novelraw Chapter 1289 - 1288 - Shifts in Power
Chapter 1289 - 1288 - Shifts in Power
The Celestial Fields were split into 4 layers. The density of Qi and profound Laws naturally segregated it in part but there were physical separations as well.
The 1st layer was the foundational land that connected directly to the Heaven Realm lands and thus the mortal realms as well. It was the place up the Shard Tier Immortals could rule for millions of years. They were the peak of that layer and even Crystal Tiers could not exert much power without incurring harsh costs.
The 2nd layer was the natural home of the Crystal Tier Immortals but it was essentially the largest floating landmass that rose up with the level of profound natural treasures. It was the first true layer of mythical beasts truly appearing in mass numbers.
It was common for Immortals to be as common as blades of grass due to how much easier it was to reach the Sliver Tier alone.
The 3rd layer was mostly the peaks of the various mountains or smaller but high density Qi islands occupying mostly empty sky. It was the place of the greatest freedom to move but the most fierce competition for space.
Radiant Tiers rule but have to fight to advance for every piece of treasure or resources to make progress.
It is the layer where luck, talent, and skill have to combine to continue your cultivation.
The 4th layer was the most mysterious. The density of Qi created a barrier where only ascension through tribulation would allow or peak grade 7 transference arrays. Unlike the other layers, there had been only free floating treasures at first.
The Sovereign Tiers had exerted their will to manifest lands that catered to their needs. As more arrived, they actually made war to carve out a place for themselves. After nearly a billion years, things settled as the side effects of Sovereign Tiers made a stable place to live.
Land formed from pure intent and resources poured into making places to live had actually made a growing landmass. As epochs passed, treasures and Ruins allowed the land to diversify until it began to propagate on its own.
It was a wild place for a long time until other Sovereign Tiers imposed their will on each area they conquered.
It was not wrong to say the land was shaped by the peak Immortals that laid claim to it.
A single Sovereign Tier could only claim a few hundred square kilometers but a group could settle thousands firmly without issue.
In a very remote corner, the border shimmered with various landscapes. It was mostly picturesque vistas that would ensnare the unwary but on the other side, an organized and harshly controlled land was revealed.
Overseers strictly enforced rules on the residents and there was a dead eyed look to most beings. Unlike the lower layers, only Heaven Realm and above could survive. If a Sky Realm was carried to the 4th layer, they would burst apart from the powerful Qi around them.
Even a Star Tier Heaven Realm would be in danger if they were not at the peak of their tier.
The strictly divided land was only 100 square kilometers. It was the absolute limit of a single Sovereign Tier.
At the heart of the territory was a fantastical fortress. It had floating towers and a sprawling set of grounds for herbs, food, and plain beauty. It was gorgeous compared to the rest of the territory.
The people serving there matched its beauty but like the outer lands, their eyes were empty. They were little more than puppets compared to the lengths gone to make them beautiful.
The largest floating tower made of black stone that struck into the sky and had a starlight beacon flowing off of its roof, housed a single individual.
He was wearing opulent robes with gems embedded into the lining. Most were functional but all were aesthetically pleasing. His ever shifting eyes looked at a large pedestal with jade stones shining on it wink out one by one.
When the last went dark, he slammed his fist into it. The powerful grade 7 artifact shattered to tiny pieces as he began to destroy the room he was in. The once opulent room was turned to ashes until he calmed down.
With a wave of his hand it was all restored save the pedestal.
"Useless! All utterly useless! I even released the seal on their foundation and they still died to a woman! I will–" He was in the midst of nearly foaming at the mouth when the patter of sprinting feet reached his senses.
He looked irritated as a small child, who should be playing and asking many questions about life, rushed into the room. They basically had on a simple white robe and no decoration. Their head was shaved as they bowed low to him.
"What?!" He had no time to be distracted but the fear in the child's eyes made it clear it was serious. They were a Sun Tier Heaven Realm so they should not be intimidated by too much.
"My Great L–lord! This unworthy one reports the Dragon Overlords have come!" He arched an eyebrow at her in disbelief.
"Which ones?" There were many mangy beasts that claimed the title of Overlord. He had no time for the weaker ones.
The child looked up nervously as they were clearly sweating.
"A–all of them." The man paused. He extended his aura and felt fear in his heart. There were 17 dragons quietly standing at his borders! They were in human form but he knew them all.
While there were many clans of various dragons, there were only 17 Sovereign Tiers. It was that difficult to attain.
He swallowed saliva as he lowered the barrier. He would be the most supreme fool if he did not let them in! Some of those dragons were far stronger than him!
