Chapter 1109: High Priest of the Temple

The Sunfire Temple stands at the highest point of Sarta; from this platform one can look down on the whole city, a level higher than Chief Zula Zabu's tribal hall, and it is the spiritual sanctuary of all Sunfire trolls.

The upper platform is vast, yet it contains only one building, the Sunfire Temple.

Kersa's squad marched up the broad steps into the plaza and was immediately blocked by two temple guards, who shouted, "Mounts are forbidden near the temple!"

"All of you, dismount!"

The temple guards are elite Holy Warriors, solemn, wielding Sunfire spears taller than their own bodies, and they show no fear before an entire hunting party.

Kersa nodded, flipped, and leapt down from the terror‑horned dragon.

He turned and said, "All dismount."

"Yes, captain."

The Holy Warriors each jumped off their mounts; Kersa called a warrior by name and ordered, "Sedaka, stay here to guard our terror‑horned dragon."

Each terror‑horned dragon is a valuable tribal asset that cannot be discarded; after the hunt the team must return it to the tribe, none may be missing. If a mount is lost through a squad's negligence, the entire team must compensate and be punished.

On such details, Kersa does not want anyone to catch him off guard.

Sedaka hesitated; he knew how crucial what was about to happen would be and did not want to miss it, but a captain's order cannot be defied, so he could only nod in agreement.

"Let's go."

Kersa led the squad across the plaza, and under the watchful eyes of the temple guards, they headed toward the temple entrance.

The Sunfire Temple's exterior resembles a pyramid.

It is a smaller replica of Anse's tomb, only about fifty meters tall; the lower half is built from blocks of rock, the upper half is embedded within a massive boulder that was hewn out of a single giant stone long ago, its grandeur impressive, and the temple's surface is sheathed in gold that glints in the sunlight.

The temple entrance lies at the foot of the pyramid's front face, flanked by a row of obelisks inscribed with Sunfire doctrine in troll script.

On the plaza, many trolls are praying at this moment.

Every troll of the Sunfire tribe has the right to pray to the Sunfire deity and may come to the temple to pray at any time.

But only on the plaza.

Unless granted permission by a Sunfire priest, or during major festivals and prayer rites, ordinary trolls have no right to enter the temple for worship.

Just as Kersa's party approached the entrance, the guard at the temple doorway shouted loudly.

Two Sunfire spears crossed to block the way.

The gazes of dozens of surrounding temple guards converged, and upon seeing Kersa with a dozen Holy Warriors, they instantly heightened their vigilance.

"I am Kersa, hunting captain of the Sunfire Blade," Kersa announced, "I have a matter of great importance and need to see High Priest Tusuer."

On the way back to Sarta, he had already planned his next steps.

He intends to ascend, to control the Sunfire tribe, and the biggest obstacle is the current supreme ruler, Chief Zula Zabu. Publicly declaring that Anse has revived, then issuing a divine decree for himself to assume the chieftainship would be almost certain.

But it is not foolproof; accidents could still occur.

Zula Zabu might refuse to acknowledge it as Anse, or the temple High Priest could spot the clue and publicly declare that Anse has been replaced by another deity.

That would create trouble.

Of course, it's only a minor inconvenience; a thousand Thundercast Celestial Soldiers are hidden in the forest outside Sarta, and at a single command they could teleport in to crush the Sunfire tribe with overwhelming force and seize power.

Doing so would be hard to wrap up and would also hinder Sheng Jilesi's deification plan.

It would be best to take over the Sunfire tribe smoothly.

Therefore, if he can win High Priest Tusuer's support, this tribal spiritual leader can publicly acknowledge Anse's revival, and everything becomes simple.

The Sunfire tribe's military forces are divided into two main parts.

First is the "Sunfire Blade", answering to Chief Zula Zabu, composed of 15,000 full‑time combat Holy Warriors responsible for Sarta's city defense, patrols, and hunting missions; another 15,000 Holy Warriors train during peacetime and can be called up instantly when needed or during war.

Second are the temple guards, whose duty is to protect the Sunfire Temple; they number around 2,000 and take orders from the High Priest.

The temple guards are far fewer than the Sunfire Blade, but each is on average stronger, well‑equipped, and holds a lofty status.

Moreover, High Priest Tusuer himself is one of the tribe's three Sunfire Warriors.

Only Tusuer can stand against the chief.

Thundercast Celestial Soldiers, disguised as trolls, have been infiltrating the Sunfire tribe for nearly two months, focusing on the tribe's top elites; they have long noticed that Zula Zabu and Tusuer's relationship is not as close as it appears, and they have been covertly vying.

