Chapter 167: The Key

Nie Yan still couldn’t use Return Scrolls, but now that he had the Intimidation skill, he could finally go check out the temple.

Nie Yan led the five Headless Knights he had recently subdued toward the distant, ancient, and majestic temple structure. Gazing at the temple entrance, he saw hundreds of Headless Knights standing in orderly formation, guarding the gateway. Without hesitation, they would raise their lances against any creature that dared approach.

The temple doors were tightly shut, exuding solemnity and majesty.

Nie Yan activated his Intimidation skill and cautiously approached the Headless Knights.

As Nie Yan entered the range of his Intimidation, the mounts of the Headless Knights trembled slightly and immediately parted to either side.

The formation of Headless Knights seemed to be torn apart from the middle, creating a path. They resembled soldiers awaiting inspection, standing silently on both sides.

Seeing that Intimidation worked on the Headless Knights, Nie Yan confidently strode toward the temple doors, passing through the ranks of Headless Knights. Beside him were densely packed lances, giving off a chilling aura.

The five Headless Knights followed closely behind as they moved forward.

At the entrance to the grand hall, the towering doors gave off a heavy oppressive feeling. Nie Yan pushed the doors with his hands. With a creaking sound, the doors slowly opened a crack, letting a beam of light shine inside, illuminating the previously oppressive darkness.

System: You have discovered the Temple of Knight Doro.

In the history of Atlantis, there was no record of a deity named Doro. His identity remained unknown, possibly a god worshipped by some minor races or tribes.

Filled with curiosity, Nie Yan walked forward. This was a vast hall paved with white stone covered in patterns, extending forward to a size of about 500×500 yards, making it extremely spacious—enough to accommodate training for a hundred-man knight regiment. In the middle stood tall pillars, each requiring three people to encircle, stretching high into the void above.

Nie Yan walked toward the center of the hall. The silence was broken only by the footsteps of Nie Yan and the five Headless Knights behind him, echoing throughout the vast space. At the altar across, a few candles flickered with dim light, swaying in the wind as if about to extinguish at any moment.

Halfway to the center, Nie Yan noticed a bookshelf placed at the side of the hall. Several thick books lay on it, their covers wrapped in tarnished gold, obviously aged. Some were written in human script, titles like “The Crimes of Knight Doro” and “The Legends of Knight Doro,” while a couple were inscribed in unknown characters.

“You have discovered ancient books left from the Age of Coexistence, chronicling the life of Knight Doro.”

Nie Yan picked up “The Crimes of Knight Doro” and slowly turned a page.

“Do you confess, Doro? I judge you in the name of the gods, may the Holy Light cleanse your sinful soul… Doro: Cast me into hell and let me become an undying vengeful spirit…”

Doro was a legendary knight of Glinlan, renowned for his valor in the war against the Dark Elves, slaying countless enemies. However, he eventually grew weary of bloodshed and spared two Dark Elf girls during a hunt. Later, Doro was discovered to possess dragon blood and was executed by hanging at the Temple of Light. The bishop displayed his head at the city gate, but unexpectedly, Doro’s headless body revived, leaving the temple together with his deceased warhorse. Since then, the legend of the Headless Knight emerged in Glinlan, with many residents claiming to have seen his wandering figure.

Glancing at the other books, Nie Yan reached for another one. As his hand touched it, a mysterious force entered his body, and fragments of text appeared in his mind.

“Respected warrior Doro, may your soul find peace, Shal, the Dark Elf girl.”

System: You have learned the Dark Elf language.

Nie Yan glanced through the book, a hymn meant to soothe spirits. After a quick read, he returned it to the shelf. Although the book itself had no practical use, learning the Dark Elf language was a significant gain.

Nie Yan reached for another book, a chill rising from his spine. This book radiated immense death energy, as if it could consume all life.

System: You have learned the Vanbia Undead language.

The Vanbia Undead were a minor branch of the Undead race, composed of necromancers dwelling in the cold, lifeless tombs beneath northern Glinlan. They danced with corpses, spread plagues, and preached death.

Looking at this book:

The Book of Doro’s Death (Sub-Legendary Item): Honor the Dead!

