Tower of Seclusion

Ash took a deep breath as he was uncertain on how to approach the peculiar thoughts swirling in his mind. It only surfaced after he 'somehow' used Winter's Reap through the Eternal Frozen Scythe.

All of this screamed a tinge of suspicion and mystery.

*Exhale*

"Do you guys remember when I fought that Shattering Sea Realm asshole?" Ash asked them with a contemplative expression.

"Yeah…we remember." Ray nodded, wondering what was plaguing his mind.

"Of course, when I fought him, I had to use the scythe to help me bridge the gap between us. The thing is, using the scythe made me feel something...familiar, as if I've somehow used it before. It's not just the moves, but also the way it harmonizes with me. It's like we have this incredible compatibility." Ash continued, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Ray slightly frowned, trying to make sense of Ash's dilemma, "I think that's because of what you just said."

"Huh?" Ash tilted his head in confusion.

"Your compatibility with the scythe. It probably helped you become more familiar with the moves and its techniques, to give you a heightened sense of feel and combat readiness." Ray explained with a steady tone.

Bryan chimed, nodding in agreement, "Ray's right. And this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't obtained the scythe which proves your luck factor."

"Yeah, so you don't have to ponder on it. It's likely that if either of us had a weapon of similar quality, we would have experienced a similar connection." Ray gave a reassuring pat on his back.

"That…does make sense." Ash breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't like weird thoughts affecting his mind.

Bryan looked at Ash with a bemused expression, commenting with a smirk, "You really do let the strangest thoughts get to you…"

Ash shrugged, unable to deny it, "I can't help it, man. Sometime my mind just goes off on these weird tangents.

Ray interjected, steering the conversation towards a more practical matter, "Alright, I suggest we make good use of the fruits we stole from the palace to quickly boost our power."

Ash agreed, and said, "Yeah, we need to if we're gonna adventure through the other Forbidden Lands."

Ray pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Should we cultivate in the Chaotic Forest, or do you guys wanna do it somewhere else?"

Bryan crossed his arms, deep in thought, "The Chaotic Forest is filled with unpredictable energy fluctuations. If we choose to cultivate here, we need to be mindful of the risks involved. It's highly likely that we'll attract unwanted attention from both humans and beasts."

Ash put an arm over Bryan's shoulder, "He's right. We don't want to invite unnecessary troubles while we focus on our cultivation."

"Alright, let's do it out of the Chaotic Forest. We'll need to find a suitable place once we're out of here." Ray was fine with the outcome.

"Let's figure that out when we're out of the Chaotic Forest."

With a shoddy plan on their minds, the trio set out to make their way out of the Chaotic Forest's Outer Region, keeping a watchful eye for any potential dangers.

-After a few hours-

The trip peacefully made their way back into the City of Tibia. Just like before, their senses were greeted with a vibrant and bustling scene.

The entrance gate, guarded by stern-looking soldiers, opened wide to welcome the constant influx of travelers and merchants, for a fee of course.

Passing through the gate, the streets were more vibrant than before. The air was filled with a medley of sounds, from the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestone roads to the melodic chatter of merchants and street vendors advertising their goods.

"Wow…never thought the streets would get more livelier than before…" Ash commented.

"It seems like something special is going on." Ray looked around.

The City of Tibia also held a special place within the vast Iwernia Continent, nestled along its expansive spine. Despite its fame being closely attributed to the Chaotic Forest, as one of the main hubs of trade and commerce, the city served as a pivotal waypoint for merchants traversing the continent.

The trio couldn't help but notice the frenzied atmosphere and the buzz of conversations that filled the air. It seemed that the news of the three clan groups' sudden disappearance had spread like wildfire among the city's inhabitants.

The three looked at each other and quietly shook their heads.

"It seems like shit is gonna go down in the future." Ash muttered.

"I think…shit has already gone down…" Bryan said as he ruffled his red hair.

As the trio continued leisurely strolling through the lively streets, their attention was immediately captured by a group of animated bystanders engaged in a conversation about a place called the Sacred Isle.

Intrigued, Ray halted the other two in their steps and discreetly positioned themselves nearby, eager to listen in on the intriguing discussion.

"Have you heard?" Bystander 1 asked, a spark of enthusiasm evident in their eyes.

Bystander 2 looked up from their bun, slightly puzzled, "Heard what?"

"The Sacred Isle is hosting a grand ceremonial event to crowning its princess." Bystander 1 replied with an excited tone.

Bystander 3, who had been listening nearby, gasped in disbelief, "Wait…the 'Princess'?"

"That's right! All kinds of reputed young geniuses from different backgrounds will attend the ceremony. This event is set to be a true showcase of their talents and potential." Bystander 1 answered, unable to contain his excitement.

Bystander 4, their gaze filled with admiration, chimed in, "I've heard that visiting the Sacred Isle is a transformative cultivational experience. I envy those geniuses."

"I have also heard rumors of renowned hidden masters making appearances on the Sacred Isle, imparting their wisdom to the young cultivators in the Sacred Isle…" Bystander 3 continued.

As the bystanders continued their animated conversation, the trio absorbed every word, their fascination growing with each passing moment. Their vivid descriptions painted a captivating image of the Sacred Isle, a place that held the promise of growth and enlightenment amongst talented cultivators.

