Eternal Tower: Atreia Era

At the edge of the celestial realm of Atreia, in the Fallen Wind Plains.

This is the outermost edge of the Celestial Realm, far from the holy radiance of the Paradise World, and untouched by the shadows of the Demon Realm.

The endless, withered grasslands and rolling low hills are swept by the wind year-round, stirring up clouds of dust and bringing a desolate yet tranquil atmosphere.

Deep in the hills lies an inconspicuous little village—Luofeng Village.

The village is small, with just over a hundred households, all ordinary people.

They did not understand ether, knew nothing of the supreme god, were unaware of the dragon race, and were even less aware of any millennia-old feuds or world divisions.

They only knew how to work at sunrise and rest at sunset, to cultivate in spring and harvest in autumn, to hunt and chop wood, guarding their small piece of land, living ordinary and peaceful lives.

For them, the world is only as big as Falling Wind Village.

The setting sun outside the village is slowly sinking below the horizon.

The setting sun, like blood, dyed the entire grassland a warm yet dangerous dark red.

Young Lynn was sitting under an old locust tree, wiping the wooden bow in his hand.

He is sixteen years old this year. He is not tall, but he is extremely strong.

His years of running and hunting in the mountains and forests gave him a well-defined physique, healthy light tan skin, calloused fingertips, and bright, sharp eyes, like the most agile lone wolf on the grasslands.

Lynn is the youngest and most skilled hunter in Fallingwind Village.

His archery skills were the best in the village; he could hit a target from a hundred paces away without ever missing.

Whether it's a running hare, a leaping pheasant, or a fierce wolf, none can escape his bow and arrow.

For Lynn, hunting was not just about survival, but also about protection.

Protect his parents, protect his village, protect this hard-won peace.

"Lynn! Come home for dinner!"

A mother's gentle call echoed through the village.

Lynn raised his head and looked at the village where wisps of smoke were rising from the chimneys, a gentle smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

He slung his wooden bow over his shoulder, picked up the two wild rabbits he had hunted that day, and turned to walk towards the village.

The soil beneath my feet still retains the warmth of the setting sun.

The evening breeze carries the scent of grass and earth, and everything is as peaceful as the most beautiful dream.

Available in the next second.

A strong, nauseating stench suddenly shattered the tranquility.

It wasn't the stench of wild beasts, nor the metallic smell of blood, but rather an aura originating from the abyss, filled with destruction and violence.

It was as if something terrifying was crawling out from underground, about to swallow the whole world whole.

Lynn's steps suddenly froze on the spot.

His heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and a chilling fear shot from his feet to the top of his head.

"roar--!!!"

A deafening roar suddenly erupted from the forest behind the village.

The sound was so terrifying that the ground trembled slightly, leaves fell in a rustling sound, birds took flight in fright, and beasts fled in terror.

Lynn suddenly turned his head to look.

Suddenly, several enormous black shadows burst forth from the mountains and forests.

They resemble monitor lizards but walk upright. Their bodies are covered with hard, jet-black scales, their limbs are thick, their claws are sharp as knives, their eyes are blood-red, and thick saliva drips from the corners of their mouths.

It is a scaled-clawed beast.

The lowest and most brutal war beasts under the dragon's command.

They feed on the flesh and blood of living beings, leaving nothing but ruins and bones in their wake.

"Monster! There's a monster!"

"Help! Someone please save us!"

The village of Luofeng was instantly thrown into an uproar.

The villagers screamed, cried, and wailed in terror.

The once warm and peaceful village was instantly transformed into a living hell.

Villagers, armed with hoes and sickles, attempted to resist.

The difference between mortals and scaled beasts is like the difference between a firefly and the sun and moon.

With a swipe of its claws, several streams of blood splatter; with a bite of its fangs, life withers away.

The thatched hut collapsed with a roar, flames shot into the sky, blood stained the ground, and limbs were scattered everywhere.

Lynn's eyes were bloodshot.

He saw his own thatched hut, and saw his father rush towards it with a wooden stick, only to be swatted away by the Scaled Claw Beast and fall heavily to the ground, his fate unknown.

He saw his mother scream in terror as a scaly beast stared intently at her, closing in step by step.

"No--!!!"

Lynn let out a heart-wrenching scream.

He rushed over like a madman, drew the wooden bow from his back, nocked an arrow, pulled the string, and shot.

The entire sequence of movements was lightning fast, using all the strength he had.

The wooden arrow whistled as it struck the scales of the Scaled Claw Beast.

"clang!"

A crisp, loud bang.

The wooden arrow snapped in two and flew away without leaving a trace.

The Scaleclaw Beast was enraged.

It suddenly turned its head, its scarlet eyes fixed on Lynn, abandoned its prey that was about to be caught, roared, and pounced.

The sharp claws whistled through the air as they pierced Lynn's chest.

too fast.

too strong.

There's no way to avoid it.

Lynn stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as death descended upon him.

He could smell the stench of the scaled beasts, feel their deadly chill, and see the blood and despair scattered throughout the village.

Why?

Why his family?

Why his village?

Why couldn't he even protect the person he loved most?

Endless anger, resentment, despair, and hatred erupted wildly in his chest like a volcano.

Just as the claws were about to pierce his chest.

Suddenly, an intensely hot light burst forth from Lynn's chest.

A power he had never felt before surged wildly from his limbs and bones.

It was as if a torrent that had been dormant for millions of years had broken through all its shackles and swept over the whole body.

That is—the power of ether.

It is the source power of the guardians.

It is the last hope left in the bloodline of the ancient guardians.

A faint yet incredibly holy golden light emanated from Lynn's body.

In just a moment, it forced back the Scaled Claw Beast that was pouncing.

"Um?"

A soft exclamation descended from the sky.

Lynn struggled to lift his head and look up at the sky.

A figure clad in pristine white armor was seen swooping down from the clouds.

Behind that person, a pair of huge, pure, radiant white wings were unfurled.

With a gentle flap of its wings, the world shines.

The ether of light condensed into a longsword in his hand, and the sword light swept out horizontally.

"laugh--!"

It was just one sword strike.

The ferocious scaled beast was instantly killed and turned into ashes.

An angel descended.

No.

Not an angel.

They are guardians of the Celestials.

The man landed in front of Lynn, his golden eyes fixed on him with a hint of shock:

"A mortal body, awakening the ether in dire circumstances... You possess the blood of the guardians."

Lynn looked at the pair of pure white wings, at the bloodstains on the ground, and at the fallen figures of his loved ones.

Consciousness finally gave way and sank completely into darkness.

In the last moments before he lost consciousness.

He saw the towering, radiant pagoda that seemed to reach into the clouds.

The Tower of Eternity.

He heard a voice echoing deep within his soul.

—From this moment on, your destiny will be inextricably linked with Atreia.