When Beauty Meets Beasts

Huanhuan stopped after taking a few steps and turned to look at the second elder. "Let's talk here."

The second elder looked back at Bai Di, Shuang Yun, and the others not far away.

Huanhuan understood what he meant. "Don't worry, they won't hear you. Just say what you want."

The second elder hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then I'll be straightforward. I came to the City of 10,000 Beasts this time because I was asked by the first elder to invite you to the 10,000 Beast Temple."

"I'm the high priest of the Rock Temple. I'm fine here. Why are you suddenly inviting me to the 10,00 Beast Temple?"

"The 10,000 Beast Temple is preparing to hold a ceremony and wants to invite the high priests of the various temples. You're the high priest of the Rock Temple, so you're naturally invited."

"So that's what it is." Realization dawned on Huanhuan. "When is the ceremony?"

"In a month."

"There's not much time…"

The second elder immediately nodded in agreement. "That's right. Time is tight. Please set off as soon as possible."

Huanhuan asked again, "Will the high priests of the Dark Moon Temple and the Sun Temple be there too?"

"I've already sent someone to the Dark Moon Temple. There's no reply for the time being, but this ceremony is very important. I believe Wu Huo will definitely participate. As for the Sun God Temple, Wen Qian passed away because of an incident. The position of high priest is still empty. Our Elders' Association is studying the candidates. If nothing goes wrong, the candidate should be confirmed during this ceremony."

Huanhuan deliberately asked, "But I remember that the position of high priest has to be approved by the prophet. Can your Elders' Association make the decision yourselves?"

The second elder said vaguely, "The prophet is unwell. He's been in seclusion recently. He doesn't have to worry about these small matters."

"Are you planning to go past the prophet and make your own decisions?"

"We have no choice but to do this. We can't keep the position of high priest of the Sun God Temple empty, right?"

Huanhuan asked, "Then who do you plan to send to take over the position of high priest?"

The second elder smiled meaningfully. "This is a secret. We can't reveal it to outsiders for the time being."

Huanhuan tactfully stopped asking and changed the topic. "Is there anything else you wish to talk to me about?"

"Nothing else."

"You wanted to talk to me alone just for this matter?"

The second elder pretended to be mysterious. "The ceremony is not a small matter. All high priests have to go to the City of 10,000 Beasts in advance. At that time, your whereabouts will be confidential. You can't reveal it to outsiders."

"What if I don't want to go?"

pαпdα Йᴏνê|,сòМ The second elder was slightly stunned. "Why don't you want to go? It's a supreme honor for beasts to be invited to a ceremony held by the 10,000 Beast Temple!"

Huanhuan said slowly, "I'm comfortable and free at home. What's the point of traveling all the way to the 10,000 Beast Temple? I really don't want to go."

The second elder seemed to have expected her to say this. He quickly regained his composure and said, "This ceremony is very important. Every high priest has to be present, especially you. If you refuse to participate, we'll abolish your position as high priest and send another beast to replace you."

Huanhuan clicked her tongue. "You don't even need the permission of the prophet to appoint and remove a high priest now. You have so much power."

"These are all small matters. There's no need to trouble the prophet to do everything himself."

"Alright, I understand."

Huanhuan turned to leave.

The second elder followed. "Time is of the essence. We'd better set off now."

"Now? You just arrived at Rock City today. You should rest for two nights before leaving."

"No, we have to—"

"This is Rock City, our territory." Huanhuan stopped and looked sideways at him. "You have to listen to us since you're standing here."

"You—"

Huanhuan interrupted him again. "Let me give you a piece of advice. A strong dragon can't suppress a local snake. Since you're here, don't get into a conflict with us. If we really fight, you'll definitely suffer more than us."

The threat in her words forced the second elder to stop as his expression changed.

In the end, he chose to remain silent.

Huanhuan said to Quan Rong, "You're more familiar with the relay station. Please bring them to the relay station to rest. In the next two days, bring them around the city if you're free. It's rare for them to come here. They should have enough fun before leaving!"

At this, she deliberately looked back at the second elder. "Don't you think so?"

The second elder replied with a fake smile, "Yes."

Quan Rong left the temple with the second elder and the others.

Huanhuan stood in the doorway and watched them walk away. "It's hot outside," Bai Di said to her. "Let's go in."

"Mhm."

They walked up the Sound Jade stairs to the second floor. Bai Di made them each a cup of fruit tea.

Shuang Yun couldn't help but ask, "What did you talk to the second elder about alone just now?"

"On behalf of the first elder, he invited me to the City of 10,000 Beasts to participate in a grand ceremony." Huanhuan took a sip of tea. It was sour and sweet. It was delicious!

A ceremony held by the 10,000 Beast Temple?

Not only Shuang Yun, but Bai Di and Xue Ling also looked puzzled.

The 10,000 Beast Ceremony was held every four years. Logically speaking, it should be held this year, but the 10,000 Beast Ceremony had to be hosted by the prophet himself.

Yin Ji was still recuperating by Ice Mirror Lake. It was impossible for him to go to the City of 10,000 Beasts to preside over the ceremony.

How could those old guys from the Elders' Association preside over the ceremony?!

Xue Ling's gaze circled Huanhuan twice before he smiled meaningfully. "I was guessing that those old guys might have designs on Huanhuan. Now, it seems that I was right."

Shuang Yun was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Bai Di said, "What he means is that the Elders' Association already knows that Yin Ji passed the position of prophet to Huanhuan. They want to use the ceremony to get Huanhuan to preside over the ceremony. She's the heir to the prophet anyway. It's justifiable."

Huanhuan thought for a moment. "But when Second Elder chatted with me, he never mentioned me inheriting the position of prophet."

Xue Ling pinched her cheek. "Little fool, of course, he wouldn't mention it. He's waiting for you to take the initiative to mention it to him so that they can take the initiative."

Huanhuan seemed to understand something. So that was how it was!

Shuang Yun was still worried. "The elders want to help Huanhuan inherit the position of prophet? Will they be so kind?"

Xue Ling said leisurely, "They definitely won't be so kind, so there must be a trap. We have to be wary."

Shuang Yun frowned. "In that case, we won't go, lest Huanhuan encounters danger again."

But Bai Di said, "We still have to go. If we don't, they'll use this as an excuse to take Huanhuan's position as high priest. But before we go, we have to figure things out. We can't go in a daze."

"What's your plan?"

Bai Di smiled. "Let's go talk to the second elder."