Jasper's encounter shocked the small but mighty group. Even if short, it was rather incisive.
Atlas didn't keep the details of the Fate Soul Shards a secret and shared them with his bizarre group.
Their response was similar to that of the young man, except for the part related to Falgnis's brothers. Those were existences who had stepped on the peak of this world, yet their situation was clearly problematic. How could they not react strongly hearing that creatures like them were hiding or caged like beasts?
They thought and analyzed those cryptic words a few more times, and almost half a day after they resumed their journey, those thoughts came out.
The first one to speak was Deus, who, with his vast knowledge, gave out valuable pieces of information: "About the first one, it's more complicated than it seems. If what you told me is true, there is only a fifty percent chance for you to cross the teleportation portal unharmed, no matter the Cultivation Realm you walk with inside."
"Yes, I thought the same." Atlas nodded, looking calm yet pensive: "At least it gave me that small courage that was missing."
"Hmm... It's up to you, but remember there are still other paths before you."
"I know..." Atlas nodded, thinking about the Nihility Dimension.
"It's good that you know..." Deus remarked, giving his approval, and then continued: "About the second answer... well, beyond this forbidden zone exists an Imperial city called Zarisium."
"Really?!"
"Yes, it is genuinely an open-minded place governed by a benevolent race where countless ethnicities could live and prosper peacefully. Or at least this is what it was one thousand years ago. We should check out and uncover the hidden meaning behind those phrases."
This discovery surely elated Atlas and gave him hope for the other news.
"What about Faletus and Falqua? Do you have any ideas about them?"
With such a bottomless pit of knowledge like Deus, Atlas couldn't help but ask for more.
"Well..." Deus looked more troubled than before. However, after a few more seconds, a long sigh escaped his mouth: "Don't worry about Faletus for now. I know his current location and can find him quite effortlessly."
"What do you mean?" Atlas asked, bewildered: "You had heard my conversation with Falerra, so why did you keep Faletus' news a secret?"
"I was going to tell you its location sooner or later..." Deus stated quite calmly, looking not even a bit troubled by Atlas's inquisitory gaze: "As for why I didn't tell you before... well... it was unnecessary because that place is too far from your reach and way too dangerous for a tiny human like you."
"Hmm..." Atlas stared at Deus quite intently, yet he could only shake his head helplessly and change the subject of their conversations: "What about the other two? Do you have any idea about their positions?"
"We can't keep ignoring the meaning behind those words... It's pointless... It's obvious that, just like Falerra, Falqua is already dead."
Without a second thought, the dragon declared: "So... we can only check out if there is a slight remnant about him somewhere in the deepest part of Oblivion. As for where we can find such a place... There are two possibilities since they are the safest areas for someone with such capabilities. One is the forbidden zone closer to the Imperial City of Anterus, the Ocean of Myriad Beasts. The other one is the Primordial Glacial Eden, located in the deepest north of this world. It's a legendary place at the same level as Endless Primordial Desert."
"You seem to know a lot..." Atlas commented, surprised by how easily he had found some possible targets. Those were places that he didn't even know about their existence.
"Well... living for so long has his good points... little boy." He scoffed proudly only to conclude his speech about the last topic: "Last but not least, Falsul. We may be relatively close or very far to his location."
"Mhm?!"
"Let me explain it better..." he added before the young man could even express his doubts: "Somewhere hidden in this desert exist a small but deadly group of demons that escaped from their secluded mainland. There are terrifying existences in that group with enough power to trap Falsul. And this is the closest location. As for the other one, I'm talking about the main continent of the Demonic Race, Akkariest."
Dues' deep knowledge kept shocking the young man repeatedly, making him understand how many mysteries were still hiding in such a small world.
"What should we do? Since we are here, why don't we contact them?" Atlas proposed after giving it some thought. It was a dangerous action, but he wasn't alone, so his suggestion wasn't so unreasonable.
Deus didn't respond this time and instead glanced toward the distance as if searching for something right where the endless sands and the sky met.
Kurmanus' pace was relatively slow, but each step was as long as hundreds of feet. The old turtle had remained silent almost always since keeping the barrier required much of his concentration. Still, as if already knowing Deus's thoughts, his muzzle moved: "It's risky... but we can give it a shot if you truly desire it."
"We are so close to them..." Deus mumbled, looking quite pensive.
"They had changed a lot since a thousand years ago. In fact, they will gladly trade pieces of information for some good natural treasure."
"Hmm... we could give them a portion of this little boy Awakening Saint Apples."
"Well... those are not things so easily found. Let's go there. But before that, there is a small insect stupid enough to meddle with me."
Atlas was following their conversation from the site, but suddenly, while they were talking, his gaze, like his two companions, was entirely caught by the small dot rapidly approaching their position from the northeast.
Initially, he couldn't discern its proper form, but soon, the shape of a five-meter-tall creature emerged.
It resembled a quadruped beast, with a long body covered in dark grey fur and two long tails on the rear. Its stretched muzzle was similar to a fox, yet slightly different.
Its speed was absurdly high, and in a couple of seconds, it reached Atlas' group with its sharp teeth exposed.
"Look at this idiot... still a cub yet already daring enough to bare its teeth at me." Kurmanus scoffed, a bit annoyed by the arrogant fellow's actions.
"It's strange. Usually, the Foxis Arciny moves along with their herd. Even if it's alone, you should not kill him."
Kurmanus snorted at Deus' suggestion but followed it, scaring the little creature by simply unleashing its vast and oppressive aura.
Atlas couldn't feel it, but the creature's following action made it clear what kind of dreadful nightmare it was going on. In fact, the creature's expression changed instantly, and its fur reacted to the colossal predator standing up firmly.
"Fuck off! Little bastard..." Kurmanus growled arrogantly.
Its voice, filled with an authoritative tone, gave the final blow to the bullied creature, which, scared shitless, ran toward the distance without looking back.
"Little shit... go call for your papa if you have the courage... Hahaha..."
Hearing his mockery reached far in the distance. Atlas was quite perplexed about all this matter. After all, He had expected a good battle, yet he had simply witnessed an amusing show.
Clearly, he wasn't so stupid to look for trouble, but Kurmanus' God Realm powers were undoubtedly interesting.
After that minor incident, the group proceeded along their journey, changing their destination to another one where the ancient demons hid from an obscure danger.