AN: Greetings and Salutations everyone. First of all, I'm sorry for taking so long to release a chapter. Life has been hitting me with sticks lately. Secondly, I wasn't very satisfied with what I had planned for this novel. Thus, I decided to rethink/re-plan a lot of stuff. This took a lot longer than I thought it would. Thirdly, I don't think I really like the way I was writing before. So I think I may try to change the way I write? I don't know. Only time will tell. Anywho, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter XIV
Alex was following the road that led west from Solaris. After walking for some time, he paused in his steps and looked back the way he came. As he gazed into the distance at the speck on the horizon, he let out a deep emotion-filled sigh.
“I can't believe this day has finally come...” A solemn expression emerged on his face as he took one last look at the town he called home. 'Who knows how long it'll be until I come back here...' He looked down towards the ground and clenched his fists. 'I have to do this!' A frown surfaced as he was engrossed in his thoughts.
'I'm sorry Sarah...Right now, I'm too weak. In the future I'll make it up to you. I swear.' He raised his head and gazed at Solaris one last time. Alex shook his head. 'I can't be distracted...I won't be distracted! I'm going to become strong!' A fierce determination flashed by in the depths of his eyes. No longer hesitating, he turned around and continued to travel west.
** ** ** **
Four and a half days swiftly passed by as Alex travelled. Currently, he was sitting with a blanket draped over his shoulders by the side of a small fire that he had struggled to create. 'Holy crap, what was I thinking!?' He frowned as he felt the night's cold breeze.
'I'm such an idiot!' Alex looked down and raised his hands in front of his face. He grimaced as he inspected the torn skin on the palms of his hands. 'I really should've learned how to properly make a fire! Rubbing sticks together definitely isn't the most effective way...If I knew how to use my Qi properly...'
Alex shook his head and lowered his hands. 'Oh well. It'll heal eventually...' He raised his head and looked to the star-filled sky. A small smile formed on his face. 'I should arrive at the city of Bearcrest tomorrow. I've never been to one of the big cities before, I'm so excited!'
He turned his gaze back to his hand as a piece of dried meat appeared in it. 'If I hadn't packed all this stuff before hand, I'd probably be scavenging for food or trying to hunt some animals.' He sighed as a water flask appeared in his other hand. Taking a bite of the meat, he thought, 'I'll buy some more food at the city tomorrow. I'll get enough to last me for the trip to Brightwatch. I couldn't bring too much from home, without raising my parents' suspicions. I don't know how I'd explain to them where it all went.'
He shrugged as he continued to eat and think. 'This inventory is probably one of the most amazing things from this blessing. When I stored the five gold my parents gave me, it actually displayed the amount of money I have in the bottom right of the inventory screen. That's just too awesome.' He smiled and then took a drink from his water flask.
Setting his flask down, his expression turned solemn. 'From Bearcrest to Brightwatch, it will probably take a few weeks by walking...Maybe I could get a horse to speed things up...I wonder how much a horse would cost.' He slightly tilted his head. 'Or maybe I could find some people heading in the same direction and hitch a ride?...I'll figure it out tomorrow once I reach the city. For now, I need to get some rest. All this walking is pretty tiring.'
After concluding his thoughts, Alex finished eating and then laid down to rest. He finally fell asleep after some tossing and turning due to his excitement keeping him awake. The night quickly passed as he slept.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
*** One and a half months ago ***
Elsewhere, on a continent far away, in a land of perpetual snow and ice, a solemn atmosphere permeated the main hall of a large palace. Dozens of white-robed men and women were gathered before an empty throne in silence. Some were fidgeting and nervously looking to each other as they stood there waiting.
After some time passed, the silence was disturbed by the side doors of the hall being pushed open. Slowly walking inside, was a man with white, waist-length hair. Although his hair was white, he did not appear very old. He still had a youthful face.
As this man entered, the entire group of people's attention was centered on him. However, no one dared to speak. He slowly walked up to the throne and sat down. After he was seated, everyone present in the hall knelt, and called out, “We pay our respects to you, Sect Master!”
