Level Up Legacy

Chapter 1443: Branches of Yggdrasil

The four passed through the gate, leading them to the realm that no one touched, forged by Master Guffaw himself. He followed after them and closed the gate behind them.

"This is... an ethereal realm?" Ali asked with surprise as he looked around. Everything, including the walls and ceiling, was created from an ethereal material.

"It is the most fundamental type of realm."

"Indeed, ho ho," Master Guffaw laughed with a chuckle. "I will need you to rest for now, and we will convene once everyone is oriented to the realm. I will begin explaining the Sovereign Path to you all."

Arthur and the others listened, wandering around the realm to explore its different functions. It was a giant dungeon made of ethereal walls and spiritual plants. Each of them chose a room to rest, but they all came to Arthur’s room to talk.

"We need a plan," Tiara said. "The next time we meet my uncle, I doubt he will only bring an army of abyssal creatures."

"He failed once," Lusica said. "He will fail again."

"We cannot underestimate him," Arthur interjected. "I can win against him in a direct fight, but he has hostages inside his realm."

"The best scenario is saving them first, and then killing Invidia inside his own realm," Ali proposed. "We have to enter his realm without his knowledge. The element of surprise will ensure that we aren’t ambushed."

"Once we regroup with the others, we can take him down without fearing what he would do to those inside his realm," Arthur agreed with Ali’s plan. "But how do we go there?"

"That will be through the Sovereign Path," a voice answered from the door, as Master Guffaw came into the room. "You are a bunch of impatient brats, aren’t you?"

"There is a lot at stake," Lusica said with a frown. "We can’t waste time waiting here."

"You should already begin to understand what’s unique about my realm," Master Guffaw said with a smile. "Attempt to introspect your soul structure. You should see the change."

The group stared at him like he was insane but did as suggested. Arthur was the first to realize the change and snap his eyes open.

"Our soul tree is more stable here."

"That’s why I asked you to adjust," Master Guffaw said. "I built this realm to shut out the interference of the outside world. It can heal spiritual wounds and allow souls to grow."

"How did you achieve this?" Ali asked. "I have studied spiritual energy for a long time, but I never came across something like this."

"I used the Sovereign Path," Master Guffaw said with a smile. "The path is on the world’s tree, Yggdrasil, and it’s a set of challenges that gives you authority over creation — or total soul annihilation."

"That’s extreme," Ali said with a frown.

"Extreme rewards have extreme risks," Guffaw said. "The only one to finish the Sovereign Path was the Spirits Sovereign himself. He created the Spirits Realm with the authority he obtained."

"Does that mean Invidia passed these trials?" Arthur asked.

"The Sin of Envy stole a part of the Sovereign’s authority when he least suspected it," Master Guffaw said with a shake of his head. "Then he used that authority to steal a part of the Spirits Realm."

"And he built a realm of abyssal spirits," Tiara said with a shaky voice.

"Does that mean that anyone who passes the Sovereign Path can create a Spirits Realm?" Ali interjected.

"No one has passed the trials since the Sovereign did," Master Guffaw said with a smile. "All those who pass the Sovereign Path can create worlds of their own — but the Spirits Sovereign is the only one who could create a realm separate from physical reality."

"Why is that?"

"Because of what Yggdrasil has gifted him," Master Guffaw said before turning to leave. The group looked at each other and followed. He continued, "Each challenger of the path receives a gift befitting their character."

"Are we even worthy of challenging such a thing?" Lusica asked. "And how would it let us reach the higher realms?"

"This realm is built on the branches of Yggdrasil, and the path allows travel between its different layers. Hence the difference in spiritual energy between realms."

Guffaw led them through a long corridor until they reached a gate. He stopped in front of it and turned toward the group.

"As I said before, the Sovereign Path has many trials, each with the risk of soul annihilation."

"You are saying that going down this path is irreversible," Lusica said, his golden form now more stable than before. "But do we have any other choice?"

"You do," Master Guffaw said as he turned to Arthur. "I’m sure that with enough training, you could annihilate any resistance you face in the Infra-Layer."

Arthur squinted his eyes at the master. "But you allowed us to find you," he paused. "Why?"

"Because I believe that you need more than just proper spiritual training to defeat Invidia," Master Guffaw said. "Even as we speak, more abyssal spirits are joining the Sin of Envy to take down the Spirits Realm."

"You want me to challenge the Sovereign Path in hopes of obtaining the power to prevent that?" Arthur asked with a thin smile.

"I’m merely presenting the choice to you," Master Guffaw said with a shake of his head. "This remains your safest option to reach a higher realm, but it could also be the answer to all your problems."

Arthur was silent. The three turned toward him, awaiting his decision.

"What kind of rewards would I obtain from the Sovereign Path?"

"The rewards are nothing physical," Master Guffaw said as the door slowly opened behind him. "You will be enlightened after each trial. It will allow your souls to grow and your understanding to deepen."

The door opened behind him slowly, letting a bright light rush into the corridor. Their eyes failed to adjust and only did so after a minute of squinting.

Master Guffaw walked through the door, setting foot on what looked like ethereal ground. Arthur followed after him and realized that the light was coming from a giant tree that pierced through the heavens and dove into the depths.