Kai sat quietly on level 5 of the library and read...
He had already flipped through a good portion of the book, but so far it only covered things he already knew. It talked about the Heavenly Continent's powers and its geography. It was just described in more detail.
Reading all of this, Kai took his time flipping further, and once again delved into the information. And as it turned out it wasn't useless. He learnt a few new interesting facts. Such as:
The various Heavenly Content powers are divided into three levels. Hegemons such as the Shadow Sect were considered first order forces. The second were the smaller Sects, Family Clans, well, or Empires. The third order was occupied by large-scale factions, small countries, or powerful organisations like trade alliances. In fact, there was also a fourth tier, and that was ordinary mortals. For example, forces like Lord Flick's Mansion or other aristocrats of small countries.
Also, Kai had learnt that the Spiritual Fire Sect held about 5 Second Level Sects under its command. Also, it was once again confirmed that their alchemy was superior to all others in the Heavenly Continent.
Alcohol and promiscuous lifestyles were not strongly encouraged in the Sword Sect. The martial artists of the Sword Sect, were quite restrained. And this applied to their entire region.
There was very little information about the Holy Region, even in this book. Kai could only learn that the Holy Empire had a very strong inheritance. The cultivation technique of the Imperial Family is very mysterious. It was said that their descendants can defeat masters that are higher than them in cultivation! But no clear details about this were known to Kai. This interested Kai so much that he decided to definitely visit the Sacred Region in the future.
There were many other small details, but they weren't that interesting or surprising. They were mostly about the differences in clothing and traditions of different Countries, Clans, and Sects.
Although it was pretty useless, Kai still tried to memorise everything carefully.
- Hmm... I think there is something here... - Kai muttered quietly to himself.
At that moment a new chapter of the book finally began. But when Kai looked at the number of pages left, he realised that this chapter was the last.
'Okay, I hope for you Kar Yorma' - Mentally turned to the author Kai and began to read....
'I am a stickler for the fact that the history of the Celestial Continent is older than commonly believed. I even have some facts to back up my ideas. But we'll come back to that later.
In the world of explorers, it is believed that our civilisation began to emerge about twenty thousand years ago. It was during those times that the first written language emerged.
There were no centralised forces then, not even such as small sects or family clans. The whole system was built on small tribes that evolved smoothly. Each of them, through trial and error for generations bred and came up with their own cultivation techniques. As a result, those who did better took a more favourable position in the world in the future.
But there are a few strange facts that have always confused me. I had always wondered about these questions...
Why are some forces' techniques several orders of magnitude higher than others?
Why are there strange areas, like Reincarnation Island, that hide many secrets?
But one of the most interesting... It's the Temple of Sansara and the Imperial Beast.' - Reasoned the author of the book.
'What's wrong with them? 'Kai wondered and continued reading.
'All of the current leaders of the Heavenly Content began their formation several thousand years ago. For example, the Sword Sect is around two thousand years old, and the Shadow Sect is around three thousand years old. Things are roughly the same with the Spiritual Flame Sect.
In turn, the Holy Empire is almost twice as old. The exact time is not known, as it is good at keeping its secrets.
The Wild Region is a complicated topic in general. They still have no clear centralisation, many Clans have their own mythology and history. It is very difficult to calculate when the Beast Possession Sect originated... One could say that their Sect is a more traditional association. The Wild Region is a very difficult place to live, and even the ancient ancestors of the Savages and Beasts began to form alliances to make their hunting, and eventually their lives, easier.
Fortunately, this is one of those places that I have learnt very well. I've even been lucky enough to talk to an Imperial Beast!' - The author suddenly stated.
'What... It seems that this Kar Yorma, was far from being a simple person...' - Suddenly realised Kai.
At that moment, his interest soared to a new level. The person that was able to talk to an Imperial Beast should have the highest status himself!
'The Beast race is very interesting... They have many different genera and they all have quite diverse appearances. Around the Attraction Sphere, they undergo metamorphosis, and gain the ability to take on an anthropomorphic appearance. But each one of them still has the characteristics of their kind.
As it turns out, many people underestimate the potential viability of their race. After talking to the Imperial Beast, it turns out that he is about a thousand years old! The status of Imperial Beast is passed on to the most worthy successor before the previous one dies.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have a long conversation with this legendary creature. But he clearly told me, 'We honour the memory of our ancestors and our history. We are far better at remembering the days of the distant past than your human race. It's not your fault... There were certain reasons... I can't tell you the details as it's a taboo even for me, an Imperial Beast. I will only say that the world is older than you think.'
It was at that moment that I realised that my theories were not bullshit. It seems that history does hold many mysteries...
The latest of which is the Temple of Sansara. All, I repeat, all studies say it's very old! But for some reason, no one pays attention to the fact that when researching the history of the Heavenly Continent, the Temple of Sansara automatically appears in the story. It is as if it is unclear at what particular moment it arose.
Significantly, it is a very closed area. You can only get close to it through the Holy Empire. Even then, you don't know if they'll let you through. And if they do, there's no chance of anyone telling you anything. I'm stating this as someone who's tried it.
I've even seen from afar their main temple, which is called the Spiritual Source. The atmosphere of antiquity is beyond compare! It's far more ancient than one can imagine, that's for sure!
But alas, this was the point in my research where I reached a dead end. The only ones who could clarify anything were the Temple of Sansara and the Emperor Beast. But in the first case, it was simply useless. And in the latter, it's impossible because of the taboo imposed by the ancestors of the Beast Race.
Thus, this leaves us with a last, desperate measure. To explore the forbidden areas of the Heavenly Continent!
But as an explorer and free martial artist, I am not a member of any of the continent's forces. Thus, I am not allowed to enter areas like Reincarnation Island or the Sun Hall. But that's no problem, in my endless wanderings, I've already spotted some interesting options!
Perhaps this is my last book and I won't return from my dangerous expeditions. But I don't regret it one bit!
At the end I just want to say one thing. Never stop striving to learn the secrets of this world! In time, everything secret, will become apparent!' - With these words, Kara Yorma's book ended.
'I even feel a little sorry that he couldn't visit the Astral City... But who would have known that such a place could be in the middle of a lifeless desert, where the strongest beasts are at peak Cultivator...' - With a slight dissonance, Kai thought.
He realised that he had gained a huge benefit, from the discovery of the Astral hail. To reveal this secret to an outsider would be idiocy of the highest degree. But when Kai read how someone had bet their entire life on researching the topic of antiquity... It seemed a bit ironic....
Even after interacting with the Emperor Beast and visiting the Temple of Sansara, this person had reached a dead end. This might have seemed like a rather sad fate. But if one thought better of it, it was the ultimate outcome of any explorer.
'It's a strange feeling... With the baggage of my secrets, I feel similar to Karu Yorma. Will I, in my lifetime, be able to find out even a fraction of the answers?' - Kai thought a little melancholically.
- Eh, okay... I've had that thought many times before. And I already know the answer in advance,' Kai smiled lazily, 'All I can do is move forward. Time will tell the rest! - Kai said firmly.