Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

938 The Ritual ( 1 )

Vale continued his observations without harming any ordinary people. He wanted to see how the ritual would proceed after all.

Of course, Vale didn't have to stay for long in one village. After he completely understood their situation, he moved to other villages.

The second and third villages were both eerily similar to the first. The villagers were also concerned with various things happening as the ritual was getting closer. There were cases like livestock disappearing, nightmares that seemed to warn them about their near death, and a heavy, oppressive feeling that lingered in the village.

Though they were still busy with the preparations for the ritual, they didn't seem happy at all.

'This ritual… It's negatively affecting everyone in the surrounding village.' Vale thought to himself as he started to understand how dangerous it was. It seemed as if the higher-ups of his place didn't care about the common folk.

In the third village, Vale discovered a small shrine dedicated to the Sanctuary of the Mind. Its presence confirmed the psychic resonance mentioned in the Arcane Bureau's report. He inspected the shrine discreetly and detected faint traces of psychic energy.

A Grandmaster-Level Arcanist had just left the place…

Vale frowned at this since there was no report that a Grandmaster-Level Mind Manipulator assisted them when they fought against the Demons of the Abyss Realm.

He recalled that low-level Arcanists assisted with their defense even at the cost of their life. However, it seemed that the people here just hid from the disaster caused by the Abyss Realm's invasion.

They might have a reason not to leave this place but Vale was no doubt disappointed. He recalled that even the representative they sent to his castle to pay respect to an Immortal like him was only an Adept Arcanist.

'Whatever… Let's see what they're up to…' Vale muttered to himself.

***

Vale didn't hurry and by the third day, his understanding of the region deepened. The fourth village showed signs of recent distress—there were burnt fields and abandoned homes already. The villagers here were less forthcoming. They weren't that welcoming to him, unlike the other villages. Although he had introduced himself from another village, they just didn't like visitors at all.

'With their current strength, they should be able to do mystical work and earn a lot of money if they were brought to the city outside this land. But here they are, living frugally in this godforsaken land.'

In the fifth village, Vale overheard talk of the "Crimson Robe Gathering…"

It was said to take place in the main village, a sacred tradition of the Ancient Families shrouded in secrecy. As for the Crimson Robe, they seemed to be the high-level Mind Manipulators of the faction.

On the fourth day, Vale reached the sixth village, the closest settlement to the main village. Unlike the others, this place was bustling with activity. Men and women prepared offerings and carts filled with goods headed toward the central village.

Vale sensed that as the ritual approached, the people here had a mix of fear and reverence.

Although they respected the ritual that was about to happen, they all couldn't help but feel afraid of the unknown.

Vale then considered for a moment before he disguised himself using his Transformation Spell to be part of the convoy that was heading to the main village as a porter.

The path they used doesn't have a good pavement so the journey was a bit rough. Then, as they neared their destination, Vale finally felt an oppressive aura and smelled the stench of blood in the whole village.

'Their ritual is a lot more sinister than I thought…' Vale mused as he decided not to spread his Divine Sense and only used his Spirit Vision.

Divine Sense was related to Holy Arts and it might be detected… However, the Spirit Vision was completely undetectable after reaching Level 10 or Perfect Realm. With the addition of his Divinity, unless there's an Immortal here, he wouldn't be detected at all.

***

The main village was completely different compared to the other villages. There were many towering stone structures in their small land. Vale could also see numerous Formation Arts protecting them from outsiders or detection Spells…

'Oh… They have eight Half-Immortals hiding here?' Vale was shocked. Even the large Orthodox churches only have one. However, this faction actually had eight of them!

Anyway, Vale only observed them for a moment and realized that these eight were already reaching the limit of their lifespan. Perhaps, in another 40 to 50 years, they'd already meet their end.

He then shifted his focus to a structure at the center of the village. It was the focal point of the ritual. As soon as their convoy passed through the Formation Arts, Vale disappeared and started his exploration.

Vale wandered among the villagers, cloaked in his guise.

"They're here…" Vale muttered as he noticed individuals dressed in ceremonial robes.

'I wonder what kind of Ancient Devil they're about to summon with all these preparations.' Vale mused.

The Sanguine Crystal, a massive, blood-red gem, was displayed prominently within the grand hall that seemed to be newly built.

That night, Vale found a secluded spot overlooking the open hall.

From his vantage point, he observed the final preparations that were happening all over the village. Somehow, he felt quite excited seeing something new about to happen…

However, Vale shook his head as he had to take this seriously since there were already many people who had suffered because of this event.

The Sanctuary of the Mind was being exploited as a focal point for the ritual.

As the day of the ritual approached, he soon recognized the Essence of a Thousand Minds, a crystalline object exuding powerful psychic energy, brought into the hall under the heavy guard of several Mind Manipulators…

"Are they actually aware of the Timeless King's restrictions? Are they aiming to pierce the barrier, with that essence?" Vale mused.

"If they succeed, the consequences should affect this whole continent." Vale muttered.

Whether the ritual succeeded or not, Vale was prepared to confront this matter later on…

Soon, the ritual began as the Crimson Robed Arcanists finally arrived.