Chapter 415: The Ancient God Temple

Eastern Desert.

A sprawling caravan was moving slowly.

The entire sky was hazy, filled with yellow sand, as if it were a day of heavy rain.

"Damn it, it's been three days, and this sandstorm still hasn't dissipated. Who knows what happened!"

A bearded man roared, immediately inhaling a mouthful of sand; he coughed incessantly, spitting and sputtering without stop.

"Xue Shan, didn't you see it? That bow and arrow in the sky was shot down by a god!

This means the gods are at war with someone!" A middle-aged man looked up at the sky, his face revealing an expression of awe.

"Are there really gods?" Xue Shan was somewhat skeptical. "I think these so-called gods are just powerful humans.

Only those white-skinned ghosts believe in gods; we in the Ancient Tang Empire do not believe in gods, do not kneel to gods, and only kneel to our ancestors."

The middle-aged man's face showed a complex expression: "You can certainly say they aren't gods, but in the eyes of Westerners, they are gods.

Also, keep your voice down, and don't use the term 'white-skinned ghosts' anymore!

Our caravan has many white-skinned people, and even mixed-race individuals!"

This group was a merchant caravan.

This caravan came from Lu Province of the Ancient Tang Empire, and they had come to the Eastern Desert to trade with the Snake-man Tribe.

As it turned out, a few days ago, golden arrows suddenly appeared in the Heavenly Vault, and the entire Eastern Desert began to shake as if there were a massive earthquake.

Dust filled the air, not dispersing for three days.

Xue Shan shrugged, looking helpless: "I know."

Just then, a crisp voice came through.

"Xue Shan, go see if that young hero has woken up yet?"

Xue Yang was riding on a camel, a Spear strapped to his back, his long robes fluttering; though he was a woman, he was exceptionally heroic.

Xue Shan's face showed a respectful expression: "As you command, Young Master!"

Xue Yang was the young master of the Xue Family of Lu Province.

He was the hope of the Xue Family.

This young master was young, only twenty years old, and was already a High-Grade spearman.

He had apprenticed at the Luoxia Sect, the largest sect in Lu Province, and was a disciple of the Luoxia Sect Master, holding a prestigious status.

This trip to the Eastern Desert was also for the sake of gaining experience.

Hearing Xue Yang's instructions, Xue Shan hurried toward the carriage at the back.

Two days ago, while their caravan was traveling, they had encountered an unconscious young man.

Young Master Xue Yang had saved this young man and placed him in the carriage.

Walking in the desert, people often met with disaster.

Xue Shan had seen many such people.

It was just that this person was lucky to have been saved by the Young Master.

Xue Shan arrived at the carriage, looked at the still-unconscious young man, and muttered: "I doubt he'll wake up."

The young man lying there had very serious injuries.

Based on Xue Shan's experience, he likely wouldn't survive.

Soon, he trotted back to the Young Master's side: "Young Master, he hasn't woken up."

Hearing this, a trace of disappointment appeared in Xue Yang's eyes.

"Hmm. You may withdraw."

After Xue Shan left, Xue Yang's gaze became complex. He looked at that carriage, a look of disappointment flashing in his eyes: "What a pity, he didn't survive the curse and the tempering, I suppose..."

Xue Yang was not an Ordinary person; he had a special identity.

There were many people with this identity in the Ancient Tang Empire, though, relative to the vast population of the Ancient Tang Empire, they were actually very few.

These people had a name: God Bone holders.

The reason Xue Yang saved that young man was not entirely out of sympathy.

It was because the other person was also a God Bone holder.

And at this moment, the other person was very likely in a period of transformation, trapped in a deep sleep.

If the transformation succeeded, he could become a person of exceptional talent, just like him.

If the transformation failed, he would die.

Clearly, the other person had not succeeded in the transformation.

That was why he felt regret.

Ten days later, outside Luozhou City, in a household in the town.

On the bed lay a young man.

Beside him, a thin little girl blinked her eyes, staring at the young man.

Just then, the young man opened his eyes.

Seeing this, the little girl's face showed an expression of surprise: "You're awake?"

The young man on the bed was naturally Lin Chao. He woke up slowly, looked at the little girl by the bed, and a trace of gratitude appeared in his eyes: "Did you save me? Thank you."

The little girl waved her hands hurriedly: "I didn't save you, it was..."

The little girl explained quickly.

Only then did Lin Chao understand that after clashing with the god of the sky, he had been severely injured and had fallen into a coma.

A caravan had saved him, brought him out of the desert, and then, seeing that he had not woken up, the people from the caravan had placed him in a household in the town.

Although Lin Chao would have woken up even without being saved, the other party had acted out of kindness in saving him, and he would naturally remember this favor.

"Is this outside Luozhou City in the Ancient Tang Empire?" Lin Chao looked at the furnishings in the room; they were quite different from the Saya Kingdom, possessing a rather antique charm.

"Yes," the little girl nodded vigorously.

