Divine Path System

Chapter 1764: A Paradise called Elysium

As the battle between God Emperor and Architect proceeded, with the latter using the universe as a leverage and the former slowly destroying it, the consequences were fully felt in Eden.

These three weeks were absolute hell.

It was slow at first. There were a few deaths here and there. There were some who talked about the end of the world. But a lot of powerhouses didn't take it seriously.

They called it yet another battle between powerful divine rankers whose aftermath was scaring people too much.

Only a few disasters came to light, vindicating their stance.

Things got a little heated by the end of the first week. The natural disasters were rising exponentially. Even the dismissive ones understood that something was very, very wrong.

But no one knew what actually was wrong. Why were this natural disasters even happening? From where were they coming from? And where should they escape to?

1% of all Eden died in the first week, 99% remained.

The second week had many powerful races and civilizations construct special defense systems against the six type of natural disasters.

It's not easy to do all the six. Many barely managed three. Four was done by just a couple.

All of these 'powerful' civilizations were hit by the very disasters they weren't prepared against and got wiped out, as if their 'luck' was pushed into the negatives.

In the end, many civilizations across Eden banded together and formed a mega gathering, pooling their diverse powers against the six disasters.

Space and Time, Order and Chaos, Life and Death.

They survived the second week. This place became an overnight sensation, driving all the refugees towards it.

Inspired by this camp, many others have sprung up across Eden.

15% of all Eden died in the second week, 84% remained.

Now more prepared than ever, people were confident of surviving. But something changed in the third week.

It's as if the laws were shaken to the core—they turned violent and struck with full intensity.

The extinctions truly began.

The first gathering camp was struck overnight by a mix of disasters. It had several divine rankers who shielded it from previous dangers.

But this time, not a single one of them managed to survive. The camp was wiped out, down to the last member.

As the week drew close, from the strongest to the weakest, all the camps were gone.

This week was called as the week of hell, week of death and week of calamity.

83% of all Eden died, only 1% remained.

Most of these 1% were out in the wild, surviving through sheer luck.

A small portion of them however reached a mysterious place that was known to only a few knowledge beings.

Elysium, the safe haven of Eden.

Reaching the haven now was a young child and an injured father. They belonged to a small province and their race was only given a single planet to govern.

They were both on a long trip when the disaster struck their home planet. And they didn't even dare to go back to their home—it's too dangerous!

After untold hardships, they finally reached the mythical city.

It was between Andromeda and Milkyway, rumored to have been created by the Ruler of Eden, Varian himself.

It looked magnificent, with shining walls that stretched to the sky and imposing gates that gave a sense of security.

The streets were wide, spotlessly clean and filled with a sense of elegance. The buildings, be it houses or shops, looked incredibly pleasing. Even the most normal house looked like a luxury one.

"Is this paradise, father?" The child gulped and asked.

The father snapped out of his trance and nodded. "Yes, son. This is what paradise looks like."

They joined a long queue. Elysium had so many gates and each gate had at least five queues, each queue had at least a million members lining up.

It's impossible to imagine so many people in one place, much less in an orderly line. But the sheer strength and systems of Elysium made this was possible.

Like at any time, some unruly strong ones should've made a fuss, tried to break the line or put out some unreasonable demands.

But no one dared here.

Everyone knew that divine rankers were stationed here, including All Mother Asherah. Of course, she was a goddess and was more loved than feared.

The feared one was the man whose projection was lit over all the gates.

Aridam, the Punisher.

The notorious one from the Nexus trio, he had no limits to doing things. He's known for being crass, rude and would go to any lengths with violence.

There were still a few who tried to intimidate others to get ahead in line. But they got killed on the spot, by beams of light that just fell from the sky.

The long line moved rather quickly.

In only a few hours, the father and son reached the grand gates, which seemed more dreamy than real.

There was a virtual interface showing a flying sword and shield. It scanned them from head to toe and a divine sense swept over them for a moment.

