Kong Cui emerged from the water.
He climbed a massive fish tree and coiled his body where its branches forked, looking down at the water below.
Shadow covered a large expanse of water, turning its surface pitch-black.
"I've caused trouble," he sighed.
He had only wanted to teach the other a little lesson. He had never even intended to hurt Famu, just to show this fellow with his absurd excuse what he was capable of.
But that fellow had been able to move beneath the whirlpool without any hindrance and swim toward him. Truth be told, seen underwater, Black Typhon's deathly pale face had looked just like one of the ghosts or evil spirits in Sifu's stories, and that evil spirit had wanted to kill him.
He had suddenly increased the rate at which he released Earth Vein Energy, causing his Furnace Core to spiral out of control.
His Earth Vein Energy had erupted at full force, leaving only one or two dark gray markings on his body. He would have to go to the trouble of gathering them again afterward.
Once Kong Cui stopped using his Furnace Core, the water would stop congealing.
He planned to apologize to Famu after the other climbed up.
With that sturdy physique, it probably wouldn't take him a whole day to get up here.
Kong Cui thought it wouldn't matter if his pilgrimage was delayed by a day.
In the dark water below, Famu was trying to move his body.
The water had almost turned to gel, and when he moved, he actually tore breaks in its flow.
There was also the immense pressure bearing down on his body.
Famu reckoned the congealed water could trap a fifteen-meter female Typhon at the very least, and that was already a highly conservative estimate. It might even be able to trap Xing Rui if she didn't use Child of the Earth. In such an environment, unable to move and subjected to constant pressure, one would die sooner or later.
Were male Typhons with such power really weaker than females?
Come to think of it, why didn't he have this ability to alter water?
"Your Excellency Jiuxun, in your terms, if a warrior and a mage competed to survive in the wild, which do you think would have a better chance?"
"If pureblood Children of the Earth knew you envied this ability, they would weep," Scepter said.
"No." Famu observed the water, feeling the pressure on his body. "If I had this ability as well, we could add a new reference to our gravitational field project, and one more valuable than High-Temperature Domain. This ability applies force to external objects, changes the form of water, and exerts gravity."
"It's controlled perfectly," Famu praised.
"Your Excellency Jiuxun, I disagree. This is the result of that male Typhon's Furnace Core going out of control."
"The individual's fragile temperament does not detract from the perfection of this power," Famu commented.
"Using human society as a reference, that male Typhon would be a maiden in the flower of her youth," Scepter thoughtfully explained.
"There are no maidens in the flower of their youth out in the untamed wilds." Famu swung his long tail. Child of the Earth unleashed tremendous power, his Furnace Core vibrated, and his spine resonated in response, the resonating chamber amplifying the power of his Furnace Core.
Then Famu swayed his body in movements like a dance, shattering the solid water around him that restricted his movement.
Amid a succession of deep rumbles, the shadow-covered surface of the water exploded like a sheet of ice, and the strange pressure vanished along with Famu's power.
He rose to the surface.
As he poked his head out, he saw Kong Cui's head hanging down from a branch of the fish tree, their eyes meeting.
Kong Cui swiftly pulled his head back.
He had seen the whole process of Famu shattering the solid water. The sight had been exquisite: those movements, swaying slowly amid the rumbling, had been like an ancestor from a mural returning to the world. Kong Cui was an outstanding priest candidate; strictly speaking, as one who bore the name of priest, he was a qualified full priest. He knew perfectly well that Famu was now sacred and solemn, possessing the right to serve the gods. If those old priests saw him, they would insist on taking him back to the altar.
For a moment, Kong Cui truly believed Famu was a male.
But only for that moment.
Child of the Earth gave him away.
"Please accept my sincere apologies, Your Excellency Famu. I didn't mean to release such an enormous amount of Earth Vein Energy. Sifu has said before that my Furnace Core holds great power, but my control over it isn't particularly good." Whatever the case, Kong Cui decided to apologize first.
"You may ask me to do one thing that does not go against my own wishes, as compensation for my mistake," Kong Cui continued.
Famu coiled beneath the surface, water flowing over his scales.
The muscles beneath the black snake's scales rippled dramatically, leaving Kong Cui somewhat transfixed.
"Where are you from?" Famu asked.
"I come from deep within this water forest, but please forgive me, I cannot tell you about my family line."
If he couldn't say, then the rumor was probably true.
This was a noble from the King's Territory in Valzea.
Since he's a noble from the King's Territory, perhaps I can ask him for some information, Famu thought.
Male Typhons all knew their family lines, though. In their eyes, the bonds within a Typhon Family were still very close. As for the females left to roam freely, even Xing Rui, who had obtained a snakeskin, had only "heard of" her mother.
"Tell me about that power," Famu said. "I'm very curious about it."
"Oh, you're curious about my Furnace Core ability. That's understandable. After all, you probably haven't met many outstanding males." Kong Cui had inadvertently boasted again.
Famu didn't interrupt him.
"My Furnace Core is Dark Marsh," Kong Cui explained.
"Dark Marsh is a power exclusive to priests. Just as Child of the Earth belongs to you warriors, Dark Marsh belongs to us priests."
"You may not know this, but shadow is a power we acquire through prayer and cultivation. It usually manifests physically as markings on our scales, representing the blessing of the green god, Lundetil. Shadow can make water viscous. We can stir the water to create whirlpools that draw enemies in, then turn the water into a congealed prison. Some exceptional priests can also use it to change the pressure underwater, crushing their prey's bones and internal organs."
Famu recalled the pressure he had felt underwater. "It seems you're an exceptional priest, then."
"Of course. Apart from being a little unstable, I am indeed an excellent priest." Kong Cui couldn't resist showing off again. "You should know that in a Muerjia's territory, only three priest candidates can go to the King's Territory, and only one can stay."
"You're one of those three priest candidates?"
"No, I was the only one sent. I'm destined to stay. The other priest candidates aren't qualified to compete with me."
"Are you really unwilling to travel with me?" Kong Cui asked again.
"How is Dark Marsh cultivated?" Famu thought that since he was a male Typhon too, he should be able to learn Dark Marsh.
As for the so-called prayer, it couldn't really be of any use in the rainforest.
"Forgive me, but I cannot answer." Kong Cui shook his head. "Only high-ranking priests of the Shadow Temple can master this technique. I truly cannot answer that question. If you're interested in priests, you might ask about the Shadow Temple when you reach the King's Territory. The elders occasionally receive guests, answer their questions, and offer them guidance."
"The Shadow Temple?" Famu placed emphasis on the word "temple," confirming that it wasn't some kind of dwelling but a building in the true sense.
"Yes, the Shadow Temple."
From Kong Cui's response, Mud Language confirmed that the temple was just what Famu understood it to be: a massive building.
Had Typhon priests even built a temple?
How did snakes construct buildings?
If the temple was a literal description, did that mean the Queen's Temple was actually a real temple too?
As Famu had understood it, the Queen's Temple Xing Rui had mentioned probably meant the Typhon queen's residence, not an actual temple building.
After a moment of silence, Famu unexpectedly found himself wanting to go to the Sea of Doern.
To see the two temples for himself.