Deep within the Dark Forest, the dark Metal Castle stood silently, its entire body forged from strange black metal. Spanning several miles, it exuded an indescribable majesty amidst the gloomy woods.
Linley and his group landed with the War God on the open square outside the castle. They had barely settled down when they saw a figure walking through the air from afar. The newcomer had gray hair and beard and was not tall, but when his clear eyes looked over, all the Saint Realm experts present couldn't help but hold their breath.
It's Doehring.
"Mr. Doehring." The War God bowed respectfully from afar, his tone carrying a hint of reverence. Among the five Deity Level powerhouses in this world, Doehring and Beirut were the two most unfathomable, and even the War God dared not treat them lightly.
Doehring nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Linley before settling on Bebe on Linley's shoulder. He didn't rush to say anything, but simply stood with the others outside the castle, waiting for Beirut.
"This castle..." Sessler looked up at the towering, dark metal wall, his eyes filled with amazement, "It's a living castle."
"A metallic creature," Doehring explained calmly, clearing up the confusion for everyone. "It's an old companion that Lord Beirut has raised for countless years, outliving many people on this Yulan Continent. Anyone who trespasses will be dealt with personally."
Linley's heart skipped a beat, and when he looked at the castle again, his eyes were filled with solemnity. He had just heard Bebe say that " the Necropolis of the Gods opens once every thousand years, and each time it takes ten years." Now, seeing that even a castle in Beirut was so extraordinary, he felt a deeper curiosity and vigilance towards that forbidden place.
As they were speaking, a flowing light suddenly emanated from the dark Metal Castle. The entire castle seemed to come alive, and a deep, ancient voice echoed from its depths, "Come in, all of you."
Bebe was the first to dart out and disappear into the castle. The War God, Dylan, Cesar, and the High Priest, each with their trusted confidants, filed in one after another. Linley and Doehring walked side by side, stepping over the high metal wall together.
Inside the hall, Beirut remained as ordinary as ever, sitting at the head of the table like a typical old man. But the moment he looked up, even the War God lowered his head. He surveyed the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Linley.
" Linley," Beirut said bluntly, "I called you here because of the Necropolis of the Gods."
Linley straightened up and said respectfully, "This junior is all ears."
" The Necropolis of the Gods opens once every thousand years, and each time one enters, one can only emerge after ten years," Beirut said slowly. "This opening is approaching. I have already allocated a quota for the strongest individuals from the Yulan Continent to enter. You, and Bebe, are both on my list."
Linley's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to agree when Beirut raised his hand and continued, "However, this time, I'm taking one more person in."
He glanced at Doehring beside Linley, his gaze meaningful. " Doehring, although you have long since reached the Deity Level, in the Necropolis of the Gods, the Deity Level is merely a level barely enough to protect oneself. This time, when it opens, you should go in with Linley."
Doehring paused for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Since Lord Beirut has given his orders, Doehring will obey."
Linley's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this. He had originally thought that the Necropolis of the Gods was a training ground for powerful beings of the Saint Realm, but he hadn't expected that even Deity Level being like Doehring would need to enter it to seek a path to further advancement. The secrets of this graveyard were probably much deeper than he had previously anticipated.
"Lord Beirut," Linley said respectfully, recalling Barker's matter, "I have a sworn brother named Barker, a descendant of the Undying Warrior. He also greatly desires to enter the Necropolis of the Gods for training, but I wonder..."
" Barker?" Beirut pondered for a moment, then nodded. "The blood of the Undying Warrior is lively and free; it's good that he wants to gain experience. Let him come too. This time, the quota for entering the graveyard will be Linley, Bebe, Doehring, and Barker, along with your group."
Linley felt relieved and quickly thanked him.
That night, Linley and the others settled down in the plaza outside the Metal Castle. They sat together, some drinking and laughing, others meditating, waiting for their companions who had gone to the cemetery with them to gather. Linley stood in a corner of the plaza, gazing at the moonlight filtering through the dark woods above, and remained silent for a moment.
"Thinking of Delia, or of the Necropolis of the Gods?" Doehring stood beside him unnoticed, his tone indifferent.
"Yes, they both have," Linley said softly. "Ten years have passed since then. When they return, Taylor and Sasha will both be over twenty."
Doehring looked at him without replying. After a moment, he said softly, "Ten years is a long time for mortals, but for cultivators, it's just a snap of the fingers. If you're willing to sacrifice this little bit on this path, you can go higher. Delia understands you, just as I believe in you."
Linley felt a warmth in his heart and nodded. He was about to say something more when he saw the aged figure disappear into the night. Doehring walked slowly away, leaving only the words, "Rest well. The door to the Necropolis of the Gods is not easy to cross."
In the distance, the dark Metal Castle glowed faintly under the moonlight, like a colossal beast about to awaken. Linley gazed in that direction, his eyes gradually settling. He knew that when the door opened tomorrow, his life would enter a completely different world—and this time, he would have a teacher who had guarded him for half his life standing beside him.