Chapter 2175: Even the Temple Must Be Visited Once
The person who spoke was a man wearing a mask, his voice somewhat hoarse, as if deliberately altered. He stood in the shadows, only his silhouette visible.
Xu Huo looked at him, not speaking.
The masked man seemed unconcerned by his silence and continued, "You're looking for a way to leave, right? I can help you."
"Help me?" Xu Huo finally spoke.
"That's right." The masked man took a step forward, half of his face illuminated by the dim light. "I know you're not an ordinary player. With your abilities, staying in this place is a waste. I can take you to a higher-level area, where you'll find more opportunities and challenges."
Xu Huo remained expressionless. "What's your condition?"
The masked man chuckled. "Smart. My condition is simple—help me get something."
"What?"
"A key." The masked man's eyes grew deep. "It's hidden in the temple of this city. As long as you help me get it, I can take you away."
Xu Huo was silent for a moment, then said, "The temple is heavily guarded. It's not easy to get in."
"Of course it's not easy, or I wouldn't have come to you." The masked man's tone carried a hint of meaning. "But with your abilities, it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, I've already prepared a way in."
He took out a map from his bosom and handed it to Xu Huo. "This is the temple's internal layout, including patrol routes and trap locations. As long as you follow the route I marked, you can reach the place where the key is hidden."
Xu Huo took the map and glanced at it, then looked up at the masked man. "Why me?"
"Because you're strong enough, and you're not from this place." The masked man's voice grew low. "People here are all controlled by the temple. Only outsiders like you can break free from that control."
Xu Huo didn't immediately agree, but instead asked, "What exactly is that key?"
"A key to another world." The masked man's tone carried a hint of longing. "With it, you can leave this damned place and go to a real world."
"Real world?" Xu Huo frowned slightly.
"That's right." The masked man nodded. "This place is just a cage, a prison built by the temple. Only by finding the key can you truly be free."
Xu Huo was silent for a long time, then finally said, "Okay, I'll help you."
A hint of joy flashed in the masked man's eyes. "Great, I'll wait for you at the temple entrance at midnight tonight."
After saying that, his figure gradually faded and finally disappeared completely.
Xu Huo stood in place, looking at the map in his hand, his eyes thoughtful.
At midnight, Xu Huo arrived at the temple entrance as promised. The masked man was already waiting there, dressed in black, blending into the night.
"Here." The masked man handed him a black cloak. "Put this on, it can shield your aura and avoid detection by the temple's guards."
Xu Huo took the cloak and put it on. The two of them quietly sneaked into the temple.
The temple was much larger than it appeared from the outside, with intricate corridors and countless rooms. The masked man led the way, skillfully avoiding the patrolling guards.
"Be careful, there's a trap ahead." The masked man suddenly stopped, pointing at the ground ahead.
Xu Huo looked closely and saw faint runes carved on the ground, obviously some kind of detection mechanism.
"Follow my steps." The masked man lightly leaped, landing on a specific spot, then turned and said to Xu Huo, "Step on the places I stepped on, don't make a mistake."
Xu Huo nodded and followed his movements, smoothly passing through the trap area.
The two continued deeper, finally stopping in front of a heavy stone door.
"The key is inside." The masked man pointed at the stone door. "But this door requires a special method to open."
"What method?" Xu Huo asked.
"Blood." The masked man's tone grew grave. "Only by offering the blood of a pure soul can this door be opened."
"Pure soul?" Xu Huo frowned.
"That's right." The masked man looked at him. "And you are the pure soul I've been looking for."
Xu Huo's expression changed slightly. "You mean..."
"I'm sorry, but I have no other choice." The masked man's tone carried a hint of apology. "Only by sacrificing you can I get the key."
As his voice fell, the surrounding walls suddenly lit up with runes, forming a sealing array that trapped Xu Huo in place.
Xu Huo tried to move but found his body bound by an invisible force.
"Don't struggle." The masked man shook his head. "This is a sealing array specially designed to deal with super evolvers. The more you struggle, the tighter it binds."
Xu Huo stopped moving and looked calmly at the masked man. "So everything before was just a setup?"
"That's right." The masked man admitted frankly. "I've been looking for a pure soul, and you appeared at just the right time."
