Gathering

The Dark Forest.

This vast forest in the northern reaches of the Yulan Continent was shrouded in dense mist year-round. It was home to countless magical beasts and one of the continent's most mysterious places. Deep within the forest, a pitch-black metal castle stood in silence, cast entirely from an unknown black metal.

An followed behind the War God as they slowly descended from the sky.

Dozens of Saint-level experts had already gathered in the spacious plaza before the castle. There were humans and magical beasts alike, clustered in small groups and talking quietly.

More than half the Saint-level experts on the entire Yulan Continent had gathered here today.

"So many experts," Linley murmured as he landed beside An.

An nodded.

Bebe crouched on Linley's shoulder, his little eyes darting around as he surveyed the surrounding experts. His gaze lingered on a group of magical beasts Dylan had brought: Blood-Eyed Mane Lions, Tyrannosauruses, Earth Violent Bears, Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Apes, and three strange beasts with wings on their backs and six eyes on their foreheads.

An's gaze paused briefly on the three Six-Eyed Golden Lions. Dylan, the ruler of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, was a God-level expert-the king of magical beasts who had escaped from the Planar Prison all those years ago.

"Boss, I'm going inside to find Grandpa Beyrut and tell him about Barker." Bebe sprang from Linley's shoulder, turned into a streak of black light, and flew straight into the pitch-black metal castle.

The Saint-level experts outside the castle looked astonished. They all knew that this metal castle was Beyrut's residence, as well as a Living Metal Lifeform. Anyone who entered without permission would be attacked by him. Yet that black Shadowmouse had flown inside without the slightest obstruction.

"Whose magical beast is that?" someone asked quietly.

"Linley Baruch's. I hear that Shadowmouse has close ties to Lord Beyrut."

"To have connections with Lord Beyrut... the Baruch Clan really is something."

An heard their murmurs but remained calm. He walked to the edge of the plaza, found a clean rock to sit on, and closed his eyes to meditate. Shutting out the surrounding clamor, he immersed his consciousness in the world of wind essence.

Since comprehending Wind Thread, his understanding of the profound mysteries of Wind Dimension had deepened further. The barrier between the peak of the Saint level and the God level had loosened considerably. Perhaps this trip to the Necropolis of the Gods would be his chance to become a god.

About two hours later, Bebe flew out of the castle. Looking smug, he landed on Linley's shoulder and said through Soul Transmission, "Boss, it's settled. Grandpa Beyrut agreed. Barker can go in."

Delighted, Linley quickly contacted Barker through Haeru.

Barker had been awaiting orders in the Baruch Empire. Upon receiving Linley's message, he set out immediately. At the speed of a Saint-level Undying Warrior, the journey from the Chaotic Territory to the Dark Forest would take little more than half a day.

An did not waste his time while they waited.

As he meditated, he also observed the experts in the plaza. There were over fifty human Saints and over thirty magical beast Saints. Among the humans, the High Priestess had brought the most-nearly twenty Saint Magi, each with a deep, steady aura and powerful spiritual energy. The War God's group was next, with twenty-three people including An and Linley. Dylan and Cesar had brought the fewest, but every one of them was an elite.

"An, those people over there are from the Yulan Empire." Linley pointed to a group on the eastern side of the plaza.

An looked over. At their head stood an elderly man in white robes, with a kindly face and a peaceful aura. Behind him were more than a dozen Saint-level experts, both warriors and magi.

"The High Priestess's people." An nodded.

The High Priestess was the guardian of the Yulan Empire and one of the five God-level experts. She cultivated the Law of Life, and her strength was unfathomable. She always wore a mask, and much of the credit for the Yulan Empire's survival over thousands of years belonged to her.

Cesar's group occupied the western side of the plaza.

Dressed in a loose robe, Cesar leaned lazily against a large tree, toying with a short blade. He had brought only seven or eight Saint-level experts, but each had a keen, deadly aura. They had clearly all been assassins.

As An observed the others, a gentle voice came from behind him.

"Are you An Baruch?"

An turned to see Desri, Hayward, and Higginson approaching. Desri wore moon-white robes, his face refined and his manner gentle. Hayward and Higginson stood behind him, one silent and reserved, the other smiling.

An rose and bowed slightly. "Mr. Desri, I've long heard of you."

Desri smiled. "You've heard of me?"

"Senior Rutherford mentioned you," An said.

Desri waved a hand. "That fellow Rutherford... Still, An, I've heard a great deal about you."

"You flatter me, Mr. Desri," An replied modestly.

Desri nodded. "With you and Fain here, our chances in the Necropolis of the Gods will be much better."

"Mr. Desri, what exactly is different about this visit to the Necropolis of the Gods?" An asked. "Why are both you and the High Priestess taking it so seriously?"

Desri's expression grew solemn. Glancing around, he lowered his voice. "An, have you heard about the three Necropolises of the Gods?"

An shook his head. Of course he knew. As someone who had transmigrated into this world, he had read about them in the original novel.

"There isn't just one Necropolis of the Gods, but three," Desri explained. "Three passages, located in the Dark Forest, the North Sea, and the South Sea, lead to three different necropolises. The two reached through the Dark Forest and the North Sea are dangerous, but you can stay alive if you're careful. As for the one reached through the seabed of the South Sea..."

He paused, lowering his voice further. "It's extremely dangerous. The death rate is as high as two-thirds."

"Three thousand years ago, we entered the necropolis in the South Sea," Desri said, a trace of bitterness in his voice. "Thirty-two of us went in, and fewer than ten survived. Hayward's magical beast and my third brother both died inside."

A flicker of grief crossed Hayward's eyes, but he said nothing.

An fell silent for a moment before replying, "Thank you for the warning, Mr. Desri. I'll be careful."

Desri nodded and left with Hayward and Higginson.

Linley came over and stood beside An. "An, what did Desri tell you?"

"He told me about the dangers of the Necropolis of the Gods." An briefly recounted what Desri had said.

Linley's expression grew grave as well.

Barker arrived toward evening.

He flew down into the plaza, startled by the sight of Saint-level experts everywhere. But he quickly composed himself and walked over to An and Linley.

"Lord Linley. Lord An." Barker bowed.

Linley nodded. "Barker, your place has been secured. Stay with us, and don't go off on your own."

"Yes," Barker replied.