As the group advanced, they drew closer to the temple at the center. The closer they got, the more ancient it felt. It was as if they were stepping into the river of time, flowing upstream to witness primeval ages.
No one knew if the temple was man-made or if the flowers in it had built it themselves, just like this space, this island, and the flowers on it – all a deep crimson. Yet, unlike the vibrant redness of the flowers, the temple's hue was heavier, not a bright, bloody red, but a blackish-red that seemed to have shed its life and solidified. Despite the weight of years on its surface, the temple showed no signs of decay and was spotlessly clean.
As they approached, the group realized the temple's exterior wasn't like a temple in the conventional sense; it resembled a heart. Its four supporting pillars were like immense blood vessels. Upon closer inspection, they saw a scarlet, unknown liquid flowing within these pillars, much like genuine arteries. What was once inanimate now seemed alive, as if it had gained a breath of its own.
"This..."
Outside the temple, they exchanged bewildered glances. Faced with such an eerie spectacle, even the jovial Brook fell silent, his singing ceasing.
Without making them wait, a resonant *clang* echoed as the temple doors slowly swung open from within. With their opening, an unsettling aura spread outwards, sending shivers down their spines. Simultaneously, the island's flowers came alive, swaying continuously. The tendrils at the tips of their blooms pulsed with an even more brilliant light. These luminous spheres detached themselves, drifting towards the sky like tiny orbs.
The beauty of the island at this moment was so breathtaking that anyone witnessing it would deem it a scene only possible in dreams. However, those standing before the temple doors had no mood to appreciate it. The instant the doors opened, their minds were captivated by a flower blooming on a stone pedestal within, similar yet distinctly different from the flowers outside.
"Hmph!"
At that moment, a hum, like the tolling of a bell, resonated through everyone's minds, snapping them back to reality.
"This is..."
As they regained their senses, they turned their heads towards Kong Tai. Ah Tao exclaimed in surprise, "It's like Kong Tai's eyes!"
Indeed, it was remarkably similar, yet different. They had experienced Kong Tai's eyes before, and found that with a steadfast mind, it was difficult to fall under their influence. But the flower within the temple, the moment they looked at it, they were involuntarily affected. More than that, they sensed this wasn't an active emanation from the flower, but an inherent divinity that drew them in. Yes, divinity. It was as if they had witnessed the most perfect life in the world, inspiring in them an overwhelming yearning. Without a strong will, they would have knelt the moment they saw the flower, their faith forever devoted to it.
"Don't go in yet, stay outside!" Kong Tai said calmly, gazing at the flower on the stone pedestal. "The field surrounding this flower is too powerful. Even if it harbors no ill intent, with your current strength, even a steadfast will would falter."
Hearing Kong Tai's words, Ah Hua and the others could only offer wry smiles. They, who were considered powerhouses across the globe, now felt the same trepidation as when they first set sail. The sensation of being unable to withstand an aura naturally emanated by something left a bitter taste in their mouths.
They harbored no extra emotions towards Brook and Indigo. Following Kong Tai's instruction, Brook proceeded with Robin to examine the temple. Indigo, meanwhile, crouched down to study the flowers. As for Yi Sheng, he naturally stayed by Kong Tai's side. While this level of influence existed for him, it was not as potent as it was for Ah Hua and the others.
Nodding to Robin, Kong Tai took Gu Yina's hand and stepped into the temple without hesitation. The temple was not large, nor was its interior. Aside from the stone pedestal where the flower bloomed, there was nothing else. The moment they entered, the captivating aura intensified several times over, creating a stark contrast to the world outside. Yet, even this did not affect Kong Tai. Upon entering, Kong Tai's gaze swept around and settled on the flower.
"Can you speak?"
"...Jī...lī...gū...lū..."
The flower swayed gently, emitting fragmented sounds that resonated in everyone's minds, as if speaking directly to their souls.
"I don't understand." Kong Tai stated plainly. The written language from eight hundred years ago had been lost by this era; to not understand something from the ancient times was to be expected.
The flower seemed to shift, then emitted a different kind of wave.
"This... how about now?" The voice echoed in their souls, sounding young, not like an ancient being who had lived for eons, but more like a boy. Yet, this boyish voice carried a hint of weariness, as if...
"You..." Kong Tai stared at the flower, stroking his chin. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Are you sick?"
Inside the temple, Yi Sheng and Gu Yina stood silently beside Kong Tai. Hearing this, they perked up their ears. The group outside also listened intently, though the voice wasn't a true sound but one transmitted directly to their souls.
"Yes!"
After some interference, the flower could finally form coherent words. It swayed, and they heard its voice again. "I sense the aura of those individuals on you, especially on the blue-haired girl's sword. Have you encountered demons recently?"
"Yes!" Kong Tai nodded, then shook his head. "No demons, but we encountered people controlled by an unseen energy."
"They still haven't given up?" The flower murmured to itself, then added, "Why do you feel like a life form similar to myself?" It then shook, a movement akin to a human head shake, and continued, "No, I cannot see through you at all. Though you are right before me, I feel you are infinitely far away, beyond my comprehension." It shook its head again. "Impossible! After the war in the supreme ancient era, no such special life form could appear in this world again. Has the outside world undergone destruction and begun anew?"
"Only the rebirth of the world can create life forms like us."
"World... rebirth..."
Hearing the flower's words, everyone's gaze turned to Kong Tai. He merely stroked his chin in thought, not immediately answering their present questions. The flower spoke of creation, not gestation, when referring to life forms like themselves being born from a world's rebirth. This detail was quite thought-provoking.