Ardens Continent

Chapter 29 - Ardens Continent

The information he obtained through assimilation was crystal-clear. It was as though, he himself was the one who read book. It became a part of his memory. He could easily recall it whenever he wants.

The book can be summarized into two parts: Geography and Power Distribution.

The Ardens Continent was known as the "Land of Fire. It was divided into three regions: the Outer, Inner, and Core Regions.

The Outer and Inner Region was separated by the Endless River of Fire. While the Inner and Core Region was separated by the Inferno Sea. And further deeper on the Core Region lay the Phoenix Ocean.

Thanks to the existence of these burning rivers and seas, steam permanently rises every night in the Ardens Continent. Resulting to the appearance of fogs every night.

Aside from that, at the extreme sides of the Ardens Continent lay four forbidden lands. The Mysterious Forest at the South, the Lightning God's Domain at the West, the Phoenix Ocean at the North, and the Mountain Range of Death at the East.

Traveling within these forbidden lands would warrant certain death. Unless your strength reached the level where you can wield laws, it is suicide to enter these forbidden lands.

Each region of the Ardens Continent corresponds to a level of strength.

Tier 1 for the Outer, Tier 2 for the Inner, and Tier 3 for the Core Regions.

Except for those who are born in the higher regions, only those who reached the respective Tiers could enter the higher regions. A Tier 1 combatant born in the Outer Region couldn't enter the Inner Region or Core Region. But, if a child was born in the Core region, he would have the authority to enter the inner or outer region regardless of his strength. Providing that he fulfilled the requirements to travel.

To make it short, any combatant of higher rank could enter the lower regions while combatants of lower rank couldn't enter the higher regions unless his cultivation reach the required level.

The goal of all the residents in the lower region is to enter the higher one. Only that way would they be able to develop and survive.

The God of Death was the ruler of the world. And a rule was passed down to the Ardens Continent. Outer for fifty and below, inner for fifty-one to eighty, and core for eighty-one and above.

Anyone who didn't enter the higher regions upon reaching these age range would die… Per the Death God's Edicts.

Residents of lower regions doesn't have the choice but to follow the rule. Regardless of the gender! All must enter the battlefield and gain strength!

Likewise, the environment of the higher region has better resources. And better resources means, higher chance of survival.

The higher the region, the higher the mana density would become.

The Outer Region has eighty-one shelters. The Inner Region has nine cities. And the Core Region has three kingdoms. Each of these places being a paradise for training.

For example, a shelter has mana density twice as that of outside. Training under the influence of such mana would yield twice the result with half the effort. Moreover, these shelters have a Tower of Death, a place full of training resources.

According to the book, the tower of death would serve as the training ground for the soldiers. And it can be said that as long as a race owns a shelter, its growth would be fast.

With such benefits, the other races would continuously fight over these territories. Resulting to a never ending wat within the Continent.

Add to the fact that the only place where a race could get resources was the battlefield called 'shrines', it can be said that the entire Ardens Continent was very chaotic.

As a result of the unending wars, three races were able to attain hegemony among the other. Each were able to rule a kingdom in the Core Region.

Pereo Kingdom of Humans, Althaea Kingdom of Elves, and Bellum Kingdom of Orcs.

These three races were able to foster strong soldiers and obtain hegemony over the Ardens Continent. However, the three races' act of domination resulted on becoming the common enemy of the other races.

A blessing and a curse, they must continuously fight the invading races.

It was so chaotic. Not only must each kingdom guards against each other, but they would also have to guard against the lower races.

And due to such reason, these three kingdoms had weaker influence in the lower regions. Especially in the Outer Region.

Even the Pereo Kingdom, despite its numerous Tier 3 combatants has only managed to secure three shelters at the Outer Region.

"Eh? Wait…!"

Suddenly, realization dawned on Jhin.

"Wouldn't it mean that… the beast stampede that'll happen in a few days will become an opportunity to those races to attack the shelter?"

Jhin felt a sense of urgency. Blackrock Shelter was ruled by humans, a common enemy of the other races.

Once the beast stampede occurs, without a doubt, these races would take advantage of the situation. The only question was how.

The unknown was scary! Jhin doesn't want to repeat what had happened to him on their return to the shelter. He doesn't want to feel that deep sense of helplessness in the face of death.

"I need to do something about this." Jhin said solemnly. "I must at least reach Tier 1 before the stampede!"

Taking a deep breath, he touched the other book and decided to translate its content.

[Deducting one ink drop… Do you want to read it now?]

Jhin read the title and realized that it was general knowledge. He briefly scanned it before moving towards another book.

At this moment, he has a total of forty-seven inks. But the books were numerous, at least a hundred.

"Right! I should look at the scrolls!" Jhin mumbled as he moved to the other shelf. He took a random scroll and decided to translate it.

[Deducting one ink drop… Do you want to read or assimilate 'Basics of Swordsmanship?']