Chapter 8: Three Passages
"Thank me?" Linley felt a shock in his heart.
He was meeting this Six-Eyed Golden Lion for the first time. Why would it thank him upon their first encounter?
What was the reason?
"But you... you were born a bit too late. If you had been born three thousand years earlier, the fourth and fifth wouldn't have had to die." The Six-Eyed Golden Lion muttered softly to itself. The two Six-Eyed Golden Lions beside it also glanced at Linley, and then the three Six-Eyed Golden Lions flew directly to the side, joining the six Saint-level magical beasts.
Desri said to Linley with a smile, "Linley, what relationship do you have with those three brothers?"
"No relationship at all," Linley replied.
Desri didn't say anything more, but his expression made it clear that he didn't believe Linley.
"In the past, very few magical beasts could enter the Necropolis of the Gods. Only a few powerful Saint-level magical beasts from the Dark Forest could go in. Now that Dylin has appeared, even magical beasts from the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts can go to the Necropolis of the Gods," Hayward said with a sigh.
Linley glanced to the side.
The six Saint-level magical beasts that were together with the 'Six-Eyed Golden Lion' were not ordinary magical beasts.
"It seems that four of them are the Saint-level magical beasts that once invaded Fenlai City. Or perhaps they are from the same race," Linley observed at a glance. Those four were a Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Giant Earth Bear, and a Violet-Eyed Golden Ape.
The one that had stomped Kalan to death back then was the Violet-Eyed Golden Ape.
He just didn't know if this Violet-Eyed Golden Ape in front of him was the same one that had invaded Fenlai City.
...
Many powerful experts had gathered, including humans and magical beasts. The strong individuals lurking in various regions of the Yulan Continent had all assembled here today. All the humans and magical beasts were talking quietly among themselves. At this moment, humans and magical beasts were like two equal races.
"Swish!" A black shadow flew out of the metallic castle. It was Bebe.
The many people and magical beasts present all fixed their gazes on Bebe. In the past, only Lord Beirut's three children and a few Deity-level experts could come out of this metallic castle. Saint-level experts generally weren't qualified to enter.
"Boss, it's settled," Bebe's voice rang out in Linley's mind. "Tell Barker to come over."
Linley smiled. Bebe's words indeed carried a lot of weight in front of the mysterious Beirut.
"Blackscale, go inform Barker and lead him here to me," Linley directly sent a soul transmission to the Blackscale Cloud Leopard, 'Blackscale'. Blackscale's voice also sounded in Linley's mind: "Yes, Master."
About an hour later.
Under Blackscale's guidance, Barker flew over to this place.
"So many people," Barker thought to himself, startled as he looked at the assembled experts. The number of Saint-level experts present, including both humans and magical beasts, had already exceeded eighty. Each of these experts possessed astonishing strength. If he didn't transform... Barker was the weakest one here.
Of course, once he transformed, Barker's strength would be in the upper-middle tier.
Among this large group, the pinnacle was still Desri, Fain, and the other five, along with Linley.
******
The sun had already risen to the center of the sky, but the Saint-level experts gathered in the open space in front of the metallic castle had excellent patience, each waiting quietly. Suddenly, four figures flew out of the biological castle. There was the domineering War God, the ethereal and aloof High Priest, the demonic Dylin, and the lazy Cesar.
The four Deity-level experts landed in front of the castle.
All the people and magical beasts respectfully awaited their orders.
Silver hair flowing, the High Priest, wearing a mask that emitted a green light, spoke: "Among you, some have entered the Necropolis of the Gods before, and some have not. However, this time is different from the past. Therefore, I must seriously remind you of a few points."
The High Priest's voice was gentle and neutral. It was difficult to tell whether the speaker was male or female just from the voice.
"Different from the past?" Linley smiled faintly. He had never been there before, so no matter what it was like in the past, it didn't affect him.
All the humans and magical beasts present listened carefully to the High Priest's reminder.
"Those who have been to the Necropolis of the Gods know that there are a total of three passages leading to it. One is in the Dark Forest, one is on an island in the North Sea, and the third is deep at the bottom of the South Sea," the High Priest's voice remained gentle.
The expressions of experienced experts like Desri and Fain began to change.
"Three thousand years ago, we entered the Necropolis of the Gods from the bottom of the South Sea. Two thousand years ago, we entered from the Dark Forest. One thousand years ago, we entered from the North Sea island. It's a three-thousand-year cycle. This time, we must enter the Necropolis from the bottom of the South Sea," the High Priest's voice reached the ears of every person and magical beast.
Linley was shocked inwardly.
"The Necropolis of the Gods actually has three passages?" Linley wondered in his heart. "But these three passages are so far apart. The North Sea, the Dark Forest, the South Sea... they're tens of thousands of miles apart! What's going on?"
Although he was puzzled, Linley knew this wasn't the time to ask questions. He could only listen patiently.
The High Priest's voice seemed to carry a hint of a smile: "You know which passage we're taking this time, right? Those dozen or so experienced people should also know the danger this time. Alright, Desri, you explain it to everyone."
"Remember, those who wish to give up may leave. We will depart together tonight," the High Priest's voice remained gentle.
Dylin's cold laugh also sounded: "If you're scared, don't go. There's nothing shameful about it. It's not too late to give up now. If you wait until we get there and then run away out of fear, that's the real shame." The four Deity-level experts walked directly to the side, waiting quietly for nightfall.
At this time, Desri stepped forward to the front of the crowd.
Desri's face was very gloomy. Linley had never seen the refined Desri with such an ugly expression.
