Birth of the Demonic Sword

Steven could have continued to fight. Noah had only matched his determination, but they still had to see the outcome of a proper exchange.

However, Steven had a different plan. He needed to establish an alliance with the Legion, but he wasn't willing to become the underling of an unworthy leader.

Noah's character didn't fit his mindset, but his power and determination were undeniable. Steven couldn't accept him as a leader, but he was perfect as an ally.

"You are an odd one," Noah sighed while retracting the Demonic Sword and accepting Night back inside his separate space. "You got me excited over nothing."

Noah had actually begun to enjoy the battle. Steven was a perfect opponent at his current level. He could test his new abilities and see how far he could stretch his power.

Still, he didn't mind that outcome either. Steven was willing to give him the location that he needed. Fighting had become pointless at that point.

Noah's cultivation level fell and returned to its real level. A sense of weakness filled his figure as his flesh became unstable.

The black hole quickly activated to suppress those drawbacks. Dark matter took the shape of lines that seeped into his flesh and reinforced his overall structure.

Noah inspected the black lines that had appeared on his skin before glancing at Steven and waiting for his words. His team was a stranger to those lands, so they had to listen to his directives before issuing a meeting.

"Follow me," Steven exclaimed while flying toward the ravine.

Noah pointed at Steven before following the expert. His companions understood the meaning behind his gesture and imitated him. The entire group soon went inside the ravine and studied the hideout of Steven's cell.

The walls of the canyon featured multiple protections capable of projecting illusions and summoning defenses. The bottom of the valley and some of the cavities on the sides featured many buildings crowded with cultivators. Noah even noticed a few heroic experts, and that sight left him slightly surprised.

The same went for his companions. The heroic cultivators hinted at the presence of separate dimensions meant to groom experts. Only large organizations had something similar. It was clear that Steven's cell was important among the secret organization.

The group limited themselves to inspect the various buildings before following Steven in a large structure dug into the side of the canyon. King Elbas listed the many defenses in that area, but his team entered anyway.

There seemed to be countless branches inside that structure. Steven's cell had prepared many escape routes and fake paths in that area. Noah knew how underground organizations worked, and he couldn't help but remain speechless at the incredible intricacy of those tunnels.

'This is the divine version of the Chasing Demon sect,' Noah laughed in his mind, and a tinge of longing spread inside him.

"What is it?" June asked when she noticed the slight change in Noah's expression.

"I've only recalled something nice," Noah replied as a faint smile appeared on his face. "We created the Hive in a place like this."

Noah didn't specify the other experts involved in the "we", but June didn't need to ask to understand what he meant. After all, Noah had been a famous existence in the lower plane. Everyone knew his story.

"I can't even begin to describe how many defenses we have accumulated in these tunnels," Steven began to explain before turning to show a weak smile. "I really can't. I placed restrictions on myself to keep them a secret."

"Why would you even announce something like that?" King Elbas asked.

"I want you to understand how thorough we have been during the digging of this structure," Steven explained. "Our best experts believe that it can even trap rank 9 existences for a short time. I suggest you don't get lost."

Noah glanced toward King Elbas, but the expert couldn't feel his gaze. His curiosity was on the verge of exploding. There seemed to be hundreds of inscriptions in each tunnel, and he couldn't stop studying them.

It took an entire hour of march through the tunnels to reach a large hall where the experts could finally sit and hold the meeting. Steven even activated a few inscriptions that isolated the group from any external influence once everyone entered.

"Do you really need to be so careful?" Luke asked while inspecting the various shining lines that had appeared on the walls of the underground hall.

"We are dealing with matters that involve Heaven and Earth," Steven exclaimed while taking out a short table and placing it on the ground. "I will use every method I have to avoid risks."

The experts soon sat next to the table and took out the usual wine and delicacies that those meetings required.

"I must reveal something before starting this meeting," Steven announced. "I have let Heaven and Earth touch my law before reaching the solid stage, but my determination allowed me to get out of their system."

Noah and the others didn't know what to say. Luke even began to panic since Steven had technically trapped them inside an intricate prison.

"Why did you decide to enter Heaven and Earth's system?" Noah asked without showing any worry. "Did you have troubles advancing on your own?"

"It was a test for my determination," Steven explained. "I had to experience their benefits and decide to give them up to pursue my path."

Noah didn't have any doubt that Steven had entered the system on purpose. He had fought against the expert, so he knew that his power didn't feature any external influence.

King Elbas and Wilfred turned toward Noah before rolling their eyes. Noah had done something similar but for the opposite faction. He had fused himself with a Devil to push his power forward.

"I checked myself many times and through different methods," Steven continued. "My existence shouldn't contain any trace of Heaven and Earth, but nothing is certain with those beings. I'm telling you to avoid creating secrets since our first collaboration."

"You don't even know if we'll clear part of the magical beasts' domain for you," Noah laughed. "No need to be so serious."

"There aren't many of us still willing to face Heaven and Earth," Steven explained. "I have united as many cells as possible, but we are too few. I can't help but be honest with my future allies."

"Who else is on this side?" Jordan asked.

"The rest of the secret organization is working for Heaven and Earth," Steven said in a sad tone. "I can only offer the troops that you see here for that battle."

"The other human organizations have many experts willing to face Heaven and Earth," Steven continued, "But they have yet to understand that their time is about to end. They still want to take control of their forces, even if there isn't a political environment anymore."

"I'll handle them later on," Noah announced while taking sips from his cup. "Our focus should be on cutting the connection with Heaven and Earth, hence the information in your possession."

"There might be a problem with that," Steven sighed. "Creating a connection with Heaven and Earth requires time and resources, but some organizations have plenty of both."

Noah's eyes sharpened. He could already guess where that speech was going.

"You can destroy one location," Steven continued, "But they will simply create a new one. There is no real way to sever the connection."

"Let me worry about that part," Noah replied as growls mixed with his human words. "I want a map and a location now."

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Author's notes: Ehm. Italy has won yesterday. I guess I don't need to explain anything else. I'll do just this chapter for win win today and skip chaos today.