104

In the temple, High Priest Selina was standing alone beside the base of the holy stone, looking at it solemnly. The holy stone originally emitted a soft white light, but now it was dim and the cracks on the surface were more obvious, as if it would break at any time. There was an uneasy atmosphere in the air, which made people feel depressed and suffocated.

The elder walked into the temple and saw the back of High Priest Selina and the situation around him, and his heart sank. He walked quickly to High Priest Selina, frowned, and asked solemnly: "Selina, what happened? Why did the holy stone become like this?" He raised his hand and stroked his long white beard, his eyes full of worry.

High Priest Selina turned to look at the elder, her eyes slightly red, and her tone trembled: "Elder, the holy stone... the energy of the holy stone is being lost, and cracks have appeared. I..." She took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. "I tried to use the scepter to explore the source of energy, but was bounced back by a powerful force and was injured." She pointed to the blood at the corner of her mouth, with a hint of fear in her tone.

The elder looked in the direction of High Priest Selina's finger, and then noticed the blood at the corner of her mouth and her slightly pale face. He was even more worried, and reached out to touch the holy stone, trying to feel the energy of the holy stone.

A strong repulsive force instantly erupted from the holy stone, bouncing the elder's hand away. The elder staggered back a few steps before he could barely stabilize his body. His face changed slightly, and a trace of shock flashed in his eyes. He immediately retracted his hand and rubbed his numb palm. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he said solemnly: "The situation is more serious than I thought." He looked up at the holy stone, his eyes full of worry and anxiety.

"The energy of the holy stone is rapidly dissipating. If this continues, we will lose the protection of the holy stone." High Priest Selina added, she tightly grasped the scepter in her hand, and her knuckles turned white because of the force.

The elder nodded solemnly, he paced back and forth, frowning, thinking about countermeasures. "We must find a solution as soon as possible." He stopped and looked at High Priest Selina, "Do you have any ideas?"

High Priest Selina shook her head and said frustratedly: "I... I don't know what to do. I have checked the ancient books, but there is no record of such a change in the holy stone." Her voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of helplessness.

The elder pondered for a moment, and said with a firm look: "First, seal the temple and prohibit anyone from entering or leaving! Then, you immediately send someone to invite the wisest sage in the city. We need to brainstorm and discuss countermeasures together." His tone was unquestionable and carried an irresistible majesty.

High Priest Selina nodded and immediately ordered the guards to carry out the elder's order. She turned to look at the captain of the guard and said firmly: "You immediately invite the sage to come, and be sure to hurry!" The captain of the guard took the order, turned around and ran out of the temple quickly.

"I hope the sage can find a solution." The elder looked at the holy stone and whispered, his tone full of worry.

High Priest Selina stood beside the elder, also looking at the holy stone with a solemn expression, praying silently in her heart. There was silence in the temple.

The elder walked to the door of the temple, turned around and ordered the two guards: "Seal the temple. No one is allowed to enter or leave without my order!" The two guards immediately took the order, closed the door of the temple tightly, and stood at the door, watching everything around them vigilantly.

The elder looked at the dim holy stone again, turned around and left the temple. He walked slowly along the corridor, and his figure gradually disappeared in the darkness, leaving only two guards silently guarding the temple.

The two guards, wearing silver armor and holding spears, stood motionless at the door of the temple. The door of the temple was made of heavy fine steel, engraved with ancient sacred runes, and it looked particularly mysterious under the red light. A gust of cold wind blew, and the armor on the guards made a slight collision sound, breaking the silence around the temple.

Inside the temple, High Priest Selina still stood in front of the holy stone with a solemn expression. The cracks on the holy stone seemed deeper than before, as if they would burst at any time. She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm.

"Holy Stone, Holy Stone, what happened to you?" High Priest Selina whispered to herself, her tone full of worry and anxiety. She stretched out her hand, wanting to touch the Holy Stone again, but when she was about to touch it, she suddenly retracted it. She clearly remembered the repulsive force that the elder felt when he touched the Holy Stone, and she didn't dare to take the risk.

High Priest Selina paced back and forth, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the sage. From time to time, she looked up at the door of the temple, hoping to see the captain of the guard returning with the sage.

At this time, the captain of the guard was galloping on the road leading to the sage's residence. The sound of horse hooves echoed in the quiet streets, startling a flock of flying birds. The sage's residence is located on a hill on the outskirts of the city, where the environment is quiet and far away from the hustle and bustle.

The captain of the guard tightened the reins, and the horse stopped in front of the sage's residence. He turned over and dismounted, walked quickly to the door, and knocked hard on the door. The "dong dong dong" knocking sound echoed in the silent valley.

A servant in a grey robe opened the door, saw the captain of the guard, and respectfully asked, "Excuse me, what can I do for you?"

The captain of the guard said hurriedly, "I have something urgent to report to the sage, please report it immediately!"

The servant did not dare to neglect it, and immediately turned around and reported it. After a while, the servant returned and took the captain of the guard into the sage's study.