Tower of Heaven

When Atlas started walking towards the alleyway, the Kitsune at his side changed as well. Its form became much smaller, and it started to look more like a puppy than a Divine Beast Cub.

Once it had taken this state, it jumped onto his shoulder and found a resting place there.

Atlas wanted to question its actions, but he could feel its refusal to explain in his mind, so he didn’t bother.

Rather, he focused on the darkness that enveloped him soon after.

’Obviously, it is manmade.’

This was the product of qi. More specifically, this darkness was the product of a formation.

A formation that used the Dao of Darkness was unique in that there weren’t many practitioners of such a vague Dao. Of course, Formation Masters could create formations that utilized Daos they weren’t familiar with, but in order to do so, they needed a certain level of understanding of what that Dao was structured on.

Essentially, Formation Masters were slightly knowledgeable about a variety of Daos but never truly stuck to one. This was why most of them tended to cultivate only for the sake of longevity.

’The Formation Spark has already revealed all of its information to me. The Dark Prism Formation…it is meant to be used in siege warfare to blind and confuse the enemy, but it is being used in this alleyway for no particular reason instead.’

With the swirling of his pupils, Atlas’ vision sharpened until the darkness cleared. It was a mixture of his natural sight abilities and his understanding of the formation. On a personal scale, he could counteract something like this easily.

"As expected from you."

Evidently, he had been waiting for this moment. A man in a pig mask stepped out of the shadows and spoke as if he knew who Atlas was.

"If you’re saying something like that, then you must be a person I was supposed to meet."

Atlas kept himself somewhat vague for safety, but there was really no need. Who else could this man have possibly been other than the envoy of Alkatiya?

"It is nice to formally make your acquaintance, Atlas Vaun. You may call me Boar. I have come to meet you on the orders of my master, who I am sure you know."

The pig-masked man bowed deeply as he introduced himself. Atlas nodded, accepting it calmly.

"I’ll start this discussion off with a simple question. Does Alkatiya have any involvement in what is happening here?"

The man who called himself Boar was here to create friendly relations with him, sure, but he didn’t have connections with Alfros.

For many cultivators, the kind of altruistic mind that Atlas sometimes found himself possessing didn’t exist.

Other cultivators would also seek out conflict like him as curiosity drove them to discover what was hidden beneath the most obvious truths, but not many of them would move as he did.

The majority of them would feel no sympathy for Alfros or its residents.

If Alkatiya thought Atlas was one of these people, it was entirely possible for them to attack Alfros without being aware of how it would sour their relationship. Discover exclusive tales at empire

Luckily, at least in this instance, Atlas didn’t have to worry.

"While this is something spectacular, it is not the doing of our people. If we were involved, then… well, certain members would make themselves much too known for you to not be aware."

The Boar hinted at an interesting thing. Atlas picked up on it, but didn’t comment. He was sure that he’d find out more definitively in the future.

"You can trust that we would not do anything to harm our cooperative relationship. My Master values you highly, after all."

"Well, there isn’t anything like a cooperative relationship yet. You offered aid, but I have yet to accept it. I need to know more before anything of the sort can happen."

Atlas accepted that his chase to find Cain on Alfros had already ended. He wasn’t going to get further in that pursuit for now. Since he’d found the envoy, he decided to clear up the doubts he had.

At this point in time, all he knew was that Alkatiya wanted to provide him temporary forces to boost Pangea’s Legend. It was only beneficial to the budding Society on paper, but…

"...I cannot accept help from those whose intentions I do not know. Your leader was far too vague when we spoke last, so I need a more proper answer. Alongside it, I wish to see the specific terms of our cooperation. If they aren’t prepared, then we can draft them now."

His only connection to Alkatiya was Cain. It wasn’t a sound enough connection for Atlas to be convinced easily. Until he was certain that there was no room for the other side to manipulate him, he would not accept help.

Because something in his body and soul absolutely deplored the idea of being led around by the whims of others and manipulated.

[Treacherous Phoenix says that it is best to not put too much trust in strangers.]

[Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal says these chumps can’t give you anything you can’t get yourself.]

[Prince of Darkness calls his fellow Gods naive, saying that you should prioritize efficiency in reaching the underworld.]

[Huntress of the Night says she does not want to urge you to make a decision, but she also does not want you to forget that you do not have time on your side.]

It was odd to have Gods commenting on such ordinary interactions, but Atlas could tell why.

Most of them didn’t want him away from the action for too long, while the rest were showing some kind of concern for either him or his allies.

Under the watchful gazes of Gods he could not sense, Boar began to recite to Atlas the materials he prepared before arriving in this realm.

It was time for the two of them to have a somewhat long and especially boring conversation.

However, the outcome of that conversation was bound to be anything but.

***

Atlas had been preoccupied with his own matters in Alfros ever since the calamity began.

He kept thinking about chasing the main culprit and finding truths, but he found himself distracted at every step.

First came Horus’ little group, then came the Kitsune, and finally his meeting with Alkatiya. One after another, situations found him and took his attention.

But, this was a conflict in a Neutral Zone. No matter how much Atlas wanted to be part of the main spectacle, if he appeared in that place, he was guaranteed to die.

After all, the scene of Immortals battling there was far more severe than it was when Alaric killed Warden.

Because, unlike Alaric, nobody in the current calamity had overwhelmingly domineering strength.

VOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The battle against the Kitsune was fraught with terrifying flames, but if those flames that almost killed Atlas and Feng Ziran were brought into this hellscape, they would be like a rabbit facing a pack of lions.

This scene was taking place far away from both the Phoenix Palace and Atlas’ current position in the world. If he was in the northwest, this battle was taking place in the southeast.

However, it was where everything Atlas had been searching for was located.

It was where the Elders of the Phoenix Clan learned of the true goal of the mysterious organization behind the attack.

And that goal…

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