"Perhaps…we should make a stop at the Sacred Isle during our adventure." Ash carefully suggested to the other two, his eyes shining with an intense light.

"I am of the same mind." Bryan nodded, itching to explore the Sacred Isle.

Ray thought for a moment and agreed, "I believe it would be a good experience. According to them, the Sacred…Isle offers an unparalleled cultivational experience. However, before we embark to the Sacred Isle, we must increase our cultivation to prepare for the inevitable challenges that await us."

"I have heard of a tower in the city where cultivators can book rooms for safe and secluded cultivation. All we have to do is pay the required crescents and we are good to go." Bryan spoke up, with a place in mind.

"Let's go then."

-After a few minutes-

They reached before a decently-sized tall tower, called the Tower of Seclusion. As the name suggests, this tower should be the perfect place for the trio to cultivate in peace and void of trouble.

Not wanting to waste any time, the trio hurriedly made their way into the tower. As they entered, they were greeted by an inviting but busy atmosphere, with calming scents of incense wafting through the air. The tower's interior was adorned with elegant decorations, exuding an air of tranquility and serenity.

Approaching the reception desk, Ray politely inquired about the availability of three cultivation rooms for cultivators around the Natal and Shattering Sea Realm. There was a high chance they'd break through to the next realm with the amount of Spiritual Beryls in their hands.

The receptionist, an elderly man with a serene expression, smiled courteously, "Ahh, esteemed young cultivators, welcome to our humble tower. We have rooms available for your peaceful cultivation. Each room costs 10 Bronze Crescents and can be utilized for a duration of 3 hours."

Ray nodded and said, "We'll take the rooms."

The receptionist's smile widened, pleased with their decision, "Very well. That will amount to a total of 30 Bronze Crescents, esteemed guests."

Without hesitation, Ray retrieved the required payment and handed over 30 Bronze Crescents to the receptionist.

The exchange was made smoothly, and the receptionist graciously accepted the payment, his gratitude evident in his voice, "Thank you, esteemed guests, for your kind cooperation."

As the transaction concluded, the receptionist promptly summoned one of the attendants to escort the trio to their respective rooms. The attendant, a young and polite individual, approached with a respectful bow and gestured for them to follow him.

Guided by the attendant, the trio ascended the tower. As they reached their designated floor, they were welcomed by a corridor lined with beautifully carved wooden doors, each leading to a private cultivation room. The air was imbued with a gentle energy, creating an ideal atmosphere for cultivation.

The attendant led them to their respective room, which they quickly entered and shut the door. They found themselves immersed in a harmonious space. Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. The walls were carved with intricate symbols and runes, depicting a sense of nature and cultivation.

In the center of the room, a polished stone platform awaited their arrival. It emanated a faint energy, seemingly attuned to the cultivation needs of its occupants.

Bryan sat down on the platform in a cross-legged position, ready to cultivate the fruits of their journey. But before that, he wanted to check his current status.

He requested the system to display his status.

[Ding]

[Name: Bryan

Age: 17

Race: Human

Title: None

Cultivation Realm: Natal Realm (Apex Points - 18)

Energy Points: 1712/2100

Bloodline: None

Physique: Divine Infernal Physique

Element Affinities: None

Passive Skills: All-Fire Resistance (1st Level), All-Fire Boost (1st Level), Divine Infernal Veins, All-Fire Laws (Locked)

Skills: Gaze of Bane (1st Stage), Phantasmal Fists, Infernal Rage]

-In the second room-

In the other room, Ray was carefully going over through his status after what seemed to be a long time since they last did so.

[Name: Ray

Age: 17

Race: Eternal Human

Title: None

Cultivation Realm: Natal Realm (Apex Points - 18)

Energy Points: 1584/2100

Bloodline: Eternal Lightning Bloodline

Physique: None

Element Affinities: None

Passive Skills: Eternal Body

Skills: Eternal Speed (1st Stage), Bloodline Transformation (1st Stage), Lightning Wings (1st Stage), Trinal Coat (Bronze Level), Behind the Veil (1st Stage)]

"The Energy Points we got from defeating the creature were only 500. So, the drastic increase in my Energy Points doesn't seem to add up."

"Hmm…"

"Does engaging in battles contribute to our cultivation?" Ray was momentarily in deep thought, but brushed it away.

"Ah well, I can always think about that later. For now, let's focus on cultivating!"

-In the third room-

Ash stretched his body and groaned in relaxation, "Ahhh…that felt good."

"System, show my status please."

[Name: Ash

Age: 17

Race: Human

Title: None

Cultivation Realm: Natal Realm (Apex Points - 18)

Energy Points: 2414/2100

Bloodline: None

Physique: Heavenly Frost Physique

Element Affinities: None

Weapon: Eternal Frozen Scythe (???)

Passive Skills: Heavenly Ice Body (1st Level), Heavenly Hailstorm (1st Level), Heavenly Frost Veins, Heavenly Ice Laws (Locked)

Skills: Hail Strike, Mirage Flow (1st Stage), Winter's Reap]

"Oh shit, I can already advance to the next point? LIT!" Ash rubbed his hand in excitement.

"Time to go ape-shit!"