The man gave a slight nod, to which everyone stood up. He swept everyone with his gaze and stopped on an elderly man. Narrowing his eyes, he then spoke in a stern tone, “Grand Elder, for what is so urgent that you summoned all of the elders and even requested my presence?”
The elderly man stepped forth and knelt down. He hesitantly spoke, “Sect Master...Not too long ago, the ancient barrier formation in the Hall of Sealing activated...” The sect master's eyes widened. “What!? Are you sure you're not mistaken!?”
The grand elder shook his head with haste. “The disciples we had guarding the Hall of Sealing immediately reported an odd tremor and that the runes covering the exterior of the building have completely lit up in a red light.” When the sect master heard the grand elder's response, his brow furrowed as he slammed his fist down onto the arm of the throne, shattering it into dust.
Everyone was startled by this sudden action. They didn't understand why he was getting angry. The sect master was furious as he exclaimed, “You wait until now to inform me!? Quickly! Gather the entire sect outside of the Hall of Sealing!” After his words fell, there had yet to be movement.
“What are you fools waiting for!? This is no time to tarry!! If we don't act fast, a serious calamity could befall this world of Aeseruin!” As if they were awoken by the sect master's yell, everyone present began to move. The moment they were all out of the hall, the sect master spoke to himself in a troubled tone.
“Why now? It has been thousands of years since our ancestors sealed it away. If it breaks free...I fear that there is no one who can contend with it...Even with my strength as a Celestial, I doubt I can stop it...I need to disturb the Grand Sect Master's cultivation. We're going to need him.” As soon as his last words fell, the sect master disappeared from the hall in a gust of cold wind.
** ** ** **
A quarter of an hour had gone by since the elders had met with the sect master in the main hall of the palace. After their meeting, they urgently gathered all 1200 members of the sect in the plaza outside of the Hall of Sealing.
The Hall of Sealing was a massive dome shaped building with intricate carvings covering its exterior. At first glance one would think that these carvings were just there for decorative purposes. However, upon closer inspection, once could see that they were actually very organized and seemed intricate in their placing.
Each carving was actually a rune, serving as the base of a formation. Runes had been used since ancient times as a way to support and defend cultivators or any location. Those who were proficient in using runes to create formations were known as Rune-Masters.
In the past, runes were simply written words from the many different languages that existed, imbued with Qi. However, in the present most of the ancient languages and cultures had been lost. Along with them, the knowledge of formations has regressed. Thus, Rune-masters were considered very rare and held in high regard.
A skilled rune-master was capable of creating a formation that could erect an enormous barrier formed from Qi that could prevent anyone or thing from entering. They could create bewildering formations that would cause anyone who entered them to be lost, confused and unable to find their way out. They could even create formations that would bolster their own or allies' abilities should they fight within the formation. These were just a few types of formations that rune-masters were capable of creating.
A basic formation could be formed from three runes. As the number of runes involved in the creation of a formation increased, than the difficulty of controlling it would increase as well. In order to control a formation composed of many runes, great skill and ability would be required.
The exterior of the Hall of Sealing was covered with a little over six thousand runes. From the sheer number of runes alone, one could tell that a very skilled individual or group created this formation. On a normal day all of these runes would be colorless and look like ordinary carvings. Currently however, they were all emitting an eerie red light and tremors could be felt originating form the Hall of Sealing. Clearly something was amiss.
As time slowly passed, the tremors that were emanating from the Hall of Sealing were growing more intense. The surrounding area was starting to shake violently with each one. Of the 1200 sect members gathered, no one had any idea was going on. Startled and confused voices were echoing in the plaza.
A middle-aged man in a grey robe stepped forth and called out, “Elders! What's happening!?” To his question, no one responded. The elders awkwardly looked to one another before one of the them swiftly called out, “We're waiting for the sect master! Everyone calm down!” His shout echoed in the plaza.
