Chapter 49: A New World & A Greater Universe

Ahram-Taj, the capital city of the Kingdom of Ravastaran, of the Eastern Kingdoms.

He had seen Eastern Kingdom-style architecture already, during the two times he’d been at the Inter-Academy Tournament at Marasthus. But that was a border city ruled by one of the smaller kingdoms.

Ahram-Taj, however, was the capital city of the Kingdom of Ravastaran. A nation whose rulers had held the position of King of the East since the confederation of the Eastern Kingdoms. It was the capital of the oldest and strongest of the Eastern Kingdoms, and it was the second-oldest human city on Inuan.

History, heritage and tradition. These things could palpably be felt as Orodan stood above the city and gazed upon its aged architecture. A brief look through the river of time for even the smallest of bricks told him that these buildings had been around for a while. Unlike the gaudy and opulent tourist-bait that Marasthus was, this was a city not meant to impress visitors, but where the locals lived.

A small part of him wished he could visit alongside Mahari, but the version of Mahari that was his friend no longer existed.

And the view from atop the flying sword was quite nice.

“Is the flying sword not the pinnacle of transportation? The epitome of grace and beauty?” Jian Song asked as he stood in front of Orodan. The sword was long enough to accommodate them both standing upon it.

“I still think I’d prefer a flying shield,” Orodan replied. “More space to stand on, and you can use the shield straps to secure additional cargo during flight.”

“Ridiculous! How can a clumsy and inelegant shield compare to the masterwork of all weaponry that is a sword?” Jian Song said. “This blade is designed with aerodynamics and swiftness in mind. A shield would travel far slower!”

“I’ll have you know, I use a sword as well,” Orodan replied. “But your argument makes no sense. First of all, I’m sure I can find some method of making a flying shield go faster through feeding it more power. The top speed shouldn’t be limited whether I use a sword or a shield.”

“Yet, the sword will go faster for the same amount of energy,” Jian Song fired back.

“Fair point, but energy isn’t an issue for me. And if you’re assaulted mid-flight, can you defend yourself as easily with a sword? If I rode a flying shield, I could simply turn it towards the attack,” Orodan argued. “Hells, I could simply charge through enemy fire if I had a second shield to cover myself with. Like a flying turtle.”

“Bah...! You would get along well with the Xuanwu sects...” Jian Song muttered as the sword Transcendent didn’t argue the point any further.

A peaceful sigh left the lips of Jian Yixia who was riding alongside them on a flying sword of her own.

“Come now, don’t you think the argument is a pointless one? Your sword elitism is showing. Little Song... were you not defeated in a duel against the Thousand Broom Sovereign ten-thousand years ago?” Jian Yixia asked, and Jian Song’s redness could be seen from behind on the man’s neck.

“Big sister...!” the Sword Transcendent protested. “Must you reveal such things openly?”

An innocent smile on her serene face was the only answer she gave.

Jian Song cleared his throat.

“Is this where the reincarnator is?” Jian Song asked.

“Well, this is his city at least,” Orodan answered. “From what I recall, he should be at Rubywater Academy.”

“And you don’t know where he is?” Jian Song asked.

“I’ve never been to this city before,” Orodan said.

“But you’re the Sovereign of this world!”

“Have you been everywhere on your world?”

“Of course!”

“Oh... well I haven’t gotten around to doing that,” Orodan replied. “Anyways, we can just summon him.”

“And how do you plan on-”

A massive Flare shot out into the sky.

“Akelrim Vedharna! Come out! We wish to meet with you!” Orodan roared. “Your cultivator friends are here to see you!”

No answer was forthcoming. Or rather, no answer came from Akelrim at least.

The ground lit up in a flash of violet, and the very clouds began swirling around the city like a vortex; it was a pretty sight. From below, from the King’s palace, came a golden figure flying towards them.

A pegasus the color of gold, lustrous wings radiating a brilliant light with a majestic mane of white fire. And atop it, a dark-skinned man with curly hair, incomparably ancient, wearing humble robes. But the man’s unassuming outfit belied the prowess he held. In his hands, a shield.

