RE - Ascension

The night has fallen.

Even though most of the residents have stopped their activities and returned to their houses, few Genoa's districts were still busily permeated with people.

Genosian soldiers can already be seen patrolling every corner of the city, keeping watch to prevent any crimes and mishaps from happening. Their diligences and vigilances have kept Genoa safe for a long time.

Inside one of the rooms of Resting Moon Hotel, Gareth had just finished writing his journal. He recorded almost everything regarding his daily life. A habit he always does, even during his previous life.

And then, Gareth decided to open the window near his desk. As the night's wind was blowing inside his room, he took out his smoking pipe and started relaxing...

*Knock*

*Knock*

Suddenly, the door to his room was knocked several times.

Gareth's mouth curled upward, he knew who has knocked on the door. He then softly said, "Come on in. It's not locked."

The door was opened from outside, and Diandra came into the room. After walking for a while, she began to sit on the edge of Gareth's bed.

Gareth turned his attention on her as he crossed his leg and said, "Is it done?"

Diandra nodded.

"I could sense the presence of 3rd-rank Martial Saint hiding inside the palace. That person should be a hidden expert belongs to the royal family and there's a defensive array protecting the palace too. No one discovered you, right?" Gareth asked.

"That Martial Saint didn't have the ability to detect me. As for that formation array... Well, is a bit troublesome, but still not enough to prevent me. Rest assured, Young Master. My infiltration was flawless." Diandra replied confidently while throwing a sweet smile.

On the evening earlier, Gareth had ordered Diandra to infiltrate Genosian Royal Palace to collect any recent intel concerning the ruins. He had this idea after seeing Genosia's Saint Protector, Alessandro, hurriedly flying towards the palace during the noon.

Even though the palace was entirely shrouded by a defensive formation array and was also defended by a single 3rd-rank Martial Saint expert, it still could not stop Diandra, who was a 5th-rank Martial Saint, from successfully infiltrating it.

It must be known, that hidden 3rd-rank Martial Saint should be Genosian Royal Family's trump card. No one knows that Genosia still possessed another Martial Saint beside Alessandro. Even the intel Gareth received from Siri did not mention anything about this particular expert.

If not for Gareth, who had projected his Martial Sense into the palace on a whim and discovered that expert's presence, then no one will ever know about it. The Royal Family really did hiding their secret well.

And the formation array that was deployed around the palace was, in fact, a frightening Gold-rank formation array.

In Profound Magnificent World, magic artifacts, magic armaments, and formation arrays were classified into several ranks based on their quality; White - Silver - Gold - Saint - Divine.

Formation array could only be created and deployed by Formation Masters, a type of cultivator who mastered the arts of formations. Formation Masters was classified into ranks as well, based on the master's ability in deploying a certain quality of formation array.

For example, a Gold-rank formation array could only be deployed by a Gold-rank Formation Master or above.

Formation Master was one of the four noble professions alongside Magic Blacksmith, Artifact Master, and Pharmacist.

Formation arrays were extremely useful in large-scale battles between armies or even small-scale combats between cultivators. Depending on which type of arrays, they can be utilized as defensive, offensive, trapping, or sealing weapons. There were many examples in history, where a single formation array could turn the tide of a massive battle for the disadvantage side.

Due to this, every Formation Masters, even the lowest White-rank, has an exalted status in the eyes of the people in this world today.

Many powers in the three continents were willing to spend enormous amounts of wealth and effort to recruit or nurture one. However, the mastery of formation arts was extremely difficult and tedious. As a result, the quantity of Formation Masters was pale in comparison to the other three noble professions.

Currently, there were only 7 Gold-rank and no more than 500 lower rank Formation Masters in the entire Eastern Profound Continent. Even in the Western Profound Continent, their numbers were not much different.

However, because the Central Profound Continent possessed a higher degree of legacies, inheritances, and talents compared to other continents, the quantity of Formation Masters existed there were significantly larger. Not to mention, there was even the existence of three Saint-rank Formation Masters in the central continent as well, whom each of them has a near god-like status and reputation.

Unfortunately, this world only has Saint-rank Formation Masters as the peak existences in the mastery of formation arts. There wasn't a single Divine-rank Formation Masters being born in the last 10.000 years.

Based on Gareth's analysis, Genosian palace's formation was a Low Gold-rank formation array, capable of stopping an all-out attack from a 5th-rank Martial Saint as well as discovering any intruder within the radius of its parameter. Inside the minds of people of Lampero region, the palace was nearly impregnable. Moreover, the fearsome Genosia's Royal Guards, whose members were all elite experts of Martial Masters, were also guarding the palace.

