Chapter 565: Fortress No.9

Seeing the blood corpses thoroughly dead, the surrounding soldiers suddenly let out a big sigh.

Just some soldiers who looked experienced, and even the cavalry captain couldn't help scolding them:

"What are you afraid of!"

"The 67th Ascetic Practitioner has already told us the result!"

"Never doubt the Ascetic Practitioners!"

"What the Sirs say will surely come true; they will never deceive us."

"Huh?"

Lin An sheathed his sword, turned his head to look at the speaking cavalry captain, a strange flicker passing in his eyes.

Earlier, he had already heard this group repeatedly mention the 67th Ascetic Practitioner.

What these soldiers' words meant seemed to be saying that his actions had been foreseen.

Or rather, they already knew the future direction.

Feeling wary, Lin An gazed at the silent Ascetic Practitioner without changing his expression.

All he saw was a thin, gray-robed Ascetic Practitioner, expressionless, looking at the soldiers, speaking calmly:

"We will not lie."

After speaking, without even glancing at Lin An, he flew away barefoot.

Xiong Hanzi, standing beside Lin An, was stunned by the sight, then began complaining within the team:

"Holy shit, these Ascetic Practitioners are so arrogant?"

"They were just beaten by blood corpses like dogs, and now they just ran away without any reaction?"

"What kind of people are in this Secret Realm?!"

Watching the Ascetic Practitioner leave directly, Zhang Tie couldn't help but glance at the distant fortress:

"Captain Lin, this world is damn weird."

"Did you hear that?"

"Do these people mean that we've been 'seen' by someone?"

He felt somewhat worried.

He recalled the cycle of the deserted village incident, and subconsciously linked it to these Ascetic Practitioners' abilities.

"Damn it, this bunch of lunatics surely can't be fortune-telling, right?"

Lin An likewise thought of this, looking at the man who resembled a military commander.

Just as he was about to casually make up an excuse to enter the city, the soldier leading the group, the general, adjusted his standard armor and respectfully clasped his hands, saying:

"This Ascetic Practitioner Sir."

"I see you have no insignia; are you a newly promoted Ascetic Practitioner?"

"Why not return with us to Fortress No. 9 for certification?"

Hearing the general's incoherent words, Lin An felt a bit strange and glanced at him.

"Number, certification."

It sounded utterly unlike vocabulary one would expect in an ancient setting.

Combined with the abnormality of the blood corpses, he basically confirmed that the background of this Secret Realm world is absolutely not that simple.

Did the technologically advanced world suffer some disaster, regressing back to an ancient society?

And do the human survivors rely on the 'Ascetic Practitioners' to fight the blood corpses?

What on earth has happened in this Secret Realm world...

In the midst of his thoughts.

Lin An nodded.

The general's words conveniently spared him the need to fabricate an excuse.

He had originally planned to infiltrate the royal city to obtain the secret of this Secret Realm from the high-level.

Going to Fortress No. 9, is that the fortress behind everyone?

Hearing this number, it really sounds like a shelter or something.

As for the general's meaning, that the Ascetic Practitioners possess precognition, Lin An was actually very interested.

So far, he has only encountered Yun Lin with a similar ability.

From the information revealed by these people.

So-called 67th Ascetic Practitioner, could it possibly have directional precognition?

If that's the case, then he must be careful with his own actions.

He simultaneously accepted two kinds of missions.

Among them, the mission issued by the Doomsday System is to exterminate all Ascetic Practitioners.

War Fortress No. 9.

Amidst the dense, dry sound of gears turning, the heavy iron gate, about forty meters high, slowly rose upward.

Observing this fortress up close, Lin An couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Magnificent, enormous.

Just the copper-and-iron walls, seven to eight meters thick, are enough to leave one in awe.

Judging by the productivity observed so far, Lin An finds it hard to imagine how the humans of this Secret Realm could have built such a colossal structure.

"Captain Lin.."

"This is all covered in crusted blood scabs, feeling about half a meter thick..."

Taking advantage of the open city gate, Xiong Hanzi sneakily touched the city wall, smacking his lips.

This broth, truly sour and refreshing...

The general leading the way at the front slightly bowed, his tone respectful as he gave a salute to Lin An:

"Venerable Ascetic Practitioner, may I ask your name?"

"Since this is your first time entering the fortress, you have the qualification to open the side gate for you."

Having said that, with the sound of gears turning coming to an abrupt halt, rows of neatly arranged soldiers appeared behind the gate, forming two columns.

What met his eyes, the fortress's internal structure, surprised Lin An even more than the exterior.

People, all people.

All that could be seen was like a giant maze; inside the fortress were actually layers upon layers of defense systems.

On each massive circular structure, countless square openings were opened, dense as a honeycomb.

Large numbers of humans poked their heads out from within, or walked about.

It resembled the dormitory honeycomb blocks of a modern factory.

The entire interior of the fortress presented black and antique bronze hues; besides that, there was hardly any other color.

And at the center of the fortress stood a massive bronze sculpture about a hundred meters tall.

The sculpture, made of pure bronze, carved a Buddha-like man holding an infant.

His right hand cradled the infant, his left hand held a small knife, giving off an aura of solemnity and compassion.

"Lin Dui, who the hell is this sculpture of?"

"Curious Baby."

Xiong Hanzi looked up at the sculpture, muttering under his breath.

Since entering the Secret Realm, he truly has ten thousand questions he wants to ask.

While being led by the crowd, Lin An walked and observed the sculpture.

After a moment, he hesitantly shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.

"Not very clear."

"The shape resembles Buddhist, religious style. But its appearance is completely unlike the Buddhist statues seen in the real world."

"Buddha statues in the outside world all have drooping ears, a curl of hair on the head, and are gilded."

"But this..."

The massive sculpture, occupying nearly half of his field of vision, looked just like an ascetic practitioner.

Gaunt, anguished.

And cradling an infant...

Is there such a story in Buddhism?

I suppose there isn't, right?

The Child-Giving Guanyin is also depicted with an immortal crane carrying a baby basket, wings spread, standing before Guanyin.

Self-mocking a smile, Lin An only felt he had overthought.

How could the objects of worship in the Secret Realm possibly be the same as those in the real world?

This isn't Earth after all.

In the midst of his thoughts, the general led him through the suddenly lowered 'inner wall'.

A din of voices.

Noisy clamor poured into his ears.

Like stepping into a bustling market.

After entering the inner city, Lin An saw a large number of people before his eyes.

"Lord Lin, the inner city lies just ahead."

The general in charge of taking him to receive his number spoke softly, gesturing for the soldiers to clear the way.

In the pushing and shoving, Lin An's gaze sharpened.

Only saw.

The crowd was packed, seemingly gathered to watch some kind of performance on the platform.

On the platform surrounded by a large crowd, ten humans dressed in ascetic practitioner robes stood.

"Whoosh-"

On the platform, the first person on the left suddenly ignited a ball of flame.

The bright yellow flame flickered, sizzling on his fingertips.

"I will burn my fingers to declare my ambition!"