In response to his yell, multiple voices were heard amongst the crowd. “The sect master!? What's going on!?” “What's making those tremors!?” “Why are the carvings on the Hall of Sealing glowing!?” “Why are we gathered here!?” Countless questions were launched towards the elders.
The elders were helpless as they didn't know how to answer as they themselves didn't even know what was going on. Luckily for them though, they wouldn't need to answer. Before anymore questions could be raised, a cold wind blew throughout the plaza causing some of the people present to shiver.
Out of nowhere, the sect master appeared in the air above the Hall of Sealing. His voice reverberated throughout the plaza. “Everyone! A great calamity is about to befall the world!!” This statement caused everyone to go silent. A great calamity? What was the sect master talking about? Everyone was even more confused.
A loud boom was heard as an even larger tremor shook the area knocking some people off their feet. The sect master furrowed his brow as he gazed at the Hall of Sealing. 'It truly has awakened...Grand sect master, please hurry...' He looked towards all of his sect's members and swept them with his gaze.
He frowned as he thought, 'We don't have the strength to stop this...At best, we can slow it down. But that's it...Over the years our sect has truly deteriorated...Beside the grand sect master, I'm the only celestial our sect has...If only we were more vigilant...To think it would awaken in my lifetime...' He shook his head and then yelled out to the crowd.
“Everyone!!” As his voice fell, multiple people looked towards the sky at him. “Long ago, our ancestors imprisoned a powerful and evil demon within a formation. Its power was too great. They could not defeat it. The best they could do was to seal it away.” Many of the sect members looked to each other in shock. This was something none of them knew. Not even the elders.
The sect master continued. “Our ancestors knew that this was only a temporary solution...For countless generations, those that took up the position of Sect Master would be told this secret. We were entrusted with guarding this sealed demon...To prevent it from escaping should it ever awake.” The sect master looked somewhat distraught as he continued on.
“I truly hoped that a day like today would never come...” Another loud boom echoed out and some cracks formed on the Hall of Sealing's structure. The sect master remained silent for a moment. He took a deep breath before he said in a solemn voice, “When you all joined the sect, you swore an oath...However, right now, I will not hold you to it!”
Everyone was stunned. Just what was the sect master saying? The elders were growing worried. This was unlike the sect master. He was usually stern and resolute. Before they could think anymore, the sect master's next words startled everyone. “Everyone below the rank of Late-Stage Master is to flee immediately!! This is my last order to you as the sect master of the Empyreal Praesidium!!”
Everyone was stunned. Whoever was below the rank of late-stage master was to flee? What kind of entity were they facing where only those above master were of any help? Just as everyone's thoughts were beginning to grow frantic, the sect master's voice once more filled their ears.
“This demon should have the strength of at least a Peak-stage Celestial!! Those of you who are above the rank of Late-stage Master, I would like to ask for your assistance against this demon!” His gaze swept the crowd once more. “If you wish to flee as well, then so be it. I will not stop you. We can onl-” A deafening boom occurred, cutting off the sect master. Along with it, came a great tremor that caused some of the surrounding buildings to tremble.
The sect master frowned as he looked out at the crowd that had yet to move. “What are you all waiting for!! I gave an order! Flee at once!” As if startled awake, a commotion suddenly arose. Almost all of the crowd began to run at once. As he gazed at those who remained behind, a rare smile floated across the sect master's face.
A few dozen figures rose into the air, stopping when they were at the same height as the sect master. He nodded as he viewed them. “Are all of you sure about this?” The grand elder was amongst those who remained. He spoke in a steadfast tone, “Sect Master! The sect is everything to me! If it is to perish then I will die alongside it!”
“Is this how all of you feel as well?” He questioned those who remained. Smiles and nods answered his query. Witnessing their devotion, he grinned. “Alright then! Everyone fan out and form the Aegis formation! We need to hold on until the grand sect master arrives!” The remaining 36 people had looks of shock plastered on their faces.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
One of the women who remained behind sounded astonished as she questioned, “The grand sect master!? Hadn't he perished long ago?” The sect master chuckled as he replied, “Nonsense. He simply went into closed-door cultivation. He was attempting to break through the celestial rank.” Everyone felt their hearts skip a beat when they heard this news. To break through the celestial rank!? When was the last time anyone on their continent had succeeded in doing so? It had been countless years.
