Dilawang didn't lead Lin Xingyun and the other three into the bustling city of Siem Reap. Instead, they detoured to the city's outskirts, following an ancient path gradually eroded by dense tropical jungle. The air was thick with the aroma of humus, the rich fragrance of exotic flowers, and an all-pervasive silence and antiquity of stone. Among the branches of towering ancient trees, one could occasionally glimpse a broken stone lintel or the remains of a wall with vaguely carved deities, hinting that this was once part of a vast architectural complex.
"We're heading to a long-lost hermitage from the Angkor era," Dilawang explained in his accented English as they walked, his voice resonating clearly in the quiet forest. "It was once a place of retreat, connecting with heaven and earth, with the gods and Buddhas. After the sacred rain, certain ancient 'echoes' have become clearer there."
The path grew increasingly difficult, entwined with vines and venomous insects. Buakaw wielded his machete, clearing the way. His brute strength proved invaluable in this environment. Aisha and Nguyen Thi Mai carefully avoided the thorny plants. They could sense that creatures, rendered more aggressive by psychic powers, lurked deep within the jungle, but they seemed afraid of the calm yet resolute aura emanating from Dilawang, and dared not approach.
Finally, after passing through a nearly lightless bamboo forest, the view opened up. A hidden valley, half surrounded by a circular mountain wall, lay before them. In the center of the valley stood a square platform constructed entirely of massive, dark blue rocks. Though low, it exuded an indescribable heaviness. Several heavily weathered stone statues stood atop it, vaguely recognizable as Buddhas and guardian beasts. Most striking was the oval boulder in the center, half a man's height. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, as if honed by countless hands for millennia. "This is it," Dilawang paused and turned to face the four. "This valley, this platform, and especially that 'Mirror Stone', can reflect the depth of a person's inner connection to this ancient land. Place your hands on the Mirror Stone and release your spiritual energy. The platform will respond based on your 'qualifications.'"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the four people before settling on Lin Xingyun. "The response could be recognition, a revelation, or perhaps... a test. Those who fail the test will be repelled by the platform's power, even harmed. There's still time to regret."
Lin Xingyun, without hesitation, took the lead and walked towards the platform. The moment he stepped onto the stone steps, he felt a majestic and desolate energy envelop him, as if every step was treading on the pulse of history. He reached the smooth 'Mirror Stone,' took a deep breath, and slowly pressed his right hand against it.
The moment his palm touched the stone, the cold touch instantly transformed into warmth! A radiance seemed to flow within the Mirror Stone, and then, Lin Xingyun's consciousness was suddenly drawn into a dreamland! He was no longer standing on a platform, but suspended from a god's perspective, overlooking the millennia-long transformation of the land beneath his feet! He saw the magnificent stone city rise from the ground, countless artisans devoutly carving gods and Buddhas, grand religious ceremonies, the flames of war, the collapse of dynasties, and the jungle gradually devouring the traces of civilization... The torrent of history fast-forwarded before his eyes like a movie, finally freezing at the moment of the spiritual rain. Countless ancient energies dormant deep in the earth's veins were awakened, wildly intertwining and colliding with the cosmic spiritual energy pouring down from the sky!
Amid this violent tide of energy, he clearly sensed several different "wills": one, the cold will of aggression and control, represented by the Gene Alliance; one, the cold and treacherous dark will of the "Shadow Serpent"; and yet another, a scattered, weak, yet unyielding, silent and ancient guardian will, like the stone platform before him—this was the will represented by Dilawang, Aisha, Nguyen Thi Mai, and himself! The illusion vanished, and Lin Xingyun regained consciousness. He noticed a faint glow emerging from the mirror stone, echoing the "Compassionate Buddha Hand Pattern" on his palm. The platform vibrated slightly, and a pure, rich, earth-yellow energy surged from the boulder beneath his feet, flowing down his arm and into his body. This energy was completely different from the spiritual energy he had previously absorbed; it was more steady, solid, and imbued with the rhythm of the earth.
"You have earned the recognition of the 'Memory of the Stone,'" Dilawang said with a flicker of approval in his eyes. "It grants you a deeper connection with the earth."
Next, Aisha, Nguyen Thi Mai, and Buakaw stepped forward.
Aisha placed her hand on the mirror stone, and flowing light patterns emerged on its surface, resembling batik patterns. The platform responded with a vibrant green energy, spreading like plant roots, strengthening her power of creation and protection. When Nguyen Thi Mai touched the mirror stone, the surface seemed to transform into flowing water waves. The platform gifted her with a clearer, more dynamic blue energy, allowing her to control water with greater ease.
When it was Buakaw's turn, the situation was slightly different. His large, fan-like hand pressed against the stone. The mirror surface initially showed no reaction. But just as he became impatient, the stone surface suddenly became scorching, and crimson lines like flowing magma appeared! A searing and violent energy surged into his body, perfectly blending with his already powerful qi and blood, further unleashing his physical strength and combat potential! This seemed to be another form of recognition of his purely power-oriented approach.
