Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1904: Certain [Bonus]

[Bonus thanks to Rikstingray <3]

Sylas' gaze turned toward Oron. He neither seemed surprised nor vindicated. His expression remained the same as it always did, other than the barest cold light that flickered by his emerald irises like a cloud across the full moon.

The other Emperors were shocked, but some felt a small bit of admiration stir within them. It wasn't easy for someone used to such a lofty position to lower their head like this.

If Sylas could accept this, that would be great. If he was unreasonable and desired every one of them to bow, then it was simply a case of dealing with an unreasonable person.

Since all of this trouble, in the eyes of those present, had started because of Gralith, it made sense that Oron would take this upon himself.

Sylas directly ignored Oron and spoke calmly.

"Bring me to where your Ancestors and potential God Beasts are."

The 713th Whale Emperor was taken aback once again.

How did Sylas know this?

"Let's go," Sylas said, speaking to Fanelei and stepping into the air.

Without hesitation, Fanelei followed right after, and in a few steps, they had left the protective barrier of the Monkey King Mountain.

Sylas hadn't waited for confirmation. He hadn't waited for their affirmation or their support.

His confidence practically radiated from him.

Wills crashed down from every direction, and yet Sylas didn't even falter in the air. It was like he was walking on flat ground.

By his side, Fanelei seemed ready to attack whenever the timing called for it, and yet she found herself praising Sylas inwardly once again.

With the current state of the 713th Cycle Emperors, they were using a large portion of their strength to stop their Spirits from rushing out.

In this state, even with the help of their territorial advantage, Fanelei was more than enough to protect Sylas' life.

He really had planned out everything.

Sylas' steps stopped a mere meter from the 713th Whale Emperor as though he didn't fear her at all. In fact, their difference in stature was enormous.

Sylas towered over her, his body casting a shadow over her otherwise petite frame.

It had been a very, very long time since Varia had perceived so small in the presence of anyone. Even her Ancestor didn't make her feel so insignificant.

But that gaze of Sylas', as though he could look down on the stars themselves with his feet firmly planted on the earth, ripped out every bit of Pride in her chest and stomped it to ash.

She grit her teeth. "Will you fix this if we do this?"

"I will."

Half expecting a non-answer or no answer at all, Varia wasn't quite sure how to handle this simple, straightforward reply.

"You want to enter?"

"I do."

"... I understand."

She looked to the other Emperors. There was no other choice. But she turned back toward Sylas and still pushed to ask one more question.

"Will you continue to target the Emperor Sanctum after this?"

"Target?" Sylas looked at her deeply. "When I'm finished, the Emperor Sanctum as you know it will be over."

The Whale Emperor's heart stopped beating altogether.

"However, whether you can continue to exist in another form will be up to you."

"How... how can you expect us to accept this?"

"Because without me, you will be destroyed in less than three years regardless."

"You-"

"You hope to rely on God Beasts who don't understand the origins of their own Spirits, and you're trying to access something that is far beyond your current level.

"Your Ancestors were lucky enough to benefit from that world in part, and you were meant to slowly work your way up until you could take full advantage.

"Generation by generation, you built yourselves up, and I can see that that weeded its way into your philosophies.

"But you see... some people need generations-generations you no longer have the time or opportunity to use.

"As for others, a single lifetime is enough."

Sylas brushed past the 713th Whale Emperor.

"I would advise you escort him there," Fanelei said softly. "If he gets there himself, then you wouldn't have had any part or use, now would you?"

The words of a Legend pierced into the 713th Whale Emperor's very psyche.

**

Sylas stood at the base of an enormous golden temple. It looked identical to the one in the former 073 Sanctum, except countless times larger.

The one Sylas was familiar with fit on a single planet, but this one was a planet. The earth he and everyone else stood on was clearly artificial, forming a flat surface for the temple to rise above in the depths of space around them.

The question was, though, if the temples of the Branch Sanctums led to the Emperor Sanctum, then where did the stairs of the temple of the Emperor Sanctum lead?

Sylas knew exactly where they led as he watched a circle of Ancestors standing around the temple.

As Sylas had guessed, they were betting everything on this, hoping that the disciples who had a chance to reach the level of a God Beast could take that final step here.

They knew that they were cornered. Too many things were going against them, so they could only take a chance on this.

Their Ancestors were here, ironically, to do exactly what Sylas had suggested: break their system. Except this would be only temporarily and only to allow them to enter this Temple before their Ancestors desired them to.

This was the last roar of the Emperor Sanctum, their attempt to push themselves to their limits and be worthy of the Demi-Godhood they had been gifted by Sylas.

As for where it led, Sylas had a very complex thought process that led to his conclusion, but he was fairly certain that he was correct.

It was a place he had been to once before, a place that was likely responsible for the anomaly that was the Mirror Dungeon.

A place he had once entered with a very special treasure.

[Mancer Scape Token (Gateway Treasure)]