This, was the man who’d fought alongside the World Guardian Sarastuga in his first battle against the Eldritch Avatar. The ancestor of Mahari’s house.

A quadruple-Grandmaster. Orodan had a feeling the man was perhaps a half-step below the strength of Balastion Novar. In other words, not a threat to him. Once upon a time, this man would’ve been an epic foe. Not to be approached lightly, to be challenged over the course of many loops. Now, however, he had faced far greater foes. His battles were against Transcendents and Gods. A quadruple-Grandmaster was lacking.

“The Kingdom of Ravastaran greets you,” the man said respectfully. “From the descriptions I’ve read and seen, you must be Orodan Wainwright, correct?”

“That would be me, you are?”

“Balaji Vedharna, founder of the Eastern Kingdoms. My companion here is Alsatrar, the oldest living pegasus in the world and Sarastuga the Blazing Light, our noble World Guardian is nearby as well,” the man replied, warning at the same time. “Yet, before you, World-King, our pedigree means little. I hope you’ve come in peace today.”

Of course they’d heard of him. It was hard not to when the approaching Eldritch threat had been defeated, and all of Alastaia irrevocably changed. And placed under the rule of a joint council of powers across Guzuhar, Inuan and Eldiron. Orodan didn’t intervene overly much in worldly affairs aside from ensuring the destruction of the raider tribes of Guzuhar and threatening the dwarves into ceasing certain practices. Still, he was known among the truly powerful.

“Of course. I’ve merely come seeking Akelrim Vedharna,” Orodan replied. “I’m here to invite him back to his home world if he so desires.”

“That is... not ideal. Akelrim is the most talented youth our nation has ever produced. And whether he’s a reincarnator or not, he’s still a significant part of our combat prowess” the man said. “But, rejecting you would bring ruin upon my lands and people.”

Orodan raised his hands placatingly.

“Look, I’m not here to strongarm anyone. We merely wish to speak with Akelrim,” Orodan said. “If he decides he doesn’t want to return, we’ll leave with not a whit of complaint. And if he does come with us, I’ll have the council ensure you’re fairly compensated.”

Of course, he disagreed with the implication that this man had any right to refuse Akelrim’s return to his home world.

“Truly? That sounds quite reasonable. Lady Zaessythra is an excellent steward of your will, I can accept these terms,” Balaji said. “I see the rumors of your battle-lust being tempered by a sense of restraint weren’t false.”

Balaji then gestured to someone on the ground, and soon, another pegasus sallied upwards from the ground. Upon it... was a youthful man, perhaps twenty years of age. Just as Orodan remembered him from the last long loop.

Akelrim Vedharna.

And the man’s eyes were wide as saucers as he looked upon Jian Yixia and Jian Song, who had been content to sit back and let Orodan handle the diplomacy of their meeting thus far.

“R-revered elder...!” Akelrim exclaimed. “How? How have you come here?! This world is so far from the nexus, the distance an impossible one with plenty of horrid beasts in-between. I’d almost given up hope of seeing Xian again...”

“Now hold on a moment... who were you in your past life?” Jian Song asked.

“Ah... I apologize,” Akelrim said. “You might not have known me very well. But I was the prince’s loyal blade. I reached the semi-finals during the most recent grand inter-sect tournament, losing only to Prince Zhou Shan himself. And then... that dreadful assassination attempt on his life occurred, and I fell defending him.”

“Oh? You’re that chief bodyguard of his! Qing Luo, wasn’t it?” Jian Song asked in recognition. “The prince was insensate with rage when he learned your soul couldn’t be found in the nexus. Your body was rather unrecognizable from that molten hellfire acid the assassin struck you with. Good thing you stepped in to take that attack, could’ve been dangerous for the prince.”

Akelrim’s face twisted in shame and embarrassment at the comment, and Jian Yixia waved her brother back.

“Song, mind your words,” she spoke. “Giving one’s life in defense of others is no trivial matter and being melted alive is a painful way to go.”

