Eternal Tower: Atreia Era

The border wilderness is vast and boundless, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Lynn followed Cecil, walking briskly. After three days of etheric refinement, his physical strength was far beyond that of ordinary people. Even after running for several hours, he showed no signs of fatigue. The etheric power within his body circulated continuously, providing him with a constant source of strength.

Cecil flew ahead, his white wings fluttering gently, moving at a slow pace, deliberately waiting for Lynn. He explained the border situation to him as they went: "The Fortress of Light is the core fortress of the Celestial Race, guarding the borders of the Celestial Realm. It houses the Celestial Race's Third Guard Legion, responsible for defending against dragon invasions and preventing the Demon Realm from crossing the border. Within the fortress, besides the Celestial Race guardians, there are also mortal soldiers stationed there, as well as traveling caravans and cultivators—a mixed bag. As you are new here, remember to be careful with your words and actions."

"Are the demons... truly irreconcilable enemies with us?" Lynn couldn't help but ask, recalling Cecil's mention of the feud between the Heavenly Demons and the Demons.

The tragedy in Falling Wind Village filled him with a deep-seated hatred for the Dragon Clan, but as for the Demon Clan, he only knew bits and pieces from legends, leaving him full of doubts. Both were guardians, both had fought to protect the Tower of Eternity, so why had they turned against each other, becoming irreconcilable enemies?

Upon hearing this, Cecil paused, a complex emotion flashing in his golden eyes, his tone growing heavier: "A thousand years ago, we were born of the same root, guardians under the twelve Olympian gods, fighting side by side against the dragons. But the collapse of the Tower of Eternity was due to the obsession and radicalism of the Demon God Israpel, who insisted on instigating a civil war, exhausting the power of the Tower of Eternity, leading to the world's division and the devastation of life. For a thousand years, the demons have repeatedly invaded the borders of the Celestial Realm, plundering ether resources and slaughtering the Celestials. This hatred is etched into the blood of both races; any encounter is a fight, with no possibility of reconciliation."

His tone carried the innate pride of the Celestials, as well as a deep hostility towards the Demons. Lynn listened silently without refuting him, but a hint of doubt arose in his heart.

Is the truth really as Cecil claims?

What secrets lie behind the civil war that led to the collapse of the Tower of Eternity?

Before he could think it through, a towering fortress that seemed to reach into the clouds suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

That is the Fortress of Light.

The fortress was constructed entirely of white light crystals, with walls reaching a hundred meters high. Ancient ethereal runes were inscribed on the walls, shimmering with golden light and forming an impenetrable defensive barrier that firmly protected the entire fortress. The fortress gates towered high, atop which stood a statue of the Wings of Light, the symbol of the Celestials. The statue, radiating golden light and exuding a majestic aura, overlooked the entire border wasteland.

On the city walls, the Celestial Guardians, clad in armor and wielding spears of light, patrolled day and night. Their white wings shimmered in the sunlight, and their aetheric aura was calm and heavy, exuding a solemn vigilance.

From afar, the Fortress of Light resembles a colossal beast of light perched on the border, guarding the gates of the celestial realm and repelling all invading enemies.

As they approached the fortress, the number of people coming and going gradually increased.

There were celestial guardians clad in armor, exuding an imposing aura, walking in small groups, their bodies bearing the marks of war; there were mortal soldiers in simple clothes, carrying supplies and shuttling back and forth; and there were cultivators in various attire, some riding strange beasts, others on foot, entering and leaving the fortress, each with their own distinct aura.

The entire Fortress of Light was bustling yet solemn, exuding an atmosphere of tense war preparedness.

Cecil folded his wings and led Lynn toward the fortress gate. The Celestial guards stationed at the gate immediately bowed and saluted upon seeing Cecil: "Greetings, Lord Cecil!"

Cecil nodded slightly and showed his Guardian Token. The guards did not stop them at all and let the two enter the fortress.

Stepping inside the fortress, one is greeted by a scene that blends prosperity and solemnity.

The wide bluestone street leads straight into the depths of the fortress, lined with shops on both sides. There are shops selling ether crystals and cultivation herbs, blacksmith shops that forge guardian armor and weapons, and taverns and inns that offer rest. People come and go in an endless stream, and the noise is constant.

Along both sides of the street, Celestial Guardians could be seen everywhere. They stood tall and straight, with sharp eyes, always on guard for any movement around them. After all, this was the border, and surprise attacks by dragons and infiltrations by demon spies were common occurrences.

Lynn followed Cecil, curiously looking around at everything, his eyes full of wonder.

He had never seen such a lively scene, nor had he ever seen so many guardians wielding the power of ether. Looking at those Celestial elders surrounded by etheric light and exuding powerful auras, his longing grew stronger. He secretly vowed to become a true guardian as soon as possible and possess the power to protect everything.

Just as the two were crossing the central square, preparing to head to the fortress teleportation hall, a cold and violent aura suddenly erupted from a tavern on the side of the street!

A power different from the Celestial Clan's luminous ether, filled with shadow and a sharp aura, swept out instantly, causing the surrounding Celestial Clan guardians to change color and draw their weapons, closing in on the tavern.

"It's the aura of demons! Demons have infiltrated the fortress!"

A gasp rang out, and the atmosphere instantly became tense. Countless beams of ethereal light were aimed at the tavern door, the air seemed to freeze, and a great battle was about to break out.

Cecil's face darkened. He shielded Lynn behind him, his golden eyes turning icy cold. His body surged with light ether, and his white wings unfurled instantly as he entered battle mode: "I didn't expect the demons to be so bold as to infiltrate the Fortress of Light. They must be tired of living."

