Watching the two converse, Artemia was confused, to say the least. Common sense said it was impossible for these two to know each other or even converse familiarly, but the scene in front of her suggested otherwise.
As the 10-minute timer before the third trial counted down, Artemia found herself unable to interject in the ongoing conversation. In the first place, these two were speaking in riddles.
After Atlas spoke about some pawn shop, the way Sylvanus treated him was completely different. Not like a newly met junior, but as an equal on the same level. He essentially began interrogating Atlas about various matters, while the latter remained vague with his every answer.
Artemia felt like she could see the sly smile on his face through his mask.
'Was he one to joke like this?' She thought to herself. The Atlas she got to know in the nameless forest and the one in front of her now were like two completely different people.
But even compared to her, Sylvanus' shock was far greater. Not only did Atlas know about the Mystical Illusionary Dew Wine, but he also knew some vague details about other personal events that were never publicized.
Only, with the way he was sharing this knowledge, it was hard for Sylvanus to understand whether the brat was simply someone who stumbled upon an inheritance from the previous era or…
Sylvanus shook his head. Regardless of anything else, it was a known fact that the cycle of Samsara wasn't something a mortal could intervene in. His old friend…likely wouldn't be able to come back so easily.
Thinking this far, guilt and sorrow clouded his mind. He no longer wished to continue conversing with someone who reminded him of the past he missed so dearly.
"Brat, answer this one question of mine honestly and I'll let you go," he spoke quietly. His jovial mood was no longer present.
But Atlas wasn't aware of Sylvanus' thoughts, only assuming that the latter was downcast after running out of alcohol.
"Speak. What, did you think I would not answer you?" He teased.
"Of course I'd think that! Do you not see yourself?!" Sylvanus blew up. Did this brat forget what he was doing during the entire previous conversation?! Sylvanus hadn't been able to get a single straight answer out of him!
He shook his head annoyedly and calmed his emotions. Hesitantly, he opened his mouth.
"Do you know…the events that took place 5000 years ago?"
"Hm?" Atlas' brow perked immediately.
The reason he'd been vague earlier wasn't just to tease Sylvanus, but also because he didn't know if he could trust the Spirit King.
It was true that Sylvanus and he had a connection that spanned thousands of years, but that was a different matter altogether. In the time he was gone, Sylvanus had grown from a child into a man, there was no telling if he was the same as before.
Even disregarding that, Atlas' reincarnation wasn't something he could disclose so easily. From what he knew, true reincarnation with memories intact was against the Heavenly Law. If the treasure residing in his body was able to defy the Heavens to such an extent, it was invaluable.
His circumstances absolutely couldn't be revealed prematurely.
Even the vague answers he gave before only alluded to the fact that he received an inheritance from the previous era at most. It wasn't strange for some supreme experts to leave portions of their memory to their juniors to aid them in Dao comprehension and other facets.
But the act of doing so was exceedingly difficult. It was natural for a few unrelated memories here and there to slip through the cracks. The information Atlas knew, aside from the Mystical Illusionary Dew Wine, could be explained this way.
Not only did these answers give Atlas some leeway in protecting his identity, but they also served as probes. Atlas was able to gain a few bits of information through Sylvanus' reactions and answers.
The question he was just asked, however, was different. It was extremely direct. But at the same time, it was the vaguest question he'd been asked so far.
5000 years ago…without knowing how long it had been since his death, he couldn't come to a proper conclusion on the significance of this time period.
Atlas opened his mouth to respond. His plan was to probe Sylvanus some more and gain information that might help him answer the question. But at this time, the ground began rumbling fiercely.
The timer floating in the air above had finally struck zero.
'I will have to reconvene with Sylvanus at a later date. Perhaps it is better for these things to remain unsaid for the time being.'
Atlas' gaze hardened.
'Still, these beasts...'
The rumbling became fiercer with every passing second. Beyond the empty space in which the trial challengers currently stood, a mass of black dots could be seen approaching.
Many of these geniuses' faces paled as they saw this. While it was true that the trial already warned them about the beast tide…wasn't this too exaggerated?!
There were at least a few hundred beasts in this tide, and within those few hundred there were no small number of Core Formation Realm beasts.
Even with his current power, Atlas wouldn't be able to handle this tide. The other geniuses were the same.
But at the end of the day, an Ascender was an Ascender. From the moment they entered the tower, they'd been prepared to be challenged at every step.
If they wanted the rich rewards at the end of this tomb, they'd have to prove that they had the qualifications to obtain them.
At this time, a voice rang out in their ears.
"Everyone! I am Lin Yan of Heaven's Gate! Let us cooperate to destroy this beast tide! Otherwise, I'm afraid all of us will fall here."
When they looked over, they saw a pale and heroic youth with long black hair and shining eyes of the same color. The momentum from his words was undeniable, especially after he stated his affiliation.
Heaven's Gate, despite its relatively negative reputation, was still the most powerful of the 5 Great Societies. If Lin Yan was a genius from Heaven's Gate who was chosen to enter this tomb, his status couldn't be light.
Therefore, those geniuses from smaller societies felt safer if they followed his leadership.
As for the others, their statuses were equal or even greater than his, how could they allow him to carry all the momentum at this juncture?
"Lin Yan, if I'm remembering correctly, you lost to Senior Brother Dante at the previous Martial Meeting. You still have the gall to act fierce?" Another youth commented sarcastically.
"Mephis Graveheart…" Lin Yan muttered with a frown. This youth was a member of Ars Goetia, his status no less than Lin Yan's. As for Mephis' cultivation, it was slightly above his own.
Lin Yan clicked his tongue in disgust.
"I may have lost to your Senior Brother, but does that mean you can defeat me? You demons are truly arrogant without cause," he spat.
Mephis merely laughed in response.
"And? What right do you have to say I'm arrogant? How about this, why don't we compete to see who can kill the most in this trial?"
"Hmph! I don't mind competing, but do you expect me to entertain you for free? If I win, I want you to hand over your Blazing Flame Saber."
"Hahaha! You're a bold one! Fine, however, if you lose, your Cloud Soaring Ring is mine!"
The two youths glared at each other with fighting spirit blazing in their eyes. Seeing them, Atlas frowned and shook his head.
Competition between youths was what helped them grow, but at this juncture, their competition had dissolved any hope of cooperation between these geniuses.
As Lin Yan focused on defeating Mephis, he would no longer care about the group behind him.
But to Atlas, none of this truly mattered. He never had plans to cooperate with such a disorganized group in the first place.
Instead…
"They seem to be competing. What do you think, should we do the same?" He asked casually.
Hearing him, Artemia grinned.
"Good! I still haven't been able to get revenge for your victory in the forest. I'll take this chance to do that!"
Atlas grinned. He could always count on Artemia to match his fighting spirit. And with her personality, there was no worry about personal benefits or grudges.
Without care for anyone else, the two rushed forward together, meeting the beast tide in a frontal clash.