He agreed. Orodan recalled facing a similar death at the hands of an assassin on Alastaia once. It was one of his earliest deaths too.

“Thank you, elder...” Akelrim spoke. “Might I ask what happened to the prince? How has he been since then?”

“Zhou Shan yet lives,” Jian Yixia answered, causing Akelrim to exhale in relief. “He now fights in the dimensional divide. Commanding the third army of the Celestial Court in battle against the puppet sovereign.”

Akelrim’s hands clenched into fists as he heard this.

“Elder... I must return and fight alongside my prince then!” Akelrim declared. “Let me fight at his side once more as his loyal protector!”

“Junior, do not act rashly. The reincarnation process has undoubtedly weakened you and thrown your soul into flux. It will take time for you to recover,” Jian Song stated. “Even at full power you would be slaughtered like a chicken upon the battlefields that now rage. Why not live life and enjoy yourself upon this peaceful world? Unlike our Ascendent Sword Cluster, there is but one world here, a Sovereign who is benevolent, and no concerns of higher-order politics.”

“Elder... I understand, but my entire life was in service to the Prince,” Akelrim, or Qing Luo said with insistence. “Ever since I took over this young man’s body during the moment of his death, I haven’t stopped thinking about Prince Zhou Shan and my duty to the Celestial Court.”

Jian Song could only shake his head, and Orodan merely looked on as this was a discussion that didn’t involve him.

Jian Yixia stepped forth and laid a hand on Qing Luo’s shoulder.

“Qing Luo... you’ve already done much for the Prince by giving your life for him,” she spoke calmly in a tone which had even Orodan relaxing. “Consider however, that aside from being his sworn blade, you also meant much to him as a friend. With your death, your oath to the Celestial Court to protect him has also been fulfilled. Would the Prince want you to dive headfirst into battle on his behalf again?”

“That is...”

“Besides, if you need to fight...”

Orodan interjected.

“...I can do it in your stead,” he said. “I quite enjoy the thought of engaging in a good battle in another world.”

Suddenly, everything went silent. Jian Song and Jian Yixia were staring at him.

“What? Did I say something silly?” Orodan asked.

“No! Not at all. Just, really?” Jian Song asked. “You’ll just fight for us? For the cause of restoring the soul nexus to the rightful hands of the Celestial Court? Why?”

“Why not? If I see scum-like behavior I might change my mind, but you lot seem like decent folk so far,” Orodan said and then clenched his fist as a bloodthirsty smile appeared on his face. “And really, I just want to test myself against the mightiest foes you cultivators have to offer.”

“That is... certainly straightforward of you, Orodan Wainwright,” Jian Yixia muttered. “Here we had numerous arguments prepared, gifts in reserve and lavish accommodations and courtesans to bribe you with. Are you really so willing to just fight for us?”

“Of course! Point me at the foe and let me get to work,” Orodan declared.

In response, even Jian Song who seemed a more straightforward man could only stare at Orodan, jaw agape. And Jian Yixia could only bring her hand to her face.

“This is a bit much... I was expecting to have this discussion over time on our world, hoping to win you to our side,” she said actually losing a touch of calmness in a rare show. “Yet here you are, just happy to do battle.”

“I do love battle,” Orodan replied with a smile.

“Are you sure? This is a conflict which doesn’t involve you, and we aren’t so brutish as to expect an honored guest to fight for us immediately,” Jian Song replied.

“I insist. I haven’t had a good fight in two months,” Orodan complained. “The Avatars of the raider God on my world were pitiful, and I’ve been spoiling for a proper fight ever since.”

“Your thirst for conflict is truly something else... I do not know what to even say,” Jian Yixia replied.

“I know what I’ll say,” Jian Song interjected with an out-of-place grin on his face and then clapped Orodan on the back. “Welcome to the Celestial Court, Orodan Wainwright!”

To the side, Akelrim Vedharna, or Qing Luo, could only stare as well.

“Elder... who is this man? Is he the reason for your arrival to this small corner of the universe?” Akelrim, or Qing Luo, asked.

