An Illusion of Will

Chapter 87: 23rd Supreme Ring

The snow-capped peaks and valleys gave way to expansive plateaus, the air growing dry and arid. The Supreme Leaf was predominantly nestled in West Asia.

Al's journey had included only one stop, a brief pause in the 11th Supreme Ring, where he procured a new map pointing to the elusive 23rd Supreme Seed deep within the Arabian desert.

As he ventured forth, Al couldn't help but observe the cities that seemed to defy the harsh environments surrounding them. Though he always steered clear, he couldn't ignore the sight of their buzzing skies, filled not only with soaring vehicles, but also Dawn Keepers. In a city filled with machines and twisted angels, what need was there for a devil?

The cities, vibrant marvels pulsing with life, were scattered few and far between across the expanse. Once Al ventured into the desert, time lost its grip on him. There were no fields adorned in blossoms, no golden leaves falling from trees—only endless stretches of sand. Yesterday and Tomorrow faded into obscurity. All that remained was the relentless cycle of day and night.

"The only other place like this is the ocean where time loses its meaning, where the Sun bears down oppressively, and the moon and stars alone offer guidance. Where life cannot grow, it moves, and where it cannot move, it grows. Am I moving, or am I growing?" Al reflected, his thoughts carried away by the wind.

As the sun began its descent, painting the desert in hues of fiery orange and dusky purple, Al's musings were interrupted by the realization that he had arrived.

Standing solitary amidst the endless sea of sand was a towering structure. A glance at his map confirmed it - this was the 23rd Mortal Ring of the Supreme Leaf. Romann, the captain of the Supreme Leaf's 23rd Mortal Seed, had been Al's mentor for three months, almost 40 years ago.

Although Romann and him never really saw eye to eye, Romann's teacher Supreme Immortal King Godfrey was the reason why Al had entered the world of Will and began cultivating.

Approaching the base of the tower, Al was met with a confounding sight. There were no discernible entrances. The structure was composed of fossilized stone.

The tower appeared to be an entire monolith, its form chiseled from a single colossal stone. After running his fingers along its weathered surface and scrutinizing it, Al circled around to the opposite side, where he discovered a hexagonal stele.

It gleamed with a polished finish, its familiarity triggering Al to retrieve one of his C-stones. Placing it upon the stele, a portion of the wall shifted, revealing an entrance. Retrieving his C-stone, Al couldn't help but note the deduction of ten merits. "Just when I thought they couldn't become any more exploitative," he mused to himself as he stepped into the shadowed passage.

To his surprise, the ceiling loomed just above the entrance. The entire interior was made from stone, save for the immediate area surrounding the door, which opened into a descending spiral staircase.

In the darkness, Al discerned the distinct form of the staircase, his senses attuned to the surroundings. He had amassed a surplus of merits, enough to sustain him for months within any Mortal Ring. Yet, Al had come to acknowledge that his true path did not lie within the God Leafs.

After what felt like a mere minute, a soft radiance bathed the lower steps. Upon passing through another entrance, Al emerged into a colossal cavern. The ceiling was adorned with luminescent stones, casting a light akin to sunlight. Before him stretched a road, flanked by a towering two-story structure bearing a caduceus, while to his right stood a triangular prism-shaped building.

Al had started to familiarize himself with the designs of the God Leaf Rings. "The hospital and the library, so they all have 6 buildings with the exchange center in the middle... They sure do love hexagons."