Honestly, as a Judge, Duanmu Huai considers himself seasoned, seen it all.

But... a group setting fires, a group chanting scriptures, a group worshiping Buddha, and a group dancing provocatively... well, he really hasn't seen anything this crazy before.

"Oh oh oh oh!!"

Watching the fire basin in front of the Buddha statue explode, the big shots in the back shouted out, while the monks' chanting in the front grew louder and louder. Along with their chanting, the flames in the fire basin gradually rose higher, transforming into a giant door that appeared before everyone!

Then, the swirling flames filled the entire temple, exploding instantly!

Afterward, a magical scene appeared in the temple. Countless stars, constellations, the Milky Way, the Universe, scenes emerged and flickered. You could see those High Civilizations that ruled the entire planet, conquered the Galaxy, journeyed into space. Then---like moths to a flame---rushed towards that great being burning in the depths of the dark Universe!

Subsequently, the entire scene zoomed in swiftly, as everyone watched the flames in the void get closer and closer... and the next moment, everything completely vanished.

The temple, once illuminated by candlelight and flames, turned pitch black. Moments later, the flames rekindled, and the old monk bowed his head, kneeling on the floor.

"It's not enough, it's not enough... we're still not qualified to enter that great Nirvana...!"

"Ah ah ah ah... how could this be..."

"Why, are we not devout enough?"

"......…"

Seeing the old monk in anguish and the group of big shots below looking dejected, Duanmu Huai standing outside watching was utterly speechless. He had no idea what mindset these fools had for playing this trick, but he knew exactly what they were doing---he could sense that these people wanted to summon Cthugya and even offer sacrifices.

But as mentioned before, Cthugya only consumes the spirits of High Civilizations, unless you're a manifestation of Nyarlathotep, that's a different story.

And the current civilization of this world is evidently far from High Civilizations, hence naturally not on Cthugya's menu.

Everyone knows, pigs need to be fattened up before slaughter. You're not even ready, why so eager?

So in Duanmu Huai's eyes, what this bunch of idiots is doing amounts to a pig summoning Cthugya, "Come eat me, come eat me." Then Cthugya hears the pig's call, comes to take a look---only to find the pig isn't fat enough, hasn't been sent to market yet, needs to be fattened more.

So it turns and leaves.

Leaving the pigs here crying, feeling abandoned by Cthugya.

MMP, indeed, humans can't understand each other, let alone humans and The Ancient Dominator.

"Dear believers, please be patient."

The old monk by now had composed himself, stood up, and clasped his hands together.

"The Great Flame has pointed out the way for us, and you have witnessed its divine will! This shows you have withstood the test and received the approval of the Great Flame!"

"Oh oh oh oh."

Upon hearing the monk's words, the believers below revealed expressions of excitement and pride, while Duanmu Huai shook his head, speechless.

No, that's not approval, it's Cthugya telling you that to be consumed by it, your human civilization needs to develop to that stage first! Cthugya even used the most direct communication method---projection for interaction, showing the scene of that civilization being devoured by Cthugya.

Yet you think this is entering the great Nirvana?

Indeed, humans and The Ancient Dominator are incapable of mutual understanding, Duanmu even feels a bit sympathetic for Cthugya to encounter such cultists who don't understand human speech.

What a load of nonsense.

"Then, how can we really enter Nirvana, Master?"

Soon, an eager believer inquired, and the old monk simply nodded.

"No rush, dear believer. I have deciphered the remnants of the Holy Canon, and in seven days, when the trajectory of the stars reaches the end, it will be our moment to open the Gate of Bliss!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh!!!"

Upon hearing this, the believers, including those bald women, cried out in excitement, some even bursting into tears of joy.

Seeing this, Duanmu Huai's only thought was---these folks are truly mad...

He really wanted to tell these fools, your ritual was fine, Cthugya also responded, but the problem is that you're not even big enough for it to take a bite... even if you do summon again, it won't make much difference...

Forget it, but this is fine too.

Duanmu Huai withdrew his gaze and left the main hall.

Since you all want to meet Cthugya so much, let me help you out.

Indeed, this is Duanmu Huai's plan.

Actually, Duanmu Huai also thought about pretending to be a deity and using this Cult's power against Nyarlathotep. But this idea was dismissed from Duanmu Huai's mind almost immediately. Yes, if Cthugya discovers that Nyarlathotep is here, it would certainly descend. But the problem is, Cthugya is no benevolent entity; if it comes, it wouldn't just swallow Nyarlathotep, but would devour the entire planet.