“Indeed, he is,” Jian Yixia answered.

“The only way any sort of detectable signal would reach is if-”

“Yes, precisely so,” she interjected. “He is a bearer of a Celestial skill.”

Akelrim’s eyes widened like saucers.

“...incredible! In a time of such strife the heavens have granted us a golden goose! Destiny favors us! With him on our side, we now have three bearers of the Celestial,” the lost cultivator spoke. “Perhaps in a few centuries we can train him to a requisite level of strength?”

“He is already capable of surviving against a Devil King,” Jian Yixia clarified. “With Orodan Wainwright on our side, your concerns about Zhou Shan’s safety can be eased.”

“Truly? You survived the wrath of a Devil King itself? Prodigious...” Akelrim muttered.

They spoke for a few moments more as Akelrim asked questions about the particulars of that battle, his time on Alastaia, and how he had gotten so strong.

And of course... as Orodan’s answer always was.

“Ah, I’m in a time loop.”

***

Akelrim had of course listened with rapt attention as Orodan spoke. The man had asked many questions, all of which Orodan had answered.

“So, the reason I couldn’t learn the Dao...”

“You might get along well with the Prince,” Qing Luo, or Akelrim, interjected. “He too has had a troubled background and faced much adversity to get to where he is.”

“Qing Luo, now is not the time for such talk,” Jian Ren gently reprimanded. “All will be said in time.”

Akelrim had a look of frustration upon his face and looked as though he wanted to say more, but he bit his tongue.

The party progressed onwards until a booming gong echoed all throughout the city, and the citizenry all stopped what they were doing to clasp their hands and look downwards in silent prayer.

In the distance, atop the peak of the celestial palace in the distance, Orodan could see a woman lazily sitting near the gigantic gong she’d just rung.

“We have bell towers in my world which fulfil the same purpose, crewed by wind mages,” Orodan said.

“On Xian, we have no need for multiple people doing one thing when an expert will suffice,” Jian Ren said. “Up there, ancient Duan He has enough comprehension into the Dao of Sound that her ringing of the palace gong can be heard across all Xian. A Sound Transcendent, who has served the Celestial Court since its inception.”

“Impressive... and what does the gong signify?”

“Prayer time. It rings three times a day, and when it does, all of our citizenry are expected to give a minute of devoted prayer to the divinities of the Celestial Court,” Jian Ren explained, and Orodan raised his eyebrow. “While I’ve heard of your conflict against the Gods of your world, allow me to assure you that here, we live in harmony with those of us who’ve ascended past the Grandmaster-level and failed the trial. The strength of the Celestial Court’s divinities are our strength, and consequently all citizens must do their part to contribute to their reserves of divine energy.”

This really was a different world. On Alastaia, the Gods were involved in the lives of mortals, yes. But it was from a distance, through Blessings and Avatars and the Cathedral which strongly encouraged the worship of the Prime Five. He hadn’t explored Eldiron thoroughly but heard nothing to indicate it was radically different on the elven continent of his world either.

Yet here the Celestial Court organized three daily prayer times for its citizenry, all dedicated towards ensuring that the divinities affiliated with them were kept at suitable strength. This was the power of a faction that had been around for a very long time.

Finally, prayer ended, and they continued down the street. And Orodan began to notice a trend of people staring at him as though he was a freak, almost agape.

“Are otherworlder visits rare?” Orodan asked.

“Yes and no. Officially, we rarely bring guests through the Spatial Embassy nowadays. Most of our friends and allies from other factions are allowed to directly teleport into the palace,” Jian Ren said. “The common folk rarely get to see an otherworlder walking the streets, so you’ll have to excuse their shameless staring. It also doesn’t help that you’re a foot taller than everyone else and look like a body cultivator, which has become something of a minority in our way of life.”

“Your people don’t have access to skills which allow for honing the physical form?” Orodan asked, shocked.

“No, or rather... the Hegemony has restricted access to those skills,” the Sovereign said. “What? You didn’t think we cultivators were the only ones with unique skills which we restrict access to, did you?”

