Vyncent was confused as Arthur kept staring at him.

"What are you waiting for? Lead the way."

Only then did Vyncent start moving. Unbeknown to him, Arthur, who disappeared, is actually hiding inside his body so he won't be discovered.

The young man followed a very specific path, going in circles and tapping random trees. Only after twenty-minutes did he reach the sect's territory.

The environment changed drastically as Vyncent was transferred from the surface to underground, where a beautiful city made of purely Stones and clay laid before him.

It was majestic, to say the least, and from the design to the sturdiness of the buildings, Arthur was sure that this was a legacy of a past power and not the doing of the Golden Earth Sect.

This underground area was wide and spanned for at least three kilometers. The buildings slightly resembled Earth's. They were tall and transformed this place into a literal golden city.

In fact, this city didn't pale in comparison to the Imperial Capital. Arthur, who thought it's going to be easy feat, started changing his plans and becoming warier.

He doesn't know how the Golden Earth Sect stumbled upon this city or how they set that illusory formation which hid them from the public but one thing is for certain, they aren't merely lunatics that sacrifice virgin females.

Apparently, Vyncent's status was a bit higher than normal disciples for they treated him politely and wish utmost respect.

The young man would glance behind him every now and then, searching for any sign of Arthur, unfortunately, he was met with nothing but air which left him feeling helpless.

His cultivation was low so he couldn't even notice the foreign presence inside his body. Very soon, the young man arrived inside a moderate-sized building. Unlike other top disciples, his residence was empty except of one servant, who wasn't treated like a servant.

As luck would have it, Vyncent, who was expecting to see Lisa, found no one waiting for him, which left him looking around with a sense of foreboding. It is the first time this happens and his reactions were clearly noticed by Arthur, who frowned.

Claud, who was also witnessing this, laughed and mocked Arthur.

"I told you, wherever you go, problems arise. It isn't about luck anymore, it's the machination of Time, Fate, and Death, three of which you tricked."

Arthur sighed and came out of Vyncent's body, startling the latter. The young man tried to keep a composed face as he

"Where is she?"

Although he knew what the answer is going to be, Arthur still asked, hoping he was wrong.

Truth is always harsh, the words that came out of Vyncent's mouth were like a confirmation of Claud's words.

"Most likely brought to sacrificial altar. The elders asked me to hand over as her Constitution became perfect for a sacrifice but since I refused, they didn't dare to forcefully take it. I still don't think they'll snatch her away like this. The only one capable of doing this is probably the top disciple of our sect."

"I don't want to hear pointless talk. What's his name and where is he?"

Despite his interest in this city and what it hides, Arthur decided to schedule his search for later. His main priority is getting Lisa.

If he had Makaze with him, he'd have complete confidence and wouldn't act as cautious as now. Vyncent already told him that the leader of the sect is a Peak God Monarch.

He's a powerful existence but compared to the still-living ancestor of the Mirage Era Hall, for example, he's nothing more than an ant.

Vyncent pondered for a few seconds before replying

"I don't think he'll dare to sacrifice her in the sect. He's probably hiding within the mountain as the Earth Energy is extremely pure and thick, benefiting him greatly and facilitating the sacrifice process.

"Isn't the mountain the territory of the flame snake?"

Vyncent nodded while adding

"Yes but our sect has an agreement with that lord. It'll get rid of unwelcome invaders and we'll provide it with Pure Flame Crystals which greatly strengthen it."

*****

In a place called Fountain of Paradise, where everything is peaceful. Nether Energy was abundant in this place and it was breath-taking, to say the least. It's a small secret Realm that only a few visited over the course of a hundred-thousand year.

No one would be lying if they said this place was akin to Heaven. With the healing and sweet water of the rivers to the nutritious fruits that can allow a Mortal to jump to the Spirit Realm.

Two figures appeared a distance from a large waterfall. One was clad in jet black armor and the other was a dark-haired woman, who looked around in surprise.