Thus, it was extremely unwise to intrude on such heavily defended fortress.

Luckily, Diandra had mastered a special concealment skill and she was personally trained by Gareth, the former Divine Emperor. Even though she wasn't a pure stealth-type warrior, her ability still enough for her to ignore a Low Gold-rank array.

Gareth smiled in satisfaction upon hearing Diandra's assurance.

"Tell me what you've found then..." Gareth asked once more.

Diandra drew a light breath before reporting, "I had eavesdropped the conversation between Genosia's King and his military staff in his office. It looks like the negotiation to procure access to the ruin has been successful."

Gareth slightly frowned, "So, basically Eternal Fragrance have given Genosia the access to the ruin itself? Is it really that simple?"

"No..." Diandra shook her head, "Not only Genosia. Actually, Eternal Fragrance has finally relented to open up the access because of the demands from various foreign cultivator powers including Genosia. They've banded together and formed a coalition, which pressures are enough to frighten Eternal Fragrance's authority. The two sides has signed a deal a few days ago."

Hearing that, Gareth realized that Marco was right, the situation there was quite chaotic.

"What kind of deal? You got their details, right?" Gareth seriously inquired.

Diandra smiled smugly. Her smile was extraordinarily charming and beautiful, even though there was a flavor of arrogance mixed in, "Of course I do, Young Master."

Then, she continued speaking, "Most of the deals are not really essential to us, like loots distribution and many more. But, the most important is, both the coalition and Eternal Fragrance have set up a joined exploration of the ruins which will be launched two weeks from now. Thus, the ruin would only be open to the public at that time."

'A joined exploration? Either they wary of the danger plaguing the ruin or they just want a fair opportunity for all who seek chances within the ruin... Or it could be because of other things perhaps.' Gareth speculated inside his mind.

Obviously, a joined exploration would be beneficial in lessening the danger inside the ruin. However, it would reduce the gain that could be extracted by the participants, since they need to share with others and they couldn't just take things covertly under the watchful eyes of competing cultivators once they were inside the ruin. Therefore, this joined exploration was a double-edged sword.

But after Gareth thinking about it further, this could be a major opportunity for him and his team. Joining with others in excavating the ruin would lessen his team workload.

As for the loot? He doesn't care at all. What he wanted the most was the Divine Crystals buried within the ruin.

"Does this joined exploration required some kind of invitation for people to join or anybody could just barging in?" Gareth asked again. This particular problem was the one he worrying about.

Diandra sighed as she replied, "Yes, it needs an invitation. This point is also within the deal."

Gareth nodded.

Clamping a smoking pipe between his fingers, he was silently thinking hard with his mind, 'Certainly, someone from Eternal Fragrance or the coalition could get us the invitation. The problem is, who do we have to approach to get it?'

Diandra was staring soundly at Gareth. She knew what he was worried about. Honestly, she thought that they didn't need any invitation at all. If only Gareth could reveal his actual strength, then no matter it was Eternal Fragrance or the coalition, they will immediately offer their invitations.

Hell! Gareth could have just seized the ruin himself, Diandra's sure there will be no one who would dare to complain. But, she understood his intention of keeping a low-profile.

"How about Alessandro? He could be our entry point..." Diandra said.

Gareth scratched his chin for a while before shaking his head, "No... That can't be done. He will be suspicious of us."

'Well, we could also threaten him, I'm sure he would comply...' Diandra thought of this hideous idea within her mind, but she didn't dare to blurt it out.

"It's useless thinking about it now. I guess we have to go to Eternal Fragrance first to find the solution...." Gareth said softly.

"Yes, you're right."

Gareth began to stare at Diandra and smiled, "Anyway, it's already midnight, why don't you go and have a rest? We still got a long journey tomorrow."

Diandra was frozen and her eyes were full of complicated feelings as she's looking at Gareth.

Gareth did not even flinch for a bit after seeing her expression.

Diandra wanted to stay, but...

She sighed as she stood up. It was not the first time her intention was rejected by Gareth. She couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"Then, good night, Young Master." Said Diandra while bitterly smiled.

"Good night to you too."

Diandra walked towards the room's door. As she about to open the door...

"Diandra."

Gareth's gentle voice called upon her.

Diandra turned her body towards Gareth with a confused look plastered on her face.

"Is there something else, Young Master?"

Gareth let out a gentle, warm smile as he spoke, "Thank you."

That simple words brought an extreme joy that soothed Diandra's disappointed mood. Having being thanked proved that she had helped Gareth greatly. And her heart was moved because of it.

