The Empire and the Necropolis of the Gods

The imperial palace of the Baruch Empire was decked with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with a festive air. In two days, the Baruch Empire would formally proclaim its founding. From the Chaotic Territory to the borders of the O'Brien Empire, from the northern sea to the southern sea, countless eyes were fixed on this city named after Baruch.

Wharton was busy handling the final preparations, while Hogg received envoys from all sides in the palace. Linley was guiding Taylor and Sasha in their training in the rear courtyard. An had only recently emerged from secluded training in the Miniature Space deep within the ore vein.

"An." Wharton's voice came from outside the door. "Someone from the War God Sect is here. He says he wants to see you and Linley."

An opened his eyes, rose, and left the study.

In the palace's main hall, Casrot sat in a guest chair, leisurely sipping tea. He was a personal disciple of the War God O'Brien and an expert at the Saint Realm Middle Stage, held in high esteem throughout the O'Brien Empire. Wharton kept him company, and both men were very courteous.

Linley arrived as well. Seeing An enter, Casrot set down his teacup and stood, smiling. "Linley, An, it's been a while."

"Casrot." Linley walked over with a smile. "What brings you here?"

Casrot's expression grew solemn. "I've come on my master's orders to deliver a message. On March third next year, both of you must come to War God Mountain."

Linley and An exchanged a glance. A thought stirred in An's mind. The Necropolis of the Gods was about to open.

"Did the War God say what this is about?" Linley asked.

Casrot pondered for a moment, then said quietly, "I'll be frank with you. My master is preparing to open the Necropolis of the Gods and needs to gather a group of Saint-level experts to explore it. You brothers are exceptionally powerful, so he specifically sent me to invite you."

"The Necropolis of the Gods?" A flicker of excitement flashed through Linley's eyes.

An's expression was much calmer, but he listened closely as well. Casrot continued, "Countless God-level experts who descended from other planes are buried in the Necropolis of the Gods. There are divine sparks, divine artifacts, and other precious treasures inside. As long as you make it out alive, the rewards are bound to be astonishing."

"There are divine sparks?" Linley pressed.

Casrot nodded. "Of course. The Necropolis of the Gods bears that name precisely because so many fallen gods lie within it. The divine sparks they left behind after their deaths are scattered throughout the necropolis. If you find one and refine it, you can become a god outright."

Linley's breathing quickened slightly. Becoming a god was the ultimate dream of countless Saint-level experts.

But Casrot changed his tone, his expression turning serious. "However, the Necropolis of the Gods is also extremely dangerous. My master has said that anyone who charges recklessly through it will perish-not just Saint-level experts, but even God-level experts like him. Once inside, you must rely first on strength, second on caution, and third on luck. Several immensely powerful senior disciples in the history of the War God Sect have died there."

Linley fell silent for a moment, then looked at An. An gave a slight nod.

"Casrot, we'll go," Linley said.

Casrot smiled. "My master knew you wouldn't refuse. Very well. We'll meet at War God Mountain on March third next year."

He stood, preparing to take his leave. Linley invited him to stay for a meal, but he waved it off. "No need. I still have to report back to my master. Besides, I have several other Saint-level experts to notify."

"Other Saint-level experts? Who else?" Linley asked.

Casrot thought for a moment, decided it was no secret, and said, "My master has summoned the ten strongest personal disciples of the War God Sect, along with twelve Saint-level experts affiliated with the sect who spend their years training in seclusion. Including you two brothers, that makes twenty-four people. That's everyone who will enter the Necropolis of the Gods."

Casrot looked at Linley again and cautioned him, "Linley, before you enter the Necropolis of the Gods, my master may put you through some tests. Not everyone is qualified to enter. You should be prepared."

"Understood." Linley nodded.

Casrot nodded, then turned and left.

After seeing Casrot off, Linley and An returned to the study.

Linley sat in a chair, tapping his fingers against the armrest, his eyes brimming with excitement. "An, divine sparks! If we can find divine sparks in the Necropolis of the Gods, then once Delia, Father, and Wharton reach Saint-level, they can become gods outright."

"Linley, don't get too excited yet. Casrot was right. The Necropolis of the Gods is extremely dangerous. So many Saint-level experts from the War God Sect have died inside over the years. This is no laughing matter."

Linley's smile faded, and he nodded. "I know. But danger and opportunity go hand in hand. We've already reached the Saint-level Peak and the Saint-level Limit. If we don't dare take risks, we might never become gods in our lifetimes. Rather than spend years slowly grinding away on the Yulan Continent, we might as well take our chances in the necropolis."

An did not argue. Linley had a point. The further one advanced in cultivation, the harder it became. To go from Saint-level to God-level required a fearless heart. Without one, even countless years would not be enough to become a god.

"No matter what, we have to go to the Necropolis of the Gods," An said. "But before that, we need to prepare. Linley, how is your cultivation of the Earth Pulse Profound Mystery coming along?"

Linley looked somewhat ashamed. "I'm still a little short of the Saint-level Limit. I made great progress after cultivating in the Miniature Space for a few months, but I just can't cross that final threshold."

"There's no rush," An said. "We still have over two months before March next year. Continue your secluded training in the Miniature Space. I'll take care of a few things, then go into seclusion for a while as well."

Linley nodded.

In the days that followed, neither An nor Linley returned to the Miniature Space deep within the ore vein. Instead, they stayed in the palace to handle clan affairs.

He and Linley were going to the Necropolis of the Gods, and they had no idea how long it would be before they returned. Before leaving, they needed to put the empire's affairs in order. Although Wharton was emperor, he still needed Linley and An's support in military and diplomatic matters.

An also found time to speak with Hogg about the Necropolis of the Gods.

Hogg did not object. He merely reminded An to be careful. He trusted An's strength. An had reached the Saint-level Limit, and only a handful of people on the entire Yulan Continent could match him.

Delia, however, was somewhat worried. She and Linley had been married for many years and shared a deep bond. But she knew Linley's temperament, so all she could do was ask An to look after him.

"Delia, don't worry," An said. "Linley and I will go in together and come out together."

Delia nodded, her eyes reddening slightly.

On January first, year 10023 of the Yulan Calendar, the Baruch Empire was formally established.

Envoys from every nation gathered in Baruch City to celebrate the birth of the Yulan Continent's fifth great empire. The O'Brien Empire sent a special envoy, and the Yulan Empire sent congratulatory gifts. Even several major tribes of the Far East Prairie sent representatives.

Dressed in imperial ceremonial robes, Wharton stood atop the city gate tower and proclaimed the founding of the Baruch Empire to a million subjects. Hogg stood beside him, smiling. Linley and An stood shoulder to shoulder at one side of the tower, watching the cheering sea of people below.

"An, Linley, the glory of the Baruch Clan has finally been restored in our generation." Wharton's voice trembled slightly.

Linley patted Wharton's shoulder. "This is only the beginning. When we return from the Necropolis of the Gods, the Baruch Clan will be even stronger."

Wharton nodded firmly.