"Who was it that sent me here?" Lin Chao asked.

If someone helped him once, he would naturally remember the favor.

"I don't know, I only know it was a caravan, and a very handsome big brother sent you here.

Oh right, Mother said it was the Xue Family's merchant caravan," the little girl said, innocent and guileless.

"The Xue Family?" Lin Chao silently noted the name.

After leaving ten Gold coins for the little girl, Lin Chao left the small town.

He did not leave too much; having too much wealth was not necessarily a good thing.

After leaving the small town, Lin Chao prepared to head toward Luozhou City.

Currently, the injuries on his body were still very serious, and he had less than one-tenth of his strength remaining.

He needed to treat his injuries as quickly as possible and recover his strength.

Of course, due to the existence of players, his strength was also rapidly skyrocketing now.

He only needed to purchase some medicinal stones, refine them into medicinal liquid, and treat his injuries.

After leaving the small town, Lin Chao arrived at a cave; divine light surged in his eyes as he examined his injuries.

The fact that the God of the Sky had located him truly surprised him.

He felt that the God of the Sky certainly had not used ordinary means to locate him.

Lin Chao examined his own body, and before long, he indeed discovered the problem.

Within his divine body, a crystal-clear bone was lying quietly.

Or rather, it was not a bone, but a bone shape composed of Divine Power.

"This is..."

Lin Chao's thoughts spun rapidly as he pondered the origin of this bone.

Soon, a look of surprise appeared in Lin Chao's eyes: "The God of Fire?"

Lin Chao understood; this God Bone originated from the God of Fire.

Back when he annexed the God of Fire's Divine Power and divine office, Lin Chao had absorbed it in a rush and had also discovered a wisp of unusual Divine Power.

"This is..."

Lin Chao sensed this special God Bone, surprise in his eyes.

He already understood that the God of the Sky had located him through this God Bone.

"The origin of this God Bone... I must figure it out." Lin Chao tried, but he could not expel the God Bone from his body.

This God Bone had already fused with his Divine Power.

Luozhou City.

Inside the Xue Family residence, Xue Yang was practicing; he was young yet already a High-level Professional, the number one person of the younger generation in Luozhou City.

Suddenly, urgent knocking sounded at the door.

Xue Yang opened his eyes.

"Enter."

Seeing the person who entered, a look of helplessness appeared in Xue Yang's eyes.

The person who arrived was none other than Xue Yang's younger sister, Xue Rou.

"Big Brother, it's bad. Ding Xi has found a helper; I heard he is from the Royal Capital and is a God Bone holder from the Royal Family," Xue Rou said, extremely worried.

As the two major families of Luozhou City, the Xue Family and the Ding Family had always been hostile toward each other.

The Ding Family's young master, Ding Xi, even regarded Xue Yang as his greatest rival in life.

Hearing this, Xue Yang's expression became grave: "A God Bone holder from the Royal Family?"

"Yes, Ding Xi and this Royal Family God Bone holder are cooperating, preparing to enter the Ancient God Temple together.

Big Brother, if you enter the Ancient God Temple alone without a helper, it will be very dangerous," Xue Rou said worriedly.

In the Ancient Tang Empire, there were a total of thirty-six Ancient God Temples.

Within these Ancient God Temples were various divine statues, enshrining ancient gods.

However, not everyone could enter these Ancient God Temples; only God Bone holders could enter.

It was rumored that upon entering an Ancient God Temple, a God Bone holder would encounter trials, and if they passed them, they could increase their strength.

There was even a possibility of obtaining the inheritance of an ancient god.

Therefore, every time an Ancient God Temple opened, many God Bone holders would enter.

This time, the Ancient God Temple that was opening was located in Luozhou City.

Xue Yang had been preparing for this period of time.

This time, he planned to enter the Ancient God Temple to seize the Ancient Mountain God Soul.

This God Soul was very compatible with him.

If he obtained it, he could immediately step into the Legendary realm.

However, Ding Xi was also very compatible with this God Soul and had also set his sights on the Ancient Mountain God Soul.

For this reason, Ding Xi had even specifically sought out a Royal Family God Bone holder to cooperate with; Xue Yang naturally felt a sense of crisis.

"Big Brother, I heard that when you went to the Eastern Desert this time, didn't you pick up a God Bone holder?

Why haven't I seen him? Why not let him help you enter the Ancient God Temple?" Xue Rou asked.

Xue Yang remembered that young man, shook his head, and said, "He is still in the midst of a transformation and has been unconscious for ten days; I estimate he will never wake up in this lifetime, so I left him outside the city."

"By the way, do not let this matter spread, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Rou was also somewhat disappointed: "He actually failed."

Ten days without waking meant death.

"But Big Brother... why didn't you..." Xue Rou thought of something and said hesitantly, "Big Brother, you are too kind."

"He is already a dead man; keeping the God Bone is just a waste."

"If you were to strip it away and devour it, Big Brother, your strength would certainly improve significantly!"

