Almin, Langrum, and Ruri were shocked by the leader’s serious words. "That demonic beast..." Almin murmured.
Then, the three looked around intently. All the structures were imposing and clearly displayed architecture vastly different from humans.
"Was this... a demonic city?" Langrum asked, incredulous.
Immediately, the women were stunned. Every human and other races had heard many stories about demons and how they brutally killed. Since childhood, tales of an ancient apocalyptic war were ingrained in them, but there was always relief in knowing that these demons were exterminated in the end. Now, were they in the ruins of those demons? They wondered, feeling shivers.
"I absorbed what should be the last remnants of that demonic beast, so I have some faint impressions coming from my soul. I feel like it, but I also think something is missing... Well, everything is empty. Let’s head to the castle." The whale responded lightly as he walked.
At this point, the girls now had a vague idea of what existed on the fifth level of the prison, and they observed the tense faces of Almin and Langrum. Almin then began to carefully examine every place as if trying to discover something hidden or recognize something he had studied once.
Curious, Ruri said something on the whale’s shoulder. "Master, things here are giant, and the castle is even bigger. But that demon should be much larger than this..."
"Yes, at a certain level of cultivation, physical appearance is not relevant. Very large creatures, like demons or even beasts, end up shrinking their bodies to something slightly larger than a human. A large body consumes a lot of energy and hinders more than it helps." The whale responded calmly, and Ruri seemed impressed.
"So, my pet, will it be able to shrink and walk by my side like a cute little creature?" Ruri asked with shining eyes.
The whale responded emotionlessly, "It’s possible; but during difficult moments, he’ll have to revert to his true form. This change is just an illusory metamorphosis, not his real body."
Ruri nodded, seeming to think that would be even better.
Time passed, and the place was so vast it seemed to be twice the size of Celestial Abyss City. As the leader had mentioned, there was no trace of any form of life, and no plants grew there. It seemed like the entire land was saturated with a deathly Yin.
After nearly two hours of walking leisurely, they arrived several meters from the doors of the colossal castle that stood in the center of everything and were compelled to stop there. Everyone felt an impact on their bodies. The smell of blood permeated the air, and even the Qi in their meridians was stirred.
They all stopped in shock, staring at those gates. It was as dense and black as the entrance doors of the city, but on the surface, there was not just one red rune. It was completely covered with hundreds of them; in every free space, there was one. And all of them seemed to pulse slightly in unison as if they were connected and overflowing with power.
"Is this a demonic formation?" Almin murmured in shock, observing those runes.
Langrum then felt everything around the gates and tensed, murmuring. "There are blood fluctuations and shattered laws impregnated in the land and space. It’s as if thousands of very powerful cultivators died there."
The whale was silent, trying to differentiate all the impressions he felt. Soon, remembering the last moments of that demon, he seemed to be certain of some things.
Then he spoke to everyone calmly. "I saw the last memories of that demon; he was killed by three other demons, and it seemed like a betrayal. With this level of formation and the traces around it, it seems they never managed to invade the castle."
Everyone was stunned, and the pieces began to fit together. The power level of those who tried to invade this castle in the past was so great that even today, the impact on the laws could be felt. Still, the power of this demonic formation prevented any invasion, and since no one except the demon could enter, the entire city was abandoned.
"And now? Are we going back?" Almin asked thoughtfully. But soon, his silent answer came; the whale placed Ruri on the ground and took steps toward the door protected by the formation.
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Everyone held their breath, but an indescribable excitement invaded them all. This whale was confident about entering, so everyone, knowing how abnormal he was, eagerly awaited to see what was inside.
’This demonic formation seems to be the type that concentrates all the Qi and laws of a large area. The amount of power it possesses is at the limit that an ascending planet can withstand. Since it’s something from demons, it can certainly counterattack and kill us easily.’ Alm analyzed as the whale took steps closer.
