Ethan enters the border and a strong gust of wind welcomes him. Almost at the same time, he saw a group of golden-winged falcons who were eating the herbs at a nearby cliff.
Looking surprised he turned to Pyr asking if they should be allowed to continue.
''Of course, you should just let them be. Those beasts are part of the cycle needed for this garden to grow''
''Cycle?''
''A cycle is needed in our ecosystem to continue its existence. For example, the plants here will grow then the insects and animals who ate them will gain their energy, this beast will fall prey to strong predators which will also gain their energy after that once they reach their limit their bodies will become part of the ground's energy and that's how the plant's energy return and begin to nourish itself.
This event will continue so that every being can reap the benefits of the garden and for the garden to continue itself as well''
''What you said is kind of similar to the food chain'' Hearing what Pyr explained Ethan also said his understanding.
''It's the same but kind of different'' Pyr replied
Their talk continued as Pyr explained every beast that guards every division so that the balance between the prey and the predator won't be off.
''Each division has guardians which protect the balance of the cycle and your job is to oversee everything here either it's the plants or the beast living here''
Ethan then looks at the beast on his body he can't help but think that they might be the beast he's talking about.
''So then are the beasts you are talking about the ones sleeping on me?'' he asked while looking at the dragon and the silver fox in his arms.
Pyr only laughed while nodding his head after that they went towards the center of the wind division. Huge canyons with sharp cliffs stood like an impenetrable fortress which protected a small temple hidden within it. There a round table stands with seven chairs surrounding it.
Entering inside the temple Ethan felt multiple auras and to his surprise, all of them were at least Deity-level beasts.
A huge lion having a shining horn on its head and a pure golden armoured scaled body came. Slowly he transforms into a muscular guy having golden scales around his body he stares at Ethan seems to be measuring his strength.
''Why I can't see through him?'' thought the golden lion while getting himself a seat.
Ethan looked at him when he felt a sudden drop in the temperature he looked around and saw a girl bearing a chilling power. Her body is glad with a beautiful crystal gown which emphasizes her beautiful curves she too sits at one of the chairs.
''To think we would be gathered here.....what a pleasant surprise for me'' With wings black as a night a humanoid figure appeared at his back a lady with scales walked looking very powerful.
Those two also sat down the fish-like lady put down her scepter and also looked at Ethan like the birdie dude doing.
''Now then let's start by introducing each other'' Pyr's voice echoed throughout the cave then the bird guy stood up and introduced himself.
''My name is Vanda guardian of the Wind division it's my pleasure to serve as the new guardian of the orb garden'' he said as he bowed slightly.
After his introduction, Ethan felt that the little fox in his arms moved so he looked at it and to his surprise it already transformed into a little boy.
''Hi, I'm the guard of the Earth division...I'm Kip nice to meet you'' he said cheerfully then the dragon on Ethan's head flew slowly and landed on top of the table.
A humanoid dragon sat on the table and lightly tapped his chest while saying
''Ezar guardian of the Fire division is here to wait for your order, sir''
Three of the guardians already introduced themselves so the three remaining will also do the same.
''Ara guardian of the Water division''
''Im the guardian of the Ice division Alba''
''Oz the guardian of the Desert division''
''It is our greatest pleasure to serve the new guardian of the garden'' they simultaneously said.
Ethan only nodded his head and beckoned them to sit them.
''Now then I should introduce myself.....
My name is Ethan Yue Chen please to meet you all''
That's when the first meeting happened Ethan was then told everything about the garden and the task he had to do.
After the long talk, Ethan decided to eat with them so he took out the meat from the saber wolf that he had slayed.
A feast full of barbeque made the tense atmosphere disappear.
When everything is finished he takes the orb and exits the garden.
Hum!
Ethan came out of the orb garden when he felt a chilling presence.
Bang
It's just a centimeter long from the viper's mouth to his face.
''Sh*t'' he thought he wasn't expecting something like this to happen and so he took out his staff it seems like he's gonna get some workouts.
The viper uses his tail to whip Ethan but the moment it hits its target Ethan's body vanishes right on the spot.
His body rematerializes at the viper's head and with a flick of his staff.
Whoosh
The wind rustled as Ethan used his staff to blow up the head of a green spotted viper he smiled looking satisfied.
''Huh?... I felt hungry again that's strange''
Flames ignite as the meat roasted with fragrance Ethan and Pyr eat the whole snake leaving the bones and the inedible parts.
Their travel was peaceful until they heard a series of wicked laughter Ethan followed it until he saw two men ganging up against a girl.
They keep trying to take her chastity but the girl keeps struggling and shouting, her skills are quite good despite fighting against two men whose strength is way higher than hers.
''Will you help?''
Pyr inquires to him seeing Ethan not moving in his position.
''No, I won't''
Ethan was about to go when he felt a sudden chill so he dashed towards the nearest branch before landing on the ground
Bang!
