Previously on The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse...
Klaus found an abundance of Divine Apples, far more than expected, signifying the tree's age. He collected all 47 fruits, intending to share them with Ohema. He then retrieved his severed limbs and eye, which were preserved from a past battle. Finally, he discovered the legendary Immortal Claw Scripture on a stone tablet, an incredibly powerful skill created by the Beast God. Despite the limited time before the vault opens and corrupted warriors break free, Klaus decided to learn the scripture immediately, planning to use his other bodies to speed up the process.
If Klaus felt a pang of disappointment that no treasures within the jade vault on the 7th floor aligned with his long-term ambitions prior to his arrival, his current mood was one of overwhelming elation.
Within his spiritual sea, the petite tome bearing the runes of the Immortal Claw Art pulsed with an ancient aura.
Three of his avatars were diligently engaged in deciphering the technique, striving to attain mastery of its initial form. Should this endeavor prove successful, his prospects in the impending conflict would undoubtedly brighten.
Thus, his journey back to the 6th floor was undertaken with a buoyant spirit.
He materialized beside Rory, who was immersed in cultivation atop a modest peak.
"How did it go?" she inquired the instant she perceived his presence.
He offered a smile and a nod. "More favorably than I had anticipated."
"Judging by your beaming countenance, I surmise you encountered significant good fortune," Rory responded, her own smile widening as she shared in his joy. Her initial thought was that their most prudent course of action would be to depart the vault's confines before its imminent reopening.
Yet, witnessing Klaus's happiness brought her a sense of contentment, piquing her curiosity for further details.
"Rest assured, I shall elaborate once we have extricated ourselves from this desolate locale," Klaus stated, turning his gaze toward the horizon. "Incidentally, where might the Princess and her retinue be?"
He observed Omen, Slate, and Echo seated in the lotus position some distance from Rory. The Princess and her companions were the only ones conspicuously absent.
"She acquired the Pendant and formed a bond with it. Subsequently, she mentioned that she and her teammates were venturing elsewhere, and that I should contact them upon your return."
Klaus frowned slightly. "There is no signal here; how do you propose to establish contact—"
Before he could complete his sentence, Rory drew her bow and loosed an arrow into the distance. Upon reaching a sufficient trajectory, it erupted into a cascade of brilliant fireworks.
"I suppose that method suffices as well," Klaus remarked with a hint of amusement.
She smiled, and they commenced their vigil. The 6th floor offered scant treasures, rendering a thorough search superfluous. Nevertheless, Klaus understood that apart from the Jade Pendant, none of the ten enumerated artifacts would prove beneficial.
He did, however, take solace in the knowledge that Icon would manage all affairs in his absence.
Klaus was already aware that circumstances beyond this place were unfolding favorably. While traversing the 7th floor, he had sensed the formation of three additional connections with formidable beasts.
This development served as a clear indication that Lady Beyhos had successfully swayed the remaining three divine beasts. Consequently, he now commanded over nine demigods and a considerable contingent of calamity beasts at the immortal level.
However, with conflict arising on three distinct fronts, Klaus recognized that this advantage alone might prove insufficient.
Crux had previously informed him of the existence of numerous demigods operating independently of the divine beast Beyhos, some even teetering on the precipice of godhood.
Therefore, he was fully cognizant that such powerful entities would likely attempt to seize the Jade Queen during the ensuing conflict. While he conceded that these adversaries alone would not cause him undue concern...
...the crux of the matter lay in the Heavenly Court’s vested interest in suppressing any dissemination of their clandestine affairs.
His Hivemind, possessing unparalleled scope, forewarned him that the true peril was yet to manifest. The advent of corrupted heavenly warriors presented a glaring vulnerability that the Heavenly Court would undoubtedly seek to eliminate.
Even if these corrupted warriors managed to annihilate all of humanity, they too would require subsequent neutralization.