“Couldn’t you simply abduct someone from another faction and raise them into a powerhouse trained in both skill types?”

“What do you think you’re here for?” Jian Ren asked. “Besides, we have such people who’ve willingly joined us as allies, but it doesn’t help the rest of our people. The visiting ally who has access to the restricted skills of another faction still cannot teach them to us. And we can only coerce so many people without raising diplomatic tensions and prompting them to do the same. The operation to reach you for example, was only successful because your world is but a mere footnote, in a forgotten corner of the Hegemony’s territories. If you were on a world of any importance to them, we wouldn’t have dared try. That world the vampire and werewolf came from, is one of them, and we were fortunate they kept the knowledge of you being a Celestial skill bearer secret lest the Hegemony themselves descended upon you.”

“It also helped that I placed multiple obscuring formations around Alastaia immediately after our first meeting,” Jian Yixia interjected. “I’m sure that werewolf spread word about you upon his retreat, but the formations I placed will obscure your world’s location in the material plane for at least a year.”

Orodan nodded with gratitude. He wouldn’t have to worry about his world coming under assault for a while at least. Although perhaps ‘formation’ was their term for wards?

“Anyhow, we are almost at the sanctioned teleporter leading to the palace, come,” Jian Ren said.

“Can’t we just teleport ourselves?”

“I’d say overpowering the space-lock formations powered by a world core itself is a fool’s endeavor. But I’ve heard of your unique ability to generate endless amounts of power,” Jian Ren said. “Still, even if you could, I would rather not have everyone in the castle scrambling in panic.”

Fair enough.

They walked down the wide street until they reached another building with a teleporter inside. It was heavily guarded, and the soldiers had mean looks upon their faces, as though daring anyone to try making an attempt at forced entry.

They of course parted to allow Jian Ren and the rest of the party to pass, and with a step through another spatial fold, the scenery suddenly changed.

The trip through folded space lasted but an instant, signifying that the distance crossed wasn’t much. However, seeing a gigantic imperial palace nearly touching the cloud layer from a distance was one thing. Viewing it up close from near the front doors, was another.

It took up almost the entirety of Orodan’s vision, and he could barely see the sky with this enormous building right in front of him. Gilded walls, sloping roofs which put the Eastern Kingdom’s vaguely similar architecture to shame, and numerous people dressed in fine silken robes going in and out of the main gate.

This was the palace of the Celestial Court.

As they walked through the halls, attendants and courtiers looked at Orodan with interest, and even the guards allowed their gazes to linger for a bit. Down the grand hall they went, at the end an open doorway where space looked to be rather incredibly warped.

As they drew closer and closer, Orodan got an unexpected message.

[Dimensionalism 8 → Dimensionalism 9]

He immediately felt the familiar sensation of the dimensional boundary being different, altered, as he approached the grand double door through which he could see nothing.

And as Jian Ren stepped through, so did he.

[Dimensionalism 9 → Dimensionalism 10]

It made no sense.

That was the first thing his brain told him as he looked upon impossible shapes which made no sense despite how gorgeous they were. The very ground and air consisted of strange patterns which couldn’t exist in the physical world, as though they were more than just three-dimensional.

To the left and right, were partitions made of ethereal clouds, almost like a fence keeping spectators walled off. And the spectators themselves, well... Orodan had seen a God in the material plane once, and yet there was nothing similar to the one he’d seen affiliated with the Hegemony.

The human-looking ones were normal enough, save for the brilliant lights which emanated from them and the torrents of divine energy in their surroundings. One woman had a bow on her back which looked as though it could shoot down a planet. Another man wore elaborate armor and held a spear which gave Orodan a vague feeling that he wanted to tell everyone the truth, and another held a bowl of rice in his hands and was feasting while offering the spear-God a snack every once in a while, which the God continually refused with an irritated look upon his face.

The spectators - courtiers, now that Orodan had a better understanding that this was a court - also had numerous monster-like Gods among them.

