The Holy Saintess listened to Galen Chao's words, and Evan Yang listened as well; both showed expressions of surprise and doubt.
The Holy Saintess quickly recovered and said, "That's perfect. Evan Yang, I'll assign this task to you. You must master this divine art."
"Uh..." Evan Yang was stunned. Galen Chao beside him frowned and said, "We still need approval from the other Protectors. After all, this is the Temple's divine art."
"I'll handle that. Right now, which people in the palace are suspicious of Eldon Liu? Gather them all—I have something to tell them," said the Holy Saintess.
Galen Chao nodded and went to make arrangements, while Evan Yang curiously asked, "You really can't remember anything at all?"
"Yes. If only I could remember," the Holy Saintess sighed.
"Is that divine art really so powerful?" Evan Yang asked skeptically.
"Of course. You heard it just now—fortunately, Eldon Liu's strength is lower than mine, otherwise all my memories would have been altered," replied the Holy Saintess.
After thinking for a moment, Evan Yang asked, "So you really plan to let me learn that technique?"
"That's right. If you master it, you can at least help me unlock my memories, and beyond that, you can also deal with Eldon Liu," said the Holy Saintess.
Evan Yang knew this task had to fall to him—there really wasn't anyone else suitable.
Faced with this situation, Evan Yang naturally agreed to learn the technique. After Galen Chao made arrangements, the Holy Saintess took Evan Yang away, and they eventually arrived at a hidden mountain cave.
Inside the cave were six people—Galen Chao was one of them, and the other five, as he introduced, were all Protectors. Upon seeing the Holy Saintess, they all greeted her respectfully, "Holy Saintess."
"I assume Steward Chao has told you all. Now I want to confirm—did Eldon Liu tamper with my memories back then?" asked the Holy Saintess.
Protector Tanner spoke up, "That's right. Several of us saw it with our own eyes. We just didn't expect him to succeed in cultivating it. Since we couldn't break the seal, we kept quiet, afraid something might happen to you, Holy Saintess."
"What was Eldon Liu's purpose anyway? Why did he tamper with my memories?" The Holy Saintess was still puzzled—what grudge did she have with Eldon Liu, and why did he seal her memories?
Protector Miles said, "That is probably a private matter between you and Eldon Liu. As for the specific reason, we don't know. We only know that when you were conscious, Eldon Liu seemed to do something to your mind."
"No matter what, I must unseal my memories. You all know why I've come here, right?" said the Holy Saintess.
"We know. It's him, isn't it? You want him to learn the divine art?" asked Protector Tanner.
The Holy Saintess nodded, "That's right. It's him."
Protector Tanner looked Evan Yang up and down, then said, "You're a purple-light cultivator."
Evan Yang nodded, "Yes, that's right."
"Alright, then show us your light. If we're satisfied, we'll let you learn it," said Protector Tanner without hesitation.
Evan Yang wasn't sure what would satisfy them, so he waved his hand. When a powerful purple light shone onto the wall, all five Protectors looked shocked. Protector Tanner asked, "I heard you originally had white light mixed with purple, but after you went to that place, it became pure purple?" "That's right," Evan Yang replied. "I see. Then I have no objection. What about you?" asked Tanner. Protector Miles said, "No objection from me either."
The other three Protectors exchanged glances and also agreed. Protector Tanner said, "Holy Saintess, since we all agree, let him learn it. But during this time, no one must disturb him—otherwise, all our efforts could be wasted."
"Oh? How should we do that? Please arrange it, Protector Tanner," said the Holy Saintess.
Protector Tanner nodded, "It's simple. We'll take him to a place where he can cultivate the technique until he succeeds. If he's disturbed midway, he may fail."
The Holy Saintess nodded and let Protector Tanner lead Evan Yang away. Evan followed the Protectors through the cave, and after a while, they arrived at the Temple of Light. Outside one of the halls, the five Protectors combined their strength to open the door. With their combined effort, the door opened, and Protector Tanner led Evan inside.
Inside was pitch black—if not for the light from the door, you couldn't see anything. But Evan Yang had night vision, so seeing his surroundings was no problem. "See that? There's a glass pillar here. Just shine your light into it, and you'll see the corresponding technique and cultivation process. The stronger your light, the easier it is to comprehend. That's why we need someone with purple light. Don't let us down," said Protector Tanner.
Looking at Protector Tanner, Evan Yang nodded, "Understood."
Protector Tanner nodded, then left the hall, leaving Evan Yang behind. Evan examined the glass pillar and found it was quite tall, with a considerable distance to cover.