Standing behind Cecil, Lynn could clearly feel the cold, dark aether, which was completely different from the light aether of the Celestials. It was cold, sharp, and extremely aggressive, yet it was not murky; instead, it exuded an extreme purity.

The next second, the tavern's wooden door was kicked open.

A figure slowly walked out of the tavern.

It was a young man who looked to be about the same age as Lynn, wearing black tight-fitting armor with dark purple runes engraved on it. His long black hair flew in the wind, his face was cold and stern, his skin was almost pale and cold white, and his eyes were deep dark purple, like cold stars in the dark night, revealing aloofness and sharpness.

Behind him, a pair of jet-black wings spread out, their edges shimmering with a faint dark purple halo. Shadow ether flowed wildly around him, forming sharp wind blades that clashed head-on with the light ether of the surrounding Celestials.

Demon Guardians!

Lynn's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time he had seen a demon. Unlike the ferocious appearance he had imagined, the demon boy in front of him was tall and strong, with a powerful aura. Although he was young, the shadow ether around him was already extremely refined, far surpassing that of ordinary guardians.

The young man's gaze swept over the Celestial Guardians who had gathered around him. His eyes showed no fear, but rather a hint of disdain and arrogance: "It's just a drink, yet you've made such a fuss. The Celestials are still as cowardly as ever."

"presumptuous!"

"You demonic scoundrel, how dare you infiltrate my Fortress of Light and provoke me! Prepare to die!"

Two young Celestial Guardians roared in anger, unable to restrain themselves any longer. They conjured longswords of light in their hands, leaped into the air, and slashed at the demon youth. The light ether transformed into two golden sword lights, which were extremely sharp.

Despite being attacked from both sides by the Celestial Guardians, the demon youth remained calm. He moved his feet slightly, his black wings fluttered lightly, and he dodged the attack like a ghost. At the same time, a wisp of dark purple shadow ether condensed at his fingertips and he waved it casually.

Two sharp beams of shadowy light shot out instantly, accurately striking the wrists of the two Celestial Guardians.

"what!"

Two screams rang out, and the longswords of light in the hands of the two Celestial Guardians instantly fell to the ground. Their wrists were corroded by the Shadow Aether, and they felt waves of pain. Their bodies flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground, losing their fighting ability.

one move!

With a single move, he defeated two Celestial Guardians!

The Celestial Guardians around them changed their expressions drastically, their eyes filled with shock, and they dared not step forward rashly any longer.

Cecil's eyes grew increasingly cold. He stepped forward, his body surging with aura of light, his power reaching its peak: "You demon brat, how dare you injure someone in the Fortress of Light! Today I will capture you and tear you to pieces!"

Before he could finish speaking, Cecil was about to make his move.

Just then, the demon boy suddenly turned his head, his gaze passing over everyone and landing on Lynn behind Cecil. A hint of surprise flashed in his dark purple eyes, as if he had sensed the newly awakened etheric bloodline within Lynn and the guardian aura that was not yet fully stable.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Lynn could see the disdain and arrogance in the boy's eyes, as well as the deep-seated vicissitudes and resilience that were beyond his years.

The demon boy, Kairo, could see that the mortal boy who had just awakened his bloodline had no fear of demons in his eyes, only curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible doubt.

In that split second, a rapid alarm sounded in the distance. The fortress walls blared with light, and the guards shouted, "Dragon attack! A large number of scaled beasts are attacking the east gate of the fortress!"

Dragons!

Everyone present changed their expressions drastically, whether they were from the Celestial Clan or the Demon Clan, their expressions instantly becoming solemn.

Kylo frowned, a hint of ferocity flashing in his dark purple eyes. He had infiltrated the border of the Celestial Realm to investigate the movements of the Dragon Clan, but he never expected to be ambushed by them here.

Cecil, no longer concerned with dealing with Kylo, ​​turned to Lynn and said, "You immediately head to the teleportation hall and hide. Don't wander off. I'll take men to fight off the dragons!"

After saying that, he turned and sped off towards the east gate, with the surrounding Celestial Guardians following suit and dispersing instantly.

On the street, only Lynn and the demon boy Kylo remained, standing facing each other in a subtle atmosphere.

On one side are the Celestial Clan's prospective guardians, emerging with the light of dawn; on the other is the Demon Clan's brilliant young prodigy, wielding the shadows of darkness. These sworn enemies, destined to be mortal foes, have fallen into a brief period of calm at this moment of the Dragon Clan's attack.

Kylo withdrew his gaze, the dark shadow ether around him receded, no longer possessing any aggression. He glanced coldly at Lynn and said, "A newbie who has just awakened his bloodline, don't let the dragons crush you so easily."

After saying that, he spread his black wings, leaped into the air, and flew towards the East Gate, his figure disappearing at the end of the street in an instant.

Lynn stood still, clenching his fists, feeling the violent dragon aura coming from the east gate, and the increasingly restless ether in the world.

Instead of following Cecil's instructions to go to the teleportation hall for refuge, he looked resolutely toward the east gate.

The chance for revenge is right in front of us!

The etheric power within him instantly surged, and flames roared from his chest. The boy leaped into the air and raced down the street toward the East Gate battlefield.

He is a guardian, and even if he is only a candidate and his strength is still weak, he will never back down!

The flames of war have been ignited, and the first clash between the three factions of the Heavenly Demon Dragon has officially begun at the east gate of the Light Fortress!