine authority of Aegyptus.

  The annual sacrifice to the Roni River, held twice a year, was presided over by the high priestess of Isis on behalf of the Pharaoh. The ceremony involved throwing groups of cattle and sheep into the Roni River to feed the crocodiles, symbolizing an offering to Aegyptus, the god of the underworld, and Osiris, the protector of the Roni River, making it a very important and grand occasion.

  The holy woman attends only to preside, and the priests lead the people on the shore to throw a certain number of cattle and sheep that have been slaughtered into the river. A group of crocodiles swim over to compete for food, opening their bloody mouths with sharp teeth to tear apart. This terrifying scene makes the hearts of tens of thousands of people deeply reverence the gods in their hearts.

  Maria held the scepter and wore a golden crown, sitting on a high platform far from the shore with an expressionless face. She didn't want to look at the scene by the river, but silently prayed to the goddess Isis in her heart. If it were a few years ago, this gentle and pure girl would never have imagined that she would preside over such a ceremony, but now as the guardian saint of the Temple of Isis, she had no choice but to dedicate everything to the gods.

  After the ceremony, the Holy Lady boarded a boat and sailed away from the shore. She was to represent the goddess Isis on her tour of the Roni River. The multitude of people remained kneeling on the shore, bowing their heads in worship towards the Holy Lady's ship until it disappeared over the horizon.

  The boat was sailing smoothly down the river, and Maria sat on the third floor of the stern, staring at the vast expanse of water, lost in thought. Gabriel stood beside her, his waist hung with a long sword, while below on the deck, the saint's attendants were scattering various offerings into the river, including dough balls smeared with sheep oil shaped like strange beasts, symbolizing the legend of Osiris slaying monsters and protecting the people of Egypt.

  At this moment, the tears of the gods inlaid on the holy maiden's staff suddenly emitted a golden glow, shining on Maria's face. Gabriel's armor also reflected a faint golden light.

  Gabriel was taken aback for a moment and asked in a low voice: "Saintess, what are you doing?"

  Maria slightly furrowed her brow and said, "I didn't do anything nor did I cast any spells. This is the spontaneous resonance of the gods' tears, which actually affected my magic."

  Gabriel asked inexplicably: "What's going on? How can the tears of the gods have a spontaneous response? I've been by your side for so long, and I've never seen anything like this."

  The tears of the gods emitted a golden light for only an instant, and then returned to normal. Maria looked at the staff thoughtfully and said: "I have never seen it before, but ancient books have records, saying that this is the guidance and summons of the gods, symbolizing some kind of metaphor - the gods or the messengers of the gods will arrive."

  Gabriel exclaimed in surprise: "Saint Lady, you're so calm! A legendary miracle like this has appeared, and yet you remain so serene?"

  Maria smiled faintly: "My great warrior, as the holy maiden who guards the divine spirit, I should not be perplexed or surprised by miracles. The turmoil in my heart is beyond your imagination, but I have learned how to conceal it. Just now, I really felt something, as if there was a silent call from somewhere."

  It's been over two years since Maria left Du Ke Town, and she is now eighteen years old. Her body has become more mature than before, but her facial features have not changed much, and she can still be recognized at a glance. However, almost everyone who sees her will no longer remember the Aiqiu of that year. The girl in front of them is already the Guardian Holy Maiden of the Isis Temple, with an inexplicable solemn and majestic aura surrounding her.

  Her eyes were clear and calm, with a silent sorrow, under her gaze, people felt as if they were being watched by the gods, often feeling ashamed and not daring to meet her gaze. This was a change in temperament, but also an inner accumulation, yet always carrying the shadow of that girl Aiqiu from back then, only not everyone could see it.

  Gabriel asked again: "Where did the summoning sensation come from?"

  "Look down there in the distance ahead of us."

  Maria was not aware that the tears of the gods on her staff suddenly emitted a golden light at the same time, Ahmon was vigorously swinging his bones, and the tears of the gods pierced through the divine shield, hitting Vitrue's face. And Ahmon was even more unaware that Maria was sitting on a boat coming up the Roni River, gradually approaching where he was.

  The next morning, when the dawn was barely breaking, Amun finally stood up with his staff. He heard a buzzing noise, and many flies were vibrating their wings on those bodies with wounds. Two wild dogs were also tearing at Obama's remains, startled by Amun, and reluctantly ran back into the mountains.

  Amon gazed at the corpse of Haiwen before him and let out a soft sigh. This warrior had almost killed him, yet in the end, he died by Amon's hand. So far, he was the most formidable and respectable opponent Amon had ever met, but his name remained unknown. If Haiwen hadn't launched that final attack on Amon, he could have escaped unscathed.

  Perhaps thinking Amun was no match, or perhaps having to complete his task, Hawen ultimately fell. Amun did not want his corpse to be devoured by wild dogs, so with a wave of his staff, fireballs fell and flames spread, wrapping around Hawen and incinerating him into ashes.

  Amun thought for a moment, then decided to cremate all the corpses. These people had already been killed by him, and all the grudges had been settled. There was no need to let them expose their bodies in the wilderness, and Amun did not want to leave any traces of this great battle either. Before cremating the bodies, Amun did not forget to search for the belongings of these people, because his things were scattered among the corpses.

  The miscellaneous items found do not need to be counted carefully, there are some divine stones and coins, as well as weapons and wands. The most precious wand is of course Obama's one, and Vitrue's wand is also good. Two scrolls were found on Vitrue's body, and a scroll was left in the ashes after Hawen's cremation. But the two most important relics were both obtained from Vitrue's bosom.

