Tower of Heaven

"The Hell Guardian."

That was its title. It was a sentient being, so it probably had a name as well, but it wasn't something known to ordinary people.

Even the Hell Guardian itself was almost entirely unknown. After hearing about it from [Mistress of Death], Atlas contacted Scarlet Fox and asked her to look into it, but she responded negatively.

"I can't find you information on something that isn't very known. At most, I can find out what it looks like."

Scarlet Fox had an almost immediate answer, which meant that others had likely looked for the Hell Guardian in the past.

However, only observations about it existed. Those who fought it never revealed its power, and nobody had ever witnessed those fights.

'To enter the underworld, the Underworld Guardian has to be defeated. I thought that meant killed, but I guess not.'

After all, if it wasn't so, then it meant that everyone who challenged the Hell Guardian in the past had failed and died. He didn't believe that this was the case.

'I have been provided with its location. It is surprisingly accessible, though it definitely can't be seen easily.'

The Hell Guardian was in an easy-to-access location. Only, it didn't appear unless one summoned it specifically.

Without knowing that it was present, it was impossible to challenge it.

'In other words, everyone else also had to receive information from Gods. Otherwise, its location would have been spread.'

Atlas shook his head.

'First, I should visit it.'

He had only just arrived in Vanatos, but he was already leaving. He made his way to the next Neutral Zone, Alfros, for the first time instead.

He was immediately struck by a burst of heat. It didn't hurt him, but he had to admit that it was hot.

The ground was dry and arid. There were cracks running through its rocky surface to create a web of stones. The sky was tinged in red, and where there were lakes in Vanatos, there were lava lakes in Alfros.

It was a strange atmosphere, but the flame qi in the air was easier to rationalize. In fact, if there weren't flame qi so prominently existing in this realm, it'd be more concerning.

'This is the home of the Vermillion Bird Clan. I must pay them a visit at some point.'

He had been curious about the rest of Divine Sanctuary for some time. This would have been a good opportunity to see it if he didn't have other goals.

Volcanoes were common in Alfros. They were so common that they decorated the horizon like ordinary mountains. Even Atlas' destination was at the foot of a volcano.

In fact, it was in a volcanic region where the ground was the color of ash. It had just as many cracks in it as the dry yellowish land that was present outside of the entrance city, but they were all filled with glowing orange veins of magma.

There was nothing in the vicinity. No people, no buildings, no beasts, no nothing. It was almost like civilization decided to skip this area when it was growing.

Atlas glanced around curiously.

'As expected, there are no signs.'

His gaze swirled mysteriously with the energy of his eye technique. Still, within the ground, within the environment, and within the folds of space, there was nothing present that Atlas could see.

Still, his presence elicited a response.

[Your presence is not yet great enough to challenge me.]Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The presence reverberated through the space. The voice came at him from every direction like he was being spoken to by the world itself.

[You have acquired a relic that is greater in potential than what is necessary. I see that there is also a powerful Patron God blessing your approach, which is why I have made contact with you. However, the Legend of your Society is too weak. You cannot approach the Underworld Gate with such a weak Legend.]

Atlas' eyes widened in surprise, but they quickly returned to their calm position.

Instead of panicking, he nodded.

"I am aware. I came more to see what I will be facing when I truly am prepared, but it seems I will not be receiving any information."

[You do not need to prepare more than what has been asked of you. When you arrive prepared, I will judge your strength and meet you there. You will not face unfair judgement on your way to the underworld.]

Atlas smiled. What the guardian just said was more than enough information for him.

"Then, I will return in 2 months."

[You are bold for believing you can accomplish anything in two months.]

"In two months, I will be back. I promise." Read new adventures at empire

[Hmm…very well. Show me then. The resolve that drives you, that is.]

Atlas turned his back to the volcanic region. It was a shame that he couldn't lay eyes on him, but Scarlet Fox said she could find out about his appearance, so he decided to wait on that knowledge.

'The Hell Guardian will adjust its strength to match my level.'

That was by far the most important thing. It meant that Atlas didn't need to focus on idle cultivation as much as he thought he would.

Instead, he could focus on refining his techniques and skills again.

Atlas didn't leave Alfros. He looked around, realizing how unpopulated this area was, and realized that it might actually be the perfect location.

'Will you remain manifested in the outside world when I enter?'

[If such a thing was a problem, then I would not be a Supreme Heavenly Treasure.]

Atlas smiled at the response that came from his soul and nodded.

'Then, bring me in. I would like to go to the second floor.'

As he spoke, the aura of spatial transportation swallowed him. Under the curious gaze of only a single Hell Guardian who would never share the events of this day with any other entity, Atlas disappeared from the world.

His body went to a completely empty space that was as large as an entire Tower floor.

'The first floor will be used for other things. As for the second floor…'

Atlas had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He'd been moving busily, so he hadn't been able to make time for it, but now that he had two months free, it was the perfect time to truly make use of this paradise-like space.

If one looked at the Xuanying Treasure Pagoda from an outside perspective, one would believe that the rewards it gave out were the only benefits it possessed, but that was a severe misunderstanding.

In fact, Atlas believed that the treasures were the least important thing about the space.

The most valuable benefit he'd unlocked so far…

'The artifact spirit said that I can use this floor for anything. It will turn into anything I desire.'

The only caveat was that Atlas couldn't create ambient qi out of nothing, but he didn't worry about that. As he said, he didn't plan to use this space for cultivation.

'If it can really turn into anything I want…you're reading my mind, aren't you?'

"I am."

The voice came from his side this time rather than from his soul. The spirit that stood next to him was more than happy to execute the orders of its master.

The relationship between Atlas and the pagoda was one of Cooperation, after all.

'Let's make this place pretty.'

He referred to the artifact in short words because it didn't need direct orders to understand him.

Together, they were going to build the place where Atlas would be training for the next two years.

And when those two years ended, he could properly meet the two-month deadline presented by the Hell Guardian.

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