Chapter 34: Getting Up

“She can come back, but she chose to stay?!” In his humble bedroom, Archbishop Silternjan received Sheldon’s transmission and replayed it several times just to make sure he is not yet demented.

‘In the name of The Almighty, Sheldon, don’t you dare send a message to avoid direct communication!’ Archbishop Silternjan sent back, but alas, mediating between the church and Zax for Sister Iaura was not his problem anymore.

‘Oh, what am I supposed to do now?’ Archbishop Silternjan inwardly wailed. Looking up to the ceiling and through it to the blue sky, he prayed to The Almighty for mercy. ‘She must return before then... !’

Roughly two and a half months later ... The long awaited day arrived.

“Remember that you must contact us at least once a week!”

“Don’t eat whatever you find. Even Deformed Being can be poisonous, not to mention dangerous to hunt, so if you can’t identify whether it’s safe, wait till you get someplace populated to buy food”.

“Always be sensible! Should you run out of Splinters, it would be up to you to earn more”.

“Exactly, it was your choice. According to you ages, you are still children, but your cultivation entitle you to be called ‘Experts’!”

Having completed the perquisites given to them by Zax, Jingrow and Niel had gained his approval to go adventuring in Ercas Mir. And now, Zetsa, Anet, Zax, Grerown and Shadow said their goodbyes as they sent off two boys beneath the blue sky.

Venturing into the Titan Kapok Trees, Jingrow and Niel’s blood boiled in excitement. Soon after they shifted their gazes from their loved ones to the road ahead, with small backpacks and concealed spatial rings their small frames vanished in the vicinity.

“Don’t cry”. Zax told Anet and drew her to his embrace, whilst he, too, felt fatherly concerns for their son and nephew that threatened to break his promise not to follow, not even with Soul Senses.

“They are strong. Even if they will meet an adult Black Chrome Alligator, worst case scenario they’d be able to escape with light wounds”. Shadow remarked.

“Truly tactless”. Grerown shook his head as he and Zetsa held hands.

“Shadow, in such occasions you should wish for an auspicious journey”. Zax chided.

“Yes, Boss, may the both of them have an auspicious journey”. Shadow said detachedly.

“Obdurate”. Zetsa murmured what everyone thought, but since it was only a matter of a hardheaded decorum none kept pestering.

“Zax”, Anet called him as he turned around.

Her expression told him what was on her mind, so he said before she could. “It’d be fine”. His air of confidence blew vigorously and reassured her.

“Be safe”. She said nevertheless.

Their exchange attracted the others’ attention, but Zax did not give explanations. He looked to Shadow. “Set out”.

“Ready?” Zax asked the man waiting leisurely on a two meters tall boulder within an Essence Cave.

“It’s like a sauna for Core Masters and above cultivators”. Bin Bin drew a long breath and exhaled in comfort. He jumped down from the boulder. “Yes, for three months now”. He eagerly stretched in preparation to scuttle. “Shall we?”

Zax smirked. “Take the lead. Something tells me you already know the way”.

Without answering, Bin Bin kicked the ground and bolted, choosing to exercise his body instead of flying.

There was more than a single route for the cave before the Savage Caves and the one their traversed was the shortest from the Essence Cave.

‘From what he told me this is his visit to New Earth and since he came he never strayed so far from Kingdom Earth, yet he seems to know the layout of Valgarel so well... ‘ Zax squinted.

He was additionally aware that Bin Bin cared zilch for being discreet, but had not decided whether it was because of his blithe temperament or certainty in coping with him when the time arise, should it come to that...

Entering the first Savage Cave, Bin Bin sighed in relief. “I thought the pressure here would be tedious to get accustomed for first comers, regardless of cultivation level”. He looked back at Zax and jeered. “Sure I feel savage force increasing as we go deeper, but I’ve seen worse from an angry Liminton”.

“We of New Earth aren’t as extravagant as those above. This natural tempering land, fit for those below the third realm, is a great blessing that has our gratitude”. From him it was gratitude for Gogetna, from the rest of the world it was for Nature, which is why he did not specify.

“I supposed...” Bin Bin’s line of sight nonchalantly shifted to farther ahead, however something in his acceptance to Zax’s outlook hinted on more profound contemplation.

Keeping the same pace, they made it to the tunnel connecting the first and second Savage Caves and only upon arrival to the other side did Bin Bin slowed down to Zax’s position.

“Here is the place...” At last, hesitation revealed itself fleetingly.

“From here on our advancement won’t be parallel”. Zax notified. ‘Somewhere in this place is a chamber with one of the three locks to the Godly Law Template. Except from it, this place is only good for mainly cultivation the soul and collecting attribute essences. Which is it that made you want to come here?’

“I can sense it”. Bin Bin agreed. “Say, will you interfere with me?” He suddenly made eye contact and examined the tiniest ripples in Zax’s aura.

“You claimed that your actions won’t cause problems. Don’t make me think otherwise and I’ll let you be”.