However, when matters of tribal survival arise, the two trolls set aside personal gains and consider the tribe's future.

Thus, Kersa is uncertain whether he can secure Tusuer's support.

He can only try.

All-Seeing Eye pierced the stone wall, locating Tusuer, who was praying in a secret chamber inside the temple.

Hearing Kersa's words, the temple guard remained unmoved and said gravely, "The High Priest is busy; whatever matter Captain Kersa has, I can forward…"

His voice abruptly cut off.

Kersa, with his back to the trolls on the plaza, raised his hand, and a soft light flickered from his fingertips, gently scattering down.

"Divine Technique!"

The temple guard's expression froze, then changed dramatically as he realized something.

He widened his eyes, "You…"

A figure burst from the temple at breakneck speed, a gust of wind accompanying it, appearing between the two, and the guard shouted, "High Priest!"

The newcomer was Tusuer.

The Sunfire tribe's spiritual leader, always courteous to his people regardless of rank, did not even glance at the guard now, fixing his gaze on Kersa and asking eagerly, "Are you using Divine Technique?"

Kersa also sized up his counterpart.

Tusuer's age is great; the Soul Eye judges him to be at least eight hundred years old.

He does not wear heavy armor like other Holy Warriors, opting for a loose robe, yet his robust muscles are evident; he is tall, a head taller than ordinary Sunfire trolls, his eyes still bright and clear, with a deep, resonant holy light flashing in his pupils.

Truly a Sunfire Warrior!

If compared to human transcendent ranks, Tusuer is roughly level twenty‑seven.

Since Anse's fall, the so‑called temple priests cannot bestow Divine Technique, so Holy Warriors actually fulfill the priestly duties.

He only mastered a few troll witch‑doctor methods and had no spellcasting ability.

Korsaro deliberately showed a move, and indeed, the ripple of the Divine Technique immediately drew Tu Su'er out. He bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, High Priest."

Tu Su'er was overjoyed.

In fact, he heard the conversation between Korsaro and the guards, his gaze sweeping over the Holy Warriors behind Korsaro, and he instantly sensed the aura of the Divine Technique.

"My lord…"

Tu Su'er's expression shifted, ranging from excitement, exhilaration, shock, to doubt.

But he quickly calmed, looked at Korsaro, then at the praying tribe members in the plaza, and said steadily, "You all come in with me." He then ordered the guard at the temple entrance, "Ge Ke Lu, take your subordinates and enter the temple together; without my command, no one may leave."

Obviously, Tu Su'er realized that the Temple Guard present also saw the Divine Technique.

He must seal off the news.

"Yes, High Priest." The Temple Guard replied solemnly.

Korsaro's hunting party, a squad of Temple Guards, all followed Tu Su'er into the temple, after which another squad of Temple Guards took over the post.

Tu Su'er led everyone into the great hall of the Sunfire Temple.

The hall was extremely spacious, its high dome supported by two rows of square pillars; pine‑oil torches lit the walls, illuminating the reliefs and inscriptions that praised the great deeds of the Sun God Anse, as well as numerous divine miracles in history that blessed the believers.

Directly opposite the entrance, the wall bore a carving of a massive sun about five meters in diameter, entirely fashioned from gold and radiating dazzling golden rays.

A vague silhouette lingered in the sun's center, making it impossible to stare directly.

Tu Su'er stood before this golden sun for a long moment before turning, waving his hand, and the Temple Guards dispersed around the prayer hall.

He stared at Korsaro, his face a mix of expectation and a fear of hopes dashed, and said softly, "Captain Korsaro, what do you have to say?"

At once, everyone's gaze fixed on Korsaro.

High Priest, Temple Guard, Holy Warrior.

Every troll was waiting.

"My lord Anse has already revived!"

Korsaro immediately uttered those words, without any mystifying pretense or giving the trolls any mental preparation, stating the most crucial information outright.

The light, floating words struck Tu Su'er's ears like a thunderclap.

The shock made his head spin and his vision blur.

Tu Su'er's body wavered, but he quickly steadied himself and asked sharply, "How do you prove it? I am the priest of the god and have received no news, while you are merely a hunting captain, however devout; why did the god choose you?"

For over twelve thousand years, the Sunfire Tribe has endured countless hardships, and every temple priest through the ages has long awaited the god's awakening.

When that day truly arrived, it sparked doubt.

Shock.

