Chapter 53: An Audience with the High Priest

Inside the central temple of Skydome Star

Yao Yuan and his four companions had resolved to confront the Supreme High Priest face to face.

Besides the solemn main hall, the central temple also had several smaller doors. Each led to one of the three direct institutions of the Skydome Faith: the Skydome Council, the Oracle Institute, and the Tribunal.

Within the temple, numerous Skydome priests moved purposefully, maintaining the sacred order of the place.

The five chose, seemingly at random, a priest who appeared to hold a position of some authority, and stepped forward to state their purpose.

“We five wish to see the High Priest.”

The priest was visibly displeased at this blunt and irreverent request. On Skydome Star, regardless of status, one was expected to express the utmost humility when referring to the High Priest.

“Who are you?” he asked, maintaining politeness despite his irritation.

Yao Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words, suddenly aware of the High Priest’s lofty standing—far from someone one could simply demand to see. Though the five carried advanced weaponry, they realized their chances against the many temple guards were slim; after all, Skydome Star had entered the age of firearms, and they themselves had no protective gear.

They possessed the ability to return via clones if killed, but to lose a precious body before meeting the High Priest would be a regrettable waste.

“We’re scientists,” Yao Yuan improvised swiftly. “We’ve made an astonishing discovery, and wish to report it to the High Priest.”

The word “scientist” immediately commanded the priest’s respect, his deference aligning with the High Priest Shen Xing’s well-known reverence for scientific knowledge.

“What significant discovery have you made? I can relay your message and see if the High Priest will grant you an audience.”

The priest’s demeanor shifted, becoming markedly more respectful.

“Uh… we’ve found evidence of extraterrestrial life,” Yao Yuan continued, fabricating a story in hopes of attracting the High Priest’s attention.

The priest was shaken by this claim. He recalled that the Supreme High Priest Shen Xing had once prophesied that humanity might one day face threats from distant worlds. The thought left no room for delay. His attitude became grave.

“Very well. Wait here. I’ll report this at once!”

The priest hurried off, his steps urgent and determined.

---

After the priest departed, Zhang Yu turned to Yao Yuan, his uncertainty plain. “Professor Yao, isn’t that excuse a bit far-fetched? They might not even have a concept of extraterrestrial life. How could they know what an alien is?”

“Their level of science is roughly equivalent to mid-21st century Earth,” Yao Yuan replied calmly, though inwardly he knew his excuse was improvised. “I’d imagine they’re curious about the possibility of life beyond their world.”

Yao Ling interjected with a light laugh, “In fact, from their perspective, we really are aliens.”

“But do you really think this High Priest will see us for that reason?” Yang Kui voiced the crucial doubt, while Peng Wenyan, after a moment’s thought, spoke with decisiveness:

“We’ll wait and see. If the High Priest refuses, we’ll call down the armored mechs and drag him out ourselves.”

All five silently understood that Shen Xing was unlikely to grant them an audience. Yet they also knew they had to uncover the secrets behind the Skydome Faith and the mysterious link between this planet and Earth. Whether by peaceful dialogue or force, they had to pursue the truth. This was their duty as scientists, and an expression of their yearning for freedom and truth.

Meanwhile, in the Star Pavilion, Supreme High Priest Shen Xing received word of Yao Yuan’s request after a series of reports. He was teaching six students—Ye Lian, Su Xiaoyi, Ye Wu, and others.

Shen Xing was perfectly aware of Yao Yuan’s actions and privately found them almost amusing.

“Let them come,” he said, his voice calm and tinged with sardonic amusement. Then, turning to his students, he said indifferently, “It seems alien life has come knocking at our door.”

His words struck his students like a thunderclap. Their faces changed instantly, eyes burning with indignation. From childhood they had been taught to uphold the honor of the Star Father and fight against any external threat. Now, these so-called aliens dared to appear openly in their world, even seeking an audience—an open challenge to their faith.

“You will sit aside,” Shen Xing instructed, his voice composed, “speak no word, make no move. Observe carefully what differentiates these aliens from yourselves.”

He crossed to the window, gazing up at the sky.

---

His eyes pierced the clouds, glancing indifferently at the colossal Earthling Vanguard Fleet ships that hovered in orbit. There was no emotion in his gaze, only a profound contemplation and a trace of anticipation.

…

Outside the main hall of the central temple on Skydome Star

The five did not wait long before the priest returned, urgent and respectful, gesturing to lead the way.

“The High Priest has agreed to meet you. Please follow me.”

His words radiated an air of unquestionable authority—the High Priest’s will was as weighty as a mountain here.

The five exchanged a look of surprise. They could not help but wonder: had the High Priest truly agreed so easily? Was this mighty religious leader truly so approachable?

Following the priest’s brisk pace, they passed through the grand portals of the main hall without encountering any obstruction or even a cursory body check. This was entirely at odds with their expectations of tight security.

Even on Earth, to meet a person of such prominence would require exhaustive checks, yet here all went smoothly. Perhaps, as they had surmised, the people of Skydome Star placed such unwavering faith in their religion that they saw no need for precautions. Their belief fostered a near-childlike trust in any outsider.

Though puzzled, the five felt an undeniable sense of relief. They had been prepared for a search, having cleverly disguised their energy guns as innocuous little cubes, confident that the planet’s technology would not expose them.

Yet the reality was unexpected: they traversed the temple’s long corridors without incident, moving ever closer to the place where the High Priest awaited.

With every step, their hearts grew heavier yet more resolute, filled with anticipation and curiosity for the truths that were about to be revealed.