CHAPTER 984: CHAPTER 177: THE RITE OF THE DAY OF REVIVAL

The golden sunlight penetrating through the weakening clouds in the evening spills onto the ancient rooftops and dilapidated chimneys, creating an atmosphere of tranquility as the storm disperses. But soon, the thick clouds seal off the escaping sunlight completely.

Lu Li peers once more through the fuzzy telescope at the port by the bay.

The factory spewing black smoke by the water’s edge resembles a refinery or some other processing plant, with workers busily moving in and out.

If such sights can still be considered commonplace in the town, then the port square evokes an unsettling and repulsive feeling.

The stone column carvings standing at the square’s edge appear to be creations beyond human civilization, intricate yet exuding a deep-sea aura, as if one could hear the sound of surging waves.

Rustle—rustle—

Water stains appear on the walls, sea water seeps into the room through damp wooden boards, rising and swirling with the waves.

A chilly sensation crawls over the scalp, secretly spreading.

The rising sea water soaks up to the knees, but Lu Li remains immersed in the exquisite details of the column carvings—

Snap.

The soft sound beside his ear wakes Lu Li. He suppresses the yearning for the unknown and shifts his gaze.

The sea water recedes, dryness returns to the room.

The clammy scales extending from above diffuse more widely, almost emitting a repulsive fishy smell from his body.

"Continue."

The monocular telescope aims once again at the port square.

Some loathsome, Insmouth-like locals in civilian attire gather outside the square, while robed cult believers speak to the praying townsfolk.

Lu Li hears obscure whispering, accompanied by emerging wave sounds.

The sea water crashes against Lu Li’s body standing like a rock, engulfing his chest, his face. Black hair floats like seaweed...

"Lu Li... Lu Li..."

The distant call echoes in his ear like a dream, fading with the surging waves.

Lu Li listens intently to the soul-elevating, enchanting murmurs of the followers.

"I am Anna..."

The distant call rings clear, and the room-filling sea water turns to mist.

Thud—

The monocular telescope falls and rolls to the table’s edge.

Alarmingly, even as Lu Li regains clarity, the repugnant obscure whispers continue to linger by his ear.

"Continue."

A trembling hand grabs the monocular telescope.

"If you sink deeper, you may not come back." Anna’s figure speaks.

Lu Li’s serene black eyes pause momentarily, then return to the port.

"Continue."

Plunge—

The ground beneath quietly disappears as Lu Li loses footing and sinks into the sea, submerged by surging waters.

Light spills into the ink-like dark ocean, tinting the outline of the shallow sea and the slowly descending figure.

The weary body can’t muster any strength, descending into the abyssal deep.

Lu Li slowly bows his head, the black eyes under his lashes staring firmly at the abyss.

It’s as if time loses meaning, in the eternal silent abyss, a vague outline of a colossal presence emerges.

The shadow at the bottom of the abyss drawn with deeper darkness seems to induce madness with just a glance, yet Lu Li gazes calmly, observing its form.

It seems to crouch in the abyss, or floats. It resembles a graceful maiden, yet is an indescribable existence. The drifting tendrils resemble a maiden’s long hair. Reverent yet fearful, beautiful yet corrupt.

Its ship-sized hand slowly lifts, cupping Lu Li descending in the tinted darkness.

The deep-sea slumbering presence awaits thy dream.

...

Lu Li collapses by the window, slowly waking.

"How long have I slept?"

The question goes unanswered, the room devoid of phantom figures.

Lu Li gazes out the window. Oppressive clouds are slightly dimmer than before, not much time has passed.

Reflecting on everything glimpsed in delirium or dreams, was the figure standing in the abyss the Lord of the Deep? Or Daqi, Mother Hydra?

With membranes like webbed feet, Lu Li clutches the table edge to stand up, walking to the prepared basin, faintly reflecting a repugnant outline.

Even Lu Li wishes not to recall the seaweed-like skin and clammy scales.

The prepared gloves are now useless, but the scarf and hat come in handy. Lu Li wraps the scarf to cover his face like a merchant, dons a hat, with demon-like diamond pupils gazing at the square, no longer suffering any pollution before leaving the room, going downstairs.

The elder is shocked by Lu Li’s transformation, staring into eyes symbolizing reason and quietude, far from madness, he sighs heavily and bitterly: "No one can refuse eternal life, not even the Exorcist..."

"Where can I find out what happened to the ones brought from the outside?" Lu Li refrains from revealing his true purpose.

"The church."

"Thank you."

Under more complex gaze than last time, Lu Li walks out of the inn.

The townsfolk no longer gaze at Lu Li with strange eyes; on the contrary, they wear sincere smiles akin to humans. There is even a warm mother approaching Lu Li, introducing her daughter or any female relative—

No longer being tracked by townsfolk, Lu Li, freeing himself from the mother, walks to the meeting place in the southern part of the town.

But upon entering the abandoned houses in the south, Lu Li pauses.

Seeing his current appearance, Ophelia won’t likely permit him to return to town, possibly even forcibly taking him away.

After brief contemplation, Lu Li turns back to town.

Doors and windows of many houses are sealed shut. These houses were used before the Daqi Esotericism took over the town to lock up "patients infected with terrible plagues." Now they serve as a hatching ground for Deep Divers, but what resides trapped within the houses?

Passing by eerie, deserted houses, Lu Li returns to the relatively "prosperous" town center, with the pillar-like church of the Daqi Esotericism nearby.

Lu Li enters the eerie, tranquil church. As his eyes adjust to the dim interior, he sees a priest in a robe adorned with exquisite golden crown stagger and wriggle closer, muttering a near grumbling obscure speech.

"Outsider, we have witnessed all your deeds. Welcome to follow the will of Father Daqi and the great presence, join us. Now, please swear the first oath to Father Daqi."

There are three oaths, new member Lu Li is not yet qualified to endure the other two. The first oath demands not being a whistleblower, or you will be forsaken by Daqi and face consequences.

After reciting the far less severe oath than anticipated, the priest—pleased—announces Lu Li now part of the Daqi Esotericism Order, watched over by the consciousness of Father and Mother Goddess.

Despite Lu Li feeling nothing.

"Where are others like me?" Lu Li asks the priest preparing to leave: "My companion Katerina was taken from Vena Ice-Free Port by you days ago. Do you know where she is?"

"It’s us, child. They, like you, might be in every corner of the town. You will see them at tonight’s Revival Festival ritual."

"I have important matters."

"Don’t be anxious, child. You will meet her, tonight... I guarantee by Daqi."