Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Planning to join a Sect
After leaving the Ascension Tower, Aiden made his way to a bustling restaurant in Skyfire City. The establishment was a popular spot for new arrivals and seasoned cultivators alike, offering a wide variety of dishes tailored to the diverse tastes of its patrons. Aiden settled into a comfortable chair and began to enjoy a hearty meal.

As he ate, his mind was preoccupied with the decisions ahead. The Immortal Realm was a vast and unfamiliar territory, and he had two major choices: join a sect to build up his power or go directly in search of Shelly and Serina.

He pondered aloud, “Hmm, I could either join a sect to gain strength and resources or head straight to find Shelly and Serina.”

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he continued, “Joining a sect seems like the more prudent choice. Even the guards here are on a level far beyond what I’m used to. I’ve only got my Martial Spirit skills to rely on, and the techniques I used in the Spirit Realm are only suited for Spirit energy. Here, with the more potent Immortal energy, I can’t use those techniques effectively without adapting them.”

Leaning back in his chair, Aiden reflected on the situation. “If I try to face challenges with my current skills alone, I risk being overwhelmed. Besides, adapting my previous techniques for Immortal energy will take time and effort. Joining a sect would provide me with the necessary resources and training to properly harness Immortal energy and increase my strength.”

He sighed and took a final sip of his drink, feeling a sense of resolution. “It seems like joining a sect is the most sensible option for now.” With that decision made, Aiden finished his meal, settled the bill, and left the restaurant. The bustling city around him felt a bit less daunting as he set out to find a suitable sect, ready to take the next step in his journey.

Aiden made his way to the central plaza, where he had earlier noticed numerous carriages ready to travel to various worlds. As he arrived, he looked around, searching for a suitable group to join for his journey. Using his Akashic Sight, he scanned the area for a reliable and compatible group.

While he was searching, he overheard an intriguing conversation. Focusing his Akashic Authority, he eavesdropped on the exchange:

“…It’s been millennia, but we have yet to find the Skyfire.”

“Yes, I really wonder where it could be.”

“Shh! Don’t speak so loudly. What if a Master is passing by? They could easily discover that we’ve been faking the whole situation about the Skyfire.”

“Sorry, boss. We’ll handle it.”

After hearing this, Aiden contemplated, ‘hmm, what they meant by it?’

he rubbed thought while sitting on the bench, ‘Its either there was no Skyfire to begin with or either there was never a Skyfire that was taken from here’

‘Most likely, there is still Skyfire somewhere her, and they have yet to find it’

‘they must have spread the rumors about its already been claimed so that they can safely search for it’

Aiden thought and sighing he shrugged ‘or I can be wrong’

‘well, i can always use my pathfinder authority to find about it’ Aiden thought and stood up.

To learn more about it, Aiden decided to return to the Ascension Tower. To use his Pathfinder Authority effectively, he needed more information about the Skyfire.

“though it will be best if the Skyfire is still around,” Aiden mused to himself. He knew that the Skyfire was a rare and special flame formed from the combination of flames and natural phenomena, similar to the Skyfires he had encountered in the Spirit Realm. For example, the Purple Heaven Skyfire of the Alchemist Association leader was a unique flame created by naturally combining flame and thunder, known for its high purification properties.

Aiden’s mind raced with anticipation as he made his way back to the Ascension Tower, contemplating the power that the Skyfire could grant him.

Upon returning, he approached Mia’s counter once again. Sitting across from her, he greeted her with a casual, “Hello.”

Mia looked up, her gaze landing on the familiar, handsome face. Leaning in playfully, she teased, “Did you miss me already, or are you here for something else?”

Aiden, initially intent on asking about the Skyfire, decided to indulge in a bit of light-heartedness. With a charming smile, he replied, “Actually, yes. I was wondering if you’d be free later for dinner. I’d love to get to know you better.”

Mia was momentarily taken aback by the directness of his invitation. She had been teasing him, not expecting him to actually ask her out. Considering his youthful appearance and attractiveness, she found herself intrigued.

