God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 549: Entering the Tomb

For a few moments longer, Liang remained at the hall's forefront, his gaze sweeping over the assembled factions as if seeking any lingering objections. While the majority began their preparations to depart, his attention eventually settled upon the ChaosKnight contingent.

More precisely, his focus landed on the masked individual positioned near IceQueen.

The entire hall seemed to register his directed gaze almost instantly.

A number of the Tianlan cultivators mirrored his look, their eyes shifting, while ChaosCleric's posture stiffened subtly. IceQueen, maintaining her composure, shifted her gaze once from Liang towards Gabriel.

After a brief appraisal of Gabriel, Liang finally broke the silence.

"Before we embark on our journey, I have a personal request to make."

A hush fell over the room once more, each individual eager to discover the nature of this personal request.

Liang's voice retained its steady tone as he continued, "White Phantom, I wish to engage you in a spar."

Immediate reactions rippled through the hall. The Tianlan cultivators expressed palpable interest, and even the members of Longsword shifted upright in their seats. Olympus also turned their collective attention towards the masked figure. Underneath her veil, Sophie's eyes narrowed as she observed the white-masked participant.

Liang made a slight gesture with one hand. "Thirty minutes will suffice. It will not impede our departure."

ChaosCleric immediately looked towards Gabriel, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. IceQueen remained silent, yet the subtle tremor in her fingers indicated a keen interest in the potential outcome.

Gabriel, however, stayed seated.

For a brief, pregnant pause, his response remained unvoiced.

Considering the displays he had made the previous night, many anticipated a swift and positive acceptance. Liang was undeniably powerful, widely renowned, and a prominent figure within Tianlan. A duel between them would undoubtedly captivate everyone present.

Gabriel met Liang's gaze calmly before delivering a response that stunned the assembly.

"I must decline."

The hall fell into a state of disbelief at his words. Even Liang hesitated for a discernible moment.

The Tianlan cultivators were the first to vocalize their reactions. Some smirked, while others chuckled audibly. The Longsword faction made no attempt to conceal their open amusement.

"So he can pick on a woman, but won't face Liang?"

"Perhaps the mask hides more than just his features."

"Maybe he only acts tough when he knows who he can intimidate."

"Wise. At least he understands his own limits."

These derisive murmurs spread, quiet yet distinct enough to reach every ear.

ChaosCleric's expression flickered, and he cast a glance at Gabriel, half-expecting the masked individual to unleash a sudden act of violence. Vv, beside him, remained impassive, his helmet facing rigidly forward.

Gabriel showed no outward reaction, as he possessed no desire to prove himself in this setting.

Liang's curiosity towards him was already piqued. Their brief interaction the previous night, the deliberate way Liang had spoken, and the lingering intensity of his gaze all signaled to Gabriel that Liang harbored suspicions. Engaging in combat now would only furnish Liang with more valuable insights.

Details such as fighting prowess, timing, reflexes, preferred weaponry, and even primal instincts could be gleaned.

A discerning combatant could deduce a great deal from a sparring match.

Gabriel saw no reason to surrender such an advantage.

Liang continued to observe him for another moment before giving a slow nod.

"I understand."

His calmly spoken acknowledgment caused the Tianlan cultivators to quiet down somewhat. Liang offered no mockery, no further pressure, nor any visible disappointment in the conventional sense. If anything, his eyes seemed to hold a deeper contemplation than before.

Liang finally withdrew his gaze from Gabriel and addressed the assembled company once more.

"Prepare for departure."

...

Within the span of an hour, the disparate groups began their exit from the estate, facilitated by the guidance of Martial Palace escorts. The streets of Tianlan pulsed with a heightened activity, yet the designated route had been secured in advance. Guards lined the thoroughfares, ensuring civilian adherence while the invited forces traversed the city.

The journey extending beyond the city limits consumed a significant amount of time. Tianlan's outer sectors were expansive, and the further they progressed, the more numerous the training grounds and military installations became. Imposing walls, observation towers, and patrol stations marked the path leading towards the city's periphery.

The location of the Buried God's Tomb was situated outside the main city environs.

It lay beyond the primary fortifications, adjacent to a restricted mountainous area where the terrain grew rugged and deserted. The access road was punctuated by numerous security points. Each checkpoint was manned by vigilant cultivators, some clad in the distinctive robes of the Martial Palace, others in military armor bearing the insignia of Tianlan.

Unauthorized entry was strictly prohibited.

Upon reaching the initial checkpoint, identification tokens were meticulously examined.

At the second, each contingent underwent a precise headcount.

By the time they reached the third, the atmosphere itself felt palpably more oppressive.

A cultivator positioned near their group noticed a few unfamiliar individuals observing their surroundings and remarked with evident pride.

"This meticulous security is why the tomb has remained concealed for so long. Even if knowledge of its existence spreads, reaching it presents a formidable challenge. Scarcely anyone in this world possesses the capability to bypass these extensive defenses undetected."

A member of the ChaosKnights audibly swallowed as they observed the posted guards stationed on the imposing cliffs.

"These individuals are all exceptionally powerful."

The cultivator glanced sideways, responding simply, "Naturally."

The cultivator's words, imbued with unmistakable pride, prompted Gabriel to subtly test something.

His awareness extended subtly, traversing the security points, the elevated cliff trails, the concealed sentinels positioned above, and the intricate formations concealed along the roadways. Within moments of careful scrutiny, a general understanding of the security's intensity was achieved.

The defenses were formidable.

For the vast majority, attempting to breach this location would signify certain doom. Even seasoned cultivators of considerable power would find themselves encircled, depleted, and ultimately vanquished long before setting foot at the tomb's threshold.

However, Gabriel defied the conventional.

His exceptional velocity, acute perception, and present martial prowess ranked him among the select few capable of penetrating this stronghold if so determined. It would undoubtedly be a chaotic endeavor, generating significant commotion, yet it remained a viable option.

That contemplation dissipated as they arrived at the final approach.

The mountain's foundation ahead had been cleaved asunder, not resembling a cavern entrance, but rather as if a colossal sealed portal had been meticulously hewn into the very rock. Flanking this opening stood two immense stone pillars, adorned with archaic Tianlan inscriptions and secured by robust chains that extended from the pillars deep into the mountain's face.

The entrance itself presented as a vast, shadowed portal recessed profoundly within the stone.

A chilling atmosphere emanated from its depths, bearing a desiccated scent that caused several individuals to wrinkle their noses. Encircling the threshold, a multitude of cultivators maintained a vigilant watch in a compact formation, while amulets and metallic stakes were meticulously arrayed across the terrain in precise patterns.

Suspended directly above the center of the entrance was a substantial stone tablet, bearing four characters etched deeply into its surface.

Buried God’s Tomb.