Chapter 14: Lunaris

At night, illumination crystals were utilized for lighting, assisting the pale crescent glow from the moon hanging in the sky.With the combined lighting, busy movement was spotted across the encampment. Trainees could be seen running hurriedly from one point to another, even bashing into one another in the process.

With the busy movement, noise erupted and covered the entire encampment and its surroundings.

Although the encampment wasn’t as sandy and dusty as the actual desert, with the beehive-like activity taking place, small dust clouds quickly formed.

The scene was as though a powerful monster had attacked the encampment, yet no such thing was in sight.

Marlon and the duo who had just arrived could only halt far away and observe, confusion written across their faces.

"What the heck is happening? The encampment is usually calm at this hour," Logan wondered aloud.

"It almost seems like a scene from a zombie movie," Ashton remarked.

Nevertheless, just as they were discussing, two young ladies ran in their direction, panic etched on their faces.

Seeing them, Marlon immediately stepped forward, swiftly arriving in front of them and halting their movement.

"Could you two please tell us what is happening? Why is everyone such a busybody tonight?" he asked politely.

The two young ladies were in such a hurry that they did not bother to observe his face and simply responded.

"The entrance exam has been shifted to tomorrow. Everyone is hurrying to get prepared."

Saying that, the two of them rushed away.

"Entrance exam has been shifted? Why did such an abrupt change take place?" Marlon wondered with a frown.


While the matter didn’t seem serious, it was very rare for such a change to happen...especially so abruptly. He couldn’t help but feel that something odd might have occurred.

"We’re doomed!" Ashton and Logan fell to their knees.

"We’re only level 2, the weakest in the entire camp this year. We would definitely fail tomorrow," Ashton complained loudly.

"Why did they have to shift the date at such a time? We had finally found a party that accepted us and were set to grind. Now all our plans have been stomped on."

The two of them felt extremely heartbroken at the news.

Marlon turned to look at them, feeling compassionate on their behalf. He could’ve ended up like them if he hadn’t awakened his system.

He sighed.

They were under his care now. Although he had only planned to guide them for a few days, he liked their honest characters and their willingness to take bold risks. They fit the profile of the people he wanted by his side.

Thus, he decided to assist them.

"You guys, stop being such pussies," he barked.

The two looked up at him from their crying positions, eyes moistened, bracing for another outburst of sorrow.

"Come to my tent later tonight. I have something for you guys," Marlon said.

The crying expressions of the duo froze as they heard his words.

Come to his tent at night? What was he planning? Was he one of those hunters who... preferred men? They shivered at the thought.

"Oh, come off it, you guys. I’m straight, and even if I swung the other way, you two aren’t that good-looking," Marlon scoffed.

The duo still stared at him, speechless and defensive.

"Everyone, get back to the camp at once!"

Before he could clear the doubt hanging in the air, a loud voice thundered across the area.

It came from the burly Drever, strolling toward them with a calm but serious expression, illuminated by a glowing crystal near him.

"You three, get back in the camp. Staying outside at this hour is not safe," the blond man said calmly as he approached.

He walked past them quickly, heading after the other trainees who had left the camp abruptly.

Marlon and the duo stared at his departing figure briefly.

"I’ll make you an offer. I’ll sell each of you one EXP Crystal and one Aether Crystal at half price... you can pay me back later. Use them now to boost your level and max out your Aether capacity for tomorrow. Kind of generous of me, don’t you think?" Marlon broke the short silence with a greedy smile.

Ashton and Logan could only stare in disbelief.

"We’re friends, right? Why not give it to us for free, and in return we’ll swear our loyalty to you?" Logan tried to negotiate.

"Who cares about loyalty? Just give me my money," Marlon replied quickly before asking, "Are you guys in or out?"

With no other options, the two quickly agreed.

"Great."

Marlon opened his inventory and distributed the items to them.

Once the exchange was complete, the two bade him farewell and ran back to their tents to begin preparations.

As for Marlon, his current strength and skill were already more than enough to ace the exams. He was confident.

"But being over-prepared is not bad at all," he smirked.

===

_Heartland Nation_

_Eldertree City_

Under the silver moonlight, the city stretched endlessly, gleaming like a jewel resting on the world’s surface.

Countless towers and high-rise buildings pierced the night sky, their smooth glass walls reflecting the soft pale glow above. Illumination crystals lined the streets, hanging from polished poles, spilling gentle hues of blue and white that danced on the cobblestone roads.

Suspended bridges connected several of the tallest towers, and sleek airships drifted silently through the air, their lights glimmering like distant stars. From afar, the city pulsed with life—an elegant blend of nature and modern cultivation technology.

On the highest floor of the tallest building in the heart of the city, roofless and showered in crescent moonlight, a sole figure sat in a calm lotus position.

He was in his early thirties possessing long bright red hair that fluttered beautifully in the night wind.

Dozens of high-grade Aether crystals floated around him in a perfect spherical pattern, streams of tiny ethereal lights drifting from the crystals and being rapidly absorbed by the figure.

Suddenly, several figures descended from the sky, moving at inhuman speed.

They landed on the roof.

Instantly, the meditating man’s eyes snapped open, his deep ocean blue eyes gleaming with power.

The figures who had landed immediately fell to their knees, bowing.

"Vice President! We apologize for our abrupt entry, but the matter is urgent. We found something that requires your immediate attention," one said.

After receiving permission, one of them stepped forward quickly, placing a large orb on the ground.

The moment it touched the surface, a hologram projected into the air.

On it appeared a twisted creature, wearing a malicious grin.

The Vice President’s eyes flared with recognition and fury.

It was the same alien creature that had almost sent Arden to extinction twenty years ago—the Lunaris.

Before he could react, the Lunari started speaking, sending a message that ignited frustration, hatred, and rage within him and the others listening.

The face of the vice president twisted with anger and hatred and then he turned quickly to the men.

He gave an order — to brace the world for the arrival of chaos.

....

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