He walked up to Xu Huo, took out a dagger from his bosom. "Don't worry, it will be quick, you won't feel any pain."
Just as he was about to make a move, Xu Huo suddenly smiled.
"Are you sure this sealing array can trap me?"
The masked man was startled, and before he could react, he saw Xu Huo's body suddenly emit a dazzling light, and the runes on the sealing array instantly shattered.
"How is this possible?!" The masked man's face changed dramatically.
Xu Huo didn't answer, just raised his hand and pointed lightly at the masked man. The latter immediately felt a powerful force hit him, sending him flying backward and crashing heavily into the stone door.
"You... you're not an ordinary super evolver!" The masked man struggled to stand up, his eyes full of disbelief.
"That's right." Xu Huo said calmly. "I am a super evolver who has undergone secondary evolution."
"Secondary evolution..." The masked man's face turned deathly pale. He knew what that meant—only the very top-tier evolvers could achieve secondary evolution, and each one was an existence that could destroy cities and countries.
"Now, can we have a proper conversation?" Xu Huo looked down at him.
The masked man smiled bitterly. "I have nothing to say. Since I've failed, I'm at your mercy."
Xu Huo shook his head. "I'm not interested in your life. I just want to know, is there really a key to another world here?"
The masked man was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Yes, but it's not here."
"Where is it?"
"In the main hall of the temple." The masked man said, "But the temple master guards it personally. Even a secondary evolution super evolver like you may not be able to get it."
Xu Huo's eyes flickered. "Take me there."
The masked man hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Fine, since I've already lost, I might as well see how far you can go."
Under the masked man's guidance, Xu Huo soon arrived at the main hall of the temple. The hall was spacious and bright, with a huge statue enshrined in the center, and a crystal clear key hanging around the statue's neck.
"That's the key." The masked man pointed at the crystal key.
Xu Huo was about to step forward when a deep voice suddenly sounded from behind the statue.
"Outsider, this is not a place for you to come."
Following the voice, an old man in a white robe slowly walked out from behind the statue. He had a kind face, but his eyes held a sharpness that saw through everything.
"Temple Master." The masked man knelt down with a plop.
The temple master ignored him, his gaze fixed on Xu Huo. "Young man, why do you want this key?"
Xu Huo met his gaze. "I want to leave this place."
"Leave?" The temple master smiled slightly. "Do you know what is outside?"
"I don't know, but I want to see it for myself."
The temple master was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Since you insist, I won't stop you. But you must pass my test before you can take the key."
"What test?"
"Simple." The temple master raised his hand, and a beam of light fell from the hall's dome, enveloping Xu Huo. "As long as you can withstand the power of this temple, the key is yours."
As his voice fell, Xu Huo felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, as if the entire temple was pressing down on him. He gritted his teeth and held on, his body trembling slightly.
The temple master watched him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Not bad, you actually lasted this long."
Xu Huo didn't answer, just silently endured the pressure. He knew this was a test of willpower, and if he gave up, he would lose the chance to get the key.
Time passed minute by minute, and Xu Huo's clothes were already soaked with sweat, but he still stood firm.
Finally, the temple master withdrew the light, a look of admiration on his face. "You passed."
He reached out and took the crystal key from the statue's neck, handing it to Xu Huo. "This key is yours now."
Xu Huo took the key, feeling a warm current flow from it into his body.
"Remember," the temple master said seriously, "this key can open the door to another world, but that world may be more dangerous than here. You must be mentally prepared."
Xu Huo nodded. "I understand."
After saying goodbye to the temple master, Xu Huo left the temple with the key. The masked man followed behind him, his expression complex.
"You really are going to leave?" the masked man couldn't help but ask.
"Mm." Xu Huo didn't look back.
"Can you... take me with you?" the masked man asked hesitantly.
Xu Huo stopped and turned to look at him. "Why should I take you?"
The masked man smiled bitterly. "I've been trapped here for too long, I also want to see the outside world."
Xu Huo was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Fine, but you have to promise me one thing."
"Say it."
"From now on, don't use others as sacrifices again."
The masked man was stunned, then nodded heavily. "I promise you."
Xu Huo turned and continued forward, the masked man quickly following.
The two figures gradually disappeared into the night, heading towards an unknown distance.