"Where are we?"

As she saw the peacefulness and calmness of this place, the woman curiously asked the Nameless Knight, whose gaze was focused under the waterfall, precisely on a silhouette which enjoyed the high pressure of the falling water.

"We're here to pick another variable."

The silhouette immediately noticed their presence, she stood up and walked up to them. This person was taller than both the knight and the region ruler, she had a perfect body with some apparent muscles. What's distinctive about her is her white tail and fluffy-looking fox ears. Her pupils were blue, just like the sky, adding more points to her exceptional beauty.

The Nameless Knight softly smiled as he said

"I assume you know why I'm here?"

The region ruler stared at this tall woman in amazement. Despite being she's the ruler of death and can't die, she still felt a bit threatened by the other's formless and mythical aura.

Suddenly, the Death Empress looked around in anxiousness as she seemed to sense something. Out of the nothingness, Time Wraiths that were half illusory appeared and flew straight at her with extreme speed.

There were fifteen Time Wraiths, however, they stopped fifty meters away from the region ruler as they slowly circled around her while emitting loud and creepy howls.

They didn't dare get close to the death region ruler with the presence of the Nameless Knight, who glanced at them for a second before raising a finger, causing some kind of black whirlpool to appear and instantaneously suck all the Time Wraiths before they could even retaliate.

The three didn't linger any longer, the Nameless Knight waved his hand, disappearing from that heavenly place and taking with him the two other women.

*******

Inside a dark and gloomy room, there was a thick and almost nauseating smell of blood. This smell originated from a bloody pool in the center of this room. Several strange candles that had white flames were scattered around the pool.

Loud and pitiful cries were coming from a short person that was meditating inside of this pool. Upon a closer look, this short person was actually Saly!

Her body was scarred as she screamed loudly due to the agonizing pain she was feeling. Unfortunately for her, each time she began screaming, an overwhelming pressure that caused her even more unimaginable pain would assault her. This pain was followed by this set of words

"Didn't you say you want to get stronger? Spend the time you're crying and shouting in meditation. Learn the flow of energy, understand the elements and accept the pain because without it, you're nothing but an empty shell!"

A berating voice would resound in this small room, which was devoid of illumination except for the candles, which weren't meant to illuminate but to strengthen the power of the blood inside the pool.

Although she heard him, Saly couldn't help it as she wailed so loud that her voice became hoarse. Never did she feel such a pain, it was excruciating, to say the least.

Even for a tough person like herself, who went through a lot of hardships. This pain was slowly making her crazy.

"To become stronger, first hone the mind then train the body."

The paled-faced young man who introduced himself as Leiu, sat before the pool, staring at the suffering little girl. Only after a while did he leave the room, heading toward a courtyard where there's nothing but a few jet black trees.

Actually, it could barely be called a courtyard, it resembled a miniature world of darkness that had a sun illuminating it.

Leiu calmly strode toward a large wolf that was made from Blue lightning. Astrith's size grew bigger as red and purple lightning revolved around him, creating a menacing sight.

Unfazed and uninterested by such a sight, Leiu said

"So you managed to find your way here."

"Who are you and what do you want from Saly?"

Astrith was visibly angry and hostile toward Leiu.

The young man shrugged his shoulder and shifted the topic

"Since you're Arthur's first real bound companion. I shall summon mine. Defeat it and I'll answer your questions."

Just as he said that, Leiu muttered:

"Heed my call, King of Shadows, Milkan!"

From within the absolute darkness, a creature of shadows appeared. With a body slightly bigger than Astrith and an appearance that would even make Gods pale with fright. With a body like a lion yet different, a broad back and a black skin.

Without even waiting for Astrith to react, Milkan jumped at the wolf and spun his body, hitting him with his tail and sending the lightning wolf flying far, far away. The King of Shadows didn't just wait there, after landing the first hit, he merged with the non-existent shadows of this world and appeared next to Astrith…