Chapter 96 - Old Men
News spread across the continent like wildfire.
This was likely the only portal to open in Vaeloria. Other continents had multiple gates, but Vaeloria was too spiritually poor. One gate was probably all they’d get in all this.
Six hours passed.
Cale spent the time in his mindspace, training and preparing. The ’Act-1’ of his regression was coming to a conclusion with this. Only Emperor Stage or below could enter inside, so this would be difficult.
"All of you gather together in files!"
"Do not make a crowd!"
The elders barked orders.
Tens of thousands of people stood in the academy’s yard. Likely the first time it looked this small with so many gathered.
Cale stood in one of the lines, casually observing everyone.
"Oh, you’re here too!"
Someone patted his shoulder.
He turned to see Elon, Nex, and others and he smiled. "You guys are here. Well, good, now I don’t have to search for your sorry asses, heh."
Elon sighed. "We aren’t that pitiful, you know."
Cale laughed. "Oh, is that so~"
Nex walked ahead. "Isn’t it obvious we would come? It’s like the biggest event of the century! The last portal opened in the Theocracy eighty years ago."
Elon looked at Cale. "Where were you though? I haven’t seen you for a week or so."
"Ah... well, a honeymoon trip of sorts."
Elon was more shocked than anyone. Wasn’t Lady Emily still in the academy? Who did this guy go with?
"This womanizer! As if your previous looks weren’t good enough, you’ve come back to mock us peasants with that face! And to think he even has a fiancée along with that... ugh!"
Cale simply smiled. "Idiots, so what if I’m surrounded by women? Like water flows downhill and man aims for higher places once again—that’s the unchanging law of the world. Just having a few women by my side can’t help me survive. I can’t protect them all the time, you know. So unlike me, focus on cultivating. Who knows what we’ll face in the coming future."
Elon smiled wryly. Being the son of one of the most influential figures, he too knew Cale was somewhat correct. Noble families from all four kingdoms were being swallowed left and right these past few months.
Cale sighed internally.
’Compared to letting the people I know get hurt, I would rather let hundreds of strangers die. Haah, benevolent, aren’t I?’
One of the elders started explaining. "Since all of you are new to this—heh, even us old foggers are new to this—there’s a limiting factor on who can enter. First is to be under 250 years old. Second: be Emperor Stage or below. Anyone above can’t enter. You’ll likely go through an entrance process first, then be divided into groups based on difficulty. There are miracle herbs, medicines, pills, elixirs, hidden cultivation scripts, martial arts, Supreme treasures. But the most important is obtaining the legacy of the owner."
He paused.
"Since the place can close in only two instances. One: when the legacy has an owner it closes after two weeks. Two is when all participants die."
Silence spread across the grounds.
Tens of thousands of cultivators, all potentially dead, just imagining that gave shivers.
"You’re free to leave if you’re scared. Velard holds no responsibility. Choose your teams wisely. I suggest teaming up with academy people. And of course, be careful of ambushes. Humans are more beast than real beasts inside."
It was time and people in Cale’s line walked in one by one. Since Cale had given Fiora a mark talisman, he could easily find her location and soon, his turn came.
He took a deep breath and entered. As he opened his eyes, ’Huh, where am I?’
A white space, void with nothing. Then a system-like screen materialized before him—though it looked like a crude model.
[Which level would you like to enter?]
"Level 4."
The hell one.
His body was teleported to an unknown place. Just as he materialized there, he saw an old man clearly in Emperor Stage was already there.
’He came before me.’
He was ancient, surely over 100 years old, wearing pristine white clothes and a slightly long beard.
Cale simply bowed, there was no point picking fights immediately. But giving his real identity would cause problems.
"I’m Leon," Cale said.
The elder nodded. "Song Chenxi."
Cale nodded back.
’Song? Haven’t heard his name, but he must be strong.’
The floor beneath them was an enormous circular stone platform, its surface worn smooth by countless years. Ancient patterns and intricate carvings covered its edges, forming concentric rings that disappeared into darkness.
Outside the circle was nearly complete darkness.
It was a summoning platform.
At the very center lay a gigantic ornate formation—a mystical compass or celestial diagram. Its surface was engraved with countless lines and symbols, several intricate layers interlocking around a central circular emblem.
Surrounding it were twelve stone platforms, each bearing a strange statue. Some resembled beasts. Others seemed vaguely humanoid, their features worn by time. Between them stood numerous small stone pillars, each holding a faintly glowing blue-white flame.
Beyond the circular platform was almost nothing.
Only an endless expanse of darkness.
The chamber was so vast its walls couldn’t be seen. Cold mist clung to the ground. The dim flames barely revealed the enormous structure beneath Cale’s feet.
Suddenly, another person entered.
Compared to Cale and Song Chenxi, this person was quite calm. And obviously, he was at Peak Emperor Stage too somehow. It was likely that all entering in this place would be of Emperor stage.
He did look slightly younger than Song Chenxi since his hair were still half black, though age hardly mattered in appearance.
He wore black robes with a sword at his waist.
He laughed. "Haha, challenging at the fourth level as a Grandmaster! I commend your courage, child."
’Oh, he looks like a normal person.’
Then a voice came directly into Cale’s head.
Song Chenxi had used voice transmission.
[Do not trust him. He’s a monster older than 500 years! He recently slaughtered an entire city because his grandson’s bride was killed by his own enemies. He’s the type that chooses violence as the first answer.]
Cale sighed.
’I take my words back. These oldies are batshit crazy!’