One month later.
Deep within the Himalayas, Shaun Cole sat inside the main hall. Below him stood the Ancient One and Kaecilius, both wearing slightly uneasy expressions.
"The temple is finished?"
Shaun Cole asked with a smile, looking down at them.
At his words, a trace of pride appeared on the Ancient One's face.
A massive palace covering over one hundred thousand square meters, completed in just one month—and built almost entirely of wood. Only they could have accomplished something like this.
After all, within thousands of kilometers of the Himalayas, not a single tree could be found. Stones, on the other hand, were plentiful—but all of them were buried more than ten meters beneath thick layers of snow.
"Yes, honored guest,"
the Ancient One replied respectfully.
"Oh?"
Shaun Cole stood up, smiling.
"Then take me to have a look."
At once, the Ancient One stepped forward and opened a portal.
To be honest, this ability made Shaun Cole rather envious. Wherever you wanted to go, you simply opened a portal—no need to travel at all.
Back in the game world, he could fast-travel using viewpoints. But after returning to Earth, that ability had completely disappeared.
"Can I learn this ability?"
Shaun Cole asked casually, glancing at the portal.
"Honored guest… I'm sorry,"
the Ancient One replied without hesitation.
"That truly isn't possible."
"Oh?"
A cold glint flashed in Shaun Cole's eyes, his tone turning icy.
"Are you sure?"
"It really isn't possible!"
The Ancient One closed her eyes, her voice firm.
"Haha,"
Shaun Cole suddenly laughed.
"I'm joking. If it can't be taught, then forget it. Come on—let's go see what kind of temple you built for me."
He patted the Ancient One on the shoulder.
She immediately let out a sigh of relief, fear flickering in her eyes.
The two of them stepped into the portal.
In the next instant, Shaun Cole appeared inside another grand hall.
This hall was even larger than the one in the Ancient One's temple. Countless candles hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire space brightly.
"Mm. Not bad,"
Shaun Cole nodded in satisfaction and began to look around.
Half an hour later, he had toured the entire structure—
or rather, the palace.
Built atop a remote, snow-covered peak deep within the Himalayas, the palace covered over one hundred thousand square meters. Constructed from wood and stone, it rose three levels high, each level narrower than the one below. In front of the palace lay a vast open square.
Behind it, a massive rock formation jutted outward. Standing there, one could overlook the entire mountain range.
As Shaun Cole reached the edge of the rock, he paused slightly.
Several deep claw marks were carved into the stone beneath his feet.
Turning back, he smiled.
"Very good. Truly impressive,"
he said with a laugh.
"Master Nun, thank you very much this time."
The Ancient One's lips twitched slightly as she hurriedly replied:
"You're too kind, honored guest."
"Heh, no need to keep calling me 'honored guest'—that sounds too distant,"
Shaun Cole said cheerfully.
"Just call me Shaun Cole."
"Very well… Mr. Shaun Cole,"
the Ancient One replied.
"Alright. Let's head back,"
Shaun Cole said, glancing around once more.
Hearing this, the Ancient One immediately started toward the hall. Halfway there, she realized Shaun Cole was still standing behind.
"Mr. Shaun Cole… aren't you coming back?"