The sect master was smiling as he saw their reactions. “I don't know if he succeeded or not, but if he did, then he will be the first demigod our sect has given rise to since the ancestors.” Before anyone could rejoice, the moment they had dreaded finally arrived as an earsplitting bang resounded throughout the area. All of the sect members who had started to flee stopped in their tracks and turned to look back. What they saw drained the color from their faces.
Accompanying the deafening bang, the Hall of Sealing erupted outwards as debris flew in every direction. The entire building was made of a special stone that was extremely heavy, durable and could withstand the attack of a peak-stage celestial and yet it was torn apart as easy as tofu. Chunks of rubble landed everywhere.
Some even landed as far away as one kilometer. Some of the unlucky fleeing sect members were crushed to death under the enormous weight of the rubble. Some random chunks flattened the nearby buildings. The elders were pale-faced as they stared towards where the Hall of Sealing had previously been.
Currently, only a cloud of dust that had arisen from the building being destroyed could be seen. The sect master hastily yelled out, “Everyone, be on your guard! No matter what, we must sto-” He stopped mid-sentence as a translucent colossal clawed red-hand burst out from the dust cloud and smashed into three of the elders who were in the sky, creating a bloody mist.
The others who had remained behind, were dumbfounded. To become an elder of the Empyreal Praesidium sect, one had to be of at least the Sage rank. Reaching this rank, one could be considered a true expert on their continent. They would only need to bow their heads before Saints and Celestials. Even then, a Saint or Celestial wouldn't be able to so effortlessly defeat three sages like that. Yet, three sages had been turned into a bloody mist with just the swing of a hand, like swatting a fly. Just how terrifying is this existence that was sealed away in their sect.
After witnessing how three elders of his sect had died, the Sect Master was furious. He immediately launched a barrage of attacks towards the dust cloud. An enormous translucent bluish-white Snow-Ape formed from Qi appeared in front of him and hammered down with its fists.
As it was pounding away, an enormous serpentine dragon formed from ice appeared behind the sect master and flew through the air towards the dust cloud, gathering a ball of Qi in its mouth. Opening its maw, it released a beam of blue light similar to a laser into the dust cloud.
Finally, the sect master summoned a massive blade of ice out of thin air. It hovered in the air above him as he lifted his hand and pointed it towards the dust cloud. It sailed through the air and slashed downwards towards the center of the cloud. Loud bangs reverberated throughout the area from the attacks, as an enormous explosion occurred from the point of impact of the dragon's Qi-beam attack.
The enormous snow-ape retreated to the sect master's side as the enormous serpentine ice-dragon coiled around them, prepared to strike again. All of those who had remained behind were stunned. These were attacks from a Late-Stage Celestial. This was a realm completely above them. The second strongest who remained behind was the grand elder. He was a Mid-Stage Saint. Even he was incapable of releasing such devastating attacks.
As everything quieted down, there was no further movement from within the the cloud of dust and smoke. Everyone began to cheer as they believed the demon to be defeated. However, to their dismay, a behemoth translucent blood-red sword cleaved apart the smoke and bisected several of the elders. It didn't stop there as it continued towards the sect master. As it did so, it even severed the distant mountaintops, encountering little to no resistance.
The sect master went wide-eyed as he saw this sword coming towards him. He willed the serpentine ice-dragon to meat the blade head on as the snow-ape followed closely behind. All the while he retreated backwards and summoned forth more blades of ice.
As the other remaining sect members saw this, they too finally moved into action. They all released their most powerful attacks towards the demon whose figure they could barely make out. Gigantic spears, swords, arrows, hands and even different creatures made from ice and Qi all darted forth towards the demon.
