Chapter 633: The Gift of Life (1/2)
Ibtep took a deep breath before activating the teleportation array. They had spent the last two days traveling from hive to hive to better prepare for their mission. Zachary Atwood’s warnings had made Ibtep worry that their preparations weren’t enough, so they had gone ahead and collected another ten billion Nexus Coins just in case.
Of course, this also put Ibtep under even greater pressure, as more and more Zhix knew of their goal. Ibtep didn’t know whether they would even dare return if they failed. Ibtep would definitely get hanged by their antennae as a warning to young warriors, their precious larvae farm scorched to the ground.
But Ibtep was ready. They had gone through all the wise teachings of Nonet's predecessor and their backpack bulged with preparations meant to tackle every scenario. They had even brought their tastiest grubbies this time, each of them full of flavor and energy. Even a vaunted otherworlder should be impressed by such fine specimen, no?
Ibtep touched their hand against the large Nexus Hub, their heart beating with a mix of fear and excitement. As far as Ibtep knew, they would be the first Zhix to ever set out from their home planet. Who knew, perhaps songs would even be written about this journey in the future? A screen appeared, and they unhesitantly pressed the button that would activate the teleportation to a place called ‘Zerathar’.
The talisman in their hand started buzzing, and the Nexus Hub emitted a deep pulse that somehow swallowed Ibtep’s surroundings. The grand structure housing the crystal disappeared, as did the doorway to the outside. Remaining was only darkness. The dark only lasted for an instant though as an energy pillar of unimaginable power shot out of the crystal, stretching out into eternity.
Ibtep’s mouth widened into an ‘o’. The Seeker in their heart wanted to properly study the marvel, but they hurriedly jumped into the pillar in case it only lasted for a short while. Ibtep found themselves hurtling through the darkness, shot through who knows how great a distance. It felt extremely novel at first, but even Ibtep started to get bored after ten minutes had passed.
Just how far was this place?
Their wait was soon over though as the darkness was finally replaced with a flash of light, and Ibtep found themself in a beautiful garden. Ibtep was immediately transfixed as they looked around. Not only was the Corruption, no Cosmic Energy, of unmatched density in this stretch of paradise, but even the sky was different than anything Ibtep had seen before.
Rivers of light ran flowed across the firmament, showering the plants and the ground in a warm light. Ibtep could actually see some fishes jumping about in the river, somehow ignoring the laws of gravity. Even some of the plants seemed to be able to float in the air, forming small pockets of greenery bobbing about.
Calls of various critters echoed across the gardens, but they created a beautiful melody rather than a discordant cacophony. Ibtep couldn’t be sure, but they actually felt it was by design. Ibtep stood transfixed in place, a storm of emotions wafting over them. This was it, what their somewhat surly brethren disregarded in favor of normalcy and tradition. The sense of adventure, the beckoning call of the unknown.
Ibtep was doubly happy to have taken on this mission. How would they ever encountered such a marvelous place otherwise? It wasn't just like soup for the soul, but Ibtep even realized they had actually gained a level just from breathing in the aromatic atmosphere. Granted, some of the boost came from the unique properties of their Seeker-class, where visiting new places gave a boost.
But Ibtep had never gained energy anywhere close compared to what they gained just now just by standing around for a few seconds.
“Move, you’re in the way,” a gruff voice echoed out from behind, prompting Ibtep to jump up in a scare.
A large humanoid with six arms glared at Ibtep as he passed, but he didn’t do anything further as they left along a cobblestone path. Each step took the cultivator hundreds of meters, and he was gone in an instant. Ibtep breathed out in relief, realizing they had forgotten themselves. Zachary Atwood had warned about the dangers of this place, and an example had presented itself so quickly.
The six-armed warrior was powerful, shockingly so. Ibtep’s antennae had been completely overwhelmed when the man passed by, and they could only guess that the man was in the peak of E-grade at the least, or likely even higher. It was shocking. A random chance encounter in this place had put them face to face with a being more powerful even than the greatest Anointed or Zachary Atwood himself.
A sudden cough drew Ibtep’s attention, and only then did they realized that there was another person close-by. It was a human, and she looked at Ibtep with a slightly crooked smile, seemingly hesitant whether she should talk with them.
“Hello, I am Ibtep. May I ask the directions to the Zethaya Hive?” Ibtep asked as they walked up to her.
“The Zethaya clan? This whole building is part of the Zethaya Pill House, Zerathar Branch…” the guard hesitantly said as she looked Ibtep up and down.
Ibtep knew that look all-too-well. She was no doubt hoping for a bribe. Ibtep grimaced in reluctance, but they still decided to follow their guts. First impressions were important.
“Thank you, my friend. For your troubles,” Ibtep said as they placed one of their finer larvae in the human’s hand.
The guard’s eyes were wide with shock as she looked down at the squirming critter in her hand, and Ibtep inwardly groaned, realizing they might have overtipped this time. Not only were these little critters delectable, but they might even be extremely rare in this part of the universe. Ibtep needed to remember Zachary Atwood’s warnings. It was dangerous to show off one’s wealth in a place like this.
“Ah… I.. Thank you?” the guard said as she gingerly held the larvae. She found her bearings soon enough though and indicated the same road that the six-armed man earlier walked. “The main lobby is just down this road. Seeing as young master came through the private teleporter, a personal liaison will help you during your visit.”
Ibtep nodded in thanks before walking down the path, their eyes curiously peering back and forth. Normally they would have stayed behind and asked the helpful human all the questions that had appeared in their mind, but now was not the time. The mission came first.
Only after a few minutes did Ibtep actually understand what the guard meant about this place being part of the pill house. They weren’t actually outside, but rather inside a building of enormous proportions. The rivers in the sky, and the sky itself, were artificial, like carvings of hive-artisans. This place gave a lot warmer feeling than the dour interiors of the base Lord Atwood and the Anointed were exploring though.
But it begged the question; were all otherworlder houses this big? Did they have claustrophobia, the odd condition Ibtep learned about from Emily?
Ibtep eventually reached another part of the massive structure, this one a large hall full of people. Thousands of people, some of them radiating almost blinding power. Even the weakest of them seemed to be in the middle E-Grade, but many were far stronger. Ibtep could immediately sense at least twenty who most likely had reached the next step on the road of cultivation; D-grade.
The scene quickly subdued Ibtep's excitement, and some worry crept into their heart. Anyone in this hall could kill them with a wave of their arm, was this mission even possible to complete?
“Young Master, welcome to the Zethaya Pill House,” a man suddenly said, the sudden sound causing Ibtep to jump a few meters in fright. “Ah, my apologies. May I ask what requirements Young Master have today?”
Ibtep turned around and saw a middle-aged male human standing in front of them. He had a short black beard and wore a set of wide robes that made Ibtep think of the acolytes who served the Anointed and prepared the rites of the hives.
This man was far more powerful than the clerics of the Zhix though, and Ibtep guessed him to be in the late stages of E-grade. However, he didn’t emit the same type of oppressive pressure as Lord Atwood or the three great Anointed, but rather a soothing aura that made Ibtep think of the moss gardens back home.
“I was sent by Zac Piker,” Ibtep said as they took out the second token Lord Atwood had provided. “He sent me here because we require the aid of a skilled alchemist.
“Zac Piker…” the man muttered like he was tasting the name in his mouth as he accepted the token with both hands. His eyes suddenly widened in shock as his eyes turned to Ibtep. “AH? It’s him?”