Then, a number was printed onto their wrists.

"Hello, I am Imperia, the will of Elysium as well as its overseer. The number is your identity card. It'll allow you to communicate with me and your fellow citizens.

Now, you have two choices. Enter the kingdom normally or through the judgement gates.

The former grants you a refugee status, enough food, clothing and shelter. You'll have to do certain tasks for being allowed here—they'll be tailored to your talents that I've scanned.

If you go through the judgement gates, you'll have to bear a test on your soul. Pass and you'll be selected as a cadet, receiving training to be a member of Elysium defense system, with opportunities to diversify in the future."

"B-But we've been from a long journey…"

"The trial adjusts itself to the level and state of the trial taker."

The father and son looked at each other before they both chose the judgement gates.

Understandably, nearly half of the refugees also made the same choice.

What greeted the father and son was a grand gate with special runes engraved on it.

The father was a rank 5 celestial and had seen his fair share of mysteries. But he could decipher nothing about the gate.

He didn't really have time to ponder as the lines moved rather too quickly.

Once a person stepped through the gate, he'd need around ten steps to enter the city. Do that and it's a pass!

But most couldn't take a single step.

The father waved to his son in another queue and spoke through the ID. "Contact me, don't wander."

The father took the first step, earning surprised gazes from the crowd. Then, the second, the third, fourth and the fifth.

These five steps put him firmly in the top 10% of the participants.

But the sixth step was a different league altogether.

He felt a pressure, not on his body but on his spirit. As if he'd faint if he took one more step. But he still tried to raise his foot but it refused to obey.

In the end, he returned to the normal gates in disappointment when he was greeted by his excited son. "Dad, I passed! I passed!"

The father's face lit up. "Wonderful!"

A special entrance was opened to the ones who passed and the two walked in with joy.

Even though the failed ones were disappointed, they were glad that they could find a safe place.

'As long as this Elysium can keep me safe, I'm happy.'

When expectations were so low, happiness was naturally high.

The atmosphere outside Elysium was really brimming with joy. But the main headquarters was brimming with fear.

Asherah tapped the table, looking at the other divine rankers. "Any findings of this calamity?"

"No." A high rank 1 replied. He's a promising candidate to reach rank 2 and very knowledgeable in cosmic phenomena.

"The laughter we all heard three weeks ago probably has something to do with it. It must be a powerhouse, a peak rank 2."

"Did he respond?" Asherah asked the question she'd ask daily, without specifying whom.

The representatives of the original Elysium kingdom, the leaders of the 'loyalist' faction to whom Varian built the kingdom, looked at each other, hoping one of them to have some good news.

A moment later, they sighed helplessly. There was no news today as well. But they quickly adjusted themselves.

If no surprises, the meeting would end now.

But a young nymph named Chloe spoke up. "I asked Lord Oob and Lord Boo. They both said he's in seclusion for a breakthrough."

Asherah was happy that there's at least some news but she quickly sighed.

This was bad news. She always felt he was unreliable and she's proven right. Should he really be in a seclusion now or save the last bit of life left in Eden?

But Asherah didn't hold any grudge. They only managed to survive so far because when Varian reached peak rank 2, he enforced the defenses of Elysium.

In that sense, Varian had already saved these people. But couldn't she hope for more?

If he does not show up, no life will be left in Eden.

Eden looked fine only on the surface. Perhaps that's why the people in Elysium thought it was a magical land where no disasters struck.

But no less than a hundred already struck. They were just neutralized before they could already manifest thanks to Varian's defense systems.

But even these great defense systems were crumbling in face of the worsening disasters.

It's only a matter of days before they get overwhelmed.

"Please call Lord Boo and Lord Oob. He will have to exit his seclusion. This is more important." Asherah stood up and said.

Chloe had an awkward expression on her face. "I said the same before, they rejected me."

"Call them here."

"Alright."

"No need. I am here." A voice resounded in the room.