*Ding!*
"[New Main Quest received! - Explore the Metal Tree Grove and find the hidden altar!]
Difficulty: ????
Objective: - Explore the Metal Tree Grove, find the Sword Emperor's hidden inheritance
- Find the Hidden Primal Altar!
Reward: ????
Failure Condition: - ????
Penalty: ????]"
The sudden emergence of yet another main quest caught Aiden off guard. Though from the scarce information the notification provided it might as well could have remained hidden. Besides giving him a note of his task of exploring the ruins and confirming the theory he had already been pondering about, it gave nothing worthwhile.
Just like before, his system's guide, who has remained silent for a while, has suddenly spoke up in her usual, motherly, caring and worried, apologetic tone.
'[Before you ask for it Aiden, I can't give you more details. I myself have no clue of what this quest actually is, and how can it pop up out of nowhere. Can't even confirm what its trigger was, I am afraid. Though, one thing is certain, that this place may contain more clues about the real history of this world as well as clues to completing your remaining tasks… and claiming this dying piece of charred land, and saving its residents yourself. For what I can tell you, is just go with the flow and make sure to explore this place…]' Enya expressed inside his mind.
Upon listening to everything that Tai-Liu told, Aiden was clear of his next objectives. He had made up his mind that he wanted to make a trip to this so called Metal Tree Groove and explore its secrets thoroughly before the Ancient Burial Grounds would open up a couple of days later.
Even though he had been handling his blade, Rygintarth with some success up till this point of his adventure, he knew nothing about real sword techniques; he merely relied on the power of his inner source of energy, his [Soul Power] as well as his physique's strength to slash away to victory, mostly just flailing widely.
Thankfully, he already had a moderate understanding thanks to the gained Weapon Mastery as well as his general, self-gained active skill the [Sword Mastery: Profound Strike], making him channel power in a rough form to unleash an empowered slash against his opponent.
Coupled with the assistance of his naturally high aptitude and inner perception, he could evade danger without even seeing it and thus, it was quite rare for him to be disadvantaged.
However, ever since he got to this world, Aiden knew very well that if he were to meet a top-notch expert, his opponent would be able to easily find the openings of his battle technique and take him down, even if the latter's strength could not match his!
Therefore, even if there was only a one in a million chance, Aiden wanted to head over and give it a shot.
When he saw that Aiden was moved, Juno Hian sneered at the side, "[Reptilian] There have been countless sect disciples and renowned sword masters who have been to the Metal Tree Groove before. Many of them were known to be the paragons that were far beyond their contemporaries. However, there has only been a single person who has managed to succeed through the last hundreds of years. How could you, a nameless nobody, a common filth such as yourself who have never even heard of the Metal Tree Groove think that you are befitting of receiving the Sword Emperor's inheritance?"
Tai-Liu was already displeased at how Juno Hian was targeting Aiden, their hardly earned new friend repeatedly.
It was only after she noticed that Aiden was calm and had no reaction that she became slightly relieved.
"[Reptilian] Oh yeah… Also, there's one more thing I have to remind you about!"
Tai-Liu said deeply, "[Reptilian] I don't know much about the Metal Tree Groove either. After all, there has already been someone who was rumored to have received the Sword Emperor's inheritance about a hundred years ago. As such, you might end up making a wasted trip."
"[Reptilian] That's completely all right." Aiden shook his head and smiled calmly. "The many legends that you've told me about now are truly fascinating. In this so-called ancient era, where wars tore the landscape apart, dragons and mythical creatures rose together with these bareskin emperors in that golden era. The only regret I have is that I wasn't born back then to stand shoulder to shoulder with those mighty warriors, leaving my name through history!"
The moment he said that, the hall went silent. Everyone watched with shock and slightly agape mouths.
Such arrogant, high and mighty words! Such a proclamation!
The fact that such a statement was said by a nameless nobody like him was truly ridiculous and arrogant. For some unknown reason, Aiden was not filled with passion or unparalleled pride when he said those words, merely looking extremely natural.
Instead, the more he listened to these stories the more familiarity, kinship he felt! It felt as though only he himself that stood before these people was truly qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with those legendary emperors!
Even Juno Hian who seemingly had a grudge against Aiden and was going full force with his vendetta could not spout out a single sarcastic remark at this moment. For sure, he wouldn't have dared to repeat Aiden's statement personally, he would be worried that bad luck might befall him from the unknowns.
Even for the emperors that have fallen for countless years, their dignities could not be sullied! They were akin to the closest behings to real life gods of this world!
Even the elderly uncle couldn't help but look at the mysterious young man, this Aiden deeply. He had to admit that initially, he had vastly underestimated this young man. From all the time he had continued to defy his expectations and prove time and again of his incredible power and talent he had gained respect in his aged eyes.
However, at that moment, the elderly uncle's previous impression of Aiden had disappeared entirely!
Aiden however either deliberately or just because he was oblivious, did not notice the strange expressions of everyone around him. He was merely immersed in his own emotions. Shaking his head gently, he lamented, "[Reptilian] Time is merciless through history. Be it the Sword Emperor or this 'Spear Emperor', both have already passed on along with those eras, leaving only their legends."
"Since there's no longer a chance to witness the majesty of the Sword Emperor with my own eyes, I might as well head out to the Metal Tree Groove. Even if I can't obtain his lost inheritance, I can, at the very least spend some time there and relive the glory of the past in the ruins to make up for the regrets in my heart."
Tai-Liu nodded at his words. "[Reptilian] Since you have already decided, I won't stop you. However, I have to ask you to return to Ugburg City within the next seven days so that you could fulfill the promise you have made to us to help us contend for the Ancient Burial Ground ruins."
"[Reptilian] Hmm. I know." Aiden nodded, smiling faintly.
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It's an urban modern-day styled story, with a reverse transmigrated ('Banished') immortal entity from the fantastical world of Nova!
Planned Tags and Genre: # CULTIVATION # R18 # BETRAYAL # TRANSMIGRATION # URBAN # ACTION # ANTIHERO # OVERPOWERED (romance maybe at some later point)
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