The Struggle for Hermanubis's Power

The scene shifted, and the figure of Tighnari appeared.

"Cyno, judging over 300 people all by yourself—do you really think you're that impressive?"

There was irritation in Tighnari's voice, but even more concern.

"I've 'rounded them all up' today! After all, when it comes to wicked thoughts, there's no reason to 'net' them any mercy!"

Hearing Cyno's cold joke, Tighnari shook his head helplessly, though he still offered a word of praise.

"Your cold joke today is actually much better than before."

"Right? I spent a long time thinking about it. Now, come have a passionate round of Genius Invokation TCG with me!"

Cyno pulled out a card and struck a dashing pose.

Thanks to the broadcast of the Sky Screen, the people of the Douluo Continent had also become interested in Genius Invokation TCG.

Dori seemed to see a business opportunity, her eyes squinting into thin slits as she smiled.

"Cyno is as obsessed with card games as ever. The fierce beasts at the main academy were tormented by him, especially the Scarlet King—no, he's called Akainu now. It's quite a feat of Cyno's that he managed to get that guy to change his name just by using Genius Invokation TCG."

Ouyang Kong recalled Cyno's tactics and smiled knowingly.

After all, in Cyno's mind, if one were to take the name of the Scarlet King, how could they not know how to play Genius Invokation TCG? Not only must you know how, but you must be a top-tier expert to be worthy of that name.

The name Genius Invokation TCG itself originated from the Seven Sages under the Scarlet King.

At this moment, the image on the Sky Screen changed again, and an aged voice rang out.

"Our Lord, Priest of the Priests of the Rites of Striking, Lord Hermanubis."

Hearing this voice, Sethos appeared very agitated.

"That's Grandfather's voice! I never expected to hear it again!"

Sethos's eyes grew moist, but he did not cry; tears were a sign of weakness, and he had long since learned to be strong.

The Sky Screen now displayed a figure with the head of a jackal and the body of a man—it was Hermanubis.

"That lightning was his avatar, the continuation of his will."

"He was originally a Champion of Tinaler, emerging from the desert to serve the God King Al-Ahmar."

"After the God King died, Hermanubis led his followers and the Tinaler people, who had served as priests for generations, to the City of Tulaytullah to establish the Temple of Silence."

"That was our beginning; our duty was to protect the knowledge left behind by the civilization of the Scarlet King."

"A hundred years later, turmoil stirred in the sands."

"The Gilded Kings launched wars one after another, and the remaining civilization was destroyed in the flames of battle."

"Only the land of wisdom, Tulaytullah, survived under the leadership of the Tinaler people."

"But good times did not last; the beasts set their sights on Tulaytullah, which was rumored to hide the knowledge of the Scarlet King."

"The King of the City of Gurabad led an army to surround the place, ordering the sages to hand over the Temple of Silence to demonstrate the arrival of his majesty."

"The nobles in the city colluded with the warlord, betraying the Temple of Silence to preserve their own rule, even claiming that the knowledge stored within the Temple was the source of the pollution."

"In an instant, the Temple of Silence was besieged on all sides."

"Our Lord had long since exhausted his power to stop the spread of the pollution contained within the Scarlet King's knowledge."

"To ensure the Temple of Silence would endure, he shattered himself and initiated the ritual of inheriting the power of Hermanubis, bestowing his strength upon a mortal."

"With the help of this power, the Temple of Silence defeated the warlord's army, but we were not seen as heroes."

"The unknown power filled the desert dwellers with fear, and they ostracized us."

"In the end, the Temple of Silence took the Tinaler people of Tulaytullah and left the desert, entering the rainforest."

"The end of the story is not hard to imagine; the nobles of Tulaytullah were wiped out, and the flames of war burned across the entire desert."

"As for us, we wandered in exile to preserve our secrets."

"Because of betrayal, we left the desert for the rainforest, and because we were not trusted, we returned from the rainforest to the desert."

"Too long, it has been too long. Today, the moment for the glorious return of Hermanubis has finally arrived."

Following the words of Sethos's grandfather, Bamun, the Sky Screen unfolded a historical scroll regarding Hermanubis and the Temple of Silence, allowing the people of the Douluo Continent to feel the grandeur of the desert's history.

As the scroll ended, the camera pulled back to reveal the magnificent architecture of the Temple of Silence and many statues of Hermanubis.

Sethos and Cyno stood on the dueling grounds, with onlookers gathered around.

"I am Sethos, the one suited for the power of Hermanubis, and the grandson of Bamun, the current leader of the Temple of Silence."

"For a long time, we have pursued the true knowledge and power of Lord Hermanubis, thirsting for his soul and light to descend together."

"Now, I fight to claim this power!"

Cyno, standing opposite Sethos, also spoke up.

"I am Cyno, General Mahamatra of the Akademiya, student and successor to the sage Cyrus. I fight to protect my power, my teacher, and my nation."

"What about you? You should still have more to say. Since this is a Rite of Duel, then reveal your true heart before Hermanubis."

Sethos took a deep breath.

"Grandfather is a wise leader, but he is also a chief who carries a bloody name. I know how he thinks, and I know what he expects of me."

"We have been bound by faith for too long. I have been to Sumeru City, and I know that the times have changed."

"Cyno, you and I possess the same power, yet we lead vastly different lives."

"The Ba-Ling of Hermanubis also carries different symbols: majesty, glory, and various unknowns... Perhaps it is because our Ba-Ling represent different aspects, or perhaps you have already found the answer that I have yet to discover."

"Cyno, I believe you can bring me the answer. Beyond this power and faith, what else can I bring? Come!"

Following this, Cyno and Sethos simultaneously unleashed the power of Hermanubis to begin their duel.

The collision of pure power against power was incredibly intense, the lightning of the two men clashing incessantly.

It was not until Cyno withdrew the power of Hermanubis and drew his polearm to block Sethos that the duel shifted.

Sethos understood Cyno's intent and likewise drew a polearm to engage him in close-quarters combat.

Sethos excelled with the bow, so he was naturally a step behind in polearm technique.

In the end, it was no surprise that Sethos was defeated, and this was all part of the plan.

Sethos did not hesitate to pass his portion of the Ba-Ling to Cyno. Cyno absorbed the Ba-Ling, causing the lightning of Hermanubis to shine once more within the Temple of Silence.

The scene shifted to Bamun, who slowly closed his eyes and drew his final breath, at which point the text of the Sky Screen appeared.

[Bamun practiced his faith in Hermanubis throughout his entire life. He purchased Cyno from his parents to conduct Ba-Ling experiments alongside his adopted grandson, Sethos.]

[This may have been a wicked act, but it was his faith. With his final moments, he orchestrated the return of the power of Hermanubis, while also ensuring that the Temple of Silence no longer needs to remain hidden.]

[He was a wise man and a devout believer, worthy of respect.]