But the red-masked man immediately continued in an even tone, "The Divine Lord will not force anyone. If any of you are unwilling, you may withdraw at once. Once the ritual begins, withdrawal will no longer be permitted. However, those who leave early will have their divine power reclaimed."
All extraneous sounds vanished from the scene in an instant. Silence reigned.
The red-masked man said slowly, "Your power was bestowed by the Divine Lord. If you do not obey the divine command, it can naturally be taken back."
"Then what is the point of becoming a true god?" someone suddenly asked again.
The red-masked man replied, "Once you ascend to the seat of a true god, divine power will transform from illusion into reality and belong entirely to yourself."
Another person asked, "Who knows whether what you're saying is true or false?" The red-masked man answered calmly, "Believe it or not."
After saying that, he spoke no more. The atmosphere at the scene was oppressive and grave.
Yet the "divine ritual" mentioned by the red-masked man had already begun to be arranged. The "guards" who had originally been standing against the walls—the people wearing identical masks and carrying lanterns—began to gently sway the lanterns in their hands. The flames within cast shadows upon the rock walls, and a bloody radiance seeped from those shadows, divine as gods and demonic as devils. A mysterious, sinister aura gradually spread with the swaying lanterns.
Then, from somewhere unseen, chanting suddenly began.
The chanting sounded both holy and evil, as though it were beside their ears and yet at the far edge of the heavens.
The dim blue light on the ground gradually deepened, turning pitch-black.
Black mist seeped from the black crystals in the ceiling, causing the bright light to dim.
The once