Ch.1

Luminous Lake and the area around it had become one of the most crowded places on Grandura for the past month because of the Ancient Legacy Land. All kinds of beings were present. They were all focused on a circular platform on the bed of the dried-up lake — and naturally so since it was the entrance to the Ancient Legacy Land.

The entourages of almost all Grandura’s factions and hordes of powerful creatures had arrived. One could see members of all kinds of Spirit Humanoid species, Demon species, Devil species, Elemental Beasts, and Elemental Birds that were usually extremely difficult to find.

The occupied areas at the lake and surrounding area were divided on a racial basis to avoid conflicts, so the divisions between Grandura’s different races were apparent. Many of them didn’t have good relationships with others. All Legacy Lands without restrictions based on race needed such an arrangement to avoid unnecessary conflict. The founders of Grandura’s significant factions and powerful creatures had instituted that a long time before.

It wasn’t that all the races of Grandura were at each other’s throats, but in most cases, their relationships could, at most, be considered formal. They only interacted with each other occasionally, and only when they had no choice. Alliances between the different factions were also based on race, which clearly showed the trust deficit between the different races.

The Human race had a good relationship with the majority of the Spirit humanoid races but had nasty relationships with demons, devils, and numerous other creatures. Dragon Head Continent was the human race’s territory, but its human factions didn’t stop other beings from coming as that would lead to racial war.

A war in which human factions opposed factions of other races and hordes of powerful creatures was something that had a fixed end — and that was a loss the human factions didn’t want to incur. As a result, this was a rare occasion when the devils, demons, and other anti-human beings could freely come to Dragon Head Continent. Otherwise, they were generally hunted down or enslaved within a few hours of being sighted.

“Is there a possibility it will not open?” a young man from a human faction asked with frustration. The other youngsters of his entourage also had a similar question in their minds. All were looking at the circular platform with mixed expressions. The opening of the Ancient Legacy Land had, for an unknown reason, been delayed by an entire month. It was still showing no signs of opening anytime soon.

“Such a situation has happened in other Legacy Lands, but they did open, so have some patience,” the young man’s Elders said comfortingly.

The Elder’s reply calmed the youngsters a lot, and once again, they started to meditate to maintain their optimal condition.

The delay in the opening had caused a lot of furrowed brows at Luminous Lake. No one could tell the real reason for it, but such a scenario wasn’t unknown and had occurred to other Legacy Lands on Grandura. Those Legacy Lands had always opened after a few days to a few months of delay. So, they continued camping there, as the Ancient Legacy Land was a life-changing opportunity for youngsters of different factions and the young Elemental Beasts, Birds, and other creatures.

The entourages of the various factions and hordes of powerful creatures mainly consisted of youngsters and members of the senior generation.

The entourages of factions with their Main branch in the Divine Universe were led by existences beyond the Immortal Realm. They attracted the most attention.

Those beyond the Immortal Realm had decided to stay back after purging the Red Calamity until the end of the Ancient Legacy Land Trials. They knew that if their youngsters were able to get hold of an opportunity inside the Ancient Legacy Land, then they would undergo a dramatic transformation and gain enough talent to attract the attention of their Main branches. Naturally, they wouldn’t be returning before seeing the results of the Ancient Legacy Land’s Trials. They had come along with the entourage of their respective faction’s Grandura branch — as a show of force as well as to make sure that nothing untoward happened to them.

There were at least a thousand youngsters in most entourages. A small minority of humanoid youngsters even had their Soul beings tagging along with them. The Soul beings of most didn’t qualify to enter the Ancient Legacy Land; they were either older than thirty years or not strong enough to be of any kind of assistance to their partner.

A vast majority of beings on Grandura are unable to form a contract with Divine Elemental Beasts, Ancient Elemental Beasts, or other terrifying creatures. So, they try to find normal Elemental Beasts that possess such a creature’s bloodline in a small quantity to form a contract with. If successful, they help their contracted being to increase the concentration of its Divine Elemental Beast’s — or another tyrannical being’s — bloodline within its body. Those beings can then evolve into the beings whose bloodline they possess. This enables them to gain a powerful contracted being in the long run.

