As Jared finished his words, smile vanished. Boots grinding against marble, Yuliana halted and threw a warning glance. “Watch your tongue, Mr. Chance… Celestia stands among the highest powers of level six. You cannot tarnish it with careless words.”
“You and I both know whether my words are careless,” Jared answered, stopping as well. “Roaring Storm Bell has been stolen, its seal on the demonic souls weakening by the hour, and still, Celestia busies itself with the marriage alliance to Celestial Palace…”
“Rumor even whispers of back-door dealings with Malevolent Path Hall, nest of demon cultivators. Is that your idea of a premier power?”
Yuliana’s pupils contracted. She lunged one step forward, lowering voice until it trembled. “Who told you about Roaring Storm Bell? And who dares accuse Celestia of colluding with Malevolent Path Hall?”
Moments ago, had assumed Jared was merely an escort for the captive princess. At that moment, his knowledge knifed through composure. No ordinary cultivator possessed such secrets unless the force behind had a hand in Roaring Storm Bell’s disappearance.
Jared watched the panic ripple across face and allowed a thin, cold smile. “I know far more than you imagine. Instead of prying into my origins, ask yourself this, when the demonic souls break free, will Celestia’s so-called nobility shield you from their hunger?”
With that, turned and strode down the torchlit passage, boots echoing like muted drums. Yuliana remained frozen, turbulent thoughts crashing behind calm mask.
Jared’s true purpose clearly reached beyond delivering a princess, it was entwined with the stolen Roaring Storm Bell itself.
I must report to King Aurelius at once!
“Mr. Chance, Celestia’s Sacred Plaza lies ahead. King Aurelius is conducting the grand ritual there to ask for blessings from the divine being. if you wish an audience, I will lead you,” Yuliana said, quickening pace to match his, new wariness sharpening every glance.
Yuliana stopped testing Jared. The game of questions had run its course.
If already commanded knowledge forbidden to most of the realm, only the king could decide his fate. The king’s cultivation and intelligence eclipsed own.
As they crossed the final rise, Sacred Plaza unfurled before Jared. At its heart towered a massive divine totem. The divine totem was made of gold, and it was emitting waves of celestial power.
In the plaza, hundreds of robed celestial cultivators swayed to the low horns and ritual drums, then bent together, their knees kissing the marble, their palms raised to heaven.
“A grand ritual?” Jared’s voice carried an amused lilt. “The demonic souls strain against their seal, and you kneel and beg a statue for mercy… Celestia is devout to a fault…”
Color drained from Yuliana’s face, yet held tongue. She knew his words made sense. However, the ritual pre-dated every crisis, older than the oldest scroll. Even faced with annihilation, no heir of Celestia dared cancel it.
They reached the arched gateway. Two silver-helmed guards lowered pikes, forming an uncompromising cross of steel.
The leader, broad-shouldered, eyes honed by decades of training, studied Jared, then dipped his chin to Yuliana. “Ms. Fiala, who is this man?”
“The cultivator who returned Her Highness safely,” Yuliana said. “His name is Jared Chance. I must escort to King Aurelius at once.”
The leader’s brow tightened. “King Aurelius is conducting the grand ritual. No outsider may trespass. Besides, he’s only a cultivator at Earthly immortal Realm Level One. Such meager talent is unworthy of Sacred Plaza.”
“Unworthy?” Jared stepped forward.
Air folded beneath an invisible weight. Stone groaned. The guard’s knuckles whitened on his spear as his tendons locked, and his breath caught in his throat. He didn’t expect an Earthly Immortal Realm Level One to exude such overwhelming pressure.
