1251 Pillars, Flames and Nine
Someone had gotten here first, but in Ryu's estimation, this was better than the alternative. After all, he had taken into account the possibility that Starlight had already cleared everything of import and thus he was wasting his time.
Though, of course, the odds of this being the case was low. While it was possible for Starlight to find many, clearing them all was probably an impossibility for any one person. Just thinking about the history of these Heavens, it was impossible. How could one person possibly gather up what was essentially the entire past of the Fourth Heaven to themselves?
Ryu circled the formation once and seemed to understand it. After a moment, his gaze flickered and he entered the void, traveling through a spatial node. When he came out the other side, he was already within the limits of the formation and the scenery around him had completely changed
Up ahead, there were nine tall pillars, each marked with dancing flame patterns. The heat was so oppressive that even Ryu felt his skin prickling as his hair stood on end. He felt a suppressive might coming from above that seemed as though it could incinerate him at any time.
Ryu's pupils constricted. "These nine pillars...'
He couldn't help but remember the Nine Pillar Flame Sky God. Was it a coincidence? Was he overthinking things?
Whether it was pillars, flames or the number nine, they were all quite ubiquitous in the cultivation world. It wouldn't be rare if two techniques or paths followed this sort of path. If anything, it would be more odd if not a single thing did.
Pillars held special significance as they represented one of two things. The first interpretation depending on the language was upholding the Heavens. They stretched into the skies and held up the canopy, supporting the Heavens and falling in line with them. The second interpretation, though, one that was, albeit, far more rare, was to upheaval of the Heavens.
Pillars connected the Earth and the skies, something that could be seen as quite taboo in the eyes of many. Though, this sort of interpretation was probably something that only those of similar knowledgeability would comprehend. Most wouldn't even think of this interpretation.
At the same time, fire was among the two more powerful elements, a title it shared with lightning, while also carrying unique significance to the origin of the universe and creation itself.
The number nine needed even less introduction. It was the Immature Extreme, a number among the few with the greatest significance in all of existence.
For these three concepts to come together wasn't rare at all. But even beyond that, there didn't seem to be an explanation for it.
If the Nine Pillar Flame Sky God was related to this Ruin it would be odd. For one, if Ryu was correct and this Ruin was a Taboo Power Ruin, how could that inheritance be related? There was nothing unordinary about the Nine Pillar Flame Sky God's inheritance other than his madness.
In addition, if the Nine Pillar Flame Sky God was part of the Taboo Power, how did he manage to leave behind his Inheritance along with everyone else's? That was especially odd since the Unbalance Art Sect had to stow away their Ruin amidst a field of normal Ruins just to avoid detection.
Ryu stood in silence for a while, observing the pillars. He could tell that this was the first test of the Ruin so he didn't move rashly.
'Since I'm here, even though you reached this place before me, you can forget about benefiting'
Ryu lifted his foot and suddenly vanished. His body looked as though it had been burned to ash, the bits and pieces of his flesh fluttering in the sauna- like wind. Waves of heat barraged him endlessly as though it wasn't satisfied with this alone, but just as suddenly he appeared again, whole and healthy, and this time within the limits of the nine pillars.
Ryu flipped a palm and revealed the spherical matrix that Selheira had given him.
Although he wanted to see how far his casual use of his Dao could bring him, since there were others here, he didn't have the luxury. He would have to focus on speed this time.
...
Deeper within the Ruin, a group of three moved. All three of them were well into the World Sea Realm, and each one of their auras was enough to cause the hearts of geniuses of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Heavens to tremble.
"Hm?"
One of them paused. The world around them was painted in red gold, everywhere they looked the violence of fire and heat was in full effect.
"What's the matter?"
"I feel like I sensed something just now, but I can't lock onto it."
"Someone entered the formation?"
"Bullshit, even the Sky Gods of this place wouldn't be able to enter so silently. They'd have to just destroy it forcefully, but the formation is still intact."
"Don't underestimate them too much, there could be a few worth paying attention to."
The one who had spoken earlier sneered. "Didn't their top three get sent running back with their tails between their legs last generation? Their first place didn't even dare to show his face, and the other two only lasted a few decades before they ran back home, what worth do they have exactly?"
"Even so, the gap between the World Sea Realm and the Fragmented Realm is enormous. Keep that attitude up and you'll die without knowing what happened."
"Kiss my ass, I really want to see which one of those cowards dares to kill me."
"Stop wasting time. We're close to the core, even if someone entered, they won't have the time to catch up. We can deal with them later, for now focus on the task at hand."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"If you want to order me around, Senior Sis Jojo, just marry me and I'll let you order me around as you please."
"Sure, my first order is for you to snip your balls off, get to it, husband."
The third of them burst into a fit of laughter.
The three had no idea that Ryu was blazing through the challenges it had taken them days to make it through as though strolling through a park.
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