The ones capable of forming a contract with Divine Elemental Beasts — or other powerful creatures — always choose a grown-up being with a terrifying Cultivation Level. As a result, most of the contracted beasts eligible to enter the Legacy Land weren’t nearly as fierce as Thorn.

The strongest contracted being eligible for entry into the Ancient Legacy Land was at Mid-Mortal Sage Realm. It was a Chimera, an Ancient Elemental Beast of Fire and Poison. This Chimera had formed a contract at an early age so its bloodline purity had risen to high-grade, which allowed its current achievements. The Chimera was a Three-headed Elemental Beast, similar to a huge lion with a goat’s head growing out its right shoulder and a snake’s head out of its left shoulder. Its strength lay somewhere in the middle order amongst the Ancient Elemental Beasts, but its poison was extremely potent and dangerous even to dragons.

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Ryan, Sheldon, Brian, and Danr had yet to arrive at Luminous Lake, which was the other thing causing great discussion. Everyone was expecting the entourage of the Heaven Sundering Family Clan and the Eternity Family Clan, given the allure of the Ancient Legacy Land and dramatic change in their standing in the past few months. There was also the matter of Cynthia. As a result, many people were unable to fathom the reason for their absence.

Several factions that had once had a good relationship with both these family clans tried contacting them but were unable to do so. This was natural, given that the relationship had now become strictly formal between both sides. These factions knew that they wouldn’t have reacted differently if they had been left to fend for themselves against an enemy like the Star Alliance on their own.

Ryan, Brian, Sheldon, and Danr had deliberately delayed their arrival at Luminous Lake for a myriad of reasons. They had decided to arrive once all the youngsters and young ones had entered.

Ryan was going solo in the Ancient Legacy Land, and that would cause numerous questions to arise in everyone’s minds. Everyone was bound to think that they knew something more than the rest of them about the Ancient Legacy Land.

Many might even change their decision to allow their youngsters to enter the Ancient Legacy Land. That was something that Sheldon, Danr, and Brian didn’t want as it would only increase the danger for Ryan.

It would be more beneficial for Ryan if more young beings entered. All Legacy Lands had Spatial worlds within them, containing numerous traps and powerful beings. If a lot of young beings entered, that would help Ryan a lot by reducing the burden on him, as they were bound to engage those traps and powerful beings. It would give Ryan more maneuverability inside the Legacy Land. It wasn’t unheard of, either, that creatures living inside the Legacy Land collaborated to kill the young beings entering. Such a situation could threaten Ryan to a certain extent, though it would largely depend on the strength of those creatures, their numbers, and what stuff he could use. So, Sheldon, Danr, Brian, and Ryan couldn’t risk arriving early at the Ancient Legacy Land.

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The factions other than the Heaven Sundering Family Clan and Eternity Family Clan being discussed were the Dark Moon Family Clan and the Calamity Sect. Their entourages had arrived at Luminous Lake together. That was not surprising as both had become subsidiaries of the Silver Oak Sect, but it was the first time they had acted like that publicly.

The strength of their youngsters was also another reason. They all had powerful Cultivation Levels for their ages. Rai was most outstanding, with a Cultivation Level in Late Mortal Sage Realm. Not many in the young generation of the numerous Spirit humanoid races could stand in his presence without feeling inferior. Only a handful of those youngsters could match up to him.

Rai did not have the highest cultivation among those that were going to enter the Ancient Legacy Land. A few youngsters from the devil factions, demon factions, young Elemental Beasts, and other creatures had Cultivation Levels at the Early Mortal Saint Realm. These creatures all had High-grade bloodline purity. The numerous Spirit humanoid factions had already come up with various strategies for their respective youngsters in case they came across any of these heavyweights. So, the youngsters of the numerous Spirit humanoid races weren’t that bothered about them.

Ishan and company were part of the entourage of the Dark Moon Family Clan and Calamity Sect. They didn’t stand out at this moment, unlike Rai and others at the Mortal Sage Realm. They had used a special runic seal, that even stopped existences beyond the Immortal Realm from fathoming their actual Cultivation Levels. They were all showcasing Cultivation Levels in varying stages of the Mortal Emperor Realm, making sure that they didn’t attract attention of any sort.

