Chapter 182: Ten million years soul beast
Alex and Kremlin appeared above the academy grounds in a flash of golden light.
The evening sky stretched endlessly above them as countless clouds drifted slowly across the horizon. Far below, students continued their daily routines throughout the academy without the slightest awareness of what was occurring above their heads. Some trained with swords and magic in the open fields while others moved between classrooms and residential buildings.
None of them noticed the two figures standing silently in the sky.
A hidden layer of space concealed their existence completely. Even if someone happened to glance upward at that exact moment, they would see nothing except drifting clouds and fading sunlight.
For several minutes, silence remained between them.
Alex stood with his hands behind his back while his golden eyes remained fixed on the distant horizon. The information Kremlin had revealed regarding the Central Continent continued circulating through his thoughts. The existence of four supreme factions, mysterious rulers who stood at the peak of power, and countless secrets hidden within the heart of the world had only deepened his curiosity.
The more he learned about this world, the more fascinating it became.
Eventually, Alex broke the silence.
"Tell me everything about the history of this world as well."
Kremlin immediately inclined his head.
"I understand, my lord."
As he spoke, the old man’s expression gradually became serious. The atmosphere around him shifted subtly, as though he was preparing to discuss a topic that very few people possessed the qualifications to know.
"My lord, the Central Continent is only one piece of a much larger puzzle."
Alex turned his gaze toward him.
"What do you mean?"
Kremlin remained silent for a few moments before answering.
"There are ancient rumors that have circulated among the strongest experts of the world for countless generations."
"What rumors?"
The old man slowly raised his eyes toward the darkening sky. An unusual solemnity appeared within them.
"The rumor that this world is imprisoned."
Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Explain."
Kremlin released a slow breath.
"Nobody knows when these rumors first appeared. The records are older than any existing empire and older than most civilizations that have ever existed. However, throughout countless generations, many level one hundred experts eventually discovered the same problem."
Alex listened quietly.
The old man continued speaking.
"It did not matter how talented they were."
"It did not matter how many resources they possessed."
"It did not matter how extraordinary their bloodlines became."
"They all eventually encountered the same wall."
His voice became increasingly grave as he continued.
"They could continue becoming stronger."
"They could refine their cultivation."
"They could deepen their understanding of natural laws."
"They could improve every aspect of their existence."
"Yet after reaching a certain point, everything stopped."
His expression darkened noticeably.
"No matter what they tried, progress became impossible."
The atmosphere around them grew heavier.
Even the surrounding wind seemed quieter than before.
Alex folded his arms across his chest.
"Why?"
Kremlin slowly shook his head.
"Nobody knows."
"Some believe the laws governing this world are incomplete."
"Others believe an unknown force has been draining the world’s energy for countless ages."
"There are also those who believe an ancient existence deliberately sealed this world long ago."
Alex remained silent.
The theory was far from unreasonable.
Throughout the countless worlds he had experienced, there had been many examples of supreme beings placing restrictions upon entire realms. Some had done so to protect fragile civilizations from destruction. Others had used such methods to imprison dangerous entities that threatened existence itself.
A sufficiently powerful being could alter the fate of an entire world for millions of years.
If such an existence had truly interfered with this realm, traces of that interference would likely still exist even now.
Alex turned toward Kremlin.
"How strong was the strongest person you have ever encountered?"
The old man hesitated.
Even after all these years, the memory clearly affected him.
Finally, he answered.
"Level one hundred and twenty eight."
For the first time during their conversation, genuine surprise appeared within Alex’s eyes.
A level one hundred and twenty eight expert was not an ordinary powerhouse.
Such a figure had already surpassed the limits of this world. Probably a galactic realm expert.
Alex immediately communicated with the system.
"System, did you not say that the strongest existence in this world is only star level? How can there be so many exceptions?"
The system quickly responded.
[Ding! The legitimate upper limit of this world is indeed star level. However, the Central Continent is an anomalous region, and those ten creatures are the ultimate anomalies of this world.]
[Ding! That is precisely why the host must eliminate them in order to obtain the recognition of the World Will.]
Alex’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The explanation made sense.
The ten million year soul beasts were likely responsible for many of the abnormalities that existed throughout this world. Based on everything he had learned so far, they had probably exceeded the intended limits of the realm long ago.
Perhaps they had existed for such an immense length of time that they had become one of the world’s greatest problems.
Alex returned his attention to Kremlin.
According to everything the old man had revealed so far, a level one hundred and twenty eight expert was not even among the rulers of the four supreme factions.
That fact alone was astonishing.
"My lord."
Kremlin suddenly lowered his voice.
"The rulers of the four supreme factions are believed to have surpassed level one hundred and fifty."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Even Alex became thoughtful.
Level one hundred and fifty.
That was an entirely different realm of existence.
The difference between level one hundred and twenty eight and level one hundred and fifty was not a simple numerical gap. The higher one’s cultivation became, the more terrifying each level difference grew.
Those rulers were likely standing near the galactic overlord realm exitence.
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
The information required time to process.
Then another question surfaced within Alex’s mind.
"What about the ten million year soul beasts?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Kremlin visibly froze.
His pupils contracted.
The calm expression on his face vanished almost instantly.
"You know about them?"
Alex immediately noticed the reaction and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Finally.
After hearing countless rumors and fragmented pieces of information, he had finally found someone capable of confirming their existence.
"Answer the question."
Kremlin remained silent for several seconds before eventually nodding.
"They exist."
The smile on Alex’s face widened slightly.
At last, he had received confirmation.
The legendary creatures were real.
"Where are they?"
Kremlin slowly shook his head.
"I do not know their exact locations."
His expression became complicated.
"However, I know with absolute certainty that they exist."
"What makes you so certain?"
The old man looked toward the distant horizon.
His eyes seemed to reflect memories from ages long past.
"Several thousand years ago, while traveling through the Central Continent, I heard a story."
Alex’s interest immediately increased.
"What story?"
Kremlin remained silent for a moment as though organizing ancient memories.
When he finally spoke again, his voice carried a weight far greater than before.
"It was a story about one of the ten million year soul beasts."
