“Lord Linley, Castro of the War God’s College is currently outside. He came at the orders of the War God to find you.” Barker immediately said. Hearing the words ‘War God’, Linley couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, then immediately stood up. “Come, let’s go outside and take a look.”
Resting his hand on Delia’s shoulders, Linley immediately covered both his body and Delia’s with that layer of deep azure battle-qi, circulating it according to that unique rhythm.
“Crackle crackle.”
As they walked past the door, Linley took a few turns, and then arrived at the underground meeting hall. Castro was currently there waiting quietly with eyes closed. Hearing Linley’s footsteps, Castro immediately opened his eyes and stood up.
As soon as he saw Linley, Castro immediately revealed a smile on his face, while he was secretly shocked. “Linley is far more reserved and disciplined than he was last time at the imperial capital. No wonder Senior Apprentice said that Linley was on par with him now.”
“Castro, we haven’t met in years. Please, sit.” Linley smiled as he sat down.
Castro’s smile grew wider. “It has been years indeed. These past few years, I haven’t changed much, but you, Linley. Not only has your personal power improved dramatically, you’ve even gotten married and had children. I saw your two children in Baruch City. That Taylor was especially cute.”
Hearing others praise his children, Linley naturally felt quite happy.
Delia laughed as well. “Mr. Castro, what is the purpose of this visit?”
Castro laughed as well. “This time, I have come at the order of Master. I have come to deliver some news to Linley.”
“What news?” Linley was puzzled.
“Next year, March 3rd, Linley, you must make haste to War God Mountain.” Castro instructed.
Linley, Barker, and Delia glanced at each other, their hearts puzzled. Linley spoke. “Castro, can you tell me why the War God is asking me to head to War God Mountain next year, on March 3rd? What is this about?”
“Umm…” Castro hesitated a moment.
“Is there a secret involved?” Linley guessed.
Castro nodded. Linley’s heart suddenly moved. The War God had previously told Linley that within the Yulan continent, there was something known as the Necropolis of the Gods, and this Necropolis of the Gods had many precious treasures left behind by fallen Deities, such as…divine sparks!
“Can you speak more clearly?” Linley asked, and then he explained, “Barker is also a Saint-level expert, and my wife is an Arch Magus of the ninth rank. She’ll reach the Grand Magus Saint level soon. There’s no need to hide anything.”
“Then…fine.”
Castro paused, then nodded. “This time, Master has instructed you to go to him, most likely in order to prepare to head to the Necropolis of the Gods together. The reason I say this is because before I came, Master had a special conversation with ten of my more senior fellow apprentices, most of whom have been training for more than three thousand years.”
“The Necropolis of the Gods?” Delia and Barker let out surprised cries.
Delia had heard Linley speak of the Necropolis of the Gods before. They were husband and wife, after all. Linley never held anything back from Delia.
“Are you saying that those ten personal disciples of the War God’s College will be heading to the Necropolis of the Gods?” Linley asked.
“You’ll know next year, so there’s no need for me to hide anything. Our War God’s College is indeed sending ten personal disciples over.” Castro’s face grew solemn. “But Linley, entering the Necropolis of the Gods is extremely dangerous. Just because you are strong, doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily survive.”
“Oh?” Linley frowned, a bit puzzled.
Castro explained, “Master only chose his ten most powerful disciples. You should have guessed this. The Necropolis of the Gods is a place which will easily kill most Saints who go there. Only upon reaching a certain level would one have hope of surviving.”
“But if you are strong but have terrible luck, then you still might lose your life.” Castro laughed bitterly. “In the history of the War God’s College, several experts died in there, such as our Third Brother. In the past, his level of power was equal to that of the Senior Apprentice, but he still died in the Necropolis of the Gods.”
Linley nodded slightly.
The people of the War God’s College had undoubtedly entered the Necropolis of the Gods multiple times. They were fairly experienced.
“Very dangerous?” Delia asked, feeling a bit worried. She knew that Linley would most likely enter the Necropolis of the Gods.
Castro nodded seriously. “It is. Master has said that if one rashly charges about in the Necropolis of the Gods, even someone like Master will fall, much less a Saint. Thus, in the Necropolis of the Gods, one needs strength, one needs caution, and of course…one needs a bit of luck.”
Castro suddenly laughed. “But you don’t need to worry. I only heard of these things from my other fellow apprentices. I’m not too clear myself. It probably isn’t too dangerous. After all, the Senior Apprentice has been in the Necropolis of the Gods four times now, but he’s still alive, right?”
Delia was gripping Linley’s hands, afraid.
Feeling the warmth coming from Delia’s hand, Linley felt a warm sensation in his heart as well. He immediately consoled her, “Delia, it is fine. I specialize in defense, and I’m also very fast. In addition…the path of training isn’t a path for constantly cowering and hiding.”
Linley’s heart was filled with anticipation towards the Necropolis of the Gods.
Five thousand years ago, when the experts from other planes descended here, the Four Supreme Warriors had suddenly been born…what was the reason for this?
“Alright.” Delia obediently assented.
“Castro, can I go?” Barker’s voice suddenly rang out. “The first Undying Warrior, the founder of the Armand clan, also experienced those sudden, transformative upheavals five thousand years ago. I, too, wish to enter the Necropolis of the Gods.”
“This…will be very difficult.” Castro shook his head. “Each time, there are a fixed number of slots available for one to enter the Necropolis of the Gods. Master has a limited number of slots. The ten fellow apprentices, twelve other experts training in seclusion who are relying on Master…twenty two in total.”
Linley said comfortingly towards Barker, “Barker, don’t be impatient. I’ll ask when the time comes.”
Castro laughed, then rose to his feet. “Linley, since I’ve delivered the message, I’ll go back now.” Seeing Linley was about to try and convince him to stay longer, Castro hurriedly said, “No need. Master is still waiting for me to go back and report on this mission.”
“Then I won’t force you to stay. We’ll meet again next year, at War God Mountain.” Linley stood up to send the guest away.
After Castro left, Linley, Barker, and Delia all began discussing the Necropolis of the Gods.
“I absolutely must go to the Necropolis of the Gods. If I can obtain a divine spark, even if I don’t use it, I can give it to Wharton or to Delia. That would be wonderful.” Linley laughed calmly. “Even if I cannot acquire a divine spark, perhaps I’ll be able to acquire some other precious treasures. And I have this strange feeling…that the Necropolis of the Gods is a place I must go to.”
Linley had the feeling that something there was calling to him.
“Hrm? Bebe’s finally back.” Linley’s eyes lit up. Bebe had gone to the Forest of Darkness to understand his heritage. So what was his heritage, exactly?