Chapter 1329: 1329. Fallen

The green card had a simple rune on its surface, the same mark embroidered on Saul's green robe. The item expressed the acknowledgment of the Balrow family. Saul had basically accepted Noah as a fellow inscription master.

The audience, the guards, and Master Jay gasped at that sight. It was rare for a cultivator to obtain that token during his first visit to an inscription hall.

The card wouldn't only allow Noah to enter every inscription hall of the Balrow family freely. It would also give him some recognition in similar structures belonging to other families.

Noah didn't fail to notice the reaction of the cultivators around him. He understood that the card was an important item, so he didn't hesitate to store it after he inspected it with his mental waves.

'He wants a name,' Noah thought while Saul kept smiling at him.

Noah could tell Saul his real name and leave, but he had the chance to express his affiliation with some powerful existence now. Cultivators also used titles often, so he didn't mind saying one that could lead him to potential allies.

Noah didn't want to join any organization, but he wouldn't discard the chance to create back-up plans. He already had a powerful enemy. Paving the path for the arrival of potential allies seemed necessary in his situation.

"Defying Demon," Noah said, and one of Saul's eyebrows arched when he heard that name.

Hearing that name had triggered something inside Saul's mind that made him break his peaceful expression. However, Noah could only memorize that detail and leave the inscription hall for the moment.

Noah didn't know if Saul had any connection with Divine Demon. Still, he could confirm that his decision to reveal his title didn't endanger his relationship with the Balrow family when he sensed the green card changing.

A few symbols appeared on the card. Noah couldn't read that language, but he could hear the name "Defying Demon" when he inspected them with his mental waves. The Balrow family had officially accepted him as a welcomed guest.

'I have finally made some progress,' Noah thought as the effects of his ambition waned.

The crowd in front of the inscription hall opened at his passage and stared at him from afar after he left. Noah didn't want them to see his cultivation level falling, but they respected him enough to leave him alone.

His performance had placed his name among the promising newly ascended existences. Many cultivators among the crow expected Noah to become an important member of an inscription hall in the future.

Noah didn't have the same expectations. There was a crucial aspect of his existence that placed him in a different realm from the human world. He couldn't even begin to imagine what problems his species could cause.

Still, he now had enough money to solve some of his doubts about the Immortal Lands. Three hundred and ten Soul Stones wouldn't grant him access to all the structures in Vagona city, but they were enough to make him visit the library.

Moreover, his recent experience with the Elemental Forging method had unlocked something inside him. Noah felt that he had crossed the bottleneck and that he could increase his cultivation level again. Yet, he decided to delay his training to gather information about the higher plane.

A slight head-ache filled his mind after his centers of power returned to their real level. Noah didn't use his ambition to empower himself during his forgings, so the drawback ended up being relatively easy to endure.

The sensations felt while his ambition affected the laws around him were vivid inside his mind, and Noah did his best to memorize them. Those feelings contained the reason behind the unlocking of his cultivation level, and he would do anything to keep them alive.

Noah returned to the big library and found Chief Ash smiling at him. She kept her arms crossed in front of her chest as she stared at his figure nearing the building belonging to the Sailbrird family.

"I told you that you had potential," Chief Ash said. "You made a name for yourself already. Still, I didn't expect you to be an inscription master."

"I can pay the fee for the library now," Noah said as he ignored her comment.

"News run fast in Vagona city," Chief Ash didn't let the topic go. "Almost every weaker existence is aware of your arrival after your performance in the inscription hall."

"I only want to read a few books," Noah said as he continued to ignore her.

"Inscription masters are a valuable resource in the higher plane," Chief Ash kept going. "You have lost your anonymity, Defying Demon. I wouldn't be surprised if smaller organizations were to kidnap you now that you have revealed your talents."

Chief Ash's words sounded like a threat, but Noah didn't give them much weight. Her intentions were clear. She wanted Noah to join her guild now that he was still somewhat unknown.

It would be too late if Noah continued to reveal his value. Simple guilds would lose any hope to obtain him since the big families would step in.

"I'm sure the sophisticated citizens of Vagona city won't resort to such methods," Noah replied as a cold smile appeared on his face.

Noah stopped in front of Chief Ash and kept his reptilian eyes fixed on her. She couldn't discern his hybrid status only from that feature, but she didn't seem interested in the secrets he carried.

Chief Ash only wanted to recruit Noah. Her desire seeped out of her figure and began to fuse with the environment. Still, the arrival of her underlings forced her to retract those strands of aura.

Noah took out five Soul Stones from his separate space when the other guards arrived, but Chief Ash shook her head and opened a path for him.

"Take this as proof of my goodwill," Chief Ash said as she pointed at the entrance of the library. "You can stay there for three months and have complete access to the first level. You will need to pay for specific tomes or information with great value."

Noah's eyes went on the entrance before darting again on the liquid stage expert. Chief Ash was offering him a free visit to the library, but Noah's instincts told him not to trust her.

Still, that didn't involve the actual visit, so Noah limited himself to nod before walking toward the entrance. Chief Ash's suspicious behavior couldn't worry him with the five rank 8 existences watching over the entire city.

"Are you sure, Chief?" One of the weaker guards asked once Noah entered the library. "My contact in the inscription hall said that he created thirty-one inscribed weapons in a row. Also, he might have some connection with that other troublemaker."

"This is Vagona city, a reign of peace," Chief Ash replied to her underling. "We will confirm if he knows anything about that arrogant bastard once he leaves."

"He appears used to a life in the wilderness," The guard argued. "We might be unable to keep up with him once he leaves unless you were to join the chase."

"There will be no need for a chase," Chief Ash said as a confident smile appeared on her face. "I know exactly where he will go after his visit to the library. Every newly ascended cultivator wants to see the Land of the Fallen after learning about its existence."