The group flew neatly across his realm until they came to his tower.
They seemed to sneer but he did not care as he quickly gave orders to receive them!
He was very low on the totem pole of authority!
The group were brought to an ornate hall with long tables laid out with starcloth. It was made to mimic the stars in the sky and was highly resilient to any damage. The fact he used it as table cloth was a boast of his power but the dragons did not care.
Steaming piles of meat and ale were quickly served but they took nothing. The man swallowed nervously as he sat at the head table.
Dragons were notorious for their hunger and capacity for consumption but all 17 stared at him. Various colors of eyes, hair, and scales were clear but they all were rather reserved in their aura.
"My esteemed fellow–" The man felt pain as 3 auras sharply impaled him in place.
"We are not here for a social reason, human. You may lay claim to the title of Illusion Immortal but we do not care. Your race's obsession with titles only shows how weak you are." A woman with hair as dark as the night and skin shining with gold smiled wide as she spoke.
"Our Lord sent us to give you a message and frankly, we do not like you." The Illusion Immortal frowned as a rotund man spoke. He had fiery hair and robes of dark gray. The eyes were molten orange as he looked at him from across the room.
"Now, now Searing Scale Overlord, we should simply deliver the message of our Lord." A slim androgynous man spoke. He had pale skin and aquamarine robes. His hair shimmered between pale white and azure.
His eyes were hidden behind glasses of a dark tint that hid the color from even the Illusion Immortal's senses.
"Bah, you spend too much time with your head in the water, Void Water Overlord! I said we should just take this place from him but the Lord was clear on his instructions." The Illusion Immortal felt anger spike as the dragons clearly were ignoring him!
"Enough, Little Yra, Speak as we agreed." A woman covered in shadow scales was a demon dragon. A rarity but one that existed in greater numbers at their layer.
A small girl stepped forward. She seemed the weakest with her size but the Illusion Immortal knew he would be killed without knowing how if he fought her. She had molten gold hair with crimson scales on her body. She also had eyes that were the heart of volcano staring at him.
She bowed low before her voice pierced his soul.
[Junior Feris Khan, you are to cease all activities in the 3rd layer. If you continue, we are authorized to consume you between us and take your lands per the True Lord's instruction. As you have attacked family members of his Clan, you have no choice.] The Illusion Immortal wanted to deny things but new auras entered his territory unannounced!
A man and woman in shimmering robes emerged from a tear in space. Only a few Sovereign Tiers had the ability to bypass his defenses but the few that could left him quaking in his heart!
"Oh! The dragons beat us here. Well, that makes things easier." The pair bowed low with deep respect to each dragon Overlord.
The man that spoke then smiled at the Illusion Immortal. He had clear blue eyes and tanned skin as his dark hair was neatly swept back as the woman was dark eyed with pale red hair next to him.
Her pale skin made her freckles stand out but pleasantly so.
"We were elected to represent the Lingzen Alliance. As you know, we are the majority of guilds you all use to procure resources." Even the dragons bowed with respect as they confirmed the pair in front of them.
The man then bowed to the woman next to him.
"Illusion Immortal, you actions have threatened Lind Frey. You will be removed from your tower and imprisoned for the next 3 million years. If the dragons have anything they wish to do to you, they will have precedence." The Illusion Immortal felt hollow at the declaration.
It was equivalent to leaving him all alone! Why were they all turning against him?!
"Oh?! You are all here? Well, this is a bit embarrassing." A wrinkled old man suddenly emerged behind the Illusion Immortal. Instantly, all bowed low to him as his pure blue robes marked him as much as anything else.
The Grand Elder of the Divine Sword Sect?!
"To make it short, that brat Evan said you threatened our friend. Sorry to cut ahead of the line." A sword was being sheathed before the Illusion Immortal realized his left arm was gone!
The old man bowed but the message was finally clear. Lind Frey was not to be touched casually! His family was to be left alone!
"W–why?" The single word left him as the group looked at him as if he was particularly stupid.
"We all agreed to leave the 3rd layer alone aside from recovery efforts. You have violated that agreement. What did you expect?" The man spoke before tearing open space for the pair to leave.
He thought that was the end of it but then his right arm was taken!
"Hmm, stringy. You should eat more meat boy." The rotund dragon spoke as the 17 Overlords left. The meetings left him terrified as he bled heavily but dared not heal until all were gone!
The power blocs of the 4th layer had spoken clearly. Lind Frey was not to be touched by them. The lower realms have to deal with their own affairs , but no Sovereign Tier power was to touch him ever again!