Chapter 1420: Settlement of Seekers
Chapter 1420: Settlement of Seekers
As the group descended from a mountain range and reached the main road leading them to Nexus City, they encountered a settlement of seekers adjacent to the main road.
The group believed the seekers within the camp were all contracted to abyssal spirits, but their assumption was proven wrong when they were received with welcoming arms. In fact, the leader of the camp came to greet them himself.
"Greetings, fellow seekers," said the leader, who was a tall man wearing loose clothes and a headband. It was the first time that Arthur saw a man wearing clothes, but that wasn't what caught his attention. The man had a face instead of being a silhouette of spiritual energy. "I am Aquan, the leader of this camp. Let me be your host for today."
"Greetings," Arthur said with a nod. "We would like to reach Nexus as soon as possible. Maybe we will visit another time."
"I understand your urgency," Aquan said with a nod. "But there are great dangers lurking around the city. Please let me warn you first, and you are free to leave."
Arthur was about to refuse again when Ali stepped forward between them.
"We humbly accept," said Ali. Aquan seemed elated as he began leading them into the camp. Arthur trailed behind Tiara and Ali, who began chatting, while glancing back at the seekers strolling behind them.
"Why did you accept his offer?" Tiara asked in a hushed tone.
"Because he's not from this layer," Ali said with a shake of his head. "His mastery over spiritual energy has allowed him to materialize his body. That's a feat only a Skyey-Seeker can achieve."
"Skyey?" Arthur muttered with a frown. "That's just two layers higher than us. I don't think I would lose to him."
"You might not, but we will perish as a result of your fight," Ali said as he looked at Aquan leading them. "Let's see what they have in store first before deciding on what to do."
Arthur decided to trust Ali's intuition for now. The three of them walked into the camp, where countless domes of crystal were built. They acted as shelter for the seekers, protecting them against any sort of spiritual energy attacks.
The seekers within the camp were surprisingly physical. Arthur had met many of them along the way, but they were all less… materialized. Inside the camp, most of them had some features resembling faces or distinct marks on their bodies.
"We train our members to have better control over their spiritual energy," said Aquan, noticing the group's interest. "As you know, the more control means more distinct spiritual bodies."
"How do you train them?" asked Ali with curiosity.
Aquan turned toward him, his lips curving into a thin smile. Arthur could tell the man was not willing to share their secrets, and it was even offensive for Ali to ask.
"If you join us, we have no problem in telling you," Aquan said before turning toward a giant dome.
The group went inside to find an oval table. The entire place was lit with candles that seemed to illuminate, but not burn themselves. Sitting around the table were a group of seekers, all with materialized bodies and grim faces.
"Pardon us," Aquan said as he bowed to the figure sitting at the head of the table. "These are the guests you have requested to invite."
"You have done well," said the old woman.
Arthur got a better look at her. She looked to be in her seventies, with grayed-out hair braided with colorful bands. Her skin was dark, wrinkled under the hammers of time. However, her eyes retained a sharpness that pierced the soul.
"Greetings, seekers," said the woman. "The name is Mira. I thank you for accepting our invitation."
"I doubt we would have been safe otherwise," Arthur said with a little laugh. "Nonetheless, greetings to you as well. My name is Arthur, and this is Ali and Tiara."
"My friend might have been a little abrasive with his words," Ali interjected as he saw a frown appear on Mira's face. "We are delighted to meet your esteemed group. May I inquire about the reason behind this invitation?"
"The reason is simple," Mira said with a forced smile as she pointed a finger at Arthur. "His overflowing spiritual energy, which is strong enough to be felt throughout the entire realm. I knew that we would face a monster, but to this degree…"
Mira seemed apprehensive as she stared at the golden figure in front of her. Although Arthur was holding back his spiritual energy, it was still enough to make others wary. If he released his spiritual energy like others did, most would collapse.
"It's rude to be called a monster," Arthur said.
"It's nothing short of a compliment," Mira said. "To be called a monster in a world filled with them speaks volumes of your strength."
"Then how come you don't feel threatened by me?" Arthur asked with a smirk.
"Because you simply lack control of the powers you have," Mira said with a shake of her head. "You carry an ocean within you, but you use your hands to scoop it out."
"Then," Arthur said with distaste. "What did you invite us here for?"
"You are the key to our problems," Mira said as the others nodded. "I believe that you have already encountered the Abyssal Seekers, correct?"
"Correct."
"A group of them surrounds Nexus, killing and capturing seekers who attempt to reach the city. Our goal is to eliminate them, but our attempts to find them have been unsuccessful."
"You want to use us as bait?" Tiara asked with displeasure.
"Regardless of what we do, you are already a walking beacon inviting others to attack you," Mira said. "We simply offer to help you reach Nexus without becoming food to some Abyssal God."
"That's very kind of you," Ali said. "But that means we will benefit you without having anything in return. How do we even guarantee that you would help us reach Nexus?"
"You have seen us," Mira said with a smirk. "We have far better control over spiritual energy than you do. If you are willing to be the bait, then we can share the secret behind it."