An incredibly long snake, much like those he saw flying above the skies although its tail led outside of the palace. Who knew how large it was? It had small, clawed legs, comically tiny compared to its body, and it had a ferocious beard upon its face.

Next to it was an enormous turtle, looking utterly ancient, with a shell that looked as though it could bear the weight of multiple worlds and take not a scratch.

He also saw a divine tiger, a fluffy rabbit which gave him an exceedingly dangerous feeling, and some sort of scaly, bearded horse with flames emanating from its body.

“This many Gods in one place, how can they all exist so freely? Where are we?” Orodan asked.

“This is the court of the Celestial Emperor. A place that exists in the divine realm, yet where mortals of sufficient power and Transcendents can also set foot. A permanent dimensional opening allows for free travel,” Jian Ren introduced. “The Celestial Court is a powerful faction, and not only Transcendents swear fealty to the Emperor. Work with us, Orodan Wainwright, and you too may grow powerful and acquire great riches. Or... the battles you so crave.”

“Indeed! That bearded flying snake God looks tough, I wonder if I’ll get a chance to spar it,” Orodan said with a smile on his face.

Jian Ren’s face turned ashen and said flying snake immediately turned to glare at Orodan with a look of pure death.

“You dare?! To call Enlao, God of all dragons of the Celestial Court, a snake! You court death, mortal!” the God roared, and its bearded face immediately swooped down to float directly before Orodan. “You... you are the otherworlder, aren’t you?”

Orodan nodded.

“Hmph! Ignorant, but an understandable slight,” Enlao the dragon God spoke. “Have you ever seen a dragon before, otherworlder?”

“Yes, but I’m used to wings and four legs, with not as long of a body,” he replied.

“Pah! The dragons of the Hegemony and the Conclave are different to us dragons of Xian,” Enlao spoke. “Yet, we are possessed of the ancient draconic blood all the same.”

“Old Enlao, might I draw attention to the fact that the Emperor is still holding court?” Jian Ren said, and the dragon looked almost embarrassed for a moment before regally snorting and returning to its position.

And before Orodan, at the forefront and center of the Celestial Court, was a throne. It wasn’t particularly big, like a mere chair, yet it glowed with a radiance that was undeniable. And upon it... a man who was Transcendent yet gave Orodan a feeling of pure dread which none of the Gods and other Transcendents in the court had.

The God that had slain Orodan in the last long loop? He had a feeling this man could swat that God like a fly.

He looked simple, wearing robes which looked akin to that of a commoner, yet the devious and calculating smile he wore upon his face spoke of a man that was exceedingly brutal. Like a wolf, dressed in sheep’s clothing.

And he was looking at an envoy before him.

“My liege, Prince Zhou Shan requests additional support in the dimensional divide,” the messenger said. “The forces of the betrayer press harder and grow bolder by the day. Soon, the third army will be pushed out entirely and we shall be forced to completely cede control of the soul nexus to the enemy. Additionally, the enemy have begun spawning devils in combat. We humbly request aid.”

The emperor laughed softly to himself and waved his hand towards Jian Song who’d just arrived.

“Song, see to it that the third army receives an allotment of troops and treasures,” the emperor spoke. Jian Ren, the Sovereign of Xian and the nominal chief minister of the Celestial Court looked more than a bit rankled by this proclamation but held his tongue. Although he did shoot Jian Song a look of suspicion and dissatisfaction.

His gaze then turned towards Orodan, and for a moment he could swear the force of a mountain came crashing down upon his mind yet was retracted at the last second.

Dangerous. It made Orodan’s blood boil for battle.

“And you must be Orodan Wainwright, the bearer of a Celestial skill... the time looper,” the emperor proclaimed with a calculated smile on his face. “What brings you to my court? To swear fealty perhaps?”

Fealty? What sort of farce was this? He was invited to Xian by the Jian siblings, and now this man was playing a game that implied Orodan had come before him to swear homage?

He shot Yixia a look, yet the woman could only shamefully look downwards, as though she could do nothing about this strange manner of diplomacy.

