Chapter 1771: Chapter 1770 - 10,000 Years to Find the Key

Lind had felt close to grasping what a Master Tier Mystery was. He had forgotten, thanks in large part to the way war had removed the feeling of time, that close to a cultivator that could live for billions of years, close was measured in millennia.

For Lind, time meant nothing. He was lost inside himself but outside was a drastically different matter. The complete removal of the Fiends left a hole in the world. The Celestials were long forgotten but seemed to aggressively return now.

Their impossibly perfect grace, golden skin, and strange depth of knowledge inspire different feelings than the Fiends did. They were, however, strangely humble.

They did not seek power, but knowledge. The similarity to Lind’s philosophy was clear. Many wondered how the man had influenced them across the myriad worlds as reports came in that more Celestials appeared in the Immortal Realm lands.

They were not born naturally and could not reproduce at all. They were born similar to aether children but unlike them, they were not able to cultivate normally. Their interactions with the realms and worlds allowed them to grow to a point.

Their final realms were fixed but due to that, they did not face tribulations at all! Instead, they were a fortunate encounter for other cultivators to gain profound help in their own paths!

Their Qi was also very powerful but unlike the vile Fiend Qi, theirs caused an invigorating feeling to flow in all that experienced it!

Natural treasures and other things began to appear that aligned with them as well. The once dangerous areas that still had Fiend Qi infused into it had vanished for the most part. Some still clung on but all realized the fall of the Fiend race had been the trigger for the explosive arrival of the Celestials.

They did not form sects or kingdoms. They were wanderers.

Other changes came about as time passed. The once rather rigid weather of the Northern Continent in the Divine Lands mellowed. It was still colder there than any other place, but it was clear that a more balanced flow of life was coming.

It was doubtful it would ever be like in the oldest records, yet it might be more viable for other races.

The Western Sun Islands were also changing. The Void Ocean was still disruptive but the once isolated islands were now connected and thriving because of it. Villages and tribes that barely survived were now able to build walls with formations to protect themselves and endure the harsh weather.

The largest islands became hubs of trade and difficult to find resources thanks to the unique nature of many islands. Sun was not only powerful but now unbelievably rich! The antics he got up to were now fueled by an endless supply of Divine Stones.

Lind’s family was the sole exception to the explosive growth of all powers in the Divine Lands. They were happy to hold onto the Blessed Crimson Range. It had plenty of space as well as natural barriers.

The area around the range, however, did have a massive change. Normally, dragon races claimed areas that aligned with their elemental path, physique, or other major factor. Thus they were fiercely protective of that place and far away from each other.

Ice dragons had no interest in places of fire for example.

Yet, in a large array around the Blessed Crimson Range, many dragons of all kinds lived happily. Lind’s family helped those weak to the warmer climate of the Southern Continent with use of his long tested Seeds.

Thus, ice dragons, cloud dragons, and other normally reclusive races were now snug in enclaves of power. Only a truly insane cultivator would go anywhere near the Blessed Crimson Range with ill intent.

They would die without knowing how.

The Harmonic Dragons had risen to be a kind of elder race among them too. Yet, they did not lord over the other races. They became instead a form of cohesion between the more abrasive races.

They were able to produce powerful offspring with any race but could only make more Harmonic Dragons with each other. The dragon races were not able to reproduce in large numbers but over 10,000 years, they still had a remarkable recovery.

It was similar in other powerful races. Divine bloodlines alone saw their numbers soar for the majority of that time. The signs all pointed to the healing of Heaven and Earth to a point, but all felt it at times.

A discordant note remained. Just as all Fiend Qi was about to fade, it would suddenly surge a bit more to hold on.

It proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the original Fiend still lived but no one could find him. They had actively searched the Divine Lands.

The Master Tiers had scoured with their considerable powers. Normally, no one could hide from them, yet to the shock of all, nothing.

Some very old withered corpses were found but not a trace of the Bastard could be detected. It made no sense as the various harmonic artifacts had proven very effective in tracking Fiends previously.

The mystery only deepened when an entire fresh formed bandit group was found dead armed with harmonic weapons. They were not in the best shape but they were more than enough to kill a Fiend.

Only 1 Fiend had been proven to be immune to anything below the Master Tier. Yet, not a trace was found in what had to be something of a large battle. How was it remotely possible?

The only one that might have answers was in seclusion and too important to interrupt. The greater his power, the greater their hope.

After a few more discoveries, they suddenly stopped. It was as if something had changed and the Bastard was leaving nothing to chance. How he hid the bodies or traces after that could not be determined.

Lind’s family was always kept apprised of any sightings or anything remotely related but it all came to nothing.

Fey was actively looking as well. She was the only member of the family to reach power like Lind that could threaten the Bastard. The story of the assassination attempt was spread far and wide. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Anyone that faced her in a spar or saw her in battle knew it was far better to leave her alone.

She was meditating as her 2 swords lay by each side. She had been pondering how to find the Bastard but had no better luck. If nothing else, his ability to hide was impressive.

Experts in stealth usually had a weakness to be discovered or exploited. Nothing was perfect so the only theory she had was he had ensured his body or existence when it came back as a Fiend had that particular power.

The ability to move totally undetected. Even beasts born with such a skill could not boast of such perfection.

She was about to also enter seclusion to advance when a tremor moved through the world. She had never felt it personally but some friendly Master Tiers had given warning of what the signs were.

The birth of a new Master Tier came with signs in the Divine Lands. The tremor was the most common. It was a reverberation in the Mystery energy.

She opened her eyes and smiled.

"About time, Father." She stood up and left her rooms. There would be many gathering now.

Across the Divine Lands, all the Master Tiers and those close to it felt the tremor. Normally, such a thing would be mostly expected and known in advance so just noted. It would be no more than one more Master Tier arising.

Yet now, it was a great joy! Lind Frey had found the next step. What shape would he take on? What power would he wield?

The various powers prepared but the Master Tiers returned to the hunt even more vigorously. They knew a great danger lay ahead.

Depending on what he condensed, an opportunity for the Bastard was coming no one could stop. It would not be expected usually as it was rare but Lind Frey had proven consistently striving for power few could wield.

The previous Mysteries he had condensed essentially ensured he would face the tribulation. The issue was what came after. The tribulation would not be safe for anyone at all, yet afterwards, a boon would be granted and Lind would be unaware of the world.

No one could go near without risking Lind’s life yet that was the perfect time to attack. No one could save him as it would be the same as causing an even greater chance of death!

Entering the Master Tier was both power and risk at once.

The Frey Clan were not remiss in preparations but there was no way Lind would face his tribulation in the Blessed Crimson Range. Given past examples, his tribulations were terrifying.

They had prepared a place and long cleared it for many to face their tribulations. It had been put to good use and tested.

Fey now stood on it and sensed the world. She was looking for any tremor or anything not right, yet nothing.

"I know you are coming for him. You will not succeed. You will fall." As her words flew into the air, Lind opened his eyes in his cultivation chamber.

"So complicated and yet so simple. I can see why they could not explain it to me." The rumble of clouds began to gather. It was time to go.