stonecrandall Chapter 372, Third Terrace
Chapter 372, Third Terrace
Wu Yunshan's face turned pale.
"The food in the cafeteria is special." Xia Ning looked away. "It not only sustains your physical strength, but also your right to 'stay here'."
She didn't say anything more, but everyone understood.
Not eating isn't a matter of starving to death.
The question is what will happen after you lose the right to "stay here".
Wuyun Shandan shrank back into the crowd, burying half her face in the warm wool collar, and fell silent.
Xia Ning glanced at it indifferently, then turned around and said, "Let's go, I'll take you to see the dormitories."
The group left Zhaixin Hall and crossed the empty and quiet central meditation square once again.
The bluestone slabs were cold and hard, and the mandala patterns underfoot were blurred yet solemn. The wind blew across the tower, producing a faint hum.
Heading east, passing through two low stone archways, a neat row of houses comes into view.
This is the dormitory area.
Rows of low, simple houses are neatly arranged along the terrain, with gray and white walls, narrow wooden doors, and clean, unadorned stone window sills.
Without any superfluous decorations or floral embellishments, it appears almost cold and solemn at first glance.
The further you walk, the more compact and simple the houses become, and the more oppressive the atmosphere becomes.
Xia Ning's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and she said calmly:
"Your identities are novice practitioners, and your rooms are in the last area of the dormitory."
"Each room is about ten square meters, with bunk beds, four people per room, and the environment is simple and clean, without any unnecessary items."
"After the tour is over, go to the dormitory manager's office at the entrance of your dormitory to register and collect your bedding, basins, and uniforms."
She paused, her voice turning slightly cold, carrying a hint of warning:
"Remember, the dormitories are also governed by the Temple's rules. There are detailed rules posted on the back of each room's door; please read them carefully after you check in."
As soon as Xia Ning finished speaking, a small commotion arose in the crowd.
"Four people a room..." someone muttered quietly, "Hopefully we won't run into anyone who snores."
Many others looked at each other, their eyes filled with both curiosity about the new environment and a hint of apprehension about the unknown rules.
Several timid chosen ones had already begun to pray silently.
Lin Feng and the other two remained calm.
They stood quietly among the crowd, their gaze sweeping over the closed doors of the huts, neither worried nor curious.
For them, a place to live is just a place to stay, and no matter what kind of roommates they are assigned, it is only a short journey together.
After touring the dormitory area, Xia Ning said nothing more, turned and walked northeast, calmly giving the instructions:
"Follow me, proceed to the third terrace."
No one dared to delay and quickly followed behind.
After passing through the low stone wall at the end of the dormitory area, the group saw a narrow stone staircase winding upwards. On both sides of the staircase were stone walls with prayer wheels embedded in them, and the dry "creaking" sound rang out again when the wind blew.
At the end of the stone steps is the entrance to the third terrace. It is not a wide gate, but a side door next to the main hall. The side door is made of thick solid wood and is engraved with simple runes.
Xia Ning pushed open the door first, stepping aside to gesture for everyone to enter:
"Come in, everyone. Remember to be careful with your words and actions. The third floor is the core area of the temple, and the rules are even stricter than those below."
As the group filed in, they were immediately enveloped by a solemn and dignified atmosphere as they stepped onto the third platform.
This place is far less spacious than the second floor; it's higher up and the space is more compact, with every inch exuding a sense of solemnity.
The ground was still paved with polished bluestone slabs, and the sandalwood scent in the air was stronger, mixed with the coolness of the stone, making it slightly difficult to breathe.
The faint sound of chanting could be heard in the distance, adding to the solemnity.
Xia Ning stood in the center of the platform, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, and raised her hand in a gesture:
"Deep in the bamboo grove on the left is the dwelling place of Lord Karen."
"The Lord of Silence is the supreme ruler of the Temple of Silence, overseeing all affairs, practitioners, and rules of the temple."
"You must remember that you must never approach the bamboo forest, and you must never trespass on it."
Following the direction she pointed, everyone saw a dense bamboo forest on the left, with swaying bamboo shadows.
A rustic house can be vaguely seen deep in the bamboo forest, exuding a sense of aloofness that keeps strangers away.
"Look to the right now." Xia Ning pointed to the right.
As everyone looked, they saw a huge circular building standing there, its shape remarkably similar to the Fujian Tulou.
"That's the Elders' Building, where the temple's elders, mages, and deacons live."
"Elders are in charge of the lineage of cultivation, Dharma Masters are responsible for daily preaching and guiding cultivation, and stewards manage the affairs of the temple and supervise the implementation of the rules."
"No one may approach or enter without their formal invitation."
As she finished speaking, Xia Ning slowly turned around, her gaze fixed on the due north direction, her tone becoming increasingly solemn:
"Look due north, that is the core of the third level—the Hall of Enlightenment."
Everyone turned to look.
The Hall of Enlightenment sits atop the highest point of the third terrace, facing south. It is a three-story stone hall with a double-eaved hip roof.
The palace gates are tall and imposing, with a vermilion base and gleaming copper nails, exuding an aura of unassailable majesty.
A faint sense of oppressive power permeated the entire hall, causing everyone to subconsciously hold their breath and suppress even the distracting thoughts in their hearts.
Xia Ning slowly opened her mouth:
"The Hall of Proof is divided into three levels, each with its own function. It is the core of the temple and the place of cultivation and power."
"The first floor is the Dharma Transmission Hall."
"It is a place where formal practitioners can listen to the Dharma Masters preach and exchange their experiences in practice. Practice assessments are also held here."
"The second floor is the council hall."
"It is where elders, dharma masters, and deacons hold meetings. Major decisions of the temple, rule adjustments, optimization of the cultivation system, as well as the determination of violators and the review of the promotion of formal cultivators are all conducted here."
"Occasionally, high-level practitioners also hold discussions here to explore the true meaning of cultivation."
"The third floor is the Hall of Seal Conferment, which is also the core of the Hall of Proving the Dao."
"Only those who pass all the tests and advance from novice practitioners to formal practitioners can enter here, receive the cultivation mark personally bestowed by the Lord of Silence or the elders, confirm their cultivation identity, and at the same time receive the revelation of the highest rules of the temple."
"Furthermore, advanced cultivators also need to break through bottlenecks and receive higher-level cultivation inheritances here."
She paused, then emphasized her warning: "The Hall of Proof of the Dao is solemn and sacred. No one may set foot inside without permission."
As everyone gazed at the majestic and solemn Hall of Enlightenment, they all secretly grumbled inwardly:
What's this talk about proving the Way? I don't care who it is. I just want to survive these seven days and get out of here as soon as possible.
It's better to be in the human world than trapped in this eerie temple.
Only the monk Amirka from the Kingdom of Nipah looked at the main hall with undisguised awe.
After introducing the Hall of Enlightenment, Xia Ning didn't linger and turned to walk towards the northeast side of the platform:
"Come with me, I'll show you one last place, and then we'll go back to our quarters to rest."
The group silently followed, and after walking about a hundred paces, a hidden little door appeared before them—
This door was narrower than the previous side door, with twisted runes engraved on the door frame and rust covering the hinges, giving it an eerie sense of antiquity.
Xia Ning pushed open the small door, and a chilling, biting wind rushed in, making everyone shiver.
"This is the only way to the forbidden area—the prayer flag forest."