“First of all-”

The mountain crashed into his mind, bearing down on his will, daring him to say anything that contradicted the emperor or made the man look bad. The man, who previously had looked unassuming, now looked like a titan in his eyes.

He was but a servant, a humble subject of the rightful ruler.

Dominance and absolute supremacy. The Celestial Emperor demanded fealty and was almighty. He had no choice but to obey.

His eyes were cast downwards, and he could only look down in loyal submission, to the rightful liege and lord of the Ascendent Sword Cluster.

Yet, the loyal subject’s hands trembled in sheer rage. He tried his best to quell the mutinous thoughts, to prevent the shame and embarrassment that would come from defying the Celestial Emperor’s absolute authority. Yet, the servant could not hold a candle to the raging and burning willpower within.

To the iron will of Orodan Wainwright, who now regained control of his mind.

This Dao of Dominance and Supremacy was insanely dangerous. It would be best to revert to a checkpoint or perhaps even end the loop.

Yet, Orodan’s eyes rose, and he directly made eye contact with the Celestial Emperor, causing many of the Gods present to gasp and the emperor himself to tremble in rage.

Orodan’s hands went to his weapons, and they were drawn.

“I must admit; even though I’ve gained no skill, I feel as though this is excellent tempering for my mind,” Orodan said, and then, a feral grin appeared on his face. “Let’s skip this social dance, just hit me with that Dao of yours again. I want to see how well it holds up against the will of a warrior. And then, perhaps we can even fight.”

“Orodan, you’re mad! This is the ruler of a faction on par with the Hegemony, what are you doing?!” Zaessythra shouted.

“Don’t worry,” Orodan said. “Even if I fall, I have something to rely on.”

The emperor’s eyes took on a look of utter rage, and the Dao of Dominance and Supremacy crashed onto Orodan’s mind once more.

No skills were gained. Either the System had no skill for it, or the skill was restricted in some way. Yet, even without a skill, even without messages from the System which denoted his progress and helped him get stronger... Orodan Wainwright refused to back down before this challenge.

All other spectators bowed their heads before this almighty Dao of the Celestial Emperor, yet Orodan did not. His flesh began to incinerate, and his eyes melted. His very body began slowly falling apart from the inside out, and despite his monstrous ability to heal himself, the darkness of death took him. And it was a mere byproduct of the full power of the Celestial Emperor’s Dao...

...how monstrous.

[C$h@ec(kp*oi#nt R#es%to&red]

[U@ses Re^ma#in@ing - 2221]

“Come then, Orodan Wainwright, let us walk through Swordmist City and make way for the Celestial Palace,” Jian Ren offered.

His eyes widened.

He wasn’t back in Ogdenborough! It had worked! And most importantly... a reset only cost him one Rune.

A mad grin appeared on the face of Orodan Wainwright.

Peaceful cultivation? Going along with the tyrannical Celestial Emperor? No wonder there was a rebellion against the Celestial Court. Orodan’s warrior spirit roared, and the city of Swordmist was his canvas.

He had 2221 tries to make the most of this Checkpoint before he was sent back to Ogdenborough when it ran out.

To his left were various shops, one of them dabbling in strange alchemical techniques, the other peddling strange, inscribed flags which looked quite powerful and arranged in formation. To his right, a weapon and armor shop. And behind him, the Spatial Embassy from where he might even be able to go to different areas within the Ascendent Sword Cluster. And in the distance, dwellings upon the mountains which the Jian siblings had said were sects where one learned cultivation.

A war for the soul nexus where a tyrannical Celestial Emperor and the Prince fought against a rebel faction backed by the hells? An entire city full of cultivators, strange alchemists and formation masters, and in the court itself... Gods in the flesh, ruled by an almighty emperor who subverted his people with an iron fist.

Fleeing and cultivating peacefully would’ve been the smart thing to do. Perhaps even fleeing and seeking out other worlds.

But since when did he do things like that?

Cultivation and the secrets of Xian awaited.