Kishor stood nearby, quietly watching as two powerful figures, Corrado and Infinides, interacted with Jared. Their respect toward made Kishor feel lucky; clearly, had chosen the right person to follow.
“Jared, what happened in there?” Catalina asked. “Why were we all sent out?”
“I brought out the guardian of the first level,” Jared said simply. “So everyone inside had to be sent out as well.”
“This man?” Corrado looked at Kishor.
Infinides also eyed and asked with a puzzled tone, “Is from the celestial realm?”
Jared nodded. “His name’s Kishor. He’s a celestial realm cultivator, the same as us. He made a small mistake and ended up sealed inside the first level, acting as its guardian. I’ve already broken the prisoner imprint that bound him, so I brought out.”
“You broke the prisoner imprint?” Infinides looked shocked. “Breaking that kind of imprint recklessly can trigger Heavenly Punishment. If was someone powerful, the power of law would’ve been intense.”
Being a celestial realm cultivator himself, Infinides clearly understood the risks involved.
“He wasn’t that powerful, just a minor golder immortal. The power of law was weak,” Jared replied casually.
“What? A golder immortal?” Everyone around stared, completely speechless.
Had things really reached a point where Jared could treat a golder immortal like they were nothing?
Skylar, standing a short distance away, felt like his blood pressure was going to spike. Jared’s casual tone was enough to make want to scream.
“Mr. Chance is truly incredible. The prisoner imprint that bound me was set by a golder immortal, and broke It with ease. He even avoided Heavenly Punishment,” Kishor confirmed, backing up Jared’s claim.
Nobody spoke. They didn’t know what to say.
By now, some had already begun making their way toward the second floor. A few even walked up to Jared, bowing respectfully.
“Mr. Chance,” one of them said, “If you’re heading to the second level, could you take out the guardian there too? That way, the rest of us might benefit.”
Since Jared had handled the guardian of the first level, anyone entering afterward could get the clearance imprint effortlessly.
“Of course I’m going. There are nine guardians on the nine levels of the Celestial Stairway, and I plan to defeat every single one.” Jared looked up at the towering staircase as spoke, full of determination.
Even though some believed was just boasting, excitement buzzed through the group. Maybe if they followed Jared, they could ascend all nine levels and reach the heights of the celestial realm themselves.
“I want to go to the second floor too!” Catalina said, clearly thrilled.
With Jared leading the way, felt safe. She knew she’d be fine if stayed close to him.
“Lina, don’t get ahead of yourself,” Corrado snapped. “Just because you were safe on the first floor doesn’t mean the second will be the same.”
“I’m going anyway!” Catalina said, clinging to Jared’s arm.
Seeing this, Jared chuckled and said, “Let come. As long as stays with me, she’ll be safe up to the fourth floor.”
“I’ll protect Mr. Chance as well,” Kishor added quickly. Though couldn’t fight the guardian on the second level, could still deal with any cultivators lurking around.
Corrado finally nodded, giving Catalina permission.
Jared took hand, and with Kishor right behind, the three of them leapt toward the stone steps of the second level.
“Skylar, what now? Should we just follow and wait for our turn?” Josephine asked Skylar.
Skylar’s frustration was plain on his face. He gritted his teeth and finally let out a long sigh. “We don’t really have a choice, do we? Let’s see how far Jared can actually go…”
With that, and Josephine followed the others up the stone steps to the second level.
