Shrouded in Illusion

"Yue, I feel like we've already passed by here earlier" Linn who was silent most of the journey suddenly spoke.

Yue was also able to notice such thing, but the navigating system keeps showing that they are going down the right path.

"Since we're in the forest, it's normal to see the same thing. Don't worry" but even Yue is not convinced by her own words.

"Well, you're probably right. Maybe I just needed to take some nap. I'm probably just anxious on getting back to the hotel since I'm tired. You should do the same" Linn dismissed her thoughts and closed her eyes.

"Yeah I will" Yue whispered.

However, Yue kept observing the surroundings.

The place they're passing through is surprisingly quiet.

In a rainforest, it's impossible not to hear at least the sounds of insects or birds but at this point, there's an eerie silence.

Suddenly the car came to a stop.

"What happened?" Yue asked her brother's subordinate.

"This one is not yet sure Young Miss. Let me just check on the situation" the subordinate immediately went out to check the engine.

"Yes please, thank you" Yue frowned. There's no sign of abnormalities with the engine before the car stopped.

Outside, Yue can see the bewildered expression of the subordinate.

Then Yue thought of something and looked back.

She overlooked the fact that she wasn't able to hear the engine of the other escort vehicles.

When did they disappeared?

Yue heard before that people of Salhura are one of the original habitants of this continent.

Their history is shrouded in mystery like the Mayan civilization.

People are wary about this place since there are reports of strange phenomenon.

Since the pendant came from this place, such wariness is justified.

And now, could Yue be able to witness such strangeness first hand?

Suddenly, a heavy fog fell.

Yue can't help but feel nervous, an inexplicable feeling rose up to her.

She tried to wake Linn up but her best friend apparently fell into a deep sleep.

The driver is also nowhere to be seen or heard.

Suddenly, Yue heard some faint festive noise.

It echoes the passage of time, drawing up some nostalgia.

Then she was suddenly hit with drowsiness.

She tried to keep her eyes open but to no avail.

"Miss, miss, wake up" Yue felt someone is shaking her lightly.

"Hmm" Yue pushed away the hand that keeps shaking her.

"Miss, don't be stubborn or the High Priest would punish you again" the maid sounded desperate and helpless.

Yue suddenly opened her eyes and sat up.

The maid was startled by her actions and moved away.

"Miss you scared this maid. Please follow this maid so we can start preparing with the ceremony" although the maid was frightened, she quickly composed herself and continued to do her job.

Yue was disoriented and kept quiet.

This is not the first time she woke up in an unfamiliar environment so she was soon able to organize her thoughts.

Since she has yet to fully understand her situation, she agreed to follow the maid.

They've gone through series of corridors and Yue was able to see endless white columns brushed with intricate designs of royal blue and gold.

Steps are echoing through the white marble floor.

Yue wanted to blatantly look around but controlled her desire.

All she can think of right now is how elegant and magnificent the place is, but she had to first collect enough information to be able to survive.

Since the maid mentioned about a High Priest and given the architectural design and solemnity of the place, Yue is quite sure she's in a temple. However, this is not the typical temple she can see in the empire nowadays. This temple had some contemporary look at the same time, it looks like something straight out of western mythological literature.

However, the design of the structure is in contrast with the style of the dress.

It was made with cloud brocade which is commonly a tribute from the vassal countries. The embroidery shows elements of nature and there's the phoenix with her long tail encompassing the circumference of the skirt, collar, and cuffs of the dress.

Yue once encountered this kind of design while looking on the evolution of fashion style in the continent. And if she got it right, this is worn by the maidens of ancient civilization, the era before the unification of the Empire.

Yue might have traveled across time.

Could she be going through the history of Salhura?

As ridiculous as it may sound, but after going through another person's body didn't make the situation more surprising to Yue.

They ended up in front of a large golden door and two maids are guarding on both sides.

But these two are dressed more heroically than the one she was following.

They opened the obviously heavy and thick door with much ease.

Then they entered in a large room covered with white steam.

In the middle is a pool good enough for ten people to bathe in.

The source of water is the ivory fountain located on the four corners of the pool and is continuously flowing to the side creating an illusion of infiniteness.

"This is the pool for purification. Miss would have to thoroughly take a bath and expunge the mortal flesh with filthiness in order to be able to receive the blessings from the High Priest" the maid explained as she prepares the bathing tools and robe.

"Do I really have to go through this?" Yue frowned and baited the maid for information.

"Please don't be stubborn Miss. As the sister of next High Priestess, you should strictly follow the ritual as her maiden during the Appointment Ceremony" the maid was trying to be patient.

"There should be others-" Yue threw some vague words.

"Unfortunately it has to be you" the maid whispered.

"What?" Yue can feel that the maid was dissatisfied with her. It seems that the character she had been living right now is someone who's existence is not welcome in this place.

"This one is only obeying the will of the High Priest" this time the maid sounded cold.

"I know; I understand" Yue stopped her inquiries since the maid is starting to get irritated.

The maid approached to undress Yue but she raised her hand to stop her.

"I can do it myself. You can now leave" Yue boldly made the call thinking of the line of the maid earlier about getting punished again.

This body should be someone who likes to do things her own way.

So Yue had to take advantage of it.

The maid was not surprised by what she said and was obviously used to her willfulness and left immediately.

Yue smiled when she knew she did the right thing.

As far as Yue can surmise, her sister is the next High Priestess so she should be treated well, however, it seems that she is not well liked and yet, they have no choice but to serve her right now. It could be that her so called sister cares a lot about her or there is a brewing conspiracy behind it. Yue thinks it maybe the latter.

Yue approached the pool and was amazed how luxurious it is.

Even if the Crest Family is overwhelmingly rich, they didn't try to carve a pool out of a singular jade stone. Just the value of this pool alone can make those self-acclaimed wealthy people bury their head in shame.

And then she saw herself.

She can't help but feel astonished when she saw her original face.

In fact, after some nourishment over the past five years, Yue's face is already 90% similar to her original look. But right now, it is 100% similar.

Could her ancestors came from Salhura?

Yue took off her clothes and decided to take a dip in the pool.

As soon as she hit the warm water, she can feel her body relax and her spirit being nourished.

No wonder people say that jade is spiritual.

But the comfortable feeling was only lasted for a while and was replaced by a sudden pain that circulated through her veins.

Yue can feel herself being torn apart but she managed to hold her scream back.

She gritted her teeth and felt like a million ants was gnawing through her flesh.

Yue suddenly remembered the smug look on the maid's face before she left. She knew this would happen and she didn't even warn her. She can't help but be curious on the life of this body. But Yue had no way to think more of these things for now.

Yue didn't know how much time had passed but she continued to endure until she eventually passed out.