Furthermore, the divine beasts themselves would ultimately need to be subdued. This scenario invariably pointed to the imminent arrival of gods, necessitating his readiness to outmaneuver them all.
Consequently, he was fully resolved to orchestrate events such that, upon the cessation of hostilities, the blow delivered to the Heavenly Court would be utterly devastating and irrecoverable.
An hour later, the Princess and her companions made their arrival.
"Before we depart, I wish to impart a crucial piece of information to all of you," Klaus announced, capturing everyone's attention. "The impending confrontation will involve Immortals, demigods, and gods. While I personally embrace the thrill of risking my life, the same cannot be said for yourselves. Therefore, should any of you wish to withdraw, I shall harbor no judgment.
Naturally, your departure hinges upon our victory. However, 'victory' at this juncture is a relative concept. I harbor an ominous premonition regarding the portals facilitating egress from this location; thus, only through triumph can we secure our escape.
Nonetheless, I possess the capability to ensconce you within the very treasures I utilized a few days prior. Alternatively, should you elect to stand and fight alongside me, your actions would earn my eternal gratitude. Furthermore, it is anticipated that thousands of calamity cores will become available in the aftermath of the battle, presenting a reward commensurate with the inherent risks."
A smile graced his features.
Having already secured Rory's commitment, he directed his address towards the remainder of his internal circle, the Princess, and her contingent.
Slate exchanged glances with Echo, then with Omen. "Provided we are not compelled to engage gods directly, I see no reason to abstain. It sounds like it will be a worthwhile contest."
Omen and Echo signified their agreement with nods.
"Thanks, guys, and I promise, you won’t be fighting any gods."
A chorus of smiles and nods answered him.
Princess Evren surveyed her teammates, receiving affirming nods. She offered Klaus a smile. "We shall join your campaign. However, should I perceive any risk to my teammates' lives, I will withdraw them immediately."
"That arrangement is quite acceptable," Klaus responded with a nod and a smile.
"Since we have reached an accord, let us proceed to meet our comrades," Klaus declared. With a gesture, he guided them into the Demon Bead, vanishing from the 6th floor and reappearing within Lady Beyhos’s domain.
Klaus anticipated meeting the three other gods in the coming days, after which he would dedicate time to preparing a battle formation he had conceived.
***
Meanwhile, three weeks after its initial closure, the jade vault finally yielded its secrets. The instant the entrance was revealed, a torrent of humans and beasts surged inward, each driven by the prospect of claiming its treasures.
Yet, their fervent hopes and avarice were soon confronted by a spectacle most disquieting.
The pedestals that once held the treasures stood empty, the precious items vanished. Numerous tracks, indicative of hasty departures, crisscrossed the area, prompting many to hasten to the subsequent floors in pursuit of any remaining spoils.
However, even upon reaching the 6th floor and finding nothing but vacant display cases, their spirits plummeted. To compound their dismay, the very sky on the sixth floor was artfully manipulated to display a message of unparalleled arrogance.
"No need to weep for what was never yours to claim."
This pronouncement ignited a maelstrom of emotions within both the assembled beasts and humans, ultimately triggering a violent conflict that caused the jade vault to tremble.
Their collective fury towards the unseen hand that had outmaneuvered them for the coveted loot ignited, fanning a rage that obliterated all semblance of reason.
Fortuitously, the chaotic melee was ephemeral. Three days post-vault opening, the mystical seals were dispelled, permitting all individuals to reclaim their cultivation bases.
Mere hours thereafter, a collective sense of formidable presences descending upon the Nest washed over them. Two days later, a palpable aura of corrupted Qi permeated the atmosphere.
Finally, precisely one week after the seals’ dissolution, an extraordinary egg materialized in a desolate valley, located approximately 20 kilometers from the Jade Vault. This event served as a beacon, drawing all sentient beings within the Nest towards its mysterious allure.
Klaus and his companions were the very first to heed this enigmatic summons.
