Chapter 215: 10 Ancient Ones

1000 Monster Valley had been an attractive place for Authoritarians for one main reason, and that reason was about to reveal itself to Howard.

He followed Waxel down to one of the lowest Valleys, and saw several hundred Authoritarians cowering in the shadows behind the countless trees. What was down here that could be so important? He didn't understand why Waxel would take him all the way down here. If anything, he figured he'd be taking him to one of the highest mountain tops! 

"Howard, what would you say if I told you there were countless beings stronger than Demon King Earl at one point in the Furnace. Would you believe me?" Harkel pointed at a ridge in the distance, and gently patted Howard on the back. "How could you believe me since you never met Demon King Earl, hahaha! But… in your classes on the Surface, they must have taught you about dinosaurs right?"

"Yes, of course," Howard said with a smile, "Haha, but what does that have to do with where you're taking me?"

"There was once 10 ancient ones that were so terrifying they'd be able to with a single finger rip Earl to shreds. We found their corpses, and traces of their history over 1500 years ago. Right over there, is the body of one of the ancient ones."

"When Demon King Earl first found out about the ancient ones, he spent over a year trying to figure out how it was possible they were so strong. One of their skeletons is what I'm about to show you. We figure when the dinosaurs were around, a few of them had fallen down to the Furnace and became the ancient ones. However, you'll see when we get a little bit further how strong they are. In fact, if you weren't in the S rank, I probably wouldn't even allow you to enter!"

"Are they really that strong?" Howard said, shaking his head. "No way, this must all be a joke. If they were all strong, how did they die?"

"That's what I'm hoping you'll figure out Howard." Waxel stepped one more step forward and turned back with a smile. His black cape blew in the wind along with his long strands of hair. "We believe they sacrificed themselves, nigh, their entire race to stop a being. However, as of right now, we have no idea who that being was. Thats' where your Emperor's Ki comes in Howard. With you, you might just be able to understand the skeleton you're about to see."

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Howard and Waxel kept walking deeper and deeper into the Valley before they came across what seemed to be a grave of massive bones.

It looked like a battleground, and a strange, powerful aura swept over Howard as he entered within 10 kilometers of the bones. 

It was right in the center of 1000 Monster Valley, yet when he looked around not a single Authoritarian could be seen. It seemed the only thing around him was traces of some primordial being. It's strength, at its prime, must have exceeded even the Great Last Lord by hundreds of times!

"What? What a terrifying feeling," Howard said, trembling. "What exactly is that feeling from? Is that one of the ancient ones you spoke of?"

"Yes, we believe that when they were around, the Furnace looked completely different. At that point, because the oxygen on the surface was more dense, we believe that plants that fell into the Furnace could better withstand Ki, and therefore this place was probably green as far as the eye could see. As you know, the sun that shows up here during the day and the moon at night are an illusion, but back then, we believe there might have been giant craters that let light creak in from the surface.

"Anyways, long story short, Howard, you are the first one with a Ki that can copy techniques. Maybe, maybe if we're lucky, you'll be able to find out what happened in this large bonefield. Are you willing to give it a try?"

"Of course, but… is that the ancient one?" Howard looked up at what appeared to be a skeleton with over 10,000 bones that seemed to be over 3 kilometers tall. It's body was stuck in the side of the lone mountain in the valley, and even its teeth seemed larger than a skyscraper. "How-how did I not see it from over a kilomter away? Why did it just appear now?"

"Demon King Earl put an array around it so 1000 Monster Valley could be created." Waxel sighed, and sat down on a rock. "Anways, I explained enough for today. I just wanted to show you this, and since it took us 30 minutes to get here, the least I can do is leave you two alone haha! For 30 minutes, before Harkel arrives, you mind seeing what you can find out?"

"It-it's Ki… It's so faint, do you really think I can figure anything out?" Howard could feel the traces in the damaged rocks, and in the bones, but it was hardly nothing. Though the being was clearly being the G rank, it's remaining energy was rather scarce. "And I only have 30 minutes? I feel like even with a lifetime I couldn't figure it out!" 

"I already spent 3 life times on it, and I haven't either, but that's why I'm showing it to you Howard. Because I'm hoping you'll save me from having to spend 10 life times on it, hahaha! Now what do you say? Before the future comes along and swoops you away from me, you mind giving this old man a chance at peace. Will you try your hardest for 30 minutes to understand this old monster?"

"Sure," Howard said, "But there is one thing I don't understand. Why is it this place feels so dangerous, but it doesn't feel like it's because of Ki. It's almost like it's left its intent here. It's almost like this place was screaming for the weak not to enter."

"That, Howard, is a skill that not even someone in the G rank can understand," Waxel smiled and stepped back. "Anyways, I'll be waiting for Harkel. In roughly 30 minutes, I'll bring him down here, okay? You fine being left alone in a sea of bones?"

Howard nodded his head, and sighed before looking up at the gigantic skeleton. "I-I'll do whatever I can to figure out what it left behind, Waxel." He smiled and turned watching Waxel disappear. "However, I-I think even 3 life times might not be enough to figure this thing out. What a terrifying amount of pressure!"