Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1217 - 1216 - 1000 Years of Resurgence

The Emerald Era, as it came to be called, saw powers surge in the 3rd layer.

The massive destruction of the hordes of soulless creatures allowed the demons to actually breathe and establish various safe havens.

In the first 300 years, the soulless still harassed isolated places but major hubs like the Serenity Sect and others had time to form up defenses and even try to reach out to the 4th layer.

No answer came back until the 500 year mark. A massive tear opened and it revealed a horde ready to strike!

They appeared like a black storm and charged ahead only for the aperture to snap shut. Despite the setback, a certain Emerald Immortal also emerged with Radiant Tiers to slaughter as many as they could once more.

It was a trap!

They devastated the horde but over a third of it escaped. The ones that fell were also only partially recovered.

Still, it was a massive success. Sadly, the soulless did not fall for it again.

The 2nd layer also was contacted but ascension was a bit more random. They could not plan an opening like the 4th layer could.

They were no longer in as much danger but the risks were still very real. Worse, if the soulless escaped into the lower layers, they could breed like rabbits! Nothing down there could stop them too!

The demons focused on rebuilding lost facilities and planned to make an ascension platform or two to help new Radiants join them. The fresh cultivators would be immensely helpful and having a guarded area would make the horde come to them.

The situation was finally turning around but the good news could not last.

At the 900 year mark, an attempt was used to test the ascension platform. A new Radiant Tier did arrive but the planned assault did not come.

Instead, the tear between layers was shifted away! As if suspecting it would happen, the Emerald Immortal appeared once more to snatch the new Radiant away while the aperture sealed behind them.

It had been a terrifying error and no one knew how it was done. The Emerald Immortal suspected possible sabotage and that future endeavors would suffer the same fate as Fiend agents were everywhere.

The sole exception would be an existing Radiant Tier simply returning to the 3rd layer. One was due to do so in fact and they confirmed she could arrive without issue.

Strangely, the Emerald Immortal was not there when she arrived with her husband. The old man was a World Realm but that was not anyone's concern.

The last century was spent trying to figure out a way to confirm an ascension platform was safe, but then 2 hordes appeared to attack them. The era of relative peace came to an end.

Thankfully, all their preparations paid off! Safe areas finally existed and the Knife Edge Bazaar became a central hub for trade between them. Teleportation was a risk they did not want to take after the failure of the ascension pools.

The 4th layer also was able to send much needed supplies to reinforce their defenses over that 1000 years.

The battle for survival began again but there was true hope. If only a few more like the Emerald Immortal could ascend and the soulless creatures would no longer be a threat!

⬧⬧⬧⬧

The Shattered Grave was a strange area in the Endless Peaks. It had floating shards of stone mixed in with a few truncated mountain tops. It was believed Radiant Tiers had gone all out there and destroyed the area but it also made it barren.

No ores, herbs, or anything lived there. It was just a remote place that spanned thousands of kilometers. Like the Whisper Peaks, several towers had been set up to make sure the soulless did not hide there.

It was a damned good place to hide too as auras were restricted by the chaotic nature of the place.

The good news was that there was no real place aside from the truncated mountains to lay claim to. As such, in the last 1000 years, such areas had also received a boost to their defenses and numbers.

Among those functions added, was one necessary for idiots ascending despite the warnings!

An alarm began to sound shrilly throughout the base built on the truncated mountain top. It was a small fortress in design but at the moment the beasts and demons were sprinting quickly to get outside wherever they were.

"What idiot is ascending here?!" A demoness at the mid Radiant Tier was tearing through space as there was no point in avoiding the soulless. They were surely on their way too!

There may not be a horde but the damned things used scouts just the same as any army.

The Immortals raced across the sky as the formations let them know the weakness in the barrier between layers before it appeared now.

They were a step too late. A cloud of the headless dark creatures was already going to beat them there!

The Celestial Fields were doomed! Compared to the Endless Peaks, there were myriad places to hide in the lower layers!

The demoness could only look on in horror as the sky tore open. Whoever had ignored the warnings was going to be cursed with nine kinds of–

The soulless were swarming the opening but then something odd happened.

Fierce black flames joined by virulent green ones burst outward. The soulless actually retreated! They fled!

Those that were not fast enough were completely wiped out and fell from the sky. They had seen this before!

She narrowed her dark violet eyes and was shocked when 2 more demonesses flew out with a human woman between them. Their eyes were fierce and the human seemed to be in charge.

Their battle skills were shocking and she felt the need to kneel. A blur suddenly came up before the aperture could close and it had wings!

Leathery wings, 2 grand curled horns and a tail made her confused until every demon in all directions heard a command.

[Coordinate according to my orders.] The man's voice compelled them all to obey. She was shocked as her body seemed to obey without an issue. His tactics were stunningly perfect and the soulless were routed to death in short order!

The compulsion faded at last as the 4 individuals floated as they looked around curiously.

"I told you we could handle this, Kal. You did not have to follow us." The demoness with virulent green hair spoke up and her voluptuous form made even the mid Radiant Tier demoness stare.

The lithe demoness next to her seemed darkness incarnate but the power coming from her was terrifying.

Were they really fresh Radiant Tiers?

"I thank the 3 of you for escorting me up here. It was as we expected. Now, maybe someone here can find my son." The demoness felt her heart shiver at that voice. She did not know who her son was, but he was in serious trouble.

The black haired demoness turned and pointed right at her.

"She seems to be the strongest. Kal, if you would?" The winged demon nodded and seemed to just appear in front of her. She looked up at his impossibly handsome face with his broad shoulders and her heart tried to escape her chest.

She would do anything for this man!

"Kal, stop adding to your harem." The other demoness broke the spell and Kal rolled his eyes as he looked back.

"You know I can only restrain it once I consolidate my foundation better. Now that I am up here, it will get better." The similarity between the 2 was clear at that moment. Siblings!

The demon turned back and bowed to her.

"Senior, can you help us? We are looking for a dragon with emerald scales. In human form his hair would be pure emerald as well. Tanned skin and likely gray or crimson robes." She felt her heart still as he spoke.

Of course she knew about the man! He was a legend!

"The Emerald Immortal is somewhere in the Icy Path, I think. It is on the far side of the layer from here to the east. It will take at least 2 years to get to a bridge from here." Kal frowned but then looked back at his group.

"Please tell us where this bridge is." The human woman with dark hair spoke. Her crimson robes were very fine and she clearly had a slightly unstable foundation. She was the one who ascended!

The demoness was about to speak when she noticed a soulless closing in! They were all distracted by the newcomers and she only just saw it. She was about to shout when black flames blazed from the lithe demoness.

Smoky obsidian eyes looked coldly as the creature was reduced to ash! The Emerald Immortal's flames killed them but hers destroyed them!

"Know your place, scum." It was not the same as the demon, but her words also made the demoness shiver in place.

Who were these people?

"Mistress Cyntilla told you to contain yourself, Kexin. We have our orders." Kal spoke and the demoness suddenly realized these people knew the Emerald Immortal personally. She looked at the human woman and shock filled her.

Her face was similar! She was the mother of the Emerald Immortal!

She waved her hand and all knelt in mid-air. The group looked around in confusion until the demoness sent out a mental message.

[Forces of the Castle Grey welcome the mother of the Emerald Immortal!]