Unbelievable.

Tu Su'er has spent his whole life praying to the god, never wavering in faith, yet never receiving a response.

In terms of devotion, he considered himself far beyond all his kin.

If the god had revived, the High Priest of the temple should have been the first to receive the divine decree, yet that was not the case; instead, an obscure high‑ranking Holy Warrior was to convey it. Thus, Tu Su'er subconsciously grew doubtful.

Not only the High Priest, the Temple Guard's reaction was similar.

Even the Holy Warrior who had fought alongside Korsaro and experienced death‑and‑rebirth, after the initial shock, reflected on the way back to Salta, sensing something amiss.

If the god had revived, it could be announced directly to the tribe and all believers; why must Korsaro be the one to convey the news?

Doing so would clearly elevate Korsaro's status above the Chieftain and the High Priest.

Korsaro is merely a young hunting captain.

On what grounds?

Regardless of reputation, strength, status, devotion, or talent, there are many trolls in the Sunfire Tribe who surpass Korsaro—dozens at least—and Korsaro has never made any significant contribution. Why would the god favor him after revival?

Is this reasonable? Not at all!

Korsaro had long anticipated the trolls' doubt, his face showing no panic, and he said calmly, "High Priest, please hear me out; whether true or false, you will naturally judge." He then recounted in detail his encounter in the forest today.

At first Tu Su'er remained skeptical, but as Korsaro narrated, his complexion changed repeatedly.

Hearing that the Holy Warrior had died and revived, and that everyone present could attest, Tu Su'er instead calmed, his gaze toward Korsaro entirely altered.

Korsaro quickly finished the entire account.

The Soul Eye saw Tu Su'er's emotions surge wildly, both excited and hesitant, as if at an indecisive crossroads. Clearly, Tu Su'er grasped a deeper layer and understood the political motive behind being the first to report back to the tribe.

Tu Su'er paced back and forth in the hall, his expression conflicted, occasionally glancing at Korsaro, only to find Korsaro utterly composed, revealing nothing.

This is not like a normal young troll.

He pondered for a long time.

Tu Su'er finally halted and asked, "Korsaro, how many Divine Techniques have you mastered?" He needed a final verification; he had to see the Divine Techniques with his own eyes to decide.

Korsaro said nothing and displayed them directly.

Restoration Light, Power Light, Wisdom Light, Dispersal Light, Morning Light Technique, Flash Light Technique, Healing Technique, Detoxification Technique, Holy Shield Technique, Inspection Head‑budding Worm, Redemption, Devotion, Holy Light Echo, Protective Aura, Pious Aura, Punishment Aura, Heavenly Feather, Holy Light Barrier, and so on…

Streaks of holy light flickered throughout the hall, dazzling the trolls.

At first, Tu Su'er and the Temple Guards tried to mentally calculate the Divine Techniques, but Korsaro's techniques were cast so swiftly that they couldn't discern each effect before the next was unleashed.

Each Divine Technique sent the Holy Warriors' hearts soaring.

When Korsaro unleashed his most powerful techniques—the Sword of Dawn, Divine Storm, Wings of the Burning Angel—the Holy Warriors stared fixedly.

"That's enough."

Tu Su'er was also thrilled; these Divine Techniques matched exactly those recorded in the temple.

If the tribe's Holy Warriors could master Divine Techniques, they wouldn't need many; with just a few each, they could defeat three or even five foes of equal rank, multiplying the Sunfire Tribe's overall strength severalfold and making the eradication of the Bounty Hunters tribe effortless.

The priest is the god's closest servant and will wield the authority to bestow blessings through Divine Techniques.

The god's revival benefits the priest the most!

Keersaluo put away his Divine Technique and said, "High Priest, my lord's divine edict to me is to summon all the tribespeople and hold a large-scale prayer ceremony, so that He may display divine miracles to the believers and announce the return of the god."

Tusuer had no more doubts.

Good!

He gave Keersaluo a deep look, his eyes filled with respect and anticipation, then ordered, "Gekerlu, immediately beat the Sun Drum and summon all the city's tribespeople to the Blazing Sun God Temple."

"Yes, High Priest." The Temple Guard Captain took the order and left.

The drumming came from outside.

Keersaluo's mouth curled into a faint smile.

Tusuer summoned the tribespeople without informing Chief Zulazhab, showing that he had already chosen to stand on his own side; Zulazhab remained completely unaware, and facing the divine edict unprepared, it was basically impossible for him to turn the tables.

(End of Chapter)