Old Aram glanced at Sheyan and spoke with a hoarse voice.
"Do you really believe you're an omniscient god? Kuria possesses the bloodline of the Sun subtribe, while Mbenga is a descendant of the Coiled Serpent subtribe. If not, if he didn't share the same bloodline as the Gundazan, how could he have occupied that body for so long? As for me... "
Speaking till here, Old Aram paused for a brief moment. This pause wasn't due to a change in the meaning of his words, nor was it due to the need for a breather. Instead, it was due to a unique arrogance, just like how a monarch would maintain a clear distance from his subjects.
"Is.... a descendant of the grand Ndipaya dynasty!"
"Descendant of a dynasty?" Sheyan pondered for a moment before regaining his senses. "Yes, how vast was the Ndipaya Empire in the past? I reckon it was a glorious civilization that wasn't inferior to the Mayan civilization. Speaking of which, an empire definitely required a powerful monarch to rule over its citizens. Furthermore, religion, as a tool of brainwashing, became an important part of the empire. In medieval Europe, the separation of religious authority and royal authority was extremely common. "
"Then if that's the case, the royal authority of the Ndipaya Empire should've declined when the empire collapsed? Ultimately, the religious authority was left! Instead, the religious authority was split into the Sun subtribe and the Coiled Serpent subtribe. As for this frail old man standing before me, he should be a descendant of the long declined Ndipaya royal bloodline. No wonder he knows so many secrets. If that's the case, everything can be explained. "
Old Aram glanced at Sheyan, his eyes flickering with a will-o '-the-wisp brilliance.
"Then, since you already know what you wish to know, it's time for you to reveal everything to me. If you dare utter even half a word of falsehood, don't blame me for using the most vicious methods of the forest to deal with you! "
Sheyan no longer kept Old Aram in suspense, as he narrated the entire truth of their journey. Finally, Sheyan watched as Old Aram uttered a string of extremely complex and incomprehensible syllables. This was what Mbenga had repeatedly instructed Sheyan to memorize and relay to Old Aram before his death. It should be the cut that the two of them had agreed on beforehand, or something like a secret signal.
After listening to Sheyan's explanation, Old Aram's expression fluctuated several times. Yet, his face remained taut, as though half believing and half doubting. Only after hearing Sheyan's string of unfathomable syllables did he become stunned. After a long while, he slowly replied.
"So … that legend is true. The Empire thrives on that power, and will perish on that power. As it turns out, I, a descendant of the Ndipaya royal clan, am the prime culprit behind this tragedy! "
When Old Aram uttered these words, his countenance had already turned exceedingly desolate. Blood even trickled down from the corners of his mouth. Evidently, he had suffered quite a blow, and his heart was pained to the extreme.
When Sheyan saw his disheartened look, he said seriously, "That's right.
"Thus, I've avenged Mbenga and Kuria. The elites of the Ndipaya tribe will be swept clean. From now on, you will no longer be threatened. Therefore, I want the sacred artifact of the Coiled Serpent tribe that you stole! Because I need the power of the 'Stairway of the Sun'! "
After hearing that, Old Aram's countenance suddenly revealed a queer expression. With a hoarse voice, he asked.
"You want … the sacred artifact?"
Sheyan earnestly replied.
"That's right."
Old Aram suddenly chuckled hoarsely.
"You're more cunning than the greediest crocodile in the forest. Many things, as long as you grasp the beginning, you can swiftly deduce the truth. Previously, when you were conversing with me, you spoke as though you were personally present. However … … .there's only one thing you're mistaken about!"
Sheyan couldn't help but inquire.
"Which one?"
"The reason why I aged so quickly, isn't because of some bullshit psychological pressure or guilt. Mbenga and Kuria sacrificed their lives for me, that's their glory! The true reason, is because of that sacred artifact you speak of! "Old Aram's turbid eyes leaked out with dread and resentment.
"It's like a demon, incessantly whispering in my heart. Insatiably infiltrating my flesh and blood, it emits a suffocating stench, and frenziedly devouring my life force at all times! I've exhausted all methods, yet I've failed to expel it. Furthermore!! Furthermore!!! "
Old Aram had completely lost control, as he frantically roared out.
"I've never coveted the sacred artifact of the Coiled Serpent subtribe. Our royal family has always warned us to stay far away from that damnable thing. It was it who sought me out. It sensed the presence of our royal family, and ravaged me!!!"