Item Attributes: When held, all creatures within 50 yards suffer a 50% reduction in all attributes (including the player). Players who die are cursed by the Undead, suffering a 10% reduction in attributes for two natural days. The player is personally cursed, losing 2 Strength and 2 Stamina every ten natural days, while gaining 10 Intelligence.

This item is soulbound upon pickup.

System: Do you wish to bind this item?

Nie Yan quickly set down the Book of Doro’s Death. This was clearly an item for necromancers, the kind only they dared to wield. Possessing it meant walking a twisted, extreme path, with uncertain outcomes—either a tragic end or great power. The gradual loss of Strength and Stamina every ten days was no joke, though the massive increase in Intelligence might create a monstrous, unbalanced being.

Learning the Vanbia Undead language wasn’t immediately useful, but might prove handy in the future when dealing with enemy Undead factions. Knowing Undead languages could be extremely beneficial when interacting with opposing Undead races.

After placing the Book of Doro’s Death back, Nie Yan searched the shelf but found nothing else. He then headed toward the altar.

Under the dim candlelight of the altar, a black box lay quietly, exquisitely carved. Dark Elf script adorned its surface like floral patterns, shimmering beautifully under the candlelight.

A strange box!

It seemed to emit a mysterious force, calling to Nie Yan.

Nie Yan had one of the Headless Knights approach to test for danger. Finding none, he carefully stepped forward and opened the box. Fortunately, no traps were triggered.

Inside, resting on red velvet, lay a dark golden key. About the size of a pinky finger, it was intricately and bizarrely carved, a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

A key! Seeing it, Nie Yan immediately thought of the dark golden chest outside!

This key was likely the one needed to open that dark golden chest!

Nie Yan placed the dark golden key into his backpack. A dark golden chest was extremely valuable—whatever was inside would at least be a dark golden item!

Just then, a loud crash echoed from the entrance of the hall. The doors swung open, revealing a towering Headless Knight clad in heavy black armor. Much taller than the ordinary Headless Knights, he wielded a five-yard-long lance radiating a chilling aura of death.

Nie Yan cast Detect on the knight.

Headless Knight Doro: Level 30 Lord, HP 28000/28000.

Nie Yan inhaled sharply. This was a Level 30 Lord! In the confined space of this temple, facing a Level 30 Lord meant certain death! He quickly checked his Return Scroll, only to find it still unusable.

Headless Knight Doro spurred his mount and charged at Nie Yan, wielding his lance and radiating a powerful aura of death.

Intimidation had very limited effect on elite or Lord-tier creatures.

Nie Yan quickly ordered his Headless Knights to charge at Doro, attempting to block his advance.

Nie Yan knew these knights wouldn’t hold Doro for long. He turned to flee, but suddenly, skeletal hands burst from the ground, grabbing him tightly, preventing escape.

Nie Yan struggled, but the skeletal hands held him fast.

Then, something strange happened—Headless Knight Doro passed through the five Headless Knights and charged straight at Nie Yan. Was Doro merely an illusion?

Doro drew closer, raising his lance. The next moment, it would pierce Nie Yan’s body.

System: Do you believe Doro is innocent?

Option 1: Yes, Doro is innocent.

Option 2: I need more evidence before making a judgment.

Option 3: Doro deserved his fate.

Nie Yan hesitated briefly, then, guided by instinct, quickly chose Option 2. Justice, faith, freedom, courage, wisdom—these were the true essence of belief.

Thrust! Doro’s lance pierced Nie Yan’s heart, blood spraying.

Was I wrong? Nie Yan’s vision darkened as he collapsed.

After what felt like an eternity, Nie Yan awoke groggily, lying on the cold altar stone. The surroundings were still vast and desolate, as if everything before had been a dream. Checking his backpack, the Chapter of Courage and Chapter of Freedom were still there, as well as his Intermediate Demon Hunter title. He noticed a new attribute in his status window: Justice. Though it had no visible effects or stat boosts, it was likely beneficial.

It seemed the Headless Knight Doro had merely been part of a quest.

What excited Nie Yan was that he had finally exited that quest map after being trapped inside for six or seven days!

Nie Yan stood up, stretching his stiff limbs. His eyes fell on the corner of his backpack, where a black key gleamed!