Chapter 1384: Chapter 1384

Recognizing the eminent reputation of Mr. Sun, the solitary cultivators immediately quieted down and decided to discreetly leave. However, Mr. Sun suddenly spoke: "Wait a moment."

The officials of the Horizon Bureau circled these solitary cultivators, causing their faces to change dramatically. Mr. Sun turned to them with a friendly expression and reassured them, "Don’t be nervous, I have no ill intentions. There might be some matters I need to ask you about later."

Having given this instruction, Mr. Sun turned around and started examining the Stone People. This scrutiny lasted for four full hours!

Leroy Baker found it rather boring accompanying Mr. Sun, but he didn’t dare to speak out. He was even more surprised then, that during the four-hour inspection, Mr. Sun didn’t utilize any detection methods, not even the Thousand Eyes Gate, let alone releasing his divine sense.

"What is Mr. Sun looking at, exactly?" Leroy muttered to himself. He silently observed Mr. Sun, only to discover an incredibly serious expression on his face.

The solitary cultivators anxiously watched Mr. Sun. When they saw him turning around and walking towards them, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You all wish to pay homage and worship to gain the Origin Return Skill?" Mr. Sun asked.

"Exactly, we have no ill intentions, as cultivators, we naturally aspire to ascend to higher levels," the solitary cultivators responded cautiously, "If you are concerned, we are willing to join the Horizon Bureau after paying our respects and follow your commands."

Mr. Sun shook his head disapprovingly. It was not a matter of distrust, but more of contempt for these people. Did they think the Horizon Bureau was just anyplace? Every cultivator who wanted to join the Bureau needed to have a clear background, but these roving cultivators, who knew what deeds they had done before?

The moment Mr. Sun laid eyes on the Stone People, a deep sense of dread arose from the bottom of his heart. It was so strong that it stopped him from using any detection methods.

"It’s something from before the Heavenly Track Reversal, again, huh..." he murmured.

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Sun advised the solitary cultivators, "I won’t prevent you from paying homage, but I would like to caution you: this skill comes from a suspicious origin, you should consider your decision carefully."

"Thank you, Mr. Sun, our minds are made up."

Mr. Sun waved his hand, left with Leroy Baker and Burton Benson. The solitary cultivators then swarmed forward, taking out their previously-prepared incense to light and bow in worship.

Mr. Sun stretched out his hand towards Leroy Baker, "Let me see the Ten-Thousand Dust Returning to Origin Skill." Leroy, who had prepared earlier, handed it over and said, "Mr. Sun, this skill is peculiar. Those who have not paid homage cannot practice it."

Mr. Sun took it and, after careful inspection, exclaimed in admiration, "Truly mysterious." But mystery didn’t necessarily imply good fortune, it could also mean immense complexity. Mr. Sun then put away the Ten-Thousand Dust Returning to Origin Skill and told Burton Benson, "Recall all the Military Officers guarding the vicinity of the Stone People."

Burton was taken aback. Mr. Sun further explained, "For now, the Stone People still allow people to pay voluntary homage. However, after some time, I fear that all cultivators nearby will be influenced, whether they wish to pay respects or not!"

Burton immediately grew serious, "I will call them back at once."

Leroy approached and asked, "Mr. Sun, what exactly is this thing? Could it be another trick of some Evil God collecting faith?" Yet, all Mr. Sun did was gently shake his head, "It’s not appropriate to speak of it."

Leroy was somewhat confused about Mr. Sun’s statement. Why "not appropriate" to speak of it? If it were a powerful deity, it should be "impossible" to mention as any reference to its name can draw its attention. It is exactly through this "specificity" that deities are able to receive prayers.

Mr. Sun did not elaborate further. The existence behind the Stone People had grand schemes. Paying homage and worshiping equated to "joining their doctrine", followed by practicing their skills— this entity wished to spread its "path" to solitary cultivators across the world!

Although the solitary cultivators might appear weak, they made up a significant population. Mr. Sun calculated that out of every three cultivators in the Wood Dynasty, one was a solitary cultivator. If all of them practiced the Ten-Thousand Dust Returning to Origin Skill... what an immense force that would be!

After Mr. Sun inferred the mysteries within this scroll using the earthenware jar, he was taken aback. The scroll concealed great secrets. Regardless of the level of practice, as long as the "Origin" of this skill makes a mental move, all cultivated powers would return to their Origin. And this Origin, of course, was the existence behind the Stone People.

This "Origin" could even refrain from practicing, hiding among ordinary people. Unless he revealed himself, no one could find him. But when he needed this power, all he needs to do was absorb the power of the solitary cultivators, and he could instantaneously achieve the Ninth Great Realm, or even surpass it!

There was another aspect that set this skill apart from the ordinary nefarious skills - the "Origin" could freely adjust how much power it absorbs and decides whether or not to give it back.

For example, it could absorb power within a limited range, such as from all the followers in a county, or only 10% of the power from a large region like a province. Furthermore, after it used this power, it also decided whether or not to return it and to whom it should be returned.

All of these relied on the "paying homage" ritual as a foundation. In Mr. Sun’s opinion, this ceremony was a contract signed on the Heavenly Track level with the Stone People.

Mr. Sun had already guessed that an ancient entity sleeping in this land had woken up. There were no Ancient Annihilation Domains opening up locally, which meant this entity’s hiding method was different from the Red Dragon Master’s. However, on second thought, Mr. Sun understood: this entity didn’t need to maintain itself at a higher level.