"Listen carefully, all of you who experienced the Necropolis of the Gods two thousand years ago and one thousand years ago," Desri's voice was very cold. "The Necropolis of the Gods is not one single tomb, but three! The three passages naturally lead to different tombs!"
"Three?" Many people were shocked.
Even Linley was startled and listened intently to Desri's explanation.
"The tombs reached through the North Sea island and the Dark Forest, although dangerous, are not extremely so. Generally, if you are careful, you can preserve your life. However, the Necropolis of the Gods reached through the bottom of the South Sea is extremely dangerous," Desri said in a low voice. "I even think that among our more than eighty experts, even if we are very careful, it would be good if a third survive."
"A third?" Many Saint-level experts exclaimed.
Many of them had been to the Necropolis of the Gods before, but in the previous two times, at most about a quarter had died. Now, listening to Desri, it seemed that two-thirds might die.
"And that's being careful. If you are too greedy... I estimate that out of eighty people, it would be good if ten survive," Desri looked at the crowd in front of him. "All of you remember, if you die, that's your own business. Don't drag others down with you."
After speaking, Desri returned directly to Hayward and Higginson's side.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
"What's there to be afraid of? The more dangerous it is, the more chances there are to obtain divine sparks and artifacts," a voice rang out from the crowd.
"First, make sure you're alive to take them," Fain's cold voice sounded.
Fain's face was also very ugly.
Desri, Hayward, and Higginson were all silent.
Linley approached Desri and asked in a low voice, "Desri, what's going on? Is this Necropolis of the Gods we're going to this time very special?"
Desri glanced at Linley and sighed. "Linley, do you remember when you first came to my mountain village, and Hayward wanted to spar with you, and you asked him why a Saint-level magus didn't have a magical beast?"
"I remember," Linley nodded.
At that time, Hayward wanted to spar with him, and Linley thought that a Saint-level magus without a magical beast was bound to lose. Then Hayward demonstrated the attack power of a Saint-level magus.
"You also said that his magical beast died saving him, over two thousand years ago, and that a good brother of yours also died that time," Linley replied.
"Right," Desri nodded. "I'm talking about the expedition to the Necropolis of the Gods three thousand years ago."
Linley nodded.
"Hayward's magical beast was a Thunderclap Leopard. It was very good at surviving in the Necropolis of the Gods. I begged Lord Beirut for an extra spot, for that magical beast. But that time... just on the edge of the sixth level of the Necropolis, my third brother and that magical beast both died. The three of us were only on the fifth level and didn't dare enter the sixth. That's how it was... we stayed on the fifth level for ten years and finally came out through the passage," Desri's expression was very bitter.
Linley's heart stirred.
The fifth level, the sixth level?
Although he wasn't clear about the Necropolis of the Gods, from what he heard now, it seemed to be divided into many levels. And this sixth level must be extremely dangerous.
××××××
Night fell. Not a single Saint-level expert left. If they were afraid of unknown dangers, then... their will as Saint-level experts would be too fragile.
Suddenly, a black shadow appeared in front of the crowd, then gradually solidified. This person wore a very simple black robe, his black hair loose, and his beard reached his chest. He looked like an old man.
"Lord Beirut." The High Priest, Cesar, the War God, and Dylin all immediately stood up and said respectfully.
All the Saint-level experts, whether it was their first, second, or third time seeing Beirut, immediately stood up and bowed respectfully. Everyone present, from the High Priest and War God to the Saint-level experts, didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
Beirut had small eyes, but they were very spirited, like shining stars. There was always a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Bebe, come here." When Beirut saw Bebe, his face lit up with a smile.
Bebe leaped directly into Beirut's arms. Everyone present looked at Bebe.
"Grandpa Beirut, let's go quickly. We've been waiting here for a long time," Bebe seemed completely unaffected by Beirut's pressure. Beirut nodded kindly, then, holding Bebe, flew directly south: "Let's go." Beirut's hoarse voice sounded.
At this time, the four Deity-level experts and over eighty Saint-level humans and magical beasts finally took off.
During the flight, many people looked at Linley. Obviously, because of Bebe's close relationship with Beirut, they were paying attention to Linley. Those people all knew... that Bebe was Linley's magical beast. Many of them made up their minds—
Even if they didn't become friends with Linley, they at least wouldn't offend him.
After all, even the War God and the other three were like children in front of Lord Beirut, not daring to breathe loudly. It was clear that Bebe's position in Beirut's heart far surpassed that of the War God and the others.
"This War God is quite impressive. He started showing goodwill at my younger brother's wedding," Linley thought to himself with amusement. "The relationship between Lord Beirut and Bebe, the relationship between Bebe and me, the relationship between me and Wharton... there are two layers in between!"
But the War God even bothered with Wharton's affairs, directly ordering Emperor Qiao'an to make Wharton Nina's husband.
The War God's respect and fear of Lord Beirut were evident.
"Splash, splash~~~" The waters of the South Sea surged.
The ocean area of the entire Yulan Continent plane was enormous. The North Sea was already vast, but the South Sea was even more terrifyingly large. Linley had once heard Hodan say that at the end of the South Sea was the chaotic spatial turbulence.
In the dead of night, the boundless seawater appeared dark and heavy.
"Right here." Beirut stopped, hovering in the air above the ocean.
"At the deepest part of this seabed is the entrance to the passage to the Necropolis of the Gods. That passage is about twenty thousand meters below the water's surface," Beirut said with a faint smile. "I believe the water pressure at this depth won't affect you. If you can't even dive to this depth, you might as well give up now."
With that, Beirut himself was the first to plunge into the water.
Wherever his body passed, the deep sea water naturally parted, forming a passage.