Chapter 84: God of Stealth (2)

                                    

                                          
With the opening of the hidden passage came a terrible shockwave. It penetrated into my soul and made me shudder. Several rock precipices fell upon my shoulders. I stood there gaping at the entrance.
  "Who dares awaken my final will!" came a deep voice from within the blinding darkness of the open secret door. The cave rumbled with every word that burst forth into my ears. The voice echoed such that I couldn't tell the exact direction of the speaker.
  My legs wobbled with unstableness, thus my hands were spread out by my sides as if I was walking on a thin line, to balance myself. I couldn't even tell if it was just the place rumbling, or it was the tremor from my heart after listening to that voice. The aura was so strong that I had to fall on all four, in fear.
  The Dragon-clawed Hartebeest stretched its forelegs forward, bowing its head in reverence and fear. It gave off a loud cry.
  "Gruuunt!"
  As the cry left its mouth, a massive, translucent and somewhat surreal hand came out from behind the massive secret door and warped itself around the Dragon-clawed Hartebeest and myself. I felt my body stifle as I didn't have the slightest control over myself. I really didn't like this feeling because it was like a helpless chicken to its slaughter; no matter what, it couldn't struggle free. Although I hadn't really faced a real divine expert, I could immediately tell this one was from the Divine realm. If even just this person's will could be this strong, then how could he have been in person?
  In the grasp of the person's hand, we were pulled off our feet and enveloped by the darkness within the open door. The door gave off an even heavier rumble than when it was opening, and shut close behind us.
  Suddenly, everywhere became eerily silent.
  Pitch black. Beating hearts. Heavy pants.
  If not for the fearful panting from the Dragon-clawed Hartebeest, I'd have thought I was currently facing a delusion.
  I suddenly heard a sniff, then a, "Hmm?"
  It was definitely not from the Dragon-clawed Hartebeest.
  Suddenly, a brightly sharp, golden humanoid face with a curious pair of eyebrows like pointing swords, a pointed nose, lips positioned in a frown, and a jaw carrying beards beaten with age appeared before me. In fact, all of him was a golden light!
  "Cough cough!" the voice came again, before I felt the grip off me and fell to the ground.
  "Are YOU the beast tamer of this Dragon-clawed Hartebeest?!"
  I nodded quickly. The brightness from the humanoid figure illuminated my sweaty, fear-infested face. A moist strand of hair was plastered across my forehead.
  "Fine, fine... sniff sniff... that aura from you...! You have the Royal Spirit Bloodline?!"
  My eyes widened even more than it was a few seconds ago.
  "H-h-how can you tell?" I spurted out, in a stammer.
  The sides of this person's cheeks suddenly raised up. It was bizarre watching the ears rise with it, but I ignored it as quickly as I noticed it.
  "How can I tell? Why, I'll tell you how I can tell! Ho-ho-ho! Bless the heavens! That's because we're relatives! Ho-ho-ho! How can I not recognise old Ancestor Asher's aura?! You have the royal divinity in you! It seems you've already reached the first stage of bloodline accomplishment — the Butterflies Royal Spirit!"
  The spirit circled around the place with its beards dancing upon its chest.
  I suddenly felt a bout of relief when the heavy pressure from it abruptly turned amiable.