Chapter 2742: Chapter 2742: Trust

As Zen looked around, he realized that the architectural styles of the temples here were different from what he'd seen before.

Come to think of it, the temples Zen had seen on Stage One each had different styles, too. It seemed they were built in different eras.

After all, every race had their own unique aesthetic, so it only made sense that the styles of buildings varied.

However, the four temples that loomed before him were different from each other, but all were of the human style.

“These temples... were built by humans?” Zen asked incredulously.

“Yes.” Dorothy nodded. “Most of the mighty races build their temples on Stage Four. Some weaker forces can only build their temples on Stage Two or Stage Three, and the weakest nonhuman races are limited to Stage One...”

Because there were many races in the Source World, establishing a temple on Stage Four was a way to assert their power.

“So, are you saying, Stage Four is the liveliest place?” Zen asked.

“Of course it is. Just follow me, you'll know soon enough,” Dorothy smiled.

Following closely behind Dorothy, Zen continued to examine the four temples, three of which represented the three orthodox human forces. But what about the fourth temple?

“There are three orthodox forces in human race and each one has a temple here. Then who owns the fourth one?” Zen voiced his thoughts.

“You should have guessed it by now,” Dorothy said nonchalantly. “It's the one that is always on your mind.”

'The Nine Li race...' Zen thought in his mind.

There once had been four orthodox forces in human race, but only three of them remained.

By taking advantage of the Sun Crow race's invasion, Athemar had found out Zen's background, but those of the Origin Mountain didn't know it. However, this didn't stop Dorothy and the others from guessing. After all, they were able to piece things together from things Zen said, intentionally or unintentionally.

“Oh, guessed what?” Zen suddenly laughed.

“Are you still playing dumb?” Dorothy pouted. “Am I so untrustworthy?”

Even though they had been through many life and death situations together, Zen had never revealed his origin to her. For some reason, this upset Dorothy.

Zen hesitated. Since Athemar already knew his background, and since the Oneness Sky Palace wasn't exactly the enemy of the Nine Li race, there was no need to hide it from Dorothy.

Sometimes, if one was too cautious and secretive, they were bound to lose the trust of the others. Even Zen himself would be on guard against a person whose background was unknown to him. ȑÁNổ𐌱ËŞ

“It's sort of what you think,” he said after a while. “But I can't talk about it right now. If there's a chance in the future, then trust me: I will tell you all the things you should know.”

Upon hearing his words, without turning around, Dorothy quickened her pace. Zen began to worry that she might be vexed with him.

Just as Zen was about to grab her by the arm, she suddenly looked back at him from over her shoulder, giggling. “Did you really mean what you said just now?”

Zen was stunned by Dorothy's sudden mood swings. Having difficulty adapting to the situation, he ended up saying, “Yes, you have my word.”

Then, she proceeded to tell him about the temples.

In the olden days, the human race was weak. The four orthodox human forces had no choice but to unite in order to survive. This became a precious era of peace and harmony.

During this time, four temples of the human race were built.

Besides the four temples on Stage Four, on the higher stages of the Other Shore, the four human forces also had their temples lined up together.

However, the harmonious state did not last forever. The dispute between Nine Li race and Bearing race led to a huge fight.

The conflict between the two races wasn't enough to affect the entire human race, though.

At that time, the Oneness Sky Palace decided to stand by and not interfere. The Eastern Emperor Taiyi believed that it was nothing but a silly quarrel, and that nothing serious would happen.

After all, besides the human race, there were many other powerful races in the Source World. If the battle went on for too long, it would only benefit the other races. Even Chiyou shared the same sentiments at the time.

The war between the two races was much like the one between the Oneness Sky Palace and the Sun Crow race. The battles were limited to one province. It was more like a trial for the two races than a full-fledged war.

However, once the Divine Farmer race got involved, everything changed.

Under the joint attack of the two orthodox human forces, the Nine Li race was doomed. With Chiyou's death, the whole Source World was shocked. After all, it wasn't simple to form a super power; conversely, it wasn't easy to annihilate one. However, with the Yellow Thearch and the Divine Farmer joining hands, they made it happen.

Since their fall, the temples of the Nine Li race on the Other Shore were then occupied by the Bearing race.

“What's the reaction of the Oneness Sky Palace after the Nine Li race was annihilated?” Zen asked with brows furrowed.

“As far as I know, Eastern Emperor Taiyi didn't say anything, but he paid a visit to the Pear Hill,” Dorothy said.

Then, it clicked. Zen finally understood what had happened.

The reason behind the conflict between the different forces of human race boiled down to the different ways they had chosen to live by.

Those top masters were so powerful, and they all had strong will and great ambitions. There was no way they'd back down so easily and change the way they had chosen.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi knew clearly that he could not confront the joint force of Yellow Thearch and Divine Farmer all by himself. If he did not join them, he had to find a new ally.

Both the Pear Hill and the Oneness Sky Palace had chosen the same way.

Zen had known about this from Athemar. Now it was confirmed here by Dorothy again, which made him even more relieved.

He had chosen to join the Oneness Sky Palace by accident. And now it turned out that it was the right choice.

No. 9527 might also know about all this, but it never disclosed everything clearly to Zen. It just subtly guided him to the way that suited him.

They talked in a low voice while walking until they reached the square in front of the temples.

Originally, each of the four temples had a statue positioned in the front. In front of the temple that belonged to the Oneness Sky Palace, there was a massive marble statue of a sword. For the Bearing race, there was a ferocious bear statue. In front of the Divine Farmer race's temple, there was a statue of a huge ruler.

Zen frowned as he saw that the statue for the last temple had been destroyed. Only two legs remained.

Even if he had never been here before, he knew without a doubt that it was Chiyou's statue--with three heads and three pairs of arms. Now, it had been destroyed and was barely discernible. Zen sighed sadly.

But what piqued his interest was the huge ruler that stood in front of the temple of the Divine Farmer race.

It was so detailed, almost lifelike. It actually looked similar to his Infinity Ruler.

“What is the story of that?” Zen asked, pointing at the statue of the ruler.

“It's the Divine Farmer Ruler,” Dorothy replied instantly. This was just common knowledge. But since Zen was a newcomer in the Source World, she had already gotten used to his ignorance.

'What's the connection between the Divine Farmer Ruler and the Infinity Ruler?' Zen wondered in his mind. But on second thought, since the members of the Divine Farmer race had made a statue of Divine Farmer Ruler as a token to worship, it must have an extraordinary origin. It might be ridiculous to try to draw a connection between the two.

When the two finally arrived at the gate of the Oneness Sky Palace's temple, two guards blocked their way. “If your are disciples of the Oneness Sky Palace, we need to confirm your identity!”

Dorothy calmly raised her arm, and the square space ring in her hand flashed with bright light.

One of them stepped aside and said politely, “You may enter.” Then, turning to Zen, he said, “We also have to verify your identity.”

Everyone on the Other Shore couldn't see each other's appearance, and they could only identify each other by their scent. Thus, it was only natural they couldn't tell who Zen was.