They split into two groups; one was wearing clothes with insignia of the Calamity Sect and the other of the Dark Moon Family Clan. It was Leo’s idea as he thought of certain complications that could arise when they exited the Legacy Land. He had no idea what the mortality rate of the Ancient Legacy Land would be, and if by chance it was high, then they would stand out if they were all seen as being part of the Calamity Sect. His idea would mitigate that scenario to a very great extent.

The fact that Rai was attracting so much attention was a blessing for Ishan and company, as it ensured that no one was scrutinizing them. They would only check them in passing without going for the details.

Members of the Dark Moon Family Clan would look now and then at the Raffle Family Clan’s entourage with a myriad of expressions. It wasn’t just them; members of the other human factions were doing the same. It was because Cynthia was a part of it. Regulus and his companions were also part of the entourage to ensure her safety.

Her arrival at Luminous Lake had almost caused Rai a meltdown, and if not for Jovian keeping him in check, it wouldn’t have been odd if he’d done something stupid.

Given that Cynthia was a Life Attribute Martial Artist, everyone knew the Raffle Family Clan wouldn’t allow her to enter the Ancient Legacy Land. So, anyone could tell she had only come to bid Ryan goodbye before he entered the Ancient Legacy Land. That was unacceptable to Rai — the last thing he wanted to see was Ryan romancing Cynthia in front of such a huge audience.

“It is not the time to vent anger. Even things with her after she marries you,” Jovian said via Mental message transmission. Rai instantly calmed down as he thought of numerous ways to make Cynthia’s life hell.

To a certain extent, Cynthia could tell what everyone was thinking about her because of her Heart’s Eye Innate Ability. For the same reason, her hate for Rai had also increased a notch, though she didn’t show it and continued to maintain a poker face.

At this moment, she took her Mental message transmission orb out from her Spatial pouch to contact Ryan. She was unable to understand why he and the other members of his family clans had not yet arrived. She’d tried to contact him many times, but he always made silly excuses that anyone could tell were nothing but bullshit.

She was again calling to ask him about his delay in coming to Luminous Lake. This time she wasn’t in a mood to hear any excuses.

“If you hang up again without telling me what’s holding back you and your family clans from coming here, then we won’t be talking anymore,” Cynthia said in an emotionless tone. She was fed up with the looks she had been receiving from her family clan.

“Can you give me a moment to answer?” Ryan’s voice rang in her mind.

“OK,” Cynthia said via Mental message transmission orb, though her expression didn’t ease.

Ryan looked panicked. He looked at Sheldon, Danr, and Brian, who were meditating on a white floor. They were currently inside a small independent space that Danr had created about fifty kilometers from Luminous Lake. It only had a large white floor floating in it, which was rectangular and a few tens of meters in length and breadth.

Should I tell her about Thorn to calm her down? Ryan seriously thought to himself as he cursed his luck. If the Ancient Legacy Land had opened on time, then this situation would never have arisen. Cynthia had been calling him for the past few week to discover his family clans’ intentions. He had to make excuses every time. Raymond knew that Ryan’s family clans were up to something, so he didn’t bother Ryan, but that wasn’t the case with Cynthia. She was dense about such matters, which wasn’t strange given her age. Her family clan members also had the same idea as Raymond, but they didn’t tell her. They wanted to know the reason behind the delay. They felt that if Cynthia continued to pressure Ryan, then he might tell her something that would allow them to guess the reason behind the delay.

Ryan could tell from Cynthia’s tone that he would be digging his own grave if he made another excuse. Still, he couldn’t tell her anything related to Ishan and company due to the instructions from Sheldon and company.

Sheldon and company had received a Mental message transmission from Herman a little before their departure for the Luminous Lake. It said that the Silver Oak Sect wouldn’t make any significant movement against their Grandura branches until Ishan and Kiley were living on Grandura. It spoke a lot about their value to the Silver Oak Sect — which also pointed at their terrifying potential and talent.

Herman had added that it would be in their best interests not to leak the matter about Ishan and company. If Ishan and Kiley’s whereabouts were to leak to the Silver Oak Sect’s enemies, they wouldn’t live long. Once they were dead, the Silver Oak Sect would blame the Heaven Sundering Family Clan and the Eternity Family Clan. The Silver Oak Sect would no longer be cautious about anything since they would have nothing to lose anymore, and would launch an all-out attack on the Grandura branches of both clans without thinking twice about it.

