77 Those at the Peak IV

Daniel, Amon, Evan and Skylar were running to the mountain range at full speed. Their steps were light on the ground, and they were already under the shade under the vortex of clouds. The mountain in front of them seemed to grow more massive at each step they took, standing stout and unsurmountable in front of them.

They rushed ahead in complete silence. Amon had a deep frown on his face. He had been like that ever since he heard Daniel's explanation. No matter what he said, however, was useless. Jake had made a call, and they would follow through with it.

Amon understood their logic, as well as Jake's, but it still bothered him deeply. He could not accept such a thing. He knew the world was like this, but as long as there was another way other than conflict, he would take it.

This single-minded pursuit of strength and the pride of cultivators was what had twisted this world in the first place. It turned into a vicious cycle that few could escape from; as the weak had no choice but be trampled upon or to trample others to obtain the strength they needed just to survive.

As such, well-intentioned people would eventually be killed or change their ways. Either way, this world would consume them. A world of mindless devouring rather than creation. A world like this would eventually fall apart, unless a balance of some sort was met.

What would that balance be?

Amon was not sure. He also did not mind it much. It was not truly of his concern as of now. His reason for cultivation was very simple, so he would keep his methods and objectives simple. He did not have to worry about anything else.

The moment Amon found his reason to cultivate as he looked at the red clouds in the dead world he already had decided to tread a different path from the other cultivators. His conviction was later reinforced by his conversation with the white beast at the forest.

This was a world he could not accept, but was also a world he could not change.

As Amon was reflecting, they finally arrived at the foot of the mountain. He snapped out of his thoughts and looked ahead. The mountain had no vegetation on it. There was also no snow as far as Amon could see. It was simply a horrendous mass of gravel, gargantuan rocks and gigantic cracks and crevices, forming together into an abhorrent whole that stirred one's mind. It was surprising that a grey abomination like that could reach for the heavens above, piercing the pure white clouds in the sky.

The four exchanged glances, and, as they were about to rush again, Amon stopped on his tracks. He looked at Evan, Skylar and Daniel and took a deep breath.

"I am sorry, but I won't follow you in this rush." He said, shaking his head.

"Are you kidding me?" Evan asked, not hiding the anger that started to distort his expression.

Skylar said nothing, simply giving Evan a light tap on the shoulder as she looked at Amon with a piercing glance. He sustained her gaze, not showing hesitation or regret at all. Skylar shook her shoulders and turned away.

"Amon, why…" Daniel was dumbstruck. He looked at Amon with his mouth agape, but when he saw the resilient look in those golden eyes, he sighed.

"Are you sure about this?" Daniel asked with concern in his voice.

"I am." Amon answered with no hesitation at all as he looked at Daniel with an apologetic smile. "I think it would be better for me to deal with this my own way."

Daniel looked at Amon for a long while, as if trying to see through him. In the end, he simply patted Amon's shoulder as his expression eased.

"If you are sure then it is fine." He said with a smile.

Daniel would not question Amon's decision. He had decided not to do so long ago, when Amon he offered Amon wine during the Promotion Competition. He would not be able to take care of him all his life, and the Hellblaze Trials were personal, after all.

"Come on, Daniel." Skylar called, seemingly anxious. They could hear a faint rumble in the distance, as well as almost imperceptible clashing sounds and shouts. "They are getting close."

"As long as you believe this is the right decision, I'll support you." Daniel sent Amon one last glance as he tightened the grip over his shoulder. It was a warm grip, and a gesture of affection. Amon looked up and saw the genuine smile on Daniel's face.

"Good luck, Amon. I'll see you at the peak." With one last smile, he turned away, rushing forward with Evan and Skylar.

Amon looked at Daniel leaving, and for some reason his chest felt heavy. The anxiousness he felt when he first saw the gateway to the Hellblaze Secret World seemed to be stirring again, churning in the depths of his mind.

The sounds of fights coming from the distance were turning louder and louder as time passed. Amon shook his head vigorously, trying to clear his mind. He looked up, at the white vortex that devoured the peaks of the mountains, and he could not sort out his emotions.

He looked back, and saw a few tiny dots rushing at his direction. Other challenger were approaching the mountain.

He frowned for a moment, before turning away and rushing off. He, however, was not running towards the mountain. Rather, he was moving to the side, trying to avoid other cultivators and their conflict. It was the only way to get some peace in his climb.

He did not know for how long he had walked. The breeze that never seemed to stop ruffled his ashen hair, and the green grass was tousled as Amon stepped on its blades. He had no set destination; he only wanted to avoid trouble.

At some point, he stopped. He closed his eyes, and focused. He could feel the cold touch of the air in his skin. He could feel the light tingling in his head as the breeze messed his hair. He could hear the faint rustling of the grass.

There was nothing else. No one was in view, and no sound of conflict could reach him. Now, there was only him and the mountain. As it should have been from the start.

Cultivation was, after all, deeply personal.

He doubted that one day the mountain would turn any less horrendous in his eyes. The world around it was so beautiful, but the mountain was so disconnected from it, so disjointed, that Amon could not find any way to appreciate it.

Amon looked up again, having to bend his body backwards just to properly see the white vortex that cast a shade over him and blocked his view of the peak.

Unknowingly, his body had turned tense. He started lightly shaking his limbs to loosen them a bit.

Climbing this mountain would bring no joy at all.

Maybe at the peak he would be able to properly appreciate the vast expanses of beauty this world offered him, and it would be worth it.

Maybe the peak would be so high that he would not be able to see any of it, and it would be worthless.

Nevertheless, there was only one way to find out.

Amon took a deep breath, and started his long climb.