Bruno nodded in agreement and added, ’The entire area inside the barrier must be the core of the formation. And the entire area in the desert where the storms are preventing the entry of strangers must be its roots. Only power from the divine world can force its way in.’
’With just a minimal residue of that demon’s soul, we don’t have enough to enter. How do you plan to do this?’ Alm spoke seriously.
Bruno, controlling the whale, waved his hand. A small stone appeared, and he squeezed it firmly. Soon, everyone who saw this from afar heard a snap of something breaking as earth and violet runes turned into dust. What they broke was that stone they got from Langrum. They had sealed it at some point because of the karma implications.
’Are you really willing to rely on that? Are you crazy?’ Alm spoke harshly. ’External power that influences karma is something that goes against the heavens. Celestial laws don’t take kindly to cheaters, and karma turns twofold when we go through a tribulation.’
Bruno nodded and spoke slowly, ’We sealed this and agreed to only use it to make weapons because karma wouldn’t be as dense. But... we’re in the queen’s universe. There’s a lot we don’t know. Ascending should be straightforward with our knowledge. However, in a few years, we almost died for very little. First against that will within the abyss crystals, and then when the rune inside Ruri was activated.’
Alm fell silent. He understood perfectly and felt a lack of security equal to Bruno’s but chose to keep that to himself. They seemed to be playing a game of certain death, completely unprepared and in the dark. Very little of what they knew, like techniques or laws, could be leveraged. They were starting from scratch, and the risk of making a mistake and being discovered by the queen was enormous.
’I feel that if we waste the chances that arise... we’ll be taking a step towards death,’ Bruno said seriously, and at that moment, they reached the front of the gates and calmly stopped.
Alm then snorted firmly and spoke without hesitation, ’Celestial laws will become completely hostile to us in the near future. But we’ve always lived going against rules and conventions. Well... screw it. Let’s use everything without caring.’
’Something good may come out of it. It’s better to risk now, or we won’t even have this chance later,’ Bruno added, and both came to an agreement.
Everyone from afar watched attentively for any movement from the whale. Something grand and unbelievable seemed about to be unleashed in front of them at any moment. But... the whale simply extended its chubby hand forward slowly.
’This isn’t done with just Yin laws. But laws of the earth and demonic power. Even if I somehow master Yin runes, it won’t be enough.’ Alm concluded.
Bruno then thought frantically, ’The entrance key must be one of these three laws. But if we fail, we die from the counterattack just like the unlucky ones who tried before.’
’The demon had the same Behemoth bloodline as us; if it’s the laws of the earth, we can pass. And I can create pure Yin if that’s the key. However, demonic power is impossible. We only have one chance, and we have two keys out of three possible. Which one will it be?’ Alm commented dryly.
’Hmm... trusting luck that I’ve never had is complicated... I know!’ Bruno then turned and looked at Ruri, who observed from afar, then asked mentally.
’What do you like more about your master? When I’m attentive and calm, or rough and grumpy?’ Bruno asked, and Ruri immediately closed her eyes in deep thought.
’What? You want to know if she likes me more or you? Don’t be stupid.’ Alm grumbled.
’If it’s you, let’s use Yin. If it’s me, the laws of the earth.’ Bruno spoke satisfied.
Then Ruri puffed her chest and said seriously, "I think it’s really cool when he’s attentive, and I get excited when he’s rough!"
"..."
Both fell silent for a few seconds. Then, Bruno sighed. ’Destiny has spoken... so let’s use both.’
The whale finally moved again, and everyone’s hearts stopped; they just watched him concentrate and were unaware of the message exchange. Suddenly, their eyes glowed faintly in brown, and the Yin laws vibrated in the tattoo on one of the fists.
In the first second, the skies and space trembled; then, the earth beneath their feet began to shake. The entire city trembled violently in sync. Soon, the sound of the gates moving with their drag on the ground mixed with the sounds of their frenzied hearts, opening the doors!