All four successfully received the platform's gift, but the "test" Dilawang had mentioned did not occur. "It seems you've earned basic recognition," Dilawang said. "But true qualification will only be revealed under pressure. Follow me. Beneath the platform lies an ancient 'corridor,' where the afterimages of past practitioners are deposited. It serves as the most direct test for intruders."
He led the four around to the back of the platform, where a narrow stone staircase, barely wide enough for one person, led down. It was pitch black, and a cold, damp atmosphere emanated.
"I'll guard outside. You must enter together, passing through the corridor to the exit at the other end. Remember, the afterimages within will attack your minds, magnifying your fears and weaknesses. Only with mutual trust and a strong will can you make it through."
Lin Xingyun and his companions exchanged a glance, neither of them flinching. They lit their improvised light sources (Ayisha used a batik cloth faintly glowing with psychic energy, and Lin Xingyun used a small lantern from a shadow play) and entered the dark corridor one by one.
The corridor was narrow and winding, its stone walls covered with mottled murals depicting mythological stories and scenes of spiritual practice. But soon, whispers began to ripple all around. The murals on the walls seemed to come alive, the faces of the gods and Buddhas becoming ferocious, and the claws of demons seemed to burst forth from the walls! The air was filled with all sorts of negative emotions: suspicion, fear, anger, greed...
"Don't be swayed! Maintain your integrity!" Lin Xingyun shouted, simultaneously activating the "Compassionate Buddha Hand Pattern," emitting a peaceful light and dispelling the approaching negative energy.
But the attacks were everywhere. Aisha saw her grandmother's disappointed eyes, Nguyen Thi Mai heard the cries of the flooded village, and Buakaw fell into a delusion of eternal defeat... The corridor seemed endless, and the mental strain was far more exhausting than the physical battle.
Just when the four were mentally exhausted and their defenses were about to crack, something unexpected happened!
From the depths of the corridor, an aura far colder and more sinister than even the afterimages of thought suddenly erupted! A ghostly figure, composed entirely of shadows and resentment, wielding a massive scythe, coalesced into form. With a silent roar, it charged towards the four with a destructive aura! This was no mere afterimage left by a cultivator, but rather an alien, evil force belonging to the "Shadow Serpent"! They had infiltrated this very place!
"Be careful!" Lin Xingyun immediately sensed something was amiss and unleashed the radiance of the Buddha's hand pattern to its fullest, blocking the way.
But the power of the shadowy scythe was so terrifying that the Buddha's light was suppressed and retreated step by step! Buakaw roared and swung his fist, but it struck nothing, its force absorbed by the shadow! Aisha's barrier and Nguyen Thi May's water shield also faltered before the evil aura!
In this critical moment, Lin Xingyun had a sudden inspiration! He recalled the thousand-year-old memories of that land he had sensed on the platform, the silent, unwavering will to protect it! He connected his entire mind with the earth beneath his feet and the ancient stone walls surrounding him. He no longer relied solely on his own spiritual energy, but instead sought to mobilize the "momentum" accumulated over millennia within this spiritual forest!
The glow of the "Compassionate Buddha Hand Pattern" on his right palm faded, while his left palm slowly lifted and pressed against the cold stone wall beside him! The newly acquired, thick, ochre-colored energy within his body circulated furiously, resonating with the power dormant deep within the stone wall!
"Om!"
The entire corridor vibrated violently! The ancient inscriptions on the stone wall illuminated one by one! A majestic, vast, unshakable will, like the mountains, awakened! In the palm of Lin Xingyun's left palm, a brand-new, complex pattern composed of countless fine stone veins rapidly condensed and took shape!
Ancient City Barrier Pattern!
The moment this witch pattern fully took shape, a solid, ochre-colored wall of light, as thick as the ancient walls of Angkor, appeared out of thin air before the four of them! The shadow scythe slashed fiercely against the wall of light, making a dull thud. The wall remained motionless, but the evil shadow twisted and distorted, letting out a sharp shriek before finally disintegrating and vanishing!
The evil aura within the corridor was completely purged, and the disturbing whispers and illusions subsided. Ahead, the faint light of the exit became visible.
The four panted heavily, watching the new sorcerer pattern on Lin Xingyun's left palm slowly fade away, their eyes filled with shock and joy. Not only had they passed the trial, but Lin Xingyun, in desperate circumstances, had comprehended the defensive power deeply connected to this ancient land!
Emerging from the corridor and into daylight, Dilawang gazed upon them, especially sensing Lin Xingyun's distinct, mountain-like, steady aura. A gratified smile crossed his face.
"It seems the 'Ancient City' has recognized you. Prepare! The true storm awaits us among the monoliths of Angkor Wat."
(End of Chapter 17)