Outside, Protector Tanner frowned and said, "I wonder if he'll succeed."
"Success or not, at least he gives us hope," said Protector Miles.
The other Protectors nodded, and they closed the door once more. Without the strength of all five, it would be nearly impossible for anyone else to enter from outside.
Such was the existence of this mysterious temple. Inside, Evan Yang wasted no time—he immediately reached out, and his purple light shone onto the pillar.
As the purple light struck, Evan Yang saw the entire cultivation process. Though he didn't know how powerful it was, he understood this technique could alter someone's memories—a terrifying ability. But to succeed, he had to subdue his target, so that when their consciousness was weak, the art would work. If the target resisted with strong willpower, it would be difficult to change anything unless the practitioner was truly formidable.
"Eldon Liu is at least at the Immortal Lord level. Right now, it's impossible to compete with him. But with the Holy Saintess and the others' help, as long as I can unlock her memories, that's enough," Evan Yang thought to himself.
So Evan Yang dedicated himself to cultivation, hoping to unlock the Holy Saintess's memories as soon as possible and find the truth.
In her garden, the Holy Saintess looked at the flowers and murmured to herself, "Evan Yang, you must succeed. Otherwise, how will I ever remember the past?"
News that the Five Protectors had appeared at the Temple of Light quickly reached Eldon Liu. He wondered suspiciously, "What are those guys doing there?"
The sudden presence of the Five Protectors at the Temple made Eldon Liu uneasy, and he wanted to see what was going on.
So one day, Eldon Liu appeared at the place where the Five Protectors were standing guard. When the five saw Eldon Liu, they were shocked. Each guarded their own consciousness, afraid that if they weren't careful, he might alter or seal their memories.
Seeing their guarded expressions, Eldon Liu grew even more suspicious and asked curiously, "So, what's going on here?"
"Nothing. We've just been bored lately and decided to get together and chat. What's wrong? Are you free today, Eldon Liu? Why not join us for a drink?" Protector Tanner said with a smile.
"Protector Tanner, you really are in the mood. But I don't feel like drinking right now. I'm just curious—why did you choose to gather here? Do you know what kind of place this is?" asked Eldon Liu.
"What kind of place is this?" Protector Tanner asked, feigning surprise.
"This is where the divine art is kept. What, are you here to see the divine art? If you want to see it, just go inside. Why stay outside? Let's all go in together. I haven't looked at the divine art in ages. I'm curious what it takes to succeed in cultivating it," Eldon Liu said with a smile.
Eldon Liu's words clearly meant he wanted to go in, but the five Protectors knew what was inside. If he found someone cultivating inside, he'd surely become suspicious—and might even kill Evan Yang.
"Eldon Liu, we're just passing by and started chatting. We even talked about someone—are you interested in joining us to hear more?" Protector Tanner said, trying to divert his attention.
"Oh? Who?" Eldon Liu asked curiously.
"Evan Yang, the Holy Saintess's chosen guard. But he mysteriously disappeared for several years. We have some news—would you like to hear it?" Protector Tanner said with a smile.
Eldon Liu was startled, but of course he wanted to listen, so he smiled, "Then let's go have a drink."
The five Protectors breathed a sigh of relief. The six of them set out together, arriving at a mountain shrouded in mist, but rich with the scent of wine.
"The aroma here is always the best," Protector Tanner said with a smile.
"Of course. This is the finest wine we have—some of it has aged for countless millennia," Eldon Liu said with a smile.
"Then let's drink and talk about that remarkable young man," Protector Tanner said with a smile.
Eldon Liu smiled, "Excellent."
Protector Tanner led everyone aside, where disciples served fine wine to the Protectors. The six sat down, exchanging glances. Finally, Eldon Liu asked, "So, what exactly is so remarkable about Evan Yang?"
"Haven't you heard, Eldon Liu?" Protector Tanner asked.
"Never heard of him," Eldon Liu replied. "That can't be. He even defeated your four chief guards," Protector Tanner said. "Impossible. My four chief guards are all cultivating—they couldn't have met him," Eldon Liu retorted, clearly displeased. "Don't get upset, Eldon Liu. That's what the guards at the Temple say. Whether it's true or not, we don't know. But one thing is certain," said Protector Tanner. "Oh? What's that?" Seeing the Protectors weren't pressing about the guards, Eldon Liu didn't mention it further, but asked curiously instead.
"I heard he went there—to the Holy Light Domain!" Protector Tanner said.