Secrets of the demon lands (3)

"Let us find somewhere better to talk." Ku Nam suggested and Ed nodded.

Ed picked out a lot of his desired inscriptions and then paid before leaving. He stepped out of the store and waited outside for Ku Nam. When Ku Nam stepped out, he smiled and joined Ed. The two walked towards and in. Ku Nam seemed familiar with the place, as he asked for a private room. The attendant bowed and led them to one. They both sat and Ku Nam ordered for both of them. The food arrived sometime after and was placed before them.

Now read carefully, this is the important part.

As the door closed, Ku Nam took out a small knife from his spatial ring. His action caught Ed's attention. He dropped the blade at a perfect ninety degrees. The blade fell an inch down and paused in mid-air. Ed looked closer and noticed that the knife was still moving towards the ground, inching on much too slowly for one's eyes.

"Words we say will not leave this room." Ku Nam said.

"You said something about astral roots?" Ed asked.

"The astral veins in this great spill and the great spills in the other two cities, are all sections of one root system. It is like a large river with veins, the roots." Ku Nam answered.

"Where did the roots come from?" Ed asked.

"Legend says it is the site of an expert's transcendence into a Godeater. But, we all know Godeaters don't exist."

"Don't exist? Even if they did, is there anyone alive who would know?" Ed asked with a slight scuff. This did not amuse Ku Nam. He thought that Ed made a solid point. Godeaters were such mysterious beings even in myths. Such beings, even if they existed, the most powerful of cultivators would only be able to perceive such a power as a myth.

"True. True." Ku Nam agreed with Ed's point.

"The astral roots, you say it is like a large river of astral energy, but this is not enough to bring all these people here." Ed pointed out.

"Of course not. It holds treasures. Only something of that magnitude would bring people here. There are things that have been brought out of the roots that have rocked the entire cultivation world."

"If what you say is true, then even elders here, can join the cultivators and enter the roots. Such a place should attract those above the spirit awareness stage." Ed said.

"They cannot enter the astral roots. This law has protected the demon lands." Ku Nam nibbled his food.

"So much energy in one place, could it be why there is none in the demon lands?" Ed asked.

"Many speculate so. The law of the astral roots only allows those below late spirit merging to enter and search for treasures. Even peak spirit merging masters would be kicked out." Ku Nam said

"That is why so many outside sects send their disciples here." Ed nodded in understanding.

"As long as the demon lands allow everyone to enter all three great spills and try out for these treasures, the outside powers couldn't care less about this barren land."

"But disciples from the outside world would always be stronger than those from the demon lands. The demon lands are at a disadvantage."

"Yes, but many powers in the demon lands send their geniuses to join powers outside. This is so that they can hold their own here."

"When do the astral roots open?" Ed asked.

"In a few weeks."

"The rules in there, what are they like?"

"It opens every five years. After five years, everyone must enter, and everyone must leave the great spills when they come out." if one wishes to stay longer, he must leave and re-enter."

"All must leave at the same time?" Ed frowned.

"Three months is the time limit to stay after one comes out of the roots. After coming out of the great spill, many do not participate in the battles any more."

"Why?"

"These battles are not set by the elders. Many don't know that the slate is not arranged by the elders. To be an elder, one must sign to stay and oversee the great spill for ten years. This contract is between the elders and the great spill and not the powers of the demon lands. After one comes out of the roots, if one finds a treasure, he could inform their sect or clan outside and would only leave when they arrive. For safety." Ku Nam explained.

"What about the elders? Can they also enter? What happens when one must leave? Do the elders leave too?" Ed asked.

"It depends if their ten years is up. If not, they can keep their disciples with them too."

"I see." Ed seemed to understand why many agreed to be disciples. They can stay longer in the great spill while others outside fight for the treasures brought out of the roots.

"You have already been contacted by an elder? They like to catch spirit-picking juniors for their disciples. There is a reason for that." Ku Nam said.

"What?" Ed frowned

"There are special sections within the astral roots. These majorly allow spirit-picking juniors in. No one is sure where these sections are, but most of the greatest treasures brought out of the roots were inheritances gotten by spirit-picking juniors." Ku Nam said and Ed turned solemn.