Walker Of The Blue Sky

Chapter 339: Ch 339: The Old Man

The temple was built with old stone and weathered wood. Its exterior was worn smooth by time and wind. Inside, there were no grand statues, no incense-filled halls, and no altars crowded with offerings. Instead, the temple was eerily empty.

Emrys could easily have almost 70% view of the temple’s interior from the outside because there was no door. The entrance was wide open.

As he walked past, he saw an old man with silver-white hair and steady hands sitting under the shade of a willow tree behind the temple. He was hunched slightly and was carefully carving the shape of a bird from a block of wood. His every movement was slow but deliberate, as though he wasn’t carving the wood, but listening to it and letting it reveal its true form.

Yes, Emrys felt exactly this way.

For a moment, he even had a suspicion that this old man was not a mortal, but upon a closer look, he was sure his suspicion was wrong. This old man was a pure mortal human and nothing else.

As they got closer, the little girl let go of Emrys’s hand and ran forward. "Grandpa! Look! I brought a guest!"

The old man looked up with gentle eyes, his gaze settling on Emrys. Emrys noticed that although the old man’s eyes were calm, they were very sharp. Emrys didn’t know why, but he felt as if the old man was able to see through him.

"You are not a human or Spiritas. You are not from here as well. Who are you?"

Just as Emrys felt, the old man saw right through him. However, Emrys was surprised that the old man was not alerted at all. He was not cautious. Instead, after simply asking a question, the old man started brushing wood shavings from his lap again.

This old man is definitely not simple!

Was he wrong?

Could it be that the old man is really not a mortal but a very powerful expert?

For a moment, Emrys even started suspecting his own strength. He used to think he was all too powerful and could see through everything... at least in Spiritarium. But now, it didn’t seem to be the case.

But then again, he shook his head.

No, he cannot be wrong.

This old man is definitely a mortal. It is just that... those eyes... Yes, the old man’s eyes are special. He is mortal but his eyes are not.

While trying to look into those eyes, Emrys took a deep breath and smiled slightly. "You are right. I’m not a human or Spiritas. I used to be a human, but not anymore."

The old man’s hands suddenly paused for a moment when he heard Emrys used to be a human but not anymore. He raised his head and gave him a deep look, but after a second or two, he shifted his gaze.

Then the old man nodded toward a nearby stone bench. "Sit. You seem to have questions."

Emrys did not hesitate and took a seat.

The old man resumed carving as he spoke softly. "Do you want to ask about the stone buried deep in the earth?"

Emrys’s eyes narrowed slightly but he nodded. "Yes."

The old man smiled faintly. Then he paused and looked in the direction of the garden. He seemed to have recalled something as he sighed, "I have tended this village for seventy-nine years. I have walked these grounds, planted seeds, and buried the bones of those who passed. I have "seen" that stone as well and heard its call. The stone... it had always been calling... but never to me. What a pity!"

A pity?

Emrys seemed to have noticed something from the old man’s words, but he was not sure. In the end, he asked quietly, "Then who is it calling to?"

The old man didn’t answer right away. He simply continued carving.

Emrys had no choice but to wait.

Only when the small wooden bird was finished did he lift it and blow off the dust.

Then, still not looking at Emrys, he said, "Do you know what that stone is?"

Emrys shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

The old man smiled, "Legend speaks of a woman, a very beautiful woman, so beautiful that one look at her can cause a man’s soul to fly out of their body. That stone is related to her. Legend says that that woman would return a day. And when she would return, the stone would stir. The broken formation and bedrock would awaken. And the hidden sacred place would open once more."

Emrys frowned.

Something is not right.

If the legend speaks of the woman, then why does the old man say it is a pity the stone never called him?

Why?

Also, there were a few things that didn’t add up.

Who the stone is calling if it is waiting for the woman from the legend to return?

Is it calling that woman or someone else?

"Who told you that?" Emrys asked again while keeping his curiosity to himself.

The old man finally turned to look at him. Then he pointed above and said: "The stars."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Emrys looked at the clear sky, and then in the old man’s eyes.

According to the little girl, this village is blessed by the stars. The old man also speaks of the stars now.

How is this village related to stars? What kind of blessing is it?

Or... Could it be that the gemstone is related to stars?

At this moment, the old man stood up slowly. "Come. Let me show you the temple. You may find something interesting there."

Emrys raised his brows. Although he had only seen about 70% of the temple’s interior, that temple was clearly empty. What could be there that can attract his interest?

Anyway, Emrys no longer asked a question and simply followed the old man into the temple. Very soon, they stepped inside.

The moment he stepped inside, Emrys felt the air shift. It became thicker. He also felt the air inside the temple was filled with something ancient and boundless.

At this moment, he knew this village was definitely not as simple as it appears on the surface. This temple also has its own secrets.