101

Bingying howled to the sky, and a strong cold air instantly swept across the entire temple platform. The temperature dropped sharply, and a thin layer of ice quickly formed on the ground, spreading to the edge of the altar. The originally soft light on the altar was eroded by this cold air, flickering, like a candle swaying in the wind. High Priest Selina stepped back a few steps, staring at Bingying with a solemn face. The scepter in her hand trembled slightly, and the gem at the top of the scepter emitted a faint light, as if resisting this sudden cold air.

The hem of the windbreaker was blown up by the strong wind, rustling, and her long silver hair fluttered in the wind, making her look more majestic.

Mark covered his head, groaned in pain, shook his body a few times, and slowly fell to the ground. He was pale, his brows were furrowed, and his lips trembled slightly, as if he was in great pain. He curled up his body, holding his head tightly with both hands, and his knuckles turned white because of the force. From his clenched teeth, a suppressed groan could be vaguely heard. The ice on the temple platform made a "crackling" sound, and fine cracks spread like a spider web, indicating that some kind of power was awakening.

Bingying turned to look at Mark, with a trace of worry in his eyes. Its huge body trembled slightly, and a low whimper came from the depths of its throat, as if calling Mark's name. Then, it took a step, walked to Mark's side, lowered its head and gently licked Mark's cheek. Its cold breath sprayed on Mark's face, bringing a hint of chill, but also made Mark's tense body relax a little. Bingying's movements were gentle and careful, as if she was afraid of hurting Mark, and her eyes were full of concern and anxiety.

Seeing this, High Priest Selina tried to stop it. She was worried that this suddenly appearing ice beast would hurt the unconscious Mark, after all, she had just heard that other ice beasts had a bad attitude towards Mark. She raised the scepter in her hand, and the gemstone on the head of the scepter shone brightly. A sacred power surged from the scepter, trying to dispel the coldness on Bingying's body. "Back off! Ice Beast!" She shouted sternly, with a hint of warning in her tone. Her voice echoed on the empty temple platform, with unquestionable majesty.

However, Bingying was unmoved. The cold air it exuded became stronger, forming an invisible barrier, forcing High Priest Selina to retreat. It raised its head and roared at High Priest Selina in a low and powerful voice, with a hint of warning. Its golden eyes flashed with a cold light, as if warning High Priest Selina not to get close. The ice on the temple platform made a "crackling" sound, and the cracks became larger and larger, spreading to the entire platform.

Bingying crouched down and protected Mark with his huge body, like a loyal guardian. It completely wrapped Mark under his wings, isolating him from the cold and danger of the outside world. Its body trembled slightly, and low whimpers continued to come from the depths of its throat, as if comforting the unconscious Mark. The light of the holy stone gradually dimmed, as if it had lost its source of energy, and the runes around the altar gradually lost their luster. The strong wind on the temple platform gradually subsided, leaving only Bingying guarding the unconscious Mark, one man and one beast, lying quietly on the ice.

High Priest Selina stood aside, frowning, looking at Bingying and Mark with complicated eyes. The light of the scepter in her hand dimmed, as if it had lost its power. She also felt the power of the holy stone from the suddenly appeared ice beast.

"Could it be... as he said, the holy stone will break?" High Priest Selina murmured to herself, with a hint of uncertainty in her tone.

Bingying raised his head, and a ray of firmness flashed in his golden eyes. He let out a low roar, as if responding to High Priest Selina's question.

"I will protect him until he wakes up." Bingying's voice sounded in High Priest Selina's mind, low and powerful, with unquestionable determination.

The light in Bingying's golden eyes gradually softened. It lowered its head and gently rubbed Mark's cheek with its nose. Mark's face was pale and his breathing was weak, but he looked fine. Bingying whimpered, as if calling Mark's name.

High Priest Selina took two steps forward, paused, and took another step forward. She carefully observed Bingying's movements, and the scepter trembled slightly in her hand.

"Can you... communicate directly with my soul?" High Priest Selina asked tentatively, her eyes fixed on Bingying's golden eyes.

Bingying raised his head, his golden eyes stared directly at High Priest Selina, and nodded slowly. It opened its mouth and let out a low roar, with a hint of majesty in its voice.

"Does your energy come from the holy stone?" High Priest Selina asked again, she clenched the scepter in her hand, with a hint of awe in her tone.

Bingying nodded again, stretched out its huge claws, and gently patted Mark's body, as if to comfort High Priest Selina. It lowered its head and rubbed Mark's forehead with its nose, its eyes full of tenderness and concern.

Outside the temple, there was a burst of hurried footsteps. Two temple guards ran into the temple, and when they saw High Priest Selina, the unconscious Mark, and Bingying guarding beside them, they immediately knelt on one knee.

"High Priest, are you okay?" One of the guards asked with a hint of worry in his tone.

High Priest Selina waved her hand, motioning them to get up. She glanced at the unconscious Mark, then at Bingying guarding beside her, with a thousand thoughts in her mind.

"Carry Mark to my bedroom and take good care of him." High Priest Selina ordered, with a hint of unquestionable majesty in her tone.

The two guards took the order and carefully lifted Mark up. Bingying stood up and followed them, guarding Mark closely. Its footsteps were light and soundless, like a snowflake floating in the air.

High Priest Selina turned and walked to the altar, picking up the scepter that had fallen to the ground. The light on the scepter had dimmed, but she could still feel the powerful power contained in it. She stared at the dimmed holy stone in the center of the altar, full of doubts.

"Why did the power of the holy stone disappear? What is going on?" High Priest Selina whispered to herself, frowning, puzzled.