Xue Yang's expression changed slightly, becoming somewhat gloomy: "Little sister, there are some things that are better left undone."

"I have no grudge against him, so why should I devour his God Bone?"

"If he were my enemy, or a person of great evil, I would naturally slay him and devour the God Bone."

"But he is not; I cannot kill the innocent indiscriminately, and I cannot get past that hurdle in my heart."

"Sigh, Big Brother." Xue Rou was somewhat dejected, "Three days from now is the day the Ancient God Temple opens; you must be careful, Big Brother."

Xue Yang stroked his sister's hair and smiled: "Rest assured, even if Ding Xi finds helpers, he won't necessarily be able to do anything to me."

"The Ancient God Temple is so large, it remains to be seen if we will even encounter each other."

"Besides, your big brother is not a soft persimmon; I am not that easy to deal with!"

Xue Rou looked at her big brother, feeling a lingering worry in her heart.

Inside the inn, Lin Chao was bathing in a medicinal bath, the liquid slowly seeping into his skin, gradually treating his injuries.

Before him, in mid-air, was an ancient book, which was currently turning pages slowly.

Lin Chao paused, a look of surprise appearing in his eyes: "God Bone holder? Ancient God Temple?"

After arriving in Luozhou City, he first bought materials to heal his wounds, then bought some books to understand the state of the Ancient Tang Empire.

He did not expect to make a discovery in these books.

"Am I a God Bone holder?"

He was shocked to discover that after devouring the God of Fire, a God Bone in a state of Divine Power had appeared within his body.

As of now, he matched the description of a God Bone holder recorded in the books.

"God Bone holders have awakened the Ancient God bloodline, and God Bones will appear in their bodies."

"Once a God Bone holder successfully transforms, their strength increases greatly, and their talent is also elevated."

There was very little information about God Bone holders; Lin Chao flipped through the pages while bathing.

Ultimately, he reached a conclusion.

God Bone holders are related to the Ancient Gods.

It is rumored that before there were gods, this world was ruled by powerful Ancient Gods.

These Ancient Gods were not human, but powerful creatures who mastered the Rules.

Unfortunately, it is unknown what catastrophe occurred, but all the Ancient Gods fell and disappeared from this world.

However, later on, God Bone holders continuously appeared.

These God Bone holders would awaken some of the bones of the Ancient Gods within their bodies, subsequently gaining special abilities.

Therefore, God Bone holders are also known as the successors of the Ancient Gods.

"The Ancient Tang Divine Emperor is also a God Bone holder?"

"When he was young, he was even stripped of his God Bone by his own kin?"

Seeing this, Lin Chao was slightly stunned.

This kind of plot was very familiar.

"The Ancient Tang Empire has a total of thirty-six Ancient God Temples."

Of these Ancient God Temples, the specific locations of thirty-three are known, while the other three are unknown.

Various Ancient Gods are worshipped within the Ancient God Temples.

When God Bone holders enter them, they can obtain many benefits, such as Ancient God Souls, Ancient God Skills, and... they can even obtain the inheritance of the Ancient Gods.

In the Heavenly Court of the Ancient Tang Empire, an unknown number of God Bone holders are worshipped.

These God Bone holders are all beings who have obtained the inheritance of the Ancient Gods.

Their strength... far exceeds the Legendary level.

Seeing this, Lin Chao was truly somewhat surprised.

This Ancient Tang Empire was much more terrifying than he had imagined.

For example, the Spirit God of the Twelve Hidden, there are still such God Bone holders today.

It can be said that this Ancient Tang Empire is completely out of place with the Saya Kingdom and the others.

Moreover, in the Xi Fang Shi Jie, the gods are high and mighty, residing within the God Kingdom.

In Lin Chao's view, the God Bone holders here who have obtained the inheritance of the Ancient Gods might have strength comparable to gods, and they all reside within the Heavenly Court.

The strength of the Ancient Tang Empire is far superior to the Arcane Empire and the Bauhinia Empire.

In Lin Chao's view, the Ancient Tang Empire even has the qualifications to contend with the gods.

"Three days from now, the Ancient God Temple in Luozhou City will open; I might as well go in and take a look."

Since his strength has not yet recovered, Lin Chao does not intend to return to Iron Stone City.

The presence of an Ancient God Temple here, involving the Ancient Gods, has piqued Lin Chao's interest.

"I wonder if I count as a true God Bone holder, and if I can enter the temple?"

Lin Chao muttered to himself.

After finishing his bath, Lin Chao's injuries had improved slightly.

He exited his room, arrived at the second floor of the inn, and ordered a few dishes and wine.

In Iron Stone City, he had grown accustomed to Western-style food, but having arrived in Luozhou City, he intended to change his palate.

However, just as he sat down, Lin Chao heard that outside the restaurant, it seemed very lively, with many young people in groups, wearing uniform attire, shouting something.

(End of this chapter)