The whole tree he was standing a moment ago turned into fine dust looking towards them Ethan felt a sudden burst of bloodlust.
''I was about to go but since you want to die so badly I will grant your wish'' Ethan said to himself while feeling that he was about to outburst.
''Boy you think I won't notice your presence''
One of the two men said he looked at Ethan and attacked again huge explosion took place but when he looked back he saw nothing. The two Nirvana cultivators became alert.
''I never expected Nirvana-level cultivators could act like this''
Appearing right between the two cultivators Ethan swings his black daggers.
clang!
They were both able to block Ethan's strike but were intercepted by the burning intensity of his daggers slowly their weapons began to melt.
''What the!?''
Shock filled them as they looked at their precious weapons slowly melting.
''Ha..''
Inhaling deeply his breath became hot opening his mouth a burning surprise was brewing.
Roar!
Black flames burst from his mouth smashing towards the two cultivators. Caught unprepared the two cultivators were blown away Ethan took this chance and appeared beside them.
''Not a chance''
the other guy stood up and was able to dodge Ethan's attack when he was about to fight back he realized that Ethan already disappeared.
Wind rustle as huge tornadoes appear all of a sudden but the two enemies release a large ball of flame to extinguish the tornadoes.
Clang!
Again Ethan tried to attack but his enemies were too strong and deflected his dagger.
'You are getting on my nerves already!'' one of his enemies fired a laser-like attack but it only went through Ethan as he turned into a shadow again.
''Where are you!''
They both looked for Ethan but they couldn't find any trace of him suddenly one of them looked up and shouted,
''Up there!''
Hail of wind arrows rain on them destroying everything it touches. They both use their technique to completely defend themselves against Ethan's attack but then they both feel that something is behind them looking back they see Ethan holding his daggers which are covered with blood.
''Ugh!''
They both hold their necks which keep bleeding looking horrified.
''Don't even think about it''
seeing them trying to take something on their storage ring Ethan summon his staff summoning a large gust of wind to bind the both of them.
Ethan gave them one last look before using his staff to command the wind chopping their bodies to pieces.
''Are you okay?''
Pyr looks at Ethan he felt a moment ago that the chaotic energies in the surroundings seemed to be gathering on him.
''I turn into a shadow and teleported at the sky suddenly when they figured out my position I ended up teleporting into their shadows''
Ethan looks dazed seeming to remember what happened.
''And then I felt like I have the urge to devour them''
Pyr looked at him gently patting his head using his tail Ethan merely looked at him before sighing then he remembered the girl he saw before the fight started.
''I knew it she's dying''
Ethan calmly looks at her before ordering Pyr to guard them up.
''I only have thirty seconds to save her''
Ethan uses his vital essence to survey the girl's entire body finding the wound from which the poison came he begins to activate his flames inside her body.
Drops of sweat covered his face as he used his flames to burn the poison.
''Make strong but bearable''
Ethan focused even more when he saw the pain on the girl's face.
Bit by bit the poison lessens in her body color and returns to her showing the delicate features she has but danger still awaits her since some poison still lingers inside her body.
''Master more people are coming towards here''
Ethan looked at him before slowly carrying her up and running towards the den of crystal lions which he went before.
Running for several hours Ethan lost so much vital essence that he falls to the ground losing his consciousness.
Roar!
Before shutting his eyes a huge figure appeared in his vision.
**********
''Where is Dion and Fido!''
A man with a brawny figure asked his comrades.
''Brother Jericho we found their chopped bodies in the forest''
Hearing it Jericho looks grim he asks,
''Where's Abigail's body did you also find it?''
The two cultivators became silent before shaking their heads.
''No!''
Strong destructive force came out of him flatting the trees around the area and even scaring his comrades to the bones.
''Search the entire forest leave no stone unturned!'' he commanded to everyone, he must find Abigail's body dead or alive or else his head might thrown into the air.
Still terrified by their boss's angry attitude no one dared to slack off. Every trace they found led them somewhere inside the deepest part of the forest.
Deep in the forest, the den of crystal lions lies two small figures one was a girl and a boy who were sound asleep.
Pyr looked at the crystal lions while keeping his guard up he wasn't the least distracted and only protected Ethan.
A few minutes later Ethan regained his consciousness and looked around.
''Pyr what happened?''
''Master when you lose consciousness one of the crystal lions came and took you and the little girl here in their den''
Ethan was a bit surprised he planned to take shelter here but he would give something in return for their help.
Grateful for their help Ethan slightly bowed his head and then took out a meat to thank them.
Cute cubs came and began to munch the meat feeling delighted Ethan couldn't help but pat their heads.
Roar!
A loud and powerful roar echoed around the den scaring the lion cubs back to their moms.
''You have advanced''
The mighty leader of the lions slowly came in front of him showing the aura of three-star Deity level.
''Even five star Deity level cultivator should become wary of his strength''
Ethan felt the pressure from him and estimated that only a handful of Deities could handle his wrath.