Chapter Sixty: The Realm of the Five Elements

“First, answer me with everything you know about the specific conditions of the layers within the Tower of Realms. Then, bring out the object you guard. I might consider sparing you. But if I find anything suspicious in what you say, don’t blame me for what happens next.” Lantis spoke with utter nonchalance, and indeed, she meant it.

With such overwhelming advantage, they truly had every right to act this way!

“I can hand over the object I guard, and I can tell you what I know. But how am I supposed to trust you?” The Three-Headed Python, for its part, seemed rather cautious.

Lantis laughed. “What a joke. What other choice do you have but to trust us?” She toyed carelessly with the immense magical power already gathered in her hand.

Feeling the sheer might in her grip, the Three-Headed Python had no choice but to yield again, this time out of fear for its own life.

“In the Tower of Realms, I only know the general situation of the first five layers. As for the rest, I have no idea.”

“Go on.”

The Earthshadow Three-Headed Python showed no displeasure and continued, “The first five layers of the Tower are ordered according to the Five Elements: the first is Earth, followed by the Realm of Fire, the Realm of Water, the Realm of Wood, and finally, the Realm of Metal. Each layer has a guardian like myself, though each has their own preferences, so the trials in each layer are different.”

Seeing that no one responded, the Three-Headed Python could only continue its explanation.

“As for the guardians of the other Realms, I don’t know what methods they use for their trials, but I can guarantee they are extremely difficult. Only the guardian of each layer can open the way to the next; or, if you kill the layer’s guardian, their soul will naturally lead you upward. But that is a one-time opportunity—meaning, no one else can ascend to that layer again.”

“What about after the fifth layer?” Li Ren asked coldly.

“I told you, I truly don’t know. If not for the correspondence between the first five layers and the Five Elements, I wouldn’t know what they’re like, either. The guardians of each layer are forbidden to cross realms at will—it’s the rule!” The Earthshadow Three-Headed Python answered, exasperated.

From its perspective, it had already revealed everything it knew to the people before it, but since it couldn’t prove its honesty, all it could do was become agitated.

Lantis folded her arms, a faint, inscrutable smile playing at her lips.

“Very well, we believe you.” The moment Lantis spoke, the other party seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

“But now you should hand over the object you’ve been guarding, and then retreat into your own domain to avoid unnecessary trouble.” Lantis sounded somewhat impatient.

The Three-Headed Python wasted no words. Its massive jaws parted, and in an instant, two items floated before the three of them.

Li Ren stowed the two items away—they turned out to be golden equipment. He didn’t bother to inspect them further, given that they were still in a hostile situation.

“Now you can use your domain to take us to the next layer. Don’t worry, little fellow, with your abilities, you’re hardly worth my attention.” Lantis looked at the Three-Headed Python, who still hesitated a little, and sneered.

Indeed, her words had an effect. Though they wounded the creature’s pride, at least it no longer seemed so cowed.

When Lantis spoke again, the Three-Headed Python let out a furious roar. The endless leaden clouds above began to churn, and the sinister vortex overhead slowly accelerated.

As the vortex spun faster, a single beam of light broke through the clouds—the only pure light in the whole world.

Li Ren glanced at Lantis, who nodded slightly. Without hesitation, he stepped into the light, followed by Shadow, with Lantis bringing up the rear.

“Can you tell me who you really are?” Just as Lantis was about to enter the pillar of light, the Three-Headed Python suddenly asked.

Lantis turned back, gazing at the wretched creature before her, and smiled. “If you’ve ever heard of the Black Earth Domain, that’s where I was born.”

“The Black Earth Domain?! The legendary, unfathomable place? The one that seals away the entire—”

“That’s enough, little one. If you’re not tired of living, feel free to go on.” Lantis’ light words cut the Earthshadow Three-Headed Python off instantly.

Gone was any trace of arrogance from the Three-Headed Python. It bowed its heads respectfully.

“At least you have some sense. This time, I’ll spare your life. Now get out of here.”

“Wait! My Queen!”

“Yes?”

“May I… follow you?”

“Follow me?”

“Yes.”

Lantis laughed. “Just because of that rumor?”

“…Yes.”

“My advice is not to overthink it. Staying here in peace isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

“Better to strive than to be trapped here forever. My inheritance spoke of you.”

“Very well, as long as you don’t regret it.”

“I vow my life to follow you!”

Lantis shrugged. She extended her flawless hand, and a faint shadowy glow appeared in her palm.

The gigantic form of the Earthshadow Three-Headed Python shrank rapidly until it was drawn into that wisp of darkness in Lantis’ hand.

She turned and stepped into the pillar of light without another pause.

Within the Tower of Realms, on the first layer, black earth rolled, as if the end of days had come.

“Lantis, are you alright?” Li Ren and Shadow had waited a long time for her, and were growing anxious.

“I’m fine, just delayed a little,” she replied.

“That’s good. I was worried that fool tried to give you more trouble.” Li Ren rubbed his head. “But we still know nothing about this Realm of Fire.”

“No matter what, let’s move on. Whatever awaits us will come soon enough,” Shadow said, picking up the thread.

“By the way, I checked the two items we just got—they’re both for mages, and the properties are excellent. Do either of you need them?” Li Ren produced the equipment given to them by the Three-Headed Python and handed them to Lantis.

Without even glancing at them, Lantis tossed them to Shadow. “Here, yours. Put them on. They’re much better than your current gear. Just don’t drag us down.”

Shadow didn’t get a word in. He didn’t bother to explain, either. It was clear—of the three of them, he was the weakest. He silently changed his gear. He knew that the more he argued with Lantis, the worse off he’d be. Best to keep his head down and not protest.

Li Ren laughed at Shadow’s dejected look. After their recent battle, this scene lifted his spirits and filled him with confidence for the trials ahead.

But at that very moment, far above in the rumored tenth layer of the Tower, a pair of eyes was fixed on them.

“A thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye. I wonder… will I ever see that day? My King! Where are you now?!”

The somber voice echoed in that lifeless space, then faded into nothingness.