“Well, he isn’t bad-looking,” she thought, smiling. “And he seems quite young for an Ascender.”

After a moment, she replied with a giggle, “Why, of course, I’m free.”

“Great,” Aiden said, standing up. “I’ll come by this evening to pick you up.”

Mia shook her head playfully and added, “A girl needs to be ready for her first date. How about you choose the location and invite me there?”

Aiden agreed, “Sure, I’ll let you choose. After all, you know the best spots around here.”

Mia nodded, taking out a small notepad to write down a location before passing it to him.

Aiden glanced at the note, acknowledged the plan, and nodded. “Okay, let’s meet tonight.”

With a wave and a smile, Mia bid him goodbye.

Once outside the Ascension Tower, Aiden slipped into a hidden alley. There, he summoned Blood Terror, who swiftly began to wrap around him, forming a disguise. Soon, Aiden transformed into Jake from Celestaria World, complete with violet hair and eyes, effectively masking his true identity.

Aiden then changed his clothes to match his new appearance and returned to the Tower. This time, he approached a different counter where a spectacled beauty was stationed. He inquired discreetly about the Skyfire, hoping to gather more information without drawing too much attention.

From the spectacled beauty, Aiden learned the fascinating history behind the Skyfire and its elusive nature.

Centuries ago, a peculiar phenomenon began to unfold: every night, the forest would be bathed in an otherworldly green flame. By morning, the area would be transformed, covered in rare and exotic herbs and fruits that seemed to appear overnight. This monthly event quickly captured the attention of scholars and cultivators from various worlds, who recognized the phenomenon as linked to the legendary Skyfire.

The intense interest led to a flurry of activity as powerful figures from many realms, including those from the prestigious Alchemist Association, converged on the site. Despite their combined efforts and extensive searches, the source of the Skyfire remained elusive. The green flames continued to appear monthly, but the true nature of the fire remained a mystery.

Decades later, a dramatic claim surfaced: a certain individual purportedly acquired the Skyfire. This person demonstrated the fire’s extraordinary properties by igniting it publicly. However, after showcasing its power, they vanished amidst a violent confrontation with those who sought to steal the Skyfire for themselves. The person’s escape left the truth of the claim unresolved, and the search for the Skyfire faltered.

The intense search for the Skyfire eventually died down, and the official pursuit was abandoned. Over time, the phenomenon itself ceased, leading many to believe that the Skyfire had already been claimed.

Aiden, after analyzing the situation, realized that if the Skyfire had truly been taken, the cultivator who acquired it would have kept it secret. Revealing such a powerful artifact publicly, especially without adequate protection or a strong bond with it, would be illogical. Therefore, Aiden concluded that the previous claim of possessing the Skyfire was likely a deception.

Considering the possibility of the phenomenon’s disappearance being due to complex array formations that could mask or alter such events, Aiden knew he would need to proceed with caution. His plan was clear: to find the Skyfire, but do so stealthily to avoid drawing unwanted attention or endangering himself.

Aiden considered his next steps thoughtfully. “I still need to grow stronger—either by advancing my own realm or by enhancing the power of my servants,” he mused. To achieve this, he decided to seek out a place with a high death count, as it would provide ample opportunities to gather death energy, which he could use to empower his servants or his own abilities, particularly Eeh’liel.

After some investigation, Aiden learned of underground fighting arenas on a neighboring island. “I can harness a lot of death energy there to boost my servants or at least strengthen Eeh’liel,” he thought, resolving to head to the docks to secure passage.

Upon arriving at the bustling docks, Aiden observed the scene with interest. There were numerous large boats and even some flying transports. The sheer scale of the operations reflected the grandeur of the Immortal Realm.

Aiden made his way to a medium-sized boat with a jade-like sheen on its surface. The vessel was covered in intricate formations, which he examined using his Akashic Sight. He noted that some formations were designed for protection and defense, while others functioned as barriers or offensive weapons, including cannons.

Understanding the significance of these formations, Aiden felt confident in his choice of transport and prepared to board the boat for his journey to the next island.