  The first thing was a divine stone with an inlaid array pattern base, looking just like a beautiful lamp. Amun actually recognized it! The old madman's will had taught him how to make various divine instruments, including the "Lamp of Pursuit". If Amun were to collect materials himself, it would be extremely difficult and he wouldn't know how many times he'd fail before succeeding, but today he got a precious finished product. He clearly understood the usage and purpose of this artifact, and only then did he fully understand why he couldn't shake off the pursuit.

  The second item was a letter, sealed in a leather case and treated with divine magic. If the person who received the letter could not open the divine array on the seal, the letter inside would be destroyed when the seal was opened, and nothing could be seen. However, this did not stop Amun, who opened the letter perfectly intact. The content of the letter was written in Egyptian hieroglyphs, which ordinary people couldn't understand either. But Amun happened to be able to read these texts as well.

  The letter was written by Julian to Burk, another high priest of the Isis Temple. After Amun finished reading it, he took a cold breath, for the letter mentioned people he knew - Saint Maria and the Great Warrior Gabriel, as well as some unknown background that he had never understood before.

  Julian and Burke conspired to find a way to get Maria to issue another order, under the pretext of urgent business, to recall him from the Strait City-State back to Dreamflight. The letter also mentioned Gabriel, saying that the Holy Maiden was young and ignorant, and many things were assisted by Gabriel on the side, and they should think of a way to transfer Gabriel away from the Temple, so that she would not have the opportunity to return again. Julian recommended his own guard captain, Haim, saying that this warrior had great hopes of advancing to become a Great Warrior, at which time he could take over the position left by Gabriel.

  Ah Mon originally only knew that Ai Ke had become the Holy Maiden of the Isis Temple, but now he understands that the High Priest of the Isis Temple has other intentions, seemingly unwilling to give up his current power and only wanting to make the Holy Maiden a symbolic puppet, even with plans to harm Gabriel. It seems that Gabriel is now the most trusted assistant by the Holy Maiden's side, whereas the assistant should originally be the High Priest; Ai Ke's days must not be very comfortable either.

  Amon looked for half a day, and he who had just escaped the threat of death began to worry about Aiko again. Anyway, his destination was Meng Fei Si, and he must find a way to deliver this letter to Aiko, so that she could be prepared and on guard. In Amon's mind, Aiko-Maria, although she had become the Holy Maiden of the Isis Temple, was still the weak and pure girl for him.

  Ammon didn't know why he had to go to Dreamflight, was it to see the famous city of Eridu on his journey across the continent? It wasn't until now that he suddenly realized - it was because of Aiko.

  When he first walked out of the deep mountains, facing a strange and unknown world, his first stop was to go to Balen's royal capital to find Medanzo, his second stop was to return Nieru's staff to Haicheng City-State, and his third stop was the hometown that had been lingering in his heart. Ai Ke was in Meng Fei Si, although she was a holy girl who lived above all people, Ah Mon also wanted to take a look at her personally, only then could he put his mind at ease, even if it was just seeing her from afar.

  Seeing this letter, Ah Mon realized that he had come to the right place. Was it really a call and guidance from the gods in the dark?

  Amon carefully put away the letter, and then gathered all the things he needed to take with him into his bones. He set fire to the corpse and the remains. He himself changed into a new suit of clothes sent by Tasuken, throwing the old clothes stained with blood and torn beyond recognition into the flames. The flames wrapped in thick smoke rose up, and everything that had happened here was scattered by the wind.

  Having rested for only one night, Ah Mun was still far from recovered and could hardly pick up the bone from the ground. With great effort, he finally managed to put it into his inner pocket and hide it against his ribs.

  Amon withdrew the iron branches of his staff into his bones, broke off a real branch to use as a crutch and hobbled out of the valley. When the sun rose above the treetops, he finally arrived at the banks of the rushing Roni River, walking south along the river towards its source, where the nearest crossing was in that direction, still with a long way to go.

  The sun wasn't scorching, but Ah Meng was gradually sweating profusely, his whole body covered in cold sweat, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid until he was panting. He felt dizzy, nauseous, his body going limp, and his vision blurring with twinkling lights dancing before his eyes. His footsteps became heavier and heavier, to the point where he could barely lift his feet off the ground, each step leaving a long drag mark on the riverbank, and he had to lean on tree branches just to stand upright.

  This feeling Amun had experienced before, the last time was when he met Abel and Cain brothers outside the city-state of Uruk, that was when he over-consumed his magical powers. And this time what was consumed was not just magic power, physical strength and mental energy had all exceeded the limits that could be endured, plus being injured and losing too much blood, at this moment he couldn't hold on any longer.

  Last night's brief rest didn't help him recover, it just suppressed his injuries. He knew he had to find a populated area quickly, otherwise he would be defenseless and pass out in the wilderness, which would be a dead end. So Amun was forced to gather his spirits at dawn and tidy up the battlefield to head towards the crossing, but his injury suddenly relapsed at this moment, coming on with an unusual ferocity that exceeded his previous expectations.

  The ferry crossing was still far away, and looking around, not a single person could be seen. This desolate riverbank seemed endless and long. A young man's strong and lonely figure slowly walked by, his footsteps getting heavier with each step. With every step he took, the branch in his hand sank deeper into the mud. Finally, there was a "crack" sound, the branch broke, and he fell to the ground.

  Amon strained every nerve to get up, but finally only rolled over and lay on his back on the riverbank, even his eyelids felt as heavy as two mountains. He managed to open his eyes with great difficulty, just in time to face the sunlight that was shooting towards him. The light in front of him flickered and pierced his eyes, as if countless transparent gadflies were dancing wildly, and the mud under him seemed to emit a strange fishy smell, making his consciousness dazed from time to time.

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