Shivani: Of Power And Strength

Chapter 3: The Guardians

“Which vermin dares set foot on this holy land!”

A thunderous sound suddenly came about as a sea of scarlet inferno incinerated the area. The flames shot into the dark sky, but didn’t burn anything at all.

When the blaze subsided, Alaric saw a divine beast standing proudly in the air: a Qilin. Its entire body was golden and covered in fiery sparks. The creature had an incomparably gallant figure as it stood above the sky like a descending divine god. Sitting behind was a young monk who was looking at Alaric like he was some acid inside a bottle of honey.

His head was smooth and reflective and had three crooked rows of four ordainment markings. Anyone would wonder whether his markings were real or not.

The young monks eyes were narrowed, as he had a serious expression on his face.

A series of large, round beads hang around his neck. Buddhist lights flashed inside these beads as if there was a Buddha inside each of them, sitting in a solemn pose. Sometimes, faint chants could be heard.

Beside the young monk stood an old Monk that was cloaked in an azure robe. He had no special features except for the six white markings on his bald head and a long, silver beard.

On his hands, he held a golden Khakkhara along with a small string of beads that were used for his prayers and invocations. He was standing calmly while staring intently at Alaric.

“Who I am is not important, but I am here for the Holy Fruit. Now, move out of my way, or die!” Alaric knew that he was being harsh, but he had no choice. Time was running out, and he needed to secure the safety of his daughter in any way possible.

For a moment, there was a complete silence. Nobody spoke as the three of them exchanged heated glares.

It only took a few seconds before the old Monk broke the silence. “I will let you pass.”

“What? But master!”

“Only if you defeat Rael, my disciple.”

Rael's expression instantly changed as he stood proudly with a smug face.

“I won't ask again. Get. Out. Of. My. Way!”

Rael immediately laughed. This would be the most arrogant words he heard in his entire life. “Ha! Don't be so full of yourself, intruder! Or you might eat your words.”

“We shall see.” Challenged Alaric as he jumped a few meters back.

Taking out a small treasure, Alaric casually threw it on the ground.

With a cracking sound, this treasure crazily assembled into a small, divine dome as it carefully shielded his daughter.

It was a three-colored sphere that was created from numerous tiny pieces latching together. Thus, it looked like gold, but wasn’t made of gold; looks like wood, but not wood.

The treasure was named Heavenly Thirteen Transformations. It was made from the ancestral trees of the Heavenly Race, and was refined by the laws of the Immortal Realm.

“Let me see your supreme art, old man.”

“Don't make me laugh, junior. You are far too inexperienced for me to take you seriously. Come. I will end you in three moves.”

Rael was infuriated. Being the second disciple of the Great Ethereal Temple, he had never suffered such humiliation.

“Hn! Accept your death!” Rael furiously took a deep breath. In just the blink of an eye, his blood energy let out a mighty roar as the flames that encircled his body turned into a gigantic lion. His body then emitted a frightening aura as this monstrous lion devoured the raging inferno.