Apotheosis

"The fourth one?" Zen asked. Even though he was still in shock, he did not miss the key words in Saul's words. "So there are other people who have also been here? In the fairy palace?" Zen asked some more.

Nodding in agreement, Saul explained, "Of course, there were other people who had been here and opened the Eight Diagrams. But they all failed and died.

So, I hope that you can succeed. I do not want to wait any longer. I've had enough of it."

"All failed? All died? What does that mean?" Zen asked with a frown on his face.

It would seem that he would not like the things that were about to happen.

"If you want to be the master of the fairy palace, you have to pass the test. Of course, there are many dangers in the test--and if you fail, you will die naturally..." Saul explained slowly.

Zen's eyes slowly widened, and a lump formed in his throat.

"I will die if I fail? Then, can I choose not to attend the test and leave now?" Zen stared at Saul and asked hopefully. At this, Saul simply smiled.

"Hah, hah, hah," he chuckled. "It is okay to give up according to the regulations. My powerful master won't force others to become the new master of his fairy palace. Besides, only a truly qualified and contented man could inherit his property. However, I do not want to wait any longer," he added.

Zen pondered over Saul's words for a bit.

'Ah... in that case, I have to attend the test anyway. It seems that Saul has had enough lonely time and he would definitely force me to attend the test, even though the master of the fairy palace provided two options, ' he thought.

The hesitation in Zen's face did not escape Saul's gaze, and he went on to say, "Rest assured! In order to make sure you can pass the test, I will try my best to help you and give you guidance when I am permitted. I have waited for thousands of years and finally got you here. Even though the test is very dangerous, I will do my utmost to help you!" Saul said.

When Zen felt that he had no other choice, he simply sighed.

"Well, okay. I understand now. And how can I pass the test? When can I start? Where is the test place?" Zen asked.

With a wave of his hand, Saul said, "Come with me!"

He turned around and walked to the back.

he edge of the courtyard. However, these three puppets were not so delicate as Saul.

When Saul saw that Zen's eyes were focused on those puppets, Saul explained, "You can select anyone of these puppets. They are made for you!"

One eyebrow shot up in Zen's forehead.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"If you fail in the test, I will save you and take your soul out, then seal your soul in this puppet. Then you can stay with me for long time, as if you were not dead," Saul said as he pointed to the three puppets.

"Those souls of the failed challengers had lived here too.

However, my craftsmanship is not as good as the master's. I could only keep the soul alive in the puppet for a thousand years, but I could not make it immortal, just as what my master did to me," he finished.

Now, Zen had finally understood what Saul meant. In order to have a companion with him, Saul had made some puppets here.

Those who previously broke into the fairy palace and failed the test were made into puppets.

Even though Saul was not as good as his master in making the puppets, the appearance of these three puppets weren't so bad. They looked like they didn't have any major damages. However, the souls within the puppets had faded away after thousands of years.

When Zen thought about being sealed in the puppet by Saul if he failed the test, he couldn't help but feel scared. He swallowed nervously. It would be miserable to live a lonely life in puppet for a thousand years.