Above the Black Fog.
Shiayar shifted his body, adjusting to a more comfortable sitting position.
Behind him, the light golden branches swayed and spread out with Shiayar's will, transforming from their original throne-like shape into that of a lounge chair.
This special world made up of black fog was quite unique. Shiayar called it 'Above the Black Fog.'
It was different from the Sub-dimensions and subsidiary planes that Shiayar was familiar with or had even altered with his own hands.
'Above the Black Fog,' much like the 'Garden of Eden' he and Ennie had transformed from the remnants of the Imaginary Zone, existed outside of history. It possessed its own independent temporal flow.
During his ten years in the Garden of Eden, Shiayar engaged in daily Meditative Cultivation and spent time with Ennie. However, he dedicated the majority of his time to exploring and gaining control over 'Above the Black Fog.'
As for the progress of exploration and control, if one word were to describe the black fog at this moment, it would be—a ball of fluff.
Come to think of it, does this make me the cuckoo in their nest? If I'm not mistaken, this should be the place where the Golden Dawn organization conducts its secret meetings. Those guys probably never imagined that a mere invitation sent to me would end up with their headquarters being twisted and turned at my whim. It was a kind of inexplicable thrill.
And so, Shiayar lay leisurely on the lounge chair, releasing his spiritual power and sensing the formation of illusory astral spirit bodies below.
This one's not bad... should be about three-quarters of a Vortigern.
This one isn't so great; looks like only half a Vortigern...
Wow, the strength of this astral spirit body is about two Vortigerns. This one must have stepped into the realm of Demigods and Thrones.
Oh, this one's spiritual power is inscrutable, and there's an aura of Divinity. Is this the leader?
Shiayar concealed himself within the depths of the black fog, assessing each visitor's astral spirit body.
From Shiayar's current perspective, Vortigern, the despicable king of Escarnia from a thousand years ago, could be considered to have reached the pinnacle of the Legendary rank. He was qualified to challenge the Throne realm boundary.
That is, the so-called 'Legendary Ultimate 9th Cycle Peak Great Perfection Realm.'
Using Vortigern as a unit of power made it easy to determine the strength of the opponent's spiritual power.
Those obviously stronger than Vortigern were likely already at the Throne realm boundary or had truly begun the journey of becoming a god, also known as Thrones or Demigods.
Those weaker than Vortigern would be within the senior Legendary rank.
After completing his assessments, Shiayar paused slightly when his gaze landed on an astral spirit body that emanated a familiar aura.
Almost Legendary?
The aura emanating from Su Lun's astral spirit body was far stronger than Shiayar had anticipated.
Excluding the additional ten years in the remnants of the Imaginary Zone, this young lady had impressively caught up to his and Enola's pace. She achieved this purely through her own strength within the Sacred Court.
This was truly an incredible feat, considering Shiayar knew full well how many advantages he and Enola had needed to gain their power.
Su Lun had neither the ability to enter the Echo of History nor had she contracted the Sacred Spear like Ennie...
Even as the Dawn Saintess, she had all the resources of the Sacred Court at her disposal. However, reaching this point so quickly could not simply be attributed to that.
While peering down from 'Above the Black Fog,' Shiayar observed the bronze table below. He saw someone, whose astral spirit body possessed a strength he could hardly fathom, clear their throat softly.
The figure took their seat at the head of the bronze table, glanced around, and then began to speak.
"Then, let's begin this secret meeting."
...
A dozen or so blurry figures enshrouded by the black fog took their seats at the bronze table.
"According to the plan, the Golden Dawn will welcome two new members today," said the figure at the head of the bronze table.
"How is the previous messenger doing now?" they inquired, looking down.
"'Not well,' someone beneath the bronze table responded.
"He was given a death command by the magic words of the Gray-Silver Witch, and, Ye Yi, was stripped of all his vitality.
"Although we've managed to keep him alive with the Sacred Relic of the Goddess of Life, the authority of that magic word is still in effect, and no healing potions or Pet Beast skills seem to work on him.
"For a full recovery, we can only wait for the instant death magic word to dissipate, which will take at least another five months."
The leader nodded.
"It seems a pity, but Shiayar Egutt and the Gray-Silver Witch beside him do not seem to be planning to accept our invitation.
"Of course, from our current viewpoint, this may not be a bad thing.
"After all, even we didn't expect him to stir up so much trouble.
"He didn't just bring back the Second Princess, who was supposed to perish with the Imaginary Zone, unharmed; he also killed the Crimson Red Moon, becoming a dreaded enemy in the eyes of the Abyss."
The leader looked around the bronze table and after a long moment, spoke again.
"I think many of you must have already received the news—
"The entire Lost Realm is restless, preparing to make a major play during the transition of imperial power in the Fresta Empire.
"When that time comes, the entire Western Continent will enter a period of turmoil. This will happen regardless of whether the Abyss and those evil cults triumph over the Empire or vice versa. However, this turmoil also represents the opportunity we've long been waiting for."