Chapter 2353: Evil God

Led by the demon guides, everyone walked up the mountain along a sacred path.

Initially, Salome and the others were a bit impatient, but the demon guides reminded them that since ancient times, everyone had to use this sacred path when visiting the priest's temple to show respect, otherwise it would be considered blasphemy against the Demon God.

The "Lord of Slaughter" secretly transmitted, "Let's just use the sacred path. We can discuss it once we're up there, to avoid causing any commotion here."

Salome glanced at the multitude of demon natives gathered in the distance. Although she wasn't afraid, a conflict would be troublesome given their numbers.

With this thought, she ordered her subordinates to walk. She also marveled inwardly at how much calmer her father had become; in the past, he would have started a massacre long ago.

However, she had no doubts, simply assuming that her father's temper had been greatly mellowed after being suppressed and sealed under the Great Snow Mountain for thousands of years.

Soon, her attention was drawn to the sculptures lining the sacred path. Every few meters, there was a stone carving of a fierce beast. The sculptures were highly skillful, capturing every detail, as if the beasts were crouching there, ready to devour someone.

A gleam flickered in Salome's eyes. These were formidable beasts in the demon world, and she hadn't expected to see their likenesses in this world. It seemed the two worlds were more closely connected than she had imagined.

Her subordinates also marveled, privately discussing what kind of fierce beasts these were. However, further along the path, many of the stone carvings were unfamiliar even to them.

Upon reaching the mountaintop, everyone finally saw the massive stone pillars carved with various ferocious humanoid creatures. Even Salome, accustomed to grand spectacles, felt a prickle of unease and a subtle reluctance to meet the gaze of those creatures.

"This is truly strange..." Salome secretly transmitted to the "Lord of Slaughter." "Father, these humanoid creatures seem very similar to some legendary beings in our world."

"Indeed. It seems those legends are more than mere stories." The "Lord of Slaughter" noticed that some of the reliefs resembled sculptures in the demon world's dungeon palaces, but many more were entirely new to him.

Unlike the fierce beast carvings along the sacred path, these humanoid creatures, besides being ferocious, also possessed an inexplicable sense of sacredness.

Ordinarily, such malevolent beings would be synonymous with villains or evil wherever they appeared. Yet, here they were linked with the sacred, combining to form a unique aura.

The demon guides had already prostrated themselves on the ground, bowing respectfully.

Among Pei Mianman's companions, only Solunshi believed in this so-called Demon God. Although they felt a sense of oppression, it wasn't enough to make them prostrate themselves in worship.

"Father, it's a bit strange. Although the humanoid creatures on those giant pillars look ferocious, there seems to be a sense of fear in their eyes. Even though each is uniquely sculpted, they all subtly appear to be bowing towards the interior in their respective poses." Salome's keen observation quickly identified this commonality among the reliefs.

"The so-called Demon God should be inside," the "Lord of Slaughter" replied casually, then walked directly into the temple at the center.

With him leading the way, Salome and the others followed him inside.

The demon guides, by then, were already kneeling on the ground outside the temple, praying devoutly, not daring to follow them.

"Father, what kind of being is this Demon God? Could it be more powerful than masters of Doomsday Beasts?"

Salome grew increasingly puzzled on the way. Over tens of thousands of years, the demon world had conquered countless other worlds, whose natives often worshipped deities.

Without exception, these so-called deities were merely beings significantly stronger than ordinary people, but they were largely no match for the mighty demon world.

In its prime, the demon world could even send any random demon to serve as a god in other native worlds.

She had initially thought that this world's Demon God would be similar to those they had encountered before. However, even without seeing the Demon God itself, the statues they had passed had already impressed her.

To command such a multitude of magnificent presences, this Demon God was likely no ordinary being.

The "Lord of Slaughter" replied in a deep voice, "Likely even more powerful."

One must remember that this world once had beings like Emperor Fengdu, who oversaw the netherworld. This Demon God must certainly be extraordinary.

Recalling that Mi Li had mentioned this world was very special, a rare singularity among the myriad worlds, it seemed to indeed hold many secrets.

As they spoke, they had already entered the temple. Inside, three rows of various statues lined both sides. Unlike the ferocious and malevolent figures outside, many here were kind-faced, some depicted laughing and scolding, and even some lay directly, deeply asleep.

It was as if every emotion in the world could be found reflected in these statues, indicating that their rank was higher than those on the stone pillars outside.

Everyone understood that these were likely the Demon God's dependents or retinue, and any single one of them, if released, would be a formidable independent entity.

At that moment, Solunshi suddenly knelt halfway, muttering to herself, clearly praying sincerely. Her expression was exceptionally solemn and devout.

Everyone looked up and saw a colossal statue, dozens of meters high, seated directly in the center.

Salome was somewhat surprised. Unlike the dignified and solemn divine statues she had seen in other worlds, this colossal statue seemed rather... flippant.

The colossal statue was in a sitting posture. The Demon God was not conventionally seated upright but leaned casually against an armrest, its right foot bent and resting on the seat, its left hand supporting its head, and its right hand casually placed on its bent knee.

Its entire posture resembled that of a cynical playboy.

However, the statue's face was indiscernible. Its entire body was clad in a huge robe, and its head was covered by a hood, concealing its features.

The only visible parts were a pointed chin and a hint of a wicked smile at the corner of its lips.

"Father, why isn't the Demon God's appearance carved?" Salome was utterly bewildered. The demon world had conquered so many realms, and she had seen countless divine statues, each with a distinct appearance, an appearance unified and recognized by countless believers over untold ages.

Yet, this divine statue before her had no discernible face!

"In the myriad worlds, there are some extraordinarily powerful beings whose true names and appearances must remain unknown to mortals," the "Lord of Slaughter" slowly replied. "If anyone mentions or depicts them, it will inevitably draw the gaze of unspeakable existences, leading to the dissipation of one's soul at best, or the destruction of a world at worst."

"Such beings exist in the world?" Salome swallowed hard, feeling a surge of admiration. Her father truly knew a lot.

Little did she know that the "Lord of Slaughter" was already in turmoil. This statue was very similar to the colossal statue he had seen in the Tomb of Ten Thousand Dragons. Although their forms and temperaments were vastly different, both had their faces obscured by various clever techniques, creating an inexplicable sense of commonality.

He wondered about the origin of this Demon God.

Seeing him gaze at the colossal Demon God statue in a daze for a long time, Salome couldn't help but gently remind him, "Father, it's time to find that item. Where should the key be used?"