As all of their attacks impacted, deafening explosions occurred. However, that red translucent sword wasn't hindered in the slightest. It continued on its path. The serpentine ice-dragon collided head on against the sword and was shattered without so much as even making the blade halt. The snow-ape was hewed in two as it tried to grapple the sword.
The sect master grimaced as a mouthful of blood splurted out. He had created the ice-dragon and snow-ape by using and infusing a large amount of his Qi into the natural elements of the world. Losing them so suddenly caused some backlash to occur.
He tried to escape the trajectory of the sword by flying upwards, but it changed course and came straight at him. Hastily, he willed the countless blades of ice he created to form a barrier between him and the sword. The blood-red sword easily shattered all of the blades of ice and continued unhindered towards the sect master.
There wasn't enough time for him to do anything else, the sword was about to be upon him. 'It's inevitable...' He thought as he closed his eyes and awaited the embrace of death. Countless pained cries sounded out as those present were unable to aid him. “SECT MASTER!!!”
A thunderous bang echoed out as a gargantuan shock-wave occurred in front of the sect master. When he heard the noise, he jolted his eyes open in shock. Everyone was speechless at the spectacle they were witnessing. An elderly white-robed man with shoulder-length grey hair stood in the air directly in front of the sect master. His left hand was raised and a massive shield of ice was blocking the blood-red sword.
The sect master's voice trembled as he weakly said, “Grand Sect Master!” The elderly man chuckled. “Never give up boy. No matter what, we must stop this demon!” All those present gaped at the grand sect master. As he noticed their gazes, he chided, “What are you all staring at!? If you have the time to gawk, then attack!!!” His voice thundered in the sky.
Everyone hurriedly assented and began their barrage of attacks once again. The grand sect master raised his right hand and hastily called out while sweat began to drip down his face, “What are you waiting for!? Move out of the way! I can't hold this thing forever!” The sect master nodded in a panic and darted to the side.
Once he was out of the way, the grand sect master moved as well and tilted the shield making the sword slide off and collide into the ground. The earth shook violently as the remaining intact buildings collapsed. Not long after, the sword raised once more into the air, leaving behind an immense fissure on the ground.
It swung towards the grand sect master. He willed the enormous ice shield to meet the blade head on. As it did so the shield slightly moved and parried the blade. Once more the blade collided into the ground. Shortly after, the sword once more rose into the air towards the grand sect master. However, this time a blood-red beam of light erupted from where the demon was, blasting away all of the smoke and dust.
It carved through more than half of remaining sect members, bisecting them in two. It made its way towards the grand sect master. He urgently moved the shield to block the beam and willed a second smaller shield to form. The beam collided into the large shield and began to push the grand sect master back.
The demon's sword slashed towards the grand sect master once more. This time however, he could only use the small shield to block it. As the sword impacted the small shield, large cracks immediately emerged. The grand sect master's face was ugly. Blocking all of these strong attacks was putting a great deal of strain on him.
Boom! A thunderous explosion rang out as both of the shields shattered and the grand sect master narrowly avoided being struck. He put distance between himself and the blade, he grimaced as he cursed, “This damned thing should have weakened after being sealed away for so long! How is it so strong!?!?”
By now the smoke and dust had cleared. Everyone present was finally able to see the demon. The grand sect master was stunned and confused at what he saw. Standing there in torn clothes, was a human man with silver hair that fell down to his feet and rested on the ground.
Stuttering, the sect master asked, “A...A human?...I thought it was supposed to be a demon?” The grand sect master furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes. He was trying to think of a plan. He had yet to be able to get close to the so called 'demon', however his power was already terrifying at such a great range. In close combat, surely his strength was even greater.
The grand sect master thought to himself as he stood there in the air. 'I finally managed to become an early-stage demigod and yet I can barely defend against his ranged attacks...I doubt I can match him in close combat...' He glanced around at the handful of survivors and then at the sect master.
'No choice...' He frowned as he spoke in a solemn voice, “Sect Master Visimar. Take the remaining survivors and flee...” The sect master, Visimar, shook his head. “No! I will fight to the end!” The grand sect master chuckled and smacked Visimar upside the back of his head. “You're still the same as you were back then, you foolish boy! Four centuries and you haven't changed.”