"Your welcome, Young Master." She replied as her smile blossomed.

A while later, Diandra exited the room with a heartfelt feeling.

Gareth watched her leaving with an apologetic look.

He always knew she has an affection towards him since a few years ago. It's not like he wasn't attracted to her. In the end, Gareth was still a man, and Diandra was a stunningly beautiful woman. Even though she was a bit cold towards others, she always revealed her charming side to Gareth. Not to mention, her figure was absolutely glamorous. It would be a lie if Gareth said he never laid his eyes upon her body.

However, Gareth couldn't bring himself to accept her, at least not right now. Currently, he still worried about one particular matter, which was to level-up his strength to the rank of Martial Emperor as soon as possible.

He always had a bad premonition plaguing his heart. As a former Divine Emperor, whose awareness and vigilance have been tempered for hundreds of thousand years, Gareth could faintly felt that something ominous and hideous was coming. While his cultivation already at the pinnacle of Martial Sage, which enable him to move across this world unhindered, his heart still could not relax at all.

Therefore, he put other matters aside for now as he focused on strengthening himself.

The gust of wind blows inside his room from outside the window as Gareth continue smoking his pipe, peacefully in his chair.

***

"It is the time for us to leave, Lord Marco. Thank you for the accommodation yesterday."

"Sir Gareth, I already told you, you don't have to thank me. It is me who is really grateful to you for your help in saving me."

Outside the city gate, Marco could be seen having a conversation with Gareth and his team. Dima alongside some of Marco's entourage was there as well, standing just behind Marco.

"Ah! I forgot one thing." Gareth suddenly remembers something.

After that, he took out a talisman from his space ring and gave it to Marco, "This talisman is an Intermediate Silver-rank artifact that I made myself. It is a defensive item capable of halting an attack from peak Martial Grandmaster. I hope you accept it."

"Si... Sir... This..." Marco spoke in a stuttering manner as he received the talisman. Even Dima and Marco's entourage was also shocked and speechless.

A Silver-rank magic artifact was a rarity in Lampero Coast due to their scarceness. A lowly noble and a low-level cultivator like Marco and Dima couldn't get their hands on it since the price of those high-quality artifacts was extremely expensive. Even if they could afford the cost, they still cannot buy it as the circulation of those artifacts in this backwater region was truly limited.

Do not mention a Silver-rank artifact, even a White-rank artifact was hard to find. And people who possessed them wouldn't even think about selling it. They might as well keeping it for themselves and making it an heirloom for their family.

Marco's hands were trembling as he held the talisman. He shook his head frantically as he spoke, "I cannot accept this, Sir. This is too valuable! I've already received your help yesterday and this talisman is too much."

Gareth smiled, "No... You must accept it. Otherwise, I would not count you as a friend of mine. Besides, this is just a small gift. I really hope it will be useful to you."

Marco was hesitating. This "small" gift was really too much for him. Earlier, he had been thinking about how should he repay Gareth for helping him yesterday. But now, Gareth had just dropped another big thing for him.

However, after Gareth had "threatened" him, Marco decides to accept the gift.

"Thank you, Sir Gareth." Marco deeply bowed to Gareth as he gave his gratitude.

Dima and the entourage also followed his suit. They were grateful that Gareth had been really kind and generous to their master.

A moment later, just as Gareth and his team sat on top of their horses, preparing to leave.

One of the entourage whispered something to Marco's ear. Then, Marco's eyes were lit up.

He quickly brought his plump body closer to Gareth, "Sir Gareth!"

"Hmm..." Gareth turned his attention to Marco.

"I want to give you this token." Marco gave Gareth some kind of medallion with a unique emblem carved on its body.

Gareth received it with a confused look.

Marco hurriedly explains, "That is the token of friendship I got from an acquaintance in Eternal Fragrance. Since Sir Gareth wanted to go there and if you need any help, you can use that token. What you have to do is to come to any building of Tulip's Embrace chamber of commerce, which existed in every city throughout Eternal Fragrance, and show the token to the reception. After that, you could ask for one request to them and they will not reject you."

Gareth raised his eyebrows, this token was truly valuable. He didn't have any knowledge about this Tulip's Embrace chamber of commerce, but he decides to check up on Siri's intelligence later. They might have been mentioned within the intel.

Not long, after both of them exchanged their farewell, Gareth and his team began to depart from Genoa. While Marco and his people watched their backs until they were gone.

For Marco, Gareth had left a deep and profound impression on him. Such an enigmatic and powerful person. Marco wondered when would he be able to meet that man again...