The location was a clearing 10 kilometers away from the Mysterious Tomb. Here, a group consisting of a few hundred individuals stood gathered.
Most of the present Ascenders were lined up in front of five stations. In these stations, the main assault team would test those desiring to join the expedition.
Atlas looked around the scene curiously. 'The main attack force should be the ones from the five major societies. These emblems must represent them.'
Of the five stations, each had a different emblem etched on the entrance.
A golden sword encased in two pristine white angel wings represented Heaven's Gate. A symbol highlighting the four cardinal directions similar to a compass represented Divine Sanctuary.
A moonlit owl represented Den of Mysteries, an ominous black and red book for Ars Goetia, and finally, a simple black circle bisected by a thin silver line represented the Nihility Council.
Each of these stations had a line in front of them, but Nihility Council's was by far the shortest.
However, this didn't mean Atlas was going to use that line. He had no desire to get involved with a troublesome society like the Nihility Council.
Instead, he moved to Divine Sanctuary's line and stood calmly at the back. Since he already had some contact with this society, he decided to choose it.
The hours passed by swiftly with Atlas waiting in line, but he didn't mind much. A cultivator's perception of time was different from a mortal.
This was especially true for Atlas, who once reached the peak of mortal cultivation.
With his perception, even hundreds of years could be considered a short time, let alone a mere few hours.
So to Atlas, his turn came in a flash.
"Welcome! Please state your name and affiliation. If you have any special skills to be noted, please state them as well. We will give a comprehensive assessment to determine your qualifications after noting your information," the attendant said with an inviting smile.
Atlas ignored her and looked around the station curiously. The architectural style of this era was far different than his own.
It was only after the attendant repeated her words that Atlas finally paid attention to her.
"Yes, I am called Atlas Vaun. I am a Qi Seed Realm cultivator, but I have some small understanding of the Dao of Fire."
The attendant wrinkled her brow.
"Sir…Qi Seed is far too weak to participate in this expedition. Please reconsider your application."
Although her words were harsh, Atlas didn't mind it. He could understand that her intent was pure.
With her words as verification, Atlas realized that Qi Seed Realm cultivators would most likely only serve as meat shields for the stronger cultivators in the expedition.
It meant he'd get thrust into danger with a high possibility of dying.
But this only affirmed Atlas's decision to join. He needed the experience he would receive from participating.
Aside from that, being used in such a way made it far easier for him to slip away from the crowd. Faking his death wouldn't be a problem.
"This is a recommendation I got from an acquaintance in Azure Dragon City. I can guarantee that my presence will not be a hindrance."
Atlas passed over the recommendation he gained from the information broker. Although it wasn't anything special, it did allow Atlas to forgo the examination process and directly join the attack force.
Seeing it, the attendant knew she couldn't convince this young soul against joining.
"Haa, I understand. I will put your name down on the list of those approved. Here is your token. Possession of the token is proof of your admission, so be sure not to lose it. If you lose it, you will not be given another one."
The attendant passed over the token while hesitating to speak. Seeing her state, Atlas shook his head.
"If you wish to speak, then speak. I am not some exalted personage you need to hesitate in front of."
The attendant sighed.
"I can tell that you're new to the Tower, but please value your life. The Tower might seem like a game sometimes, but your life is on the line at all times. Please remember to prioritize yourself over petty greed."
Atlas smiled inside his mask and gave the attendant a respectful salute before leaving.
'These Divine Sanctuary people are not bad. That broker did not exaggerate as much as I assumed he did.'
Since he received his badge and admission, there was nothing else for Atlas to do in this location. He left not only the station but the entire encampment, ignoring everything else.
'According to that woman, there are 6 months until the expedition begins. I can use that time to train my body and stamina. I might be able to break through to Core Formation realm if I work hard enough.'
In his previous life, reaching Core Formation within a year of beginning cultivation was pure improbability, but to his current self, it didn't seem like as much of a burden as he expected.
His qi was vigorous as it flowed through his meridians. He could feel his Qi Seed unconsciously expanding as he continued to push himself past his limits.
These were clear signs that his breakthrough wasn't too far away.
'This forest is interesting in its own right. From my observation, the beasts become higher level as I move deeper within. Even discounting it being in the vicinity of the Mysterious Tomb, it remains the perfect place for me to train.'
He originally pondered entering the mysterious tomb before the raid party, but he soon realized it was impossible.
Not only were there Sage Realm cultivators guarding the tomb entrance, but even the entrance itself remained closed. It seemed the 6-month wait was for the day the mysterious tomb would open naturally.
Not that Atlas minded. In fact, he rather appreciated the time he gained to train.
'But not in this condition. In my current state, I must prioritize physical strength and rapid progress. I cannot experiment with my new weapon yet.'
The chain sickles tied around his waist disappeared into his Inventory. At the same time, Atlas opened the Tower Shop and used his remaining gold to purchase a few healing pills and stamina recovery pills.
Since the Tower Shop design was almost a mirror image of the Reward Shop design, Atlas didn't have any trouble navigating it.
And once the preparations were made, he dashed deeper into the nameless forest in search of beasts to hunt.
***
Not too far away from Atlas, a woman stood amongst a hill of corpses.
Her hair was navy blue, mirroring the color of the deep sea. Her piercing red eyes shone perfectly in sync with the blood color surrounding her.
Her form embodied both elegance and brutality as she stood still and basked in the atmosphere, her proud assets gently moving up and down following her breathing.
If it wasn't for the scene around her, even calling her a fairy wouldn't describe her beauty.
But in contrast to her elegant outer appearance, the words that left her mouth were especially crass.
"Fuck, these little beasts aren't enough anymore. If I want to improve, I have to go deeper."
She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Instead of doing something fun, she was forced to do this boring training.
She loved training in general, but fighting these weak beasts had no obvious benefit for her. She was only doing it because of her father's command.
"Shit, you said I'll find something beneficial in the forest center? Fine, but if it isn't up to par, I'll tell mother you bullied me. Let's see how you survive her wrath."
Gnashing her teeth and muttering curses under her breath, she continued deeper into the forest, her path not deviating too far from Atlas at all.