He shook his head as a warm smile spread on his face. “Visimar. I want you to flee. Our sect is only one of many. Back then, multiple ancient sects united to fight this demon and seal him away. It wasn't just our sect alone...I've never told you this, since I never thought it would really matter...” He sighed as he continued on. “After the battle with the demon back then, all of the surviving sects changed their names...They all adopted the name Empyreal before their original names...If they are still around to this day, find them and unite them! Only then will we be able to stop this demon!”
Visimar clenched his fists as he stared at the grand sect master. “Don't give me that look boy. Do as I say. Unite all of the Empyreal sects...Unite as many sects as you can. Only then will you have a chance at stopping this demon. I'll do my best to slow him down. I should be able to wound him and delay him for some time.” Seeing that Visimar still had yet to move, the grand sect master chuckled.
“I've already lived for seven centuries Visimar. These old bones are finally going to get a rest. I leave everything to you.” The grand sect master smiled and then turned around and charged through the air towards the demon. “Father!!!” Visimar called out at the grand sect master's back as he drew further and further away.
“Damn it!” Cursed Visimar as he clenched his fists and mentally transmitted a message to the survivors. Upon receiving the message, everyone immediately retreated as fast as they could. Visimar also darted away. As they did so, the grand sect master was closing in on the demon. 'Visimar. Live on, my son.' As his thoughts reached there, the grand sect master's body started to emit a white glow and his speed immediately increased several fold.
Noticing his presence, the demon swung his sword and fired off that red beam of light towards the grand sect master. He nimbly avoided the attacks, narrowly dodging the blade and beams of light. Within seconds he was almost upon the demon. When it noticed how close he had gotten, the demon scowled.
Abruptly, multiple orbs of red light appeared in the air around the demon. They all flew towards the grand sect master at an unprecedented speed. His eyes widened as he urgently erected an ice barrier in front of him and closed the distance towards the demon.
The red orbs impacted and shattered on the barrier. When the demon saw this, he rose an eyebrow and then smirked. Promptly, countless orbs of red light appeared and all darted forth at an even faster speed. The first five impacted and shattered against the ice barrier. But the next four started to crack the barrier. When the grand sect master noticed this he frowned. “Empyreal Bulwark!” As he called out, his barrier transformed into a white-blue shield and all of the cracks vanished.
He was within twenty meters of the demon. 'Almost there!' He thought to himself as the white glow started to become more intense. The demon reacted by raising his hand and pointing it towards the grand sect master. As he did this, a massive hand that seemed to be formed from blood appeared out of nowhere and grabbed towards the grand sect master.
It happened so fast that he couldn't avoid it. The hand surrounded him and instantly closed around him. As he was in its grasp, it immediately squeezed, intending to pulverize him. “AHHH!!!!” A rage filled yell echoed out from within the hand. Suddenly, a portion of the hand exploded outwards as the grand sect master charged out. The demon was surprised. He widened his eyes as he had not expected the grand sect master to erupt with such strength so suddenly.
He surged right up towards the demon. When he was within two meters, he grinned and said with content, “I'll see you in hell, demon.” The white light that was being emitted from the grand sect master's body instantly flared up, encompassing the demon within.
** ** ** **
Visimar was was fleeing with the eight surviving elders when he abruptly came to a stop. He could have sworn he heard his father's voice in his mind. 'You've made me proud son.' He quickly turned around. As he did so, abruptly there was a monstrous explosion that occurred from the direction of their sect. Tears formed in the corner of Visimar's eyes as he weakly said, “Father...”
Only a few seconds later a massive shock-wave impacted him and the elders, knocking them back through the air. After stabilizing themselves, one of the elders called out, “Sect Master, what was that!?” Visimar clenched his fists and closed his eyes. A moment later he opened them and turned around. “That was the grand sect master buying us time. Let's move!” They no longer dallied and urgently flew towards the south.
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