That's not something Duanmu Huai wishes to see.

So, he decided to proceed according to his own plan — using the Cult's power to summon Cthugya, then destroy it, and absorb Cthugya's strength before dealing with Nyarlathotep.

As for watching from afar, waiting for the right moment, like the mantis stalking the cicada while the Yellow Sparrow waits behind, Duanmu Huai didn't want to consider that. Neither of these are easy to handle, and letting them fight might wreck the world in unexpected ways.

Better to handle it himself.

Having made up his mind, in the following days, Duanmu Huai kept a watchful eye on this little rundown temple. After all, that old Monk was inside the temple; if the Monk couldn't run, neither could the temple. So, Duanmu Huai spent his daytime hanging out at clubs, drinking and spending time with girls, and at night, he'd stroll around the temple.

Well, you know, for someone who isn't short on money, paying for the company of girls and drinks can be quite entertaining.

Soon, time flew by, and seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the seventh night, Duanmu Huai skillfully returned to the alley in Gion, climbed the mountain, and entered the temple.

As before, many dignitaries were present, even more than seven days earlier. The men were in suits, the women in kimonos, each more formal than the last. Outside the mountain gate, security agents dressed in black suits and sunglasses were posted, hidden among the trees, making it hard to tell from outside. But as soon as anyone dared to trespass the mountain gate, they'd emerge to block them.

But such arrangements certainly couldn't stop Duanmu Huai; he moved silently through the woods like a black bear, vaulted over the wall, and followed the old Monk to see what he intended to do.

Compared to the previous ceremony, this one was even grander. The old Monk led at the front, followed by monks carrying the Faceless Buddha statue, then a group of chanting monks, followed by shaved-headed beauties, and lastly the guests. They chanted "Mah-Mi-Mah-Mi-Hong" scriptures while traversing the temple courtyard and ascending the mountain path.

One had to admit, these Cult people were truly obsessed and neurotic.

Duanmu Huai followed by the old Monk, watching him both chant and climb the mountain. Although this wasn't a famous mountain, just a small one, but the path was difficult and steep. This old Monk, being quite aged, was still chanting and climbing, proving his sincere devotion.

Even Duanmu Huai was moved and decided—to swiftly summon Cthugya and send them to their doom.

Leaving them would just bring more trouble.

This tiny mountain path took the group a full hour and a half before reaching the small hilltop. There, the monks placed the Faceless Buddha statue in the center of the altar and set up firewood underneath. The shaved-headed beauties then began a seductive dance around the statue, while the old Monk didn't even take a sip of water, leading other monks in chanting.

Meanwhile, the believers were also kneeling and praying loudly.

Seeing this, Duanmu Huai finally couldn't hold back, deciding to give them a quick end— Cthugya upon seeing this likely couldn't stand it either.

What kind of chaotic nonsense is this?

As a fellow Ancient Dominator, Duanmu Huai didn't need seductive dances or chants to summon Cthugya. He only needed a single thought to locate exactly where Cthugya was in the cosmic universe.

Meanwhile, Cthugya also sensed the indescribable murmur from deep space.

"You're that, that, that, sunshine rainbow little white horse, di-di-da di-di-da...…"

The song of Thousand Throats echoed in Cthugya's ears, such chatter-like noise—even Cthugya couldn't stand it!

The air gradually became dry and hot.

It was already a cold autumn night atop the mountain, yet now the surrounding felt intensely hot, like the peak of summer. Suddenly, the firewood placed under the Faceless Buddha statue spontaneously ignited, enveloping the entire statue!

"------------!!"

Witnessing this, the monks' chanting grew louder, and the dancers even removed their robes, transforming their seductive dance into a strip dance... Surely Cthugya wouldn't truly enjoy this?

Duanmu Huai looked up helplessly to the sky. Amidst the black night cloaked sky, the stars shined brightly, one star glowed increasingly luminous, seemingly about to fall here...…

No, it was indeed falling here.

Dazzling light descended from the heavens, illuminating all of Gion and its surroundings. That enormous and shapeless mass of flame-composed clouds fell like a cascading waterfall of three thousand feet, crashing heavily onto the mountaintop!

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