The temple looked even more dilapidated than when everyone had left it. Although the energy storm earlier hadn't completely destroyed the temple, it had clearly caused considerable damage: a large number of decorative pillars had broken and collapsed in the temple's forecourt, quite a few sections of the stone roof above the First Corridor had caved in, and cracks covered the exquisite reliefs on the outer walls. In some areas that seemed to have been struck by the energy storm, they could even see glasslike substances that had melted and solidified again.
Heiserana found a large hole in the front of the temple. It was the very hole the group had made when escaping from the temple last time, proving that this was indeed the Cloud Temple they had seen before. This time, however, it wasn't in the sky. Instead, it had fused with the mountain beneath their feet in a bizarre state: only the front half of the temple protruded from the mountain, while the rear half had been completely swallowed by the rock. At the place where the two met, there were no signs of impact or cracks, as though they had naturally grown together.
Hao Ren led the group, walking at the very front while studying the surrounding environment. "This ruin is getting more and more confusing. The sea of clouds before, and now this desert... How did all these things appear?"
"Perhaps this is a gigantic illusion, and what we're seeing is a projection created by the illusion." Vivian released small bats into every nook and cranny to search for clues as she walked, answering Hao Ren's question at the same time. "Whether it's the sea of clouds or the desert, the only constant is this temple. It should be the core of the ruin."
Lily