Chapter 204 - Visitors

After telling his trusted subordinates about what he had talked with the emperor, Cale went back inside his room to cultivate.

"Asteria, how long do you think will I need to reach the peak of the Immortal-Class level?" Cale asked with his eyes closed. 

A small figure emerged standing on top of his head. It was the fairy form of Asteria. 

Asteria sat on Cale's head with a pondering look on her face. "With your cultivation resources and talent, I think you will need a month to breakthrough. Although this is merely an assumption based on my current understanding of you, the possibility that I'm correct is high."

Cale remained silent but he agreed with Asteria's guess. He was quite certain that he would need a month to reach the peak of the Immortal-Class level. Of course, this was if he wouldn't have to do anything besides cultivating. 

But with the current progress of things, Cale was certain that the emperor would ask him to do something. As to what it was, he already roughly knew it.

'According to Asteria, the Immortal-Class level is merely the foundation for becoming a true immortal. Although it has the word 'immortal' in it, it does not mean that one will gain eternal life. An Immortal-Class level expert can command the power of the elements which ordinary cultivators aren't capable of doing. True immortality is when a cultivator cultivates his Nascent Soul and reaches the Earth Enlightenment Realm.' Cale thought to himself.

'Once a cultivator is able to cultivate his Nascent Soul, he/she will have an extra life. If his physical body was destroyed, he can just let his Nascent Soul slowly gather universal essence to slowly recreate a physical body. Just that it will take countless years before a new body will be recreated.' 

Cale sighed and shook his head. "I'm not even at the peak-stage of the Immortal-Class level yet. As for Azazel, he's already been at the Earth Enlightenment Realm for many centuries. As to what his exact level of mastery is, I'm completely uncertain."

"Knock. Knock. Knock." 

Cale opened his eyes and stood up with a thoughtful look on his face. "Come inside."

Zero came inside and he bowed respectfully at Cale. "My lord, sorry to disturb your cultivation, but someone wishes to see you."

Cale was a bit surprised, but he still put on a calm look. "Oh? Tell them to wait for me in the guest hall. I will be there shortly."

Zero acknowledged and went out of the room respectfully. 

"Who could it be?" Cale muttered to himself.

Inside the guest hall of Cale's manor, two men were waiting with a hint of excitement on their faces. 

One was a handsome middle-aged man with had short blonde hair. There was a black demonic sword strapped behind his back which emitted a baleful aura. 

The other one was a man with countless sword scars on his body. He had a ferocious appearance like an untamed wild lion. 

When the two of them heard familiar footsteps coming towards them, they hid the excitement on their faces. 

Zero smiled at the two of them and said. "Apologies for making you both wait. His Lordship is already on his way here."

The two men's eyes lit up when they heard Zero's words. 

"We don't mind at all, Lord Zero." The handsome middle-aged with short blonde hair said with a cordial smile.

Beside him, the ferocious-looking man nodded in agreement.

Zero smiled and shook his head. "Gentlemen, I'm no lord. I'm just a subordinate of Duke Cale. Just call me Zero."

The two men were not surprised at Zero's humble attitude and his respectful look when mentioning Cale's name. Even the two of them were fearful and in awe at Cale's strength. 

"In that case, please pardon us, Mr. Zero." The blonde middle-aged man said with a smile.

Zero shook his head helplessly at their respectful attitude. He couldn't blame them. Cale's name had already rocked the Celestial Sword Empire. Even a few surrounding holy lands outside of the Celestial Sword Empire have heard of Cale's thunderous reputation.

The three men exchanged words as they slowly befriended each other. 

Zero felt the two men's sincerity so he didn't oppose the thought of making friends with them. Furthermore, they needed stronger allies for their cause.

"It appears that my two visitors are actually an acquaintance of mine." A man's voice filled with charisma echoed inside the guest hall, slightly startling Zero and his two new friends. 

They glanced at the newcomer as they stood up respectfully. 

"We greet you, Duke Cale." The two men greeted as they glanced at Cale.

Cale glanced at the handsome middle-aged man with short blonde hair. He was the first expert that his group encountered when they first stepped foot on Shura. The man who led an expedition in Manu Town, the former eleventh Adamantine-Rank mercenary, Alucard. 

He had a good impression of Alucard. He was even the one who gave them a recommendation letter which made their entrance to the Celestial Sword Empire much easier. Without Alucard's recommendation letter, Cale's group might have encountered a bit of resistance before they would be allowed to enter the Celestial Sword Empire.

Although Alucard was only at the early-stage of the Immortal-Class level, he was capable of fighting against mid-stage Immortal-Class level experts if he wields his demonic sword. He might even have the chance of winning against them!

Cale then examined the ferocious-looking man.

Cale smiled when he saw him. This man was the former first Adamantine-Rank mercenary, Cellan.

Cellan now looked meek at the presence of Cale which was a stark contrast to their first meeting. Cellan doubted Cale's strength at that time and challenged him to a fight which ended in him losing in a single move of Cale. Starting then, his attitude towards Cale took a drastic turn.

"Alucard, Cellan, what brings the both of you here?" Cale asked as he gestured for the two men to sit down.

Zero stood respectfully behind Cale while Alucard and Cellan found themselves a seat.

Although Cale already guessed the reason for their visit, he still asked them to ensure that his guess was right.