Tower of Heaven

The Tower's influence was probably least present in the Wilderness when compared to the worlds an Ascender would usually enter.

In the grand scheme of things, the Tower protected Ascenders in Wildernesses far more than it did for them in some other realms, but that was irrelevant to the current matter.

The current matter was about Atlas, who was showing a kind of power that he didn't have inside of the Tower.

Bernan cleared hundreds of kilometers for them. This gave him more than enough space to run wild without worrying about anything surprising him.

And, now that he was at his current level, there was a circular momentum present in his qi.

Water nourished Earth, Earth sprouted Wood, Wood spread vitality into the world until it was burned by Fire, and finally, Fire was quelled by Water.

It wasn't quite a perfect cycle. There was an element missing from it that was meant to sit between Wood and Fire. However, this kind of four-part cycle was more than enough.

Even if Atlas wanted to use all four Daos openly, he could mask it as his trait as a great genius.

Naturally, he didn't do that when he fought against Bernan. After all, he couldn't show all of his cards.

What Bernan sensed back then was the qi of multiple elements combining to create a destruction that didn't seem possible for a single man. However, when the smoke cleared, only a single man was present.

He wanted to confirm that it was truly Atlas' capability that made such a scene possible, rather than the help of something like an artifact.

And Atlas showed him exactly that.

He used flame qi to attack in a way that Bernan was already familiar with, giving the battle a disappointing start, but he soon changed his strategy entirely.

[Guriyatra's Life Seed]

The effects of this technique were felt by Bernan before anything else. Though it was extremely subtle and almost nonexistent in his powerful body, he could subtly feel that his life force was being pulled away into a mysterious pocket.

[Presence of the Mountain]

The next one brought weight onto his shoulders, pushing him into the ground. If he was truly a cultivator at the same level as Atlas or even slightly higher, he would have found it very difficult to move properly.

In the opening that was created by the technique, lances made of fire shot through the air and pierced Bernan, exploding on contact with his body.

Each one tore through the air and ripped through the trees. The black forest caught fire, but it wasn't as if it mattered. Most of the trees in the surroundings were crushed into wood chips by the "presence" of Atlas' earth qi.

The environment for several tens of kilometers was covered in destruction at a scale that Atlas' power had never been able to produce before.

With freedom from the Tower's Suppression, the range that he could reach with his qi was completely different.

Bernan was sent stumbling back, only for two chains to wrap around his neck and light aflame as well.

[Roaring Dragon, Fading Serpent]

A skill that was once slapped away became fatal at close range. It could no longer be blocked, deflected, or parried. Those blades would reach their target no matter what happened.

It was true that Bernan didn't attack. Since he wanted to observe, he took an attitude of observing. He allowed Atlas to attack, only briefly responding to every move to bring a sense of irregularity to the situation.

'I have to admit. He is strong.'n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The combination was very simple. Atlas forced the enemy to remain in one place, shattered their defenses, and then struck them with a lethal attack that killed them as fast as possible. This was the kind of fighting style he'd established in this life.

'But the precise nature of his movements, the surety with which he moves, his speed, and several other factors combine to turn him into an unstoppable force.'

Even if he could be read, he couldn't be countered. If he was read, then he'd make sure he would never be read again.

It was a strategy that left no room for mistakes or blunders. Atlas knew that in most fights, he would not be "hit" or "injured" by the opponent many times. He only needed to watch for fatal attacks that would kill rather than injure.

He put all of the stakes of the battle on himself, so that rather than his opponent's strength, it was his ability to respond that would decide the victor.

Though it was respectable, it was also stressful to even think about fighting like that.

'Saya is like that too. These people, really, they need to stop thinking so much.'

With nonsense present in his mind, Bernan looked at Atlas with a satisfied expression. Soon enough, this young man would become inviolable in the Mortal Realms. There was no doubt that it was good to make a connection with him.

'Saya sent me here to do that from the beginning. Even collecting artifacts was an excuse, but I didn't know what she was getting so fussy about. After seeing him fight, I think I understand her a little better.'

Rather than saying he had great potential or was already strong, it was better to say that Atlas was a "variable."

The woman named Saya wanted him to be a part of their plans because he would present a factor the enemy could never expect. That kind of factor was exactly what would create openings for them to act.

Atlas' assault ended with two blades at Bernan's neck and qi surrounding the man ready to attack at any moment. He left no room for doubt, as if he was personally telling Bernan that the only reason he was unharmed was that he was older and had more time to cultivate.

In response, Bernan could only laugh.

"I like what I see. This is exactly what I was afraid you didn't have," he said with a smile.

Looking off into the distance, he seemed to sense something. In reality, he was receiving a communication from the woman called Saya.

"I'll leave you alone now. Have fun grabbing that thing you're looking for. When you leave this place…well, someone will come find you. There are some people you need to meet if we're going to be working together."

Atlas withdrew his blades and nodded, satisfied with the outcome.

He never believed that he would be able to land a scratch on an Immortal.

'The expression in his eyes at the end was enough.'

That expression…he didn't want to mention it for the sake of Bernan's pride.

"I will see you at that time. I assume you will find a way to contact me?"

"It would be easier if you just gave me a communication talisman."

"You were acting like you didn't want one."

With a snarky reply, Atlas exchanged communication talismans with Bernan. Afterward, the two bid each other goodbye and parted ways.

Bernan left first while Atlas watched his back.

'Haa, I'm already getting involved in greater things, and I have only just decided to become more immersed in the Tower.'

The way Bernan spoke suggested two things.

The first was that he was the leader of the small group that he was a part of, but the woman named Saya was the one doing the real decision-making. There wasn't anything wrong with this. It was merely an observation.

The second, however, was much more serious.

'He speaks as if his group is only one of many.'

It was a very subtle undertone, but Atlas definitely sensed it. The "group" that was beginning its attack on Heaven's Gate was much, much larger than he thought.

"Huu…"

Atlas took a deep breath.

There were many things that he needed to organize.