Duan Ling Tian did not know who these men in silver armors were, including Wang Wei. He did not even know why they were bringing newly-ascended Celestials to a camp. He did not ascend to a Devata Realm to report for duty in a camp. He had ascended for its superior cultivating environment and resources so he could get stronger and rescue Ke'er, his family, and his friends in the Divine Offering Realm after 1,000 years.
"We're the Decurions of the Silverwyrm Army," the middle-aged man in silver armor answered.
"Silverwyrm Army?" Duan Ling Tian frowned and asked, "You're all in a troop?"
"Yes." The middle-aged man in silver armor nodded as he said, "We're the Silverwyrm Army, the army of the Bloody Specter City. Our Lord Commander is one of the three strongest powerhouses that serve under the Bloody Specter City's Governor!"
"Bloody Specter City?" Duan Ling Tian said as he raised an eyebrow.
"Bloody Specter City is the only city in this region. It's the seat of the Nine Specters County… Apart from being the resting place of passing Celestials, Bloody Specter City is also responsible for receiving new Celestials in the Celestial Ascension Pool."
The middle-aged man in silver armor added, "The Celestial Ascension Pool you just left is one of the many Celestial Ascension Pools that Bloody Specter City is responsible for… Those who have just ascended will normally be received by two Decurions of the Silverwyrm Army."
"Received?" Duan Ling Tian asked calmly. "Earlier, I heard you're supposed to bring us to some camp to report for duty. Are we heading to the Silverwyrm Army's camp?"
"Yes." The middle-aged man in silver armor nodded.
Duan Ling Tian narrowed his eyes and asked, "Why do I need to report to the Silverwyrm Army's camp?"
"This is the rule here… All who ascended to the Nine Spectres County will be led by the armies from the respective cities to their camps and report for duty. Then, they'll serve under the army's watch," the middle-aged man in silver armor said, "Only those who have served for 1,000 years will regain their freedom."
"I have to serve for 1,000 years before I can regain my freedom?" Duan Ling Tian's eyes narrowed even more. He said with a sneer, "What a tyrannical rule! How dare they force people who have ascended to serve them for 1,000 years before granting them freedom?"
Duan Ling Tian paused for a moment as he swept his eyes across the eight Decurions of the Silverwyrm Army, including Wang Wei, before he said coldly, "Although I've just ascended to the Devata Realm, I don't think any of you are capable of stopping me if I want to leave!"
The expressions of the eight decurions changed immediately as soon as Duan Ling Tian finished speaking.
At this moment, a powerful voice boomed from the horizon. "They might not be able to make you stay. However, now that we've arrived, it won't be so easy for you to leave!"
Duan Ling Tian raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and looked in the direction of the voice.
In the distance, two figures flashed in the sky at tremendous speed and appeared in just a blink of an eye. The figures belonged to two men who were also wearing silver armors. One of them was a middle-aged man and the other was a young man.
Although both of the newcomers were also wearing silver armors, the insignia on their chests were different compared to the eight decurions. The heads of two wyrms were etched on their armor while the decurions only had one wyrm etched on their armor. This clearly showed these two people held a higher position than the eight men.
"Lord Centurion!" The eight Decurions of the Silverwyrm Army saluted and paid their respect to the middle-aged man and young man in silver armors.
'Just as expected.' Duan Ling Tian's suspicion was confirmed as soon as the eight decurions greeted the two men.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Just a second later, Duan Ling Tian discovered the Divine Consciousness of the two Centurions of the Silverwyrm Army heading toward him. It was obvious they were trying to probe him. Duan Ling Tian was not worried to begin with when the two centurions arrived, but he relaxed even more when he discovered their Divine Consciousness was only as strong as that of a Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial. What a joke! He was not even afraid of soul attacks from Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestials, why would he be afraid of a little probing from these two's Divine Consciousness?
As expected, as soon as the two centurions' Divine Consciousness entered Duan Ling Tian, it was instantly devoured by the defective metal piece that was hovering next to his soul.
The expressions of the two Centurions of the Silverwyrm Army changed immediately.
"Good technique!" The middle-aged centurion praised Duan Ling Tian.
"How rare for someone who has just ascended to the Spirit Overarching Heaven, a mere Crimson Moon Heavenly Celestial, to master such an impressive technique to conceal one's cultivation base."
The young centurion looked at Duan Ling Tian.
"What's happening? Did the two centurions come to prevent me from leaving?" Duan Ling Tian asked calmly. He finally realized why the middle-aged decurion was so patient and helpful as he explained everything to him. In fact, they had already notified the centurions and were just stalling for time. He scoffed inwardly. Did they think the two centurions would be able to stop him? How naive! After all, up until now, he had not revealed his full strength.
'Previously, my greatest weakness was my soul. However, now…' Duan Ling Tian's confidence was boosted when he thought about the defective metal piece that hovered near his soul.
Prior to his ascension, Duan Ling Tian had thought long and hard about this. He could rely on his Celestial Methods and Divine Abilities to battle opponents who are stronger than him. However, if his opponent was too powerful and cast a soul attack before he could react, he would be doomed. Nonetheless, now that he possessed the defective metal piece, he was no longer afraid. After all, the defective metal piece would devour all soul attacks that were directed at him.
Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, 'How powerful must the soul attack be to bypass the defective metal piece? If I'm not mistaken, the defective metal piece can easily devour the soul attack of a Great Overarching Golden Celestial. There's a chance it can even devour soul attacks from Heavenly Emperors of the Devata Realms.' His confidence rose again when he recalled the defective metal piece was indirectly given to him by Xia Jie, Ke'er's third uncle and a powerhouse from the Divine Offering Land. His eyes shone when he thought of this. Naturally, this was just his speculation, he was not entirely certain if the defective metal piece could withstand the soul attack of a Heavenly Emperor.
Duan Ling Tian continued thinking to himself, 'During my battle with Wang Wei, I didn't unleash the full might of the Thirteen Green Lotus Swords. If I had used all thirteen swords, I'd be even stronger. Moreover, I didn't even use the Devata Artifact, the Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword that's missing its spirit. Even then, it's comparable to the best Celestial Weapons. If I don't use the Seven Orifices Sword, I'll still be as powerful as a Green Sun Golden Celestial without Celestial Methods, Divine Abilities or Celestial Weapons. With the Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword, I might be on even footing with a Violet Moon Golden Celestial without Celestial Methods, Divine Abilities, and Celestial Weapons.'
Duan Ling Tian was aware of all these because he used to possess a top Celestial Supreme Treasure, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, even though it was damaged. A top Celestial Supreme Treasure was able to assist its owner far more than an ordinary Celestial Supreme Treasure could! Even the most common Celestial Supreme Treasure would be able to increase its owner's strength, let alone a top Celestial Supreme Treasure!
'Naturally, I still don't stand a chance against Violet Moon Golden Celestials in an actual battle. After all, beings like that definitely possess Celestial Weapons, Celestials Methods, and Divine Abilities.' Duan Ling Tian was aware of this. 'In fact, even a Green Sun Golden Celestial who had mastered ordinary Celestial Techniques or Divine Abilities and wielded an ordinary Celestial Weapon would be a tough match for me. After all, with all the techniques and weapons, it would increase his or her strength by two to three levels. At that time, their strength would be comparable to a Violet Moon Golden Celestial without Celestial Methods, Divine Abilities, and Celestial Weapons.'
Up until now, Duan Ling Tian was uncertain how much his strength would rise if he used the Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword, therefore, he was uncertain if he would be a match for a Green Sun Golden Celestial!