This news caused Sheyan to be stupefied. Undoubtedly, Old Aram's information reflected many frightening information, and was even more advanced than his most daring conjecture!
Based on the history of human civilization, for a primitive civilization like the Ndipaya tribe, the objects they worshipped would usually be tangible objects. For example, the sun, moon, stars, oceans, mountains, genitals and so on.
Only when a civilization was able to stably propagate its culture, would the gods they worshipped become ethereal, and materialize through beautification. For example, Taoism's Zhenwu Emperor, Jade Emperor etc. Buddhism's Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Christianity's great demon lord Satan … …
Based on the Sun subtribe worshipping the sun, Sheyan deduced that the Coiled Serpent subtribe worshipped the bones, venomous fangs or fossils of certain serpents. However, from Old Aram's words, it wasn't hard to deduce.
"The sacred artifact of the Coiled Serpent subtribe, could very possibly be a real, living Coiled Serpent! Furthermore, this terrifying demonic serpent is lurking beside Old Aram, and is constantly greedily sucking away his vitality! Causing such a robust man to become like an old man with a crooked back. "
Thinking of that, a trace of dread leaked out from Sheyan's eyes. He couldn't help but glance towards Old Aram's ever-present staff.
That exceedingly old staff, was actually a coiled and unremarkable serpent!!!
As though sensing Sheyan's gaze, that unremarkable little serpent, with the thickness of a finger, raised its head and flicked its forked red tongue towards Sheyan. Then, it lazily coiled back. It appeared exceedingly harmless.
At this moment, Sheyan realized that when the serpent coiled up, its tail was coincidentally placed beneath its lower jaw. At first glance, it appeared as though the serpent was biting onto its own tail.
"This, is the sacred artifact of the Coiled Serpent subtribe?" Sheyan gently inquired.
"That's right." Old Aram's face revealed a sorrowful expression, as though he wanted to cry but couldn't. "After being bitten by it, I've been infected by its venom ever since. Unable to resist, I've become its puppet, unable to escape its control. Fortunately, unless I attempt to escape from it or it feels hungry, I still possess sufficient freedom."
After pondering a little, Sheyan earnestly asked.
"That means, you don't mind me taking away this sacred artifact."
"That is my dream!" Old Aram exclaimed in agitation.
Sheyan raised his finger.
"I have one final question, you must answer me truthfully."
Old Aram nodded and replied.
"If I know."
Sheyan pondered a little before asking.
"What is the exact process of absorbing the energy from the 'Stairway of the Sun'?"
Old Aram recalled a little before answering.
"According to the records left behind by my ancestors, whenever the moon becomes round, a grand ceremony would be held. Legends say that absorbing the energy from the 'Stairway of the Sun' is forbidden by the Sun God. Only when the moon is at its brightest and largest, can it blind the eyes of the Sun God … …"
Following Old Aram's eloquent explanation, Sheyan gradually understood the top secret of the Ndipaya tribe.
"Under normal circumstances, absorbing the energy from the 'Stairway of the Sun' is to grind its withered leaves into powder, before absorbing it deeply into the body. Initially, less than one out of ten individuals could survive this process. Moreover, even if they survived, they would turn berserk, lustful and bloodthirsty. They wouldn't know pain or fatigue, and would turn into their own kind. Only an exceedingly small number of individuals could withstand the divine might of the Sun God and survive. After obtaining formidable strength, they would successfully lead us on expeditions, becoming invincible and mighty warriors."
"Later on, a Ndipaya warrior accepted the energy of the 'Stairway of the Sun', but failed the trial. For a time, he was presumed dead, and was buried under a great tree. In the end, he miraculously revived and obtained formidable strength. He distinctly remembered, during the hopeless process of waiting for his burial, he was bitten by an unremarkable little serpent. Then, that serpent's venom miraculously rescued him from the nightmare of death … … "
"That warrior was the founder of the Coiled Serpent subtribe! Jemengard! He was an exceedingly shrewd individual, and didn't divulge this matter to anyone. Instead, he consciously treated those warriors who had lost control of the 'Stairway of the Sun', and made them swear loyalty to the Coiled Serpent Deity. "
"Gradually, this secret force led by Jemengard swelled, and formed into a force that could contend against the Sun Sect. The royal authority had long sensed that the dominance of the Sun Sect was detrimental to his rule. Hence, he began to support the Coiled Serpent subtribe. " If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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