Chapter 258 - XXVIII Celestial Death Lands

Before his eyes, tall trees appeared before his eyes. The sky was dark, and the a light pink moon reflected in the lake beside him. Elves and fairies flew all over the trees, preparing their weapons and armors for war.

"The city of Mishi, I heard that other than its people other would rarely visit this territory because of how close to the realm core it was and that its buildings made on top of the trees were amazing. At least I fully agree with the latter, this place looks pretty cool." Elijah knew he didn't have time to wait sightseeing the city and picked one stone talisman and summoned an eight-legged beast and turn to head west.

Mishi was only a few miles away from the beginning of the celestial death lands. An endless and desolate land where no race other than a few abnormal ones due to the amazingly scary heat produced by this world's core. In the meanwhile, he would take a rest and produce some minor origins on the way with the materials he got in the way.

Out of his back a hammer flew upwards and danced in the air before a slightly illusory image of Chloe appeared just like the one in his memory. Long green hair, that same immature and silly face.

"Ell, could you repeat again. Are you sure it is necessary to refine this entire realm? I saw by myself some of the achievements of your future self, but to formulate a plan this long is a bit insane."

"I know, and I agree. However, something tells me this isn't just about the prime king, if I'm right Yakhan is being kept captive by the cosmic heart's spirit. There are countless cosmic realms and alternate realities really similar to this one, I have seen a lot of realities as well as many visions and memories of fallen race and species, and in all the realities I've seen, most ended in despair even if it was in the hands of others... "  

"Okay... I'm just a remnant of a divinity, so all of this does not matter much to me as long as a got to be here with you." Knowing he wasn't feeling that well, Chloe tugged his sleeves to try and comfort him only to see her hands passing through him. Her face turned pale as an indestructible pain surged in her eyes.

Elijah, who was in deep thought was suddenly awakened and his gaze stopped on Chloe as he noticed the source of the pain in her eyes."I'm sorry... If just I still had my cultivation back, I could try to make a mortal body for you." 

He sighed to himself. Chloe's case was completely different from Yawen's avatar, Sarina. The latter was a soul fragment made into an avatar who suffered mutations and now lived in a body made with the bodies of Lich Kings and further mutated by the origin. As for Chloe, she was a piece of a fragmented divinity with a few of her former memories from before she forged the Divinity Essence artifact for him.

Yawen she asked him back in the palace if he could make a body for Chloe, and he told her he wasn't sure if she could resist without the hammer.

Elijah took a deep breath and had his mount accelerate further. Chloe's image also followed him as they continued for a whole month. In this part of the desert, few beasts could be seen 

Normally only powerful fire-type divine beasts could reside in this place. With his eight-legged beast he crossed the desert. Far away he saw the silhouette of two huge beasts fighting for a spot in a cave.

Suddenly both divine beasts stopped when they noticed a new presence in the area. A large golden-fang Lion and a three-colored bird spotted him in the distance before they flew over.

"Look! It's a human, I love humans, I saw one back then in a mortal world."

"This is a human? It's the first time I've seen one. I thought they would be more ferocious, this one looks just cute."

The three-colored bird poked Elijah with its head. It was like it had seen a toy, the lion just walked slowly and smelled him before nodding.

Seeing none of those beasts bore any hostility towards him, Elijah calmed down and stroke the feathers of the winged-beast.

Elijah smiled and introduced himself and "I'm Elijah Branches and this illusory figure is my female companion, Chloe Branches." 

When he said his name, Elijah paid attention to their expressions and seeing neither of them had any reaction to his name, he felt better as he explained.

"I'm an alchemist, and I came here especially to search for some rare materials. But then I thought to come and see how the core of an artificial cosmic realm really was." 

This time the Lion had a reaction and slowly asked. "Ah, you are on the right path, the celestial world's core is just a day and a half from here. And what do you mean by Alchemist? You mean those old, bearded-men who make that sweet potion and pellets?"

"No, alchemy is not just about potions and medicine. My specialty is these little beauties here." Elijah showed a single purple-black pearl to the two beasts. The peal had not that great of an era, but intensity fluctuations of the laws a dark and mysterious force could be felt from it.

This little pearl was an origin he made with the Euva he had. He named it the Hallow Shadow Origin. It wasn't that powerful as its name, but it could produce a unique energy that could slowly increase or decrease the life force of others and create shadows, the Hallowed Energy. It couldn't affect cultivators above the fifth realm, but its uniqueness attracted both beasts who knew nothing about it.

He gave a peal each to the two beasts before he continued until he mounted a camp not far away. The beasts helped him and they camped together for the night, chatting before the fire and having drinks. In his tent, Elijah slept on the right while his hammer, Chloe's heart was resting by his side with its green veins pulsing.

While sleeping, he extended his hand and grabbed the hammer by his hand and pressed it on his chest, hugging it thigh. 

He knew he wouldn't be able to rest properly tomorrow and Chloe's illusory figure also rested by his side, watching him sleep with a smile on her face. The real war was going to start soon, and only later they would have the time to be together. Chloe said to herself as she thought of how she haven't been with a man since her birth more than a hundred thousand years ago while fantasizing about all the things she would have Elijah do when that day arrives.