Ryan didn’t have a lot of information to begin with regarding Ishan and Kiley. He only knew whatever Isa had learned by reading the memories of one of Ishan’s companions. Those memories weren’t enough to let them know the importance of Ishan and Kiley to Silver Oak Sect. The mental message of Herman was sufficient to tell him that Ishan and Kiley weren’t regular geniuses that a faction could afford to lose.

He was certain that the young demons of Royal Demon Family Clan wouldn’t be able to handle Ishan and Kiley. He was able to deduce that from the fact that they were highly important to the Silver Oak Sect. The youngsters sent by the Royal Demon Family Clan weren’t their top youngsters. That meant Ishan and Kiley would be dying after exiting the Ancient Legacy Land. He was certain that Rani and company wouldn’t let them live for sure from what all he had heard from Isa.

He quickly contacted Isa and asked him to make sure that Ishan and Kiley didn’t die at the hands of Rani and company. His request was extremely easy for Isa to fulfill given that he was the Lord Asura Envoy in the eyes of the demons. His single command was sufficient to keep Ishan and Kiley safe from the Royal Demon Family Clan.

Isa, on the contrary, gave him a surprise. He told him to not worry as there was already a change of plans on his side. The Royal Demon Family clan was no longer gunning for Ishan and Kiley and everything else that had occurred in the run up to the supposed day of opening of the Ancient Legacy Land. The Royal Demon Family Clan had come up with an entirely new plan which required Ishan and Kiley to live, unlike before when they decided to get rid of them.

Ryan was pleased with Isa as he knew that the Royal Demon Family Clan had come up with new plan all due to Isa’s inhibitions. Isa had saved the lives of a lot of members of his family clans by effectively making the Royal Demon Family Clan give up on killing Ishan and Kiley.

“Grandpas, can I tell her about Thorn to calm her down?” Ryan finally turned to Sheldon, Danr, and Brian. He couldn’t think of anything else to get out of this sticky situation with Cynthia.

“OK, but ask her to keep that to herself,” Sheldon said as he ended his meditation. Danr and Brian did too and showed their approval with slight nods.

“She would do that without even me asking,” Ryan said in a confident tone. He quickly contacted Cynthia once again via Mental message transmission orb.

“Thorn has recently advanced to Immortal Realm. So, it would create unnecessary problems if we come early. We might face unnecessary opposition. We’ll come when the portal to the Ancient Legacy Land starts to close,” Ryan said, extremely seriously.

Cynthia’s eyes went wide with shock before a gleeful expression appeared on her face. Naturally, everyone in the Raffle Family Clan entourage noticed and were intrigued by the conversation going on between them.

“OK,” Cynthia said. Her reaction was natural as she was sure that Thorn being at Immortal Elite Realm would make sure of Ryan’s safety from Rai and other youngsters in his family clan.

Ryan and Cynthia talked about a few other things before they ended their conversation.

Ryan sighed with relief following that. He had freaked out after Cynthia’s ultimatum.

“You know, after seeing your condition, my decision to not marry has been reinforced,” Danr joked. Sheldon and Brian smiled at hearing that.

“She doesn’t have a thick skin like me. So, she is unable to ignore the opinions or questioning gaze of others as I can,” Ryan said in defense.

“Well, whatever,” Danr said, as he decided not to tease Ryan anymore.

“Now, continue meditating. You need to be in optimal condition before entering the Ancient Legacy Land,” Danr said with a light smile. Sheldon and Brian nodded their heads in agreement too.

Ryan nodded and quickly started meditating while they followed suit.

On the other hand, Cynthia had placed her Mental message transmission orb back in her Spatial pouch with a gleeful expression. She maintained that expression without saying anything to other members of her family clan.

“What did he say?” Regulus asked, finally, with a penetrating look. He and other members of the senior generation could tell from Cynthia’s mood that the Heaven Sundering Family Clan and the Eternity Family Clan were up to something shocking. It wasn’t just them. Even the other factions that had been keeping tabs on the Raffle Family Clan had come to the same conclusion.

“He’ll be here when the Ancient Legacy Land opens,” Cynthia said without elaborating.

Regulus and others of the senior generation just nodded their heads. They didn’t pry into details as long as Ryan was coming. That would save them a lot of face even if he were to lose.