Finding a Clue

No wonder Ryze didn't want to come to Mount Targon with us; he'd already been there. I didn't disturb Diana and listened to her continue her story:

Seeing outsiders fall one by one, Diana refused to remain silent and decided to delve into the inner workings of the Solar Cult to investigate. In doing so, she earned her way into the Temple Knight and made a good friend in Leona.

During their time together, she discovered that Leona was different from the other Temple Knight; she was a very thoughtful person, and perhaps with some guidance, she could see the truth of the matter!

So she began to subtly instill the concept of the cycle of reincarnation and curses in her new friend, but Leona didn't believe it at all and warned her not to have such thoughts anymore, as it was disrespectful to the gods.

Diana, of course, would not stop there. She secretly sought out like-minded people to create a stir. This was soon discovered by the bishop, who did not punish her but expelled her from the Solar Cult and allowed her to promote her theories.

Diana was surprised that the bishop was so merciful as to let her go, but she would not change her mind; she had to break through the illusory rule of the Solar Cult!

This infiltration of the Solar Cult was not without its gains. During the investigation, Diana discovered that there had once been a sect on Mount Targon that was an equal to the Solar Cult — the New Moon Cult.

The records about the New Moon Cult are very simple: this sect believes in the newborn moon and advocates that people develop their inner selves. Because its ideas differ from those of the Solar Cult, the two have always been enemies.

Later, the New Moon Cult was invaded by a demon, who stole a treasure and led to its destruction. Various sites were also taken over by the Solar Cult. That's all there is to it.

As for the famous figures of the New Moon Cult, who the demons were who destroyed the New Moon Cult, and why the gods did not help, there is no record in the materials.

However, none of that matters. The fact that their beliefs differ from those of the Solar Cult is enough for Diana to decide to join the New Moon Cult!

After two years of hard work, she only managed to recruit nine companions, eight of whom were newcomers who had climbed up from the bottom of the mountain.

To prove herself right, Diana decides to take a more direct approach: murder!

She wanted to prove to everyone that as long as someone dies here, a new person will be born. However, the Solar Cult allowed her to preach but did not allow such violent incidents to occur, so they imprisoned them until today when they were finally released.

The whole story has finally been figured out, but the problem remains unresolved. The curse of reincarnation still exists, and it's unclear how to break it or what kind of impact it would have on this place.

Diana was still thinking about Ryze: "You two are truly extraordinary. Over the years, besides Ryze, you two are the only ones who haven't become residents of Mount Targon. I wonder if he's still alive."

"To be honest, we were brought in by Ryze, but he didn't tell us any of this."

"You're Ryze's friends? Then do you know how to break the cycle of reincarnation?"

"We're not good at this, but since Ryze didn't warn me, I guess he trusts I can handle it. You just said that outsiders become locals after ten days?"

"Yes, when did you arrive?"

"We just arrived yesterday, thankfully we have plenty of time."

That being said, I'm completely clueless right now. Diana investigated for over twenty years without finding a single clue, so what can I possibly do in just ten days?

Varus then reminded me, "Yasuo, do you remember why we came in here?"

"We beg the gods for help in dealing with the Vastaya, and preferably destroying the Void as well."

"No, there's one more thing: we came in to search for the World Rune!"

"That's right, how come I didn't think of that! Only the power of World Rune could maintain such a large magical space!"

Diana, unaware of World Rune, asked us with confusion, "Wait, what are you two talking about, World Rune?"

"I don't know much about this either. Just think of it as a stone that contains great power. Does the Solar Cult have anything special about it?"

Diana thought for a moment, "Apart from the Papacy, the other places are just places where believers gather to pray; there's nothing special about them. If there's anything strange, it's definitely there!"

"Okay, I'll go back now!"

"You're going by yourself? They should be very wary now, right?"

"The more dangerous the place, the safer it is. They definitely won't expect me to dare to go back so soon. Besides, I've studied Stealth Technique and I'm very good at this kind of thing, so don't worry!"

Varus chimed in, "Trust Yasuo. He's very strong. The two of us will lie in wait nearby, and we'll go to his aid if a battle breaks out."

"Okay, then be careful!"

I jumped directly off Varus's back and disappeared into the wind. Since mastering the style, my understanding of the Wind Element has become more thorough, and I can't even disturb birds flying nearby.

When I returned to the Papacy, the crowd had not yet dispersed, and a dozen or so Temple Knight were protecting the bishop and several elders as they discussed matters.

I stopped when I could eavesdrop, and learned that they were calling on their followers to conduct a comprehensive search, and then use divine power to "purify" us directly.

I don't know how this purification is done, but there's no doubt that after the purification, we will become members of the Solar Cult.

These people didn't disperse until late at night. The Temple Knight took turns on duty, while the others went to rest.

I seized the opportunity to sneak in and carefully sensed the energy fluctuations around me. If this place was supported by the power of runes, then there must be a place where energy was emanating. Unfortunately, there was no Spiritual Power here, otherwise I could have found it quickly by following the flow of Spiritual Power.

Wait, Spiritual Power arises from the birth and death of all things. It's not just the birth and death of humans; Spiritual Power is generated at the birth and death of all things.

Since they're not here, does that mean not only are the people of the Solar Cult fake, but even the plants and animals of Mount Targon, and even Willow Village below, are illusory?

Are these people even simply repeating what someone else did in the past?

Thinking about this, I felt a pang of heartache. Were those seemingly vibrant lives just a group of pathetic shadows? Whose cruel joke is this cycle of reincarnation?

To answer these questions, we must first find the World Rune!

I wandered around exploring every corner and discovered that the architecture of the Solar Cult was very beautiful. The strong and smooth lines outlined exquisite patterns, including gods, warriors, and believers.

If one didn't know for certain that these were all false, who would have thought of it?

I searched carefully, and soon I suddenly felt a fluctuation of energy on the sun stone sculpture right in the center of the roof!