Chapter 133: The Divine Will temple (Part-1)

“Just like an auntie scolding people in the marketplace,” Ryan said with a grin.

“Bad!” Wang Bi’er shyly punched his shoulder, her face as red as a ripe apple.

Ryan exaggerated a groan and clutched his arm, pretending to be injured. Their playful exchange made their relationship seem noticeably closer.

“Are you two done yet?” Mu Xianling said from the side, her brows tightly knit. “It’s already getting dark.”

She had seen Mo Ran’s second attack earlier and had been anxious for Ryan, yet she did not understand mental attacks and had no idea how to help. Watching Wang Bi’er step forward so decisively while she herself could only stand by had left her feeling powerless and frustrated.

Now, seeing Ryan and Wang Bi’er laughing together only made her heart feel even more uncomfortable. She could not tell whether it was jealousy, helplessness, or resentment at her own weakness.

“Alright, enough messing around,” Ryan said, glancing briefly at Mu Xianling before turning back to Wang Bi’er. “Take us to see the Divine Will Temple.”

“Mm.” Wang Bi’er nodded.

The group set off again. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a grand hall. Two towering stone pillars stood on either side, carved with mysterious runes. The massive doors were adorned with lifelike dragon and phoenix reliefs, radiant and majestic, exuding an indescribable aura.

Above the entrance hung a plaque bearing a single character: “Spirit.” The strokes were bold and fluid, like dragons and phoenixes dancing. Merely looking at it gave one a sense of vigor and clarity, as if fatigue melted away under its presence.

“The hall is magnificent.” Ryan let out a soft sigh after taking in the Divine Will Temple before him.

“Come on, Brother Li, let’s go inside,” Wang Bi’er said with a smile.

From the side, Li Shu glanced at the two disciples guarding the entrance and could not help but frown slightly. Their expressions were cold and aloof, their gazes sharp and unfriendly, making her instinctively uncomfortable. She leaned closer to Wang Bi’er and asked in a low voice, “We aren’t officially disciples of Western Mansion yet. Are we really allowed to enter the Divine Will Temple? With guards like that, won’t they stop us?”

“They won’t,” Wang Bi’er replied, nodding calmly. “The eight palaces of the outer court compete with one another every year. During the entrance examination period, each palace opens its main hall for a few days, allowing candidates to enter and experience it. That’s how they attract talented candidates. Otherwise, after passing the exam, why would outstanding candidates choose one palace over another?”

“I see,” Li Shu said, nodding in understanding.

“Then let’s go,” Ryan said. He was genuinely curious as well. He wanted to see what kind of place the Divine Will Temple was and how the disciples of Dui Palace cultivated their strength within it.

The group walked toward the entrance. The two guarding disciples did not even glance at them, confirming Wang Bi’er’s words. The Divine Will Temple was indeed open to candidates at this time.

As soon as they stepped inside, everyone felt their vision widen. The interior of the Divine Will Temple was incomparably vast. Even if hundreds of candidates entered at once, it would not feel cramped. Golden patterns adorned the walls and floor, and the entire hall radiated a solemn yet dazzling brilliance that perfectly matched everyone’s expectations.

Yet despite its grandeur, there was an unmistakable sense of emptiness. The hall was enormous, but only two or three candidates were scattered within. There were no disciples of Dui Palace in sight, making the place feel oddly desolate.

This scene matched what Wang Bi’er had mentioned earlier. Among the eight outer palaces, Dui Palace ranked at the bottom in overall strength, and this lack of popularity was evident at a glance.

Ryan and his companions immediately stood out. Li Shu, Li Baijie, Wang Bi’er, and Mu Xianling gathered together formed a striking sight. Even without deliberate effort, the four women drew attention like a living painting, instantly becoming the most eye-catching presence in the hall.

“Brother Tao, look over there,” a candidate whispered with a grin, eyes glued to the group. “Those girls are really something.”

The man called Brother Tao followed his gaze, glanced at Ryan’s group, and nodded in agreement. Then, with a tone filled with casual arrogance, he called out, “Hey, you over there. Which district are you from? Why did you come to the Divine Will Temple?”

This man was Liu Tao, a candidate from the Eastern District. In his city’s qualification exam, he had ranked fifth, an impressive result among thousands. With such achievements, he naturally carried himself with confidence and pride, speaking as if others were obligated to answer him.

Ryan and the others merely glanced at Liu Tao without stopping. Under Wang Bi’er’s guidance, they turned and headed toward a narrow passage on the far right side of the hall.

The Divine Will Temple had three passages in total.

The first was broad and majestic, paved with golden tiles and exuding splendor. The second was narrower but incredibly deep, stretching into darkness so profound that its end could not be seen. Both passages were sealed and strictly off-limits to candidates.

Only the third passage, narrow and unassuming, was open. This was the path specifically prepared for candidates to experience the Divine Will Temple, and it was where Ryan and the others were heading.

Seeing them ignore him completely, Liu Tao let out a cold snort, his expression darkening. He felt slighted, but with Ryan’s group already entering the passage, he could not openly chase after them without appearing petty.

“Brother Tao, judging by their clothing, they look like candidates from the North District,” a sharp-eyed youth behind him said thoughtfully.

This youth was Qian Xiaoliu, clever and observant, with a knack for reading situations. Though capable in his own right, he willingly acted as Liu Tao’s follower, often offering suggestions and flattering him at every opportunity.

“The North District?” Liu Tao sneered, his lips curling upward. “That makes things even easier. I was already thinking of giving them a lesson for daring to ignore me. If they’re from the North District, then there’s no need to hold back at all.”

“Exactly,” Qian Xiaoliu said eagerly. “When they come out, we can humiliate them properly. If they still don’t know their place, we can take it to the martial stage and teach them a lesson.”

Liu Tao nodded, then added thoughtfully, “If they went in there, they’ll probably be testing their mental strength. I wonder how well those North District candidates can handle it.”

“What else could it be?” Qian Xiaoliu said quickly, seizing the chance to flatter him. “How could anyone compare to Brother Tao? Even without specializing in mental cultivation, you’ve already reached three layers of spiritual talent. That’s rare genius-rank ability.”

“Of course,” Liu Tao said smugly, lifting his chin. “I am Liu Tao, after all. Who doesn’t know I’m a gifted talent?”

“Brother Tao is truly mighty,” Qian Xiaoliu continued shamelessly. “If I were a woman, I’d marry you without hesitation.”

“Get lost,” Liu Tao said with a laugh of disdain. “Even if you were a woman, I wouldn’t want you. Unlike those just now…”

His gaze drifted toward the direction Ryan and the others had gone, lingering with particular interest, as if replaying the image of the four women in his mind.

“Don’t worry, Brother Tao,” Qian Xiaoliu said ingratiatingly. “Once you show your true ability, how could those girls not be captivated? Those two pale-faced boys don’t deserve to stand beside them.”

“Exactly,” Liu Tao said with satisfaction. “Once I make my move, I don’t believe they won’t fall for my charm.”

With that, he began waiting eagerly for Ryan and the others to emerge from the passage, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep