After the Patriarchs of both clans finished the last beast off, no time was wasted as all of them immediately hid deep in the woods where no beasts wander. These places are a safe spot for people, or as far as one knows, anything except for beasts for these safe spots has weird flowers blooming in them.
The earth was fully strewn by these plants. The color of these flowers is bright yellow with an orange tinge on the center. They softly sway on the peaceful breeze of the sunset cold wind.
If one would see this at first, they would be entranced by the beauty of nature, never would one consider that these flowers are in the middle of monster-filled evergreen, in front of Sacrifice from the legends.
The reason that these flowers can repel monsters is that nobody knows. Anyone had yet to examine these flowers and many could only hypothesize. It is not that nobody was curious about it or they have no capability to do so but if you pluck one flower from the rest, all the flowers will immediately deteriorate instantly and monsters will come rampaging in right after as if there was a signal.
Safe spots provided by these flowers are few and considered to be a resting point for anyone who would need it. A few were already destroyed by people's curiosity and ignorance so everyone was careful about it.
Nobody owned this monster-free haven of a place called [Soulless Garden]. It's quite obvious why these safe spots were called that way. Having no soul to stay in such places. The one that this group found was still unrecorded and many of them rejoiced as they thanked the heavens. Only through great luck or when the heavens favor them does one find these places by chance in a desperate life and death situation.
Patriarch Yun quietly sent another paper which burned into ashes by crushing a yellow pearl and was swept by the gentle wind, he did so with a smile.
The Elders kept their composure and while tired, tended the children and comforted them along with their guardians who were resting from fatigue.
It was easier to comfort these children with a smile than with not. The Patriarch Lei and Patriarch Yun along with the wise Elders knew that they are in deep trouble but still showing the radiance of positivity, letting the guardians and children at ease.
The trouble they are thinking was about a Grade 5 Beast. Many Grade 4 Beasts showed out nowhere and it wouldn't be surprising if one Grade 5 showed up. Like how far the difference a Grade 2 from a Grade 3 and Grade 3 from a Grade 4, the difference between Grade 4 and Grade 5 isn't shallow at all.
Worst of all, starting from Grade 5 Beasts, it is almost sure that they have pure Bloodlines that will make them even more powerful. The purer the Bloodline the stronger. Although they have no way of knowing how pure a Bloodline of a beast has, its actually the other way around. They will only know how pure their Bloodline is after seeing their strength and comparing it to another on the same level.
Patriarch Lei sighed inside without showing a sign of worry as he thought about this and felt that they were lucky only Grade 4 Beasts showed up. He greatly doubted that even if they all put their might together, they could only hold a Grade 5 Beast for ten minutes at best.
This expedition turned into anything but an expedition. They haven't even reached the outskirts of the Sacrifice yet this is what happened. What wonders are in there? Maybe even a mythical Grade 6 Beast is in there. Patriarch Lei was itching to know. However, they have no choice but to turn their back and leave after they meet up with Emperor Sheng Ju Long, one of the Four Rulers of the four continent.
As he thought about this, it was not too long before the awaited Emperor had arrived.
Five horses covered in silvering armors as they proudly came out under the shadowy woods. Two horses were especially in front with people sitting on them with one wearing luxurious armor with the other covering himself with a black cloak over him. While in the back, old men sat serenely on the three horsebacks, wearing old fashioned dresses.
The man wearing the luxurious armor deeply smiled, he was relieved when he saw the cheerfulness on the surface.
Those who knew him had their eyes widened up for a moment before kneeling down and paying respect. Respect no less than what they show to their Patriarch.
Patriarch Lei smiled back as he thought that they are now safe. Patriarch Yun on the far back, casually leaning on a tree nodded his head, silent with his eyes closed.
In front of them was One of the Four Rulers, Emperor Sheng Ju Long.
The position of a Patriarch of any one of the Seven Legacy Clans was only half a step below a Ruler but their strength was no way far from each other. As such, Patriarch Lei and Patriarch Yun wouldn't go as far as to kneel but to only give proper respect for formality but in truth, they were good friends.
After a century of ruling over a continent, the Emperor, Sheng Ju Long was well known as well as the other Rulers.
The Four Rulers, however, currently, the Eastern Continent was invaded by the Demon Race and won. Their Emperor was no more. Unable to protect his own subjects, the former and deceased Emperor of the East wasn't well praised.
With one enemy at the front, there is no friction between the three continents and their Rulers. Giving their all to give aid to the Eastern Continent while hoping a new Ruler would show up anytime soon but like the former Emperor of the East, his children weren't dependable too.
Patriarch Lei had his head subconsciously tilted as he realized the old men sitting serenely on the horsebacks.
"... Sage Xiang Ho and Sage Wen Kuo?", he unsurely whispered but the old man replied as they obviously heard it from far away;
"Indeed I am, Patriarch Lei.", Sage Xiang Ho on the left smiled while Sage Wen Kuo nodded.
With a surprised reaction, Patriarch Lei nodded in respect.
Although the Sages have no real power, they are blessed. Having to live a long life was due to blessings from the heavens and after a lot of experience, they can manipulate these Heavenly Blessings at their own will, acquiring the title of a [Sage].
They served the heavens and aid the Rulers until a better one arises. They are the reasons calamities and corruptions were avoided whether it'd be natural, political, or just pure destruction. Although they are only second to the Guardian of Life, they have unbearable importance to the world.
No snakes can live with power under the Sages' eyes.
Respecting an elder is one thing but respecting a Sage is a must.
If you think deeply about it, Patriarchs have special bloodlines coming from beasts like the Thundering Wolf while the Sages were blessed by the heavens. It was as if the one group was on the side of the heaven and the other on the side of the beasts, yet, no enmity was surfacing between them. Between the Powerhouses, only the Thirteen Guardians and the Two Saints were neutral.
Only that, the Sages are more compatible to the Heaven's Saint, Saint Anlar and the Patriarchs to the Hell's Saint, Saint Kaiser.
From the far back, he stood straight from leaning a tree, even Patriarch Yun had his eyes wide open before lowering his head for a moment.
One was Sage Xiang Ho and the other was Sage Wen Kuo. Both were some who he frequently see in such situations but as Patriarch Lei eyes rolled, he doesn't seem to recall the third old man.
From a glance, one could easily tell that the old man was a Sage too.
Sensing the gaze of Patriarch Lei, the third Sage introduced himself calmly with a smile, "Patriarch Lei and Patriarch Yun, I believe this is the first time we personally met.", his eyes squinted as if everything was in peace, "This old man's name is Tai Shi, Sage Tai Shi from the South."
Seeing the two Sages was a surprising turn of events but even Sage Tai Shi was here. Patriarch Lei couldn't help but let his jaw drop a bit which he immediately held himself. He had no choice but to respectfully lowered his head once more.
Those who were exhausted were now prostrating themselves! They couldn't keep yhemselves from worshipping these men!
'Em-Emperor Sheng Ju Long is here!'
But after learning that Sage Xiang Ho, Sage Wen Kuo, and even Sage Tai Shi were here. They felt they need to dig a hole to lower their heads even more.
Patriarch Lei lightly coughed before asking, "May I ask, Sage Tai Shi? What brought you here?"
"Because I brought him here.", the man under the black cloak responded lightly.
"Hmm?", Patriarch Lei was a bit startled and wondered who the man under the black cloak is.
Right after, the man took off the hood and revealed another familiar face.
Patriarch Lei had now a puzzled expression, "Emperor Wang Song?"
Emperor Wang Song smiled and nodded before getting down off his horse. They knew that it was quite disrespectful to speak to a Patriarch while on a horse so Emperor Sheng Ju Long and the three Sages followed suites.
From the very back, behind those people who can not prostrate even more, Lei Mu who was interrupted on her meditation a while ago when they have found this place and started again after settling but now, she felt something different in the middle of her meditation, "Why do the air suddenly became heavier?", she opened her eyes and saw many people, even the Elders she deeply respected all prostrated.
In front of her, Seven of the Thirty-Five Powerhouses of Elpi, the world, are gathered, casually talking to each other.