The Innkeeper

Chapter 2447: An era of progress

Lex’s surroundings changed. He was standing within the empty pool, but the moment all the liquid was absorbed the pool itself disappeared. Instead, Lex found himself standing on plain dirt in the center of a grand structure. Right in front of him, roughly 20 feet (6 meters) above him was an imperial gallery with a thin veil across the front, keeping Lex from looking in.

Lex’s eyes narrowed, not because he disliked being looked down on which was literally what was happening, but because his surroundings felt oddly familiar. Clearly he was still within the Primordial Garden where the second half of his tribulation had started - Lex hadn’t questioned how he got here. That could be answered later.

But he also felt like he was somehow within Arch-Heaven, which was new. How could he simultaneously be in the Primordial Garden, and inside Arch-Heaven at the same time?

The veil rippled, and Lex saw a vague outline appear behind it.

"Congratulations, Aspirant, for surviving your cultivation journey thus far, as well as all the trials and tribulations along the way. You have made it, at last, to the apex cultivation realm officially ordained by the universe itself," spoke a deep and powerful voice from behind the veil. Lex could physically feel the authority contained within that voice. Yup, he was definitely back in Arch-Heaven.

The strange thing, though, was that his strength was not limited like it usually was in Arch-Heaven. Also, why was the Celestial realm being called the last ’officially ordained cultivation realm’?

"Your journey has been long, but along the way you have enjoyed the fruits of this universe, and have been nurtured by it. It is now time to return the favor. Kneel, and you may accept an official position in Arch-Heaven. Kneel, and you may be initiated into the army of Arch-Heaven. Kneel... and you may take the first step in witnessing the beginning of a new age."

Lex raised a single eyebrow, not intimidated in the least by the weight of the voice, or the promise of a new age. All along, he had been the one telling others to kneel. He had yet to encounter someone who could make Lex voluntarily kneel, and even if it was the request of the universe itself it would not be enough, let alone whoever was behind the veil.

"And if I don’t?" Lex asked, ready to face whatever retaliation would be targeted towards him. This was a strange tribulation.

"That, too, is permissible," responded the voice, taking Lex by surprise. He was certain there would be a threat of death or something along those lines.

"The universe is rapidly changing, and an era of progress is coming. The Arch-Heaven will no longer stand aloof, and let the workings of the universe go on unguided. The universe itself will establish the foundations, and the ministers, lords, governors, mayors and soldiers of Arch-Heaven will enact the will of the universe, and ensure stability.

"It is for creation, made from creation. All those who reach the Celestial Immortal realm after effort and tribulation will be given an opportunity to enter those hallowed ranks. After 10 Dao cycles of service, they may choose honorable discharge, and regain their freedom, or rise in the ranks of Arch-Heaven.

"Of course, should any choose to reject this opportunity, they need only endure the Blade of Severance. Should they survive, then the tribulation is complete, and they may return from whence they came."

There was a lot of information packed in that small speech. Based on what Lex understood, joining the ranks of Arch-Heaven was something only those who passed a tribulation to become Celestial would get. Those born in this realm would not get this opportunity. Then again, how hard was it for races who were born as Celestials to gain an official position in Arch-Heaven should they want it?

For now, it was pretty easy, but maybe things were changing. The Arch-Heaven had never really played a significant role in the universe before this, at least as far as Lex knew, but maybe that would not be the case in the future.

It was a decent opportunity, but serving for 10 Dao cycles before getting to retire was too much in Lex’s opinion. Considering that 1 Dao cycle was 231,000 years, 10 of them were over 2 million years of service.

That was quite steep in Lex’s opinion. But the question was, was there another way out? He had no idea what the Blade of Severance was, but it didn’t sound pleasant. Would those who just survived the difficult tribulation so far even have the energy to face this new and unknown danger?

"Nah thanks, I was offered the role of Heaven’s Augur before and I didn’t take it, so accepting the rank of a soldier is definitely out of the question. I’ll just face the blade," responded Lex casually.

Behind the veil, the figure paused, as if stunned by what he heard. After a moment, a cane was used to push the veil aside, revealing a Karmari - a member of the Sage race. He seemed surprised by Lex’s words, and was even more surprised to see a human.

"Are you sure? I’ll give you another chance to consider your options. In Arch-Heaven, you may be able to avoid the obstacles your race is currently facing."

That was, by far, the most considerate thing Lex had ever heard a member of the Sage race say, which was the real surprising thing.

"Like you said, an era of progress is coming, and for my race, I am that progress," responded Lex with a faint smirk.

The Karmari simply nodded, and returned behind the veil.

Lex heard a sound behind him and turned around to see a white marble statue wielding a Cloud Head Saber. He stood still, though it was clear that he had locked onto Lex.

"You may pray before your demise," said the white statue, looking at Lex as if he was a dead man. Yet Lex only found his words to be amusing, and did nothing.

A few seconds later, the white marble statue grabbed the hilt of the blade with both hands and struck. The slash was blinding, his speed far beyond anything Lex could have dealt with back when he was a Heaven Immortal. The laws contained within the strike were also unique, and aimed to sever the connection between his soul and Pulse, the ruling law associated with, among other things, life itself.

Lex did not move at all during the strike, and the statue and the Karmari both assumed it was because the strike had been too fast for him to respond. That was natural. The blade was designed specifically to be too difficult for a new Celestial.

Yet...

Lex looked down to the place where the blade was touching his chest. Let alone sever anything, the blade could not even leave a white line on his skin.