Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer-Chapter 798 - 349: Meeting the Holy Mother

Alka looked at the ring on his hand.

"Star River."

"What?" Chadite, who was beside him, asked in confusion.

"This ring," Alka said, wiggling the ring on his finger. "Its name is Star River."

It wasn't a name Alka seemed to have chosen; it was as if the ring had named itself.

"Star River, eh? Very accurate," Jason remarked, observing the ring's design. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

When he slipped the ring onto his finger, neither the Dream Catcher nor the Mirror Surface reacted. There was no struggle of resistance, nor any joyful hum of compatibility. It remained perfectly still, silent and soundless.

Alka raised his hand, and starlight, from an unknown source, gathered around it. A longsword formed of starlight materialized in his grip. One by one, missile-like points of starlight flickered into existence beside him. Trailing long, luminous tails, they darted about like shooting stars.

"How powerful is it?" Jason asked eagerly.

Alka, controlling the starlight darting around him, seemed ready to test its power. Chadite quickly grabbed his shoulder.

"Don't test it here… we can't afford the damage."

Hearing this, Alka looked at the smooth stone walls around them and nodded silently. That was true. If they actually punched a few holes in this place, they really would be flat broke.

"Let's go outside first."

Saying this, Alka led the group out of the secret chamber.

The priest who had brought them there walked ahead once more, leading them away. This time, however, he led them towards the great hall of the Church.

Before Alka could ask, the priest said, "Come with me, Lord Alka. The Holy Mother… wishes to see you."

"Oh, okay… wait, who did you say?"

Alka, who was about to follow, stopped abruptly, his face a mask of disbelief.

Did I just mishear him?

He couldn't resist using his water control to cleanse his ears. His companions also looked somewhat dazed.

Impossible, was everyone's first thought.

Jason dug a finger into his ear, confirming it wasn't blocked. So, what did I just hear?

The priest leading the way turned back to Alka. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions, but he repeated, "The Holy Mother wishes to see you."

"The… the Holy Mother," Alka stammered.

He had always longed for an opportunity to meet the Holy Mother in person. The Flower Fairy had also said that it would be best for him to meet the Holy Mother after crafting the Treasure. He just hadn't expected Her to summon him the moment it was complete. But now that he was actually going to meet the Holy Mother, he found himself incredibly nervous.

The priest said nothing more, silently leading them to the largest prayer hall.

The statue of the Holy Mother towered before him.

The priest looked at Alka's companions. "Everyone, please come with me."

They nodded, glanced one last time at Alka's back, and then followed the priest out.

Alka stood beneath the Holy Mother's statue, the pounding of his own heart clear in his ears. His heartbeat grew increasingly rapid and loud. His palms even began to sweat.

"WHOOSH…"

Alka took a deep breath to calm himself.

Sooner or later, I have to meet Her. For other believers, this is an honor they wouldn't even dare to dream of.

He crossed his hands over his chest, bowed his head, and closed his eyes. He silently recited a prayer of praise to the Holy Mother.

Suddenly, Alka felt a breeze, carrying the scent of wheat, waft past him. It was cool and refreshing, yet seemed to carry a hint of warmth.

Feeling this change, he immediately opened his eyes.

The instant he opened them, the surrounding environment had completely transformed. He was no longer in the Church's great hall. Instead, he found himself in a vast field of golden wheat, the stalks reaching his waist. Endless ears of wheat swayed with the breeze, rippling in layers like waves on an ocean. This was a wheat field, an ocean of wheat. Looking into the distance, the golden field stretched as far as the eye could see, like a true ocean.

An autumn breeze rustled through the stalks.

Alka stood there, his face full of confusion. The transition had been rather abrupt, but he had a good idea where he was. This must be the Holy Mother's Divine Domain. After all, the harvest and ears of wheat were symbols of the Holy Mother.

Suddenly, he heard the laughter of children.

Alka followed the sound of laughter, walking onward without feeling any fatigue. The laughter echoed intermittently. The sound was filled with pure, childlike innocence. It also seemed to hint at the Holy Mother's other aspects: fertility and growth.

Finally, after walking for an unknown amount of time, he heard the rustling of wheat ears ahead.

Is something running through the wheat field?

Suddenly, a figure stumbled and bumped against his leg. Alka looked down. He saw a little girl with twin pigtails by his leg. She was beaming up at him, her smile bright despite two missing teeth.

"Heehee, little brother Alka, you're back!"

Little brother? Me? Alka was confused. He squatted down to look at the little girl.

"Look," he said, pointing first to the girl, then to himself. "I should be the big brother, right?"

"Nope!" The little girl stuck out her tongue and pulled a funny face at Alka.