Around 12 PM.
Central State.
Commerce City Airport.
Lionel Yeager and the three others left the airport.
They took a taxi to have lunch in the Commerce City District, then headed directly to the Forest Temple.
Around 2 PM.
The group of four has arrived at the Forest Temple.
The Forest Temple, a historical bona fide millennium-old temple, is proclaimed as the world’s foremost temple.
However, what the public sees is only the Outer Forest.
Being a tourist spot, the Outer Forest is open to the public, attracting numerous visitors daily.
The Inner Forest, on the other hand, is secluded deeply within Son Mountain, with few from the secular world aware of its existence.
Lionel Yeager and the others bypassed the Outer Forest and headed deep into Son Mountain via a hidden trail.
Despite rushing along, it took them nearly an hour to finally reach the Inner Forest territory.
Looking around,
the mountains stretched out continuously, resembling mighty giant dragons coiling and lying in wait. It was majestic and awe-inspiring.
Just the main peaks alone numbered thirty-six.
Palatial buildings were scattered all over the mountains, a sight to behold.
Forest disciples patrolling the mountainous areas could be seen everywhere.
Lionel Yeager exclaimed, "The Forest Temple, as the second largest sect in the Ancient Martial World, is undeniably more grand than the Ten Thousands of Swords Gate."
Brother Bardon Bard snorted, "Although I don’t like the people of the Forest Temple, I have to admit their foundations are indeed unfathomably deep."
Lionel Yeager nodded, "Since you dislike the people here, there’s no need to engage with them. Let’s go find your Master directly."
"Alright."
Brother Bardon Bard nodded and started leading the way.
Lionel Yeager, Lily Tisdale, and Prajna Bates followed behind him.
Quickly, Lionel Yeager’s group reached one of the main peaks among the thirty-six of the Forest Temple.
The Scripture Storage Pavilion was located on this main peak.
But at this moment,
The patrolling Forest disciples spotted Lionel Yeager and his group.
The disciples were initially taken aback before exclaiming in surprise,
"It’s Bardon Bard who came back!"
"Quickly stop him, don’t let him up the mountain!"
"Bardon Bard, you’ve been expelled from the sect by our Sect Leader! What are you doing back here?"
"Please leave immediately; you are not welcomed here!"
A throng of Forest disciples armed with long sticks charged up, blocking the path of Lionel Yeager and his group.
Seeing the attitudes of these Forest disciples toward Bardon Bard, Lionel Yeager furrowed his brows slightly.
No wonder Bardon Bard was hesitant to return.
Who would want to come back when greeted with such attitudes from fellow disciples?
Bardon Bard took a deep breath, made a salute, and said loudly, "My fellow disciples, I have returned this time solely to see my Master. I will not linger and hope that you can let me pass to go up the mountain!"
"What a joke! You have been expelled from the temple. Your Master isn’t here anymore!"
"Stop causing trouble and get out of here!"
The crowd of Forest disciples became more hostile.
Lily Tisdale’s face became cold as she unsheathed the knife in her hand and threatened, "Brother Bardon Bard is my brother. Anyone who dares to stop him will die at my hands!"
Bardon Bard quickly intervened. "Mr. Tisdale, they are still my fellow disciples after all. We shouldn’t harm them!"
"Who’s your fellow disciple, you drunken and meat-devouring monk. Stop being shameless!"
"Don’t force us to take action, just leave!"
The crowd of Forest disciples shouted angrily.
Prajna Bates was also riled up, "What are you guys doing? Brother Bardon Bard was your fellow disciple once. Is it necessary to act like this?
Furthermore, what has Bardon Bard’s drinking and eating meat got to do with you?
Are you saying that being a monk, you can only eat vegetarian, chant Buddhist scriptures, meditate and read sutras?"
A disciple leading the others coldly said, "From the looks of it, you all are cohorts with Bardon Bard and probably not up to any good!
You are not welcomed here, leave immediately!"
"Leave immediately!"
The other disciples all chanted angrily.
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