Chapter 269


    vin strode into the cave''s maw and vanished within the ruins of the ancient temple. Cedrick and


    the others trailed closely behind, copsing the entrance with a swift motion, sealing it temporarily to


    prevent unwee intruders.


    Descending the stone staircase for hundreds of meters, they were suddenly greeted by a


    breathtaking sight.


    A beautiful, ethereal garden—a majestic Royal Mausoleum!


    Eighteen colossal statues stood tall with pride, each towering a hundred meters high, lifelike and


    either regal or wild, emanating an overwhelming aura of authority. They stood with feet nted on


    the ground, hands lifting the mountaintops, supporting the vast expanse of the cavern that stretched


    for kilometers.


    The space within the cavern was filled with countless Elixir Herbs, their vines glowing with


    enchanting lights, bearing wondrous Elixir Fruits. Ancient trees that had witnessed millennia stood


    tall, yet showed no signs of wear. Crystal-clear streams meandered across the floor, their mists


    rising as if from Life''s Spring itself—this ce was indeed a garden of paradise.


    Even with their steadfast resolve, they were awestruck at the sight. No wonder the packs of wolves


    had thrived here for millennia, and grew in great numbers. And it wasn''t just wolves that inhabited


    this space; numerous Magi-Monsters were frolicking about. Now, however, they all turned, startled,


    to gaze upon the intruders. There were majestic lions, ferocious tigers, and many Magi-Monsters,


    but they were all incredibly small, norger than the palm of a hand.


    "These Magi-Monsters don''t seem very powerful," Cedrick mused, puzzled. With the resources in


    this cavern, there should be some truly formidable Magi-Monsters.


    "They are small in size. They must be suppressed! Otherwise, once they grow, they would surely


    dominate this ce, destroy it, and not be content with being trapped here." vin rxed his


    vignce a bit, wary of terrifying Magi-Monsters lurking within.


    "You''re quite clever," E winked at vin.


    Activating his energy shield, vin advanced deeper into the cave. Many Magi-Monsters watched


    them warily, but unlike the wolf packs, they showed no aggression, carefully retreating to clear a


    path.


    At the heart of the cavern stood a grand and massive altar, its base a hundred meters wide, with


    stairs polished to perfection, untouched by the ravages of time. In the intery of light and shadow,


    the altar shimmered like emerald. Surrounding it were thick chains, eighteen in total, each


    connecting to one of the eighteen giant statues.


    Mari''s expression wasplex—the altar, the statues of kings! This was the secret that Cobalt


    Strike had desperately sought for decades, the mystery that countless souls had investigated over


    the ages. And now, ity before her.


    "Could these statues suddenlye to life?" Cedrick grew anxious. The underwater world outside


    had revealed the Eighteen Souls, and now here were eighteen statues, seemingly identical.


    "What should I do?" vin asked the Chained Spirit.


    "Ascend the stairs, face the judgment of the kings!"


    "Judgment?"


    "The ancient tomes say that to receive the legacy, one must first face judgment. As for the nature of


    that judgment, you''ll have to experience it yourself. That''s all the help I can offer."


    "vin, do you know of this ce?" E was curious.


    "My parents lost their lives for it. The Mallister family suffered because of it. My whole city has been


    in pain for eight years because of it. This ce owes me an answer," vin said, looking at the altar


    and then at the eighteen imposing statues, his heart heavy with emotion.


    "Can you exin clearly?"


    "There''s nothing to exin." vin took a deep breath and approached the steps. "Come with me.


    Since we''ve alle this far, we all have reason to face the judgment. As for whom they choose,


    we''ll leave it to fate."


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    "What judgment?" the three wondered.


    "I do not know," vin said, climbing the stairs step by step.


    Cedrick, E, and Mari exchanged nces and carefully started their ascent from different sides


    of the altar.


    The heavy chains began to quiver, emitting a deep, resonant ng that echoed throughout the


    cavern, startling all the Magi-Monsters into retreat as they scurried to hide in the corners.


    Outside, the white wolf pack ceased their hunt and looked back toward the depths of the ancient


    temple.


    vin clenched his fists, and his steps were firm as he awaited the judgment toe. Cedrick,


    E, and Mari were all on guard, watching their steps and the massive chains closely. Suddenly,


    the chains shook more violently. Their mor was thunderous, stirring the blood within.


    "Who dares to intrude upon the Royal Mausoleum!"


    One of the statues suddenly opened its eyes, veins of blood crawling across the stone as if it were


    truly about toe to life. Its presence wasmanding, and its voice was booming like a great


    bell.


    vin''s heart tightened, but his stride did not falter. He marched valiantly upward. Cedrick and the


    others tensed, ready to strike back at a moment''s notice.


    The statue''s entire body began to stir, as if truly alive, its right hand coiled around the heavy chain,


    pulling it taut. The other end of the chain, linked to a step on the altar, was yanked out by two


    meters.