Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 93 The Ritual of the Long Journey
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the cold, metallic atmosphere permeated the area around the central elevator platform of the lighthouse.

Under the dim light of the sky, the upper class and the lower class stood distinctly on either side of the road extending from the platform, silently forming a long line.

At the end of the road, a group of followers dressed in the attire of the Light and Shadow Society slowly walked towards them.

Their steps were perfectly synchronized, their faces solemn, as if they were conducting a sacred procession.

In the middle of the group, several elderly people with unsteady steps and cloudy eyes were clustered together. They wore white robes and their faces were etched with numbness.

Beside them, a relatively young figure stood out.

He leaned on a simple metal frame, his prosthetic legs trembling, each step extremely difficult, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

His gaze was fixed on the ground, and he dared not make eye contact with anyone around him.

Mark stood at the front of the crowd of people heading towards the elevator platform. His gaze swept over them and finally settled on Benny's struggling figure.

His brows furrowed tightly, a deep, indescribable sorrow churning within him.

He turned his head slightly and looked at Xuefeng, who was wearing a hunter's uniform, beside him.

"Didn't Red Bloom's contribution points all go to Benny? Why is she still going on a long journey?"

Xuefeng's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

He didn't answer immediately, his gaze sweeping over Benny's figure with a complicated expression before quickly lowering his eyes, his voice dry.

“Mark…some things aren’t so easy to explain.”

He avoided Mark's gaze and the pointed question, choosing to remain silent.

Mark looked up at Elon beside him and asked, "Why didn't anyone see Red Hair off when she left?"

Elon remained silent.

If Hongkou hadn't taken the initiative to travel far away, she probably would have been burned at the stake in front of everyone as a warning to others.

Although going to the ground would only lead to the same outcome.

On the other side, among the mortals, whispers were also taking place.

A young man with grease on his face nudged his companion with his elbow, his voice barely audible.

"Hey, 0609, do you think... the Lord of Light and Shadow... really exists? Will He... really protect us?"

0609's hair is somewhat gray, making him one of the older people among the common folk.

Hearing the young man next to him ask that question, he pursed his lips.

"If my phone is fixed when I wake up tomorrow, then I will believe that the Lord of Light and Shadow is protecting me."

A slightly older layman next to him, upon hearing this, immediately looked around nervously to make sure no priests had heard before moving closer.

In an even softer voice, he said, "0609, don't talk nonsense! The Lord of Light and Shadow certainly exists! You were just missing that time... Many people saw it with their own eyes!"

"During the ground mission, the Guild Leader was protected by the Lord of Light and Shadow, and that enormous Devouring Beast retreated immediately. How could this be fake?"

His tone carried a believer's conviction and the excitement of witnessing a "miracle" firsthand, as he tried to persuade his companion.

0609 pursed her lips, didn't refute anymore, and turned her gaze back to the center of the road.

The white-robed group from the Light and Shadow Society had reached the edge of the elevator platform, and Lord Morgan was standing to the side.

The leader of the believers stopped and turned to face the silent crowd.

Charles's figure also appeared at the right time on the edge of the platform on the next higher level.

He was dressed in the most luxurious black robe of the leader, the gold embroidery reflecting the light in the morning.

He looked down at everything below, a grand ceremony involving the Light and Shadow Society.

Mark noticed the boy, who was about his age, on the platform.

He reached out and patted Elon beside him, asking curiously.

"Hey, teacher, who's that guy?"

Elon replied in a low voice, "That's right. He's the head of the Light and Shadow Society." Mark wanted to ask more, but Morgan spoke up at that moment.

Lord Morgan stepped forward, facing the crowd below.

"Children of the Lighthouse!"

His gaze swept over the ranks of the upper class and the lower class, finally settling on the seven figures standing at the edge of the platform, waiting to embark on their journey.

"Today, my heart is filled with an indescribable...pride." Morgan then looked at the crowd: "Because seven more true warriors have stood here fearlessly for the survival and future of the lighthouse!"

He paused.

"They dedicated their entire lives to the lighthouse, and to all of us! Now, they will continue their journey, carrying the glory of the lighthouse and the hopes and respect of all of us!"

Morgan's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

His finger pointed to the figure who was leaning on a metal support and could barely stand.

"Look! Among them is Benny, our former hunter!"

Benny's body jerked violently. His head, which had been hanging limply, was forced to lift for a moment before quickly burying itself back down like a startled animal, his shoulders shaking violently.

Morgan's voice was filled with "compassion" and "appreciation".

“Benny! In countless ground missions, he fought valiantly against the Devouring Beasts for the Lighthouse's supplies and for the survival of all of us! He successfully brought back precious supplies, saving the lives of countless Lighthouse citizens! Although, in that heroic battle, he lost both his legs…”

Morgan continued shouting.

"But! Thanks be to the Lord of Light and Shadow! His merciful light preserved his precious life! Allowing him to return to the Lighthouse!"

The crowd was dead silent.

Benny's body trembled even more violently. The Lord of Light and Shadow was standing here at this moment, like a scrapped part being sentenced to his final sacrifice.

Morgan didn't pause; his voice rose again as he forcibly bound Benny and the other six elderly men together.

"And today! This brave man who once bled for the lighthouse on the ground will join these six veterans who also dedicated their lives to the lighthouse, to once again move forward for the lighthouse!"

At this moment, the members of the Light and Shadow Society lit braziers and danced a farewell dance in unison.

Charles stood on the platform, raised his hands towards the front, and his childish voice clearly carried through the crowd.

"Let us bid farewell to the warriors!"

The people below immediately cheered.

The elevator platform slowly descended, and the figures of the seven people disappeared from sight.

Ulanhaisang slumped in the back of the carriage, his head bobbing up and down, his eyelids so heavy they were almost glued together.

Yesterday's fieldwork exhausted me, and I barely slept. Now, the warm sunlight streaming through the car window is making me want to fall asleep.

"Hey! Hai Sang! Wake up! Look over there!" A slightly surprised voice rang in his ear, followed by a hard pat on the shoulder.

"What is it now?" Ulan Haisang frowned as he looked at Fang Yuan.

Then we looked in the direction Fang Yuan was pointing.

"Isn't that a big pot lid? What's so strange about it?"

Fang Yuan, holding binoculars, asked, "The lid of that giant pot has come down. Does that mean they're going to come down to the ground to look for supplies again?"

"Hmm?" Ulan Haisang took the binoculars from Fang Yuan and looked at the lighthouse.

"It doesn't seem like they're going to find supplies. It's more like they're on some kind of long journey."

"A long journey?"

"Hmm... well, they're the people the lighthouse doesn't want anymore, just thrown down to fend for themselves." He paused, seemingly recalling something.

“My sister often hangs out with that girl named Hongkou. She works at the lighthouse. Maiduo told me before that the lighthouse calls this a long journey… It just sounds nice.”

(End of this chapter)