Chapter Nineteen: Court of Immortality ~ Part One

  In the depths of this vast universe, both the “Battle King World” and the “World at the Edge of the Universe” lie at the farthest reaches of existence, far beyond the boundaries of the Continents of Heavenly Retribution and the Human World.

  As for the “Spirit Battle World,” it is positioned exactly at the center, at the dividing junction, acting as a natural wall between the higher worlds — Battle King and the Edge of the Universe — and the lower worlds — such as the Human World and the Scattered Star Region.

  Thus, it is impossible to reach the Battle King World except by first crossing through the Spirit Battle World; it is like a mandatory passage and a gateway that separates the higher levels from the lower in the ladder of cosmic existence.

  And although these worlds share the same fabric of the universe itself, today they seem completely cut off from one another, as if they had never been connected.

  …

  And while I was deep in thought, analyzing the information I had gathered so far,

  I heard a strange, mysterious voice that did not belong to any of the creatures I had seen before.

  The unknown voice said in a cold, steady tone: “I did not expect you to understand all this just from the images… And yet, you are not supposed to be here. You are not the one concerned, so do not try to decipher the symbols. You will not be able to. I advise you to stop.”

  I raised my voice in challenge

  “Who are you? Show yourself.”

  But the voice replied even more coldly: “Who I am does not matter… what matters is that you are wasting your time on what is not yours. You will gain nothing by staying here, so you should leave.”

  I stepped forward, the note of challenge never leaving my voice:

  “Fine, I will leave… but answer me first

  are these symbols related to the True Ancestors?”

  Silence fell for a moment, then the voice said, as if granting me a grudging answer: I will tell you… these symbols are not for you, and you will not understand what they mean. I advise you to stay away, for you are not destined to decipher them. Do you understand?”

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  I smiled with slight mockery, and said: You say I am not the one destined for them… but how can you be sure that the destined one is not me? And yet, here I am, standing before them… and that alone is proof enough that my fate is tied to them.”

  Then I continued, with confidence: “Give me what is destined for me… and I will leave.

  The unknown voice said: “It doesn’t matter. I can see your path and what will happen to you in the end. However, your presence here is the result of something unexpected and close at hand, and you are not meant to stand here, and that is what makes you interesting to me. You seem like an intriguing person. I will give you a choice—what if I offered you a trial? If you succeed in the trial, I will grant you gifts and legacy. Do you accept? Think about it, but if you fail the trial, I will destroy your soul.”

  I said: “Tell me, what is this ordeal I will face? I want to know before I give you my answer.”

  The unknown voice said: “Sorry, I cannot tell you anything about the trial before it begins. It will be a life-or-death experience, and afterward I will tell you what you want to know. You must understand it will not be easy for you; in fact, it will be dangerous. But I advise you to undertake it now while you are at this level of strength.”

  I asked: “Why? Is there a particular reason that pushes me to undertake the trial at this level of strength?

  The unknown voice said: “Yes, because the stronger you are, the stronger the trial will be. It will be a hundred times more dangerous. But at this stage, due to your current level, the power of the trial will be weaker, and at the same time, it will be suitable for you. There is a great chance to complete this trial.”

  I said: “Fine, I will accept the trial.”

  Then I looked at Mia and found her unconscious.

  “And what about my sister?”

  The unknown voice said: “You can do it. I hope you survive; you will need a lot of strength and luck.”

  What happened to Mia?

  I was transported before I knew what happened to me.

  Ah… have I been transported? Where am I?

  I suddenly found myself in another world… in a desolate, frozen place wrapped in heavy silence.

  Am I in the frozen north? The cold here feels like it’s tearing me apart.

  I feel as if the ice is devouring my bones.

  All I see around me is an endless expanse of harsh white snow and ice.

  Freezing air pierces my lungs, and a heavy stillness hints at hidden danger.

  There is nothing here but deadly frost.

  I asked myself anxiously:

  “What is this place? What is this trial?”

  I searched the desolate horizon with my eyes, but there was nothing except snow and cold winds howling like lost souls.

  Even my red scales, which I had always been proud of, were trembling from the intense cold, and I felt pain in my limbs as if I would shatter.

  In that moment, a note of regret crept into me.

  “What foolishness is this? Why did I accept that unknown voice’s offer? Have I lost my mind?”

  Then, without warning, a fierce wind blew, tearing apart the deadly silence.

  The atmosphere changed suddenly, as if it were responding to the presence of an unwelcome intruder.

  The frozen calm was broken, revealing something terrifying.

  From the heart of the thick fog, a majestic shadow appeared.

  It was not an ordinary wolf or a familiar tiger, but a primitive, savage beast encased in ice, its massive body seemingly carved from snow and frost.

  Its eyes were not those of an ordinary beast, but had an almost human gaze—cold, intelligent, and fierce.

  It exhaled calmly, sending out thick fog like smoke from its nostrils, sniffing my scent as if tasting my fear.

  It fixed its gaze on me, as if evaluating me, testing me, deciding my fate.

  I realized then that this was not just a frozen land… but a trial ground forged by merciless powers, and that this confrontation was the beginning of the ordeal I had agreed to undertake.

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  (Number of words in this chapter: 1,104 words)

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  [Ss1000101]

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