Tower of Heaven

The Second Prince's silence did nothing to help him, but there was nothing he could do regardless.

The problem with mortal societies was the speed at which information traveled. The highest authorities of the world, such as the Emperor and his family, were held in an absolute position that turned all of their words into truth.

The citizens weren't aware of what was happening within the palace. The reputation they knew the Third Prince by was his own, not that which was newly established by the demonic seed controlling him.

They took his word as bond. It was even more damning when the evidence had been forged so perfectly. According to what the civilians knew, the investigator discovered that both the Emperor and his aide were killed two days ago, just before the Second Prince disappeared.

It was a cut-and-dry case. In a certain sense, it made everything more suspicious. What were the Second Prince's motivations, and why would he return after successfully escaping?

If cultivators who spent their lives pursuing the secrets of the world saw the same situation, they would immediately get to the crux of it and understand that the facts were being manipulated.

Mortals who had common status in the era of this world were not given the right to learn. They were mere sheep being herded en masse. The Third Prince created a believable story and they bought it.

"KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!"

They roared in unison. Rocks and tomatoes flew onto the stage as they grabbed anything nearby to throw at him.

"Be patient!" The Third Prince yelled.

"Your decision has been heard! Return to your homes and wait. Tonight, we will bring him before you to shame as you please! Only afterward will we schedule the execution."

Under the control of the knight order, the citizens were led out of the square. Atlas, on the other hand, was forced to stand there for several more hours until night fell.

That was when the Third Prince delivered on his promise.

He had the knights parade Atlas around the city, dragging him through the streets by his chains. The citizens stood outside their homes, prepared this time.

They pelted him with stones, rotten meats and ingredients, wooden planks, and anything else they had lying around. By the time he was returned to the prison several hours later, he was stained in blood, bruises, and a mixture of rancid liquids.

Why did Atlas allow himself to face such humiliation?

This was just a trial. He could easily just break free of his restraints and kill the Third Prince. The Second Prince's fate would still be brutal, but he would be able to stop the Dark Cult's plans and pass the trial.

Why wasn't he prioritizing speed and efficiency and being treated like a dog?

'The Second Prince…'

A person who was betrayed by everyone and everything he loved. Atlas felt a deep connection to this character and wanted to bring his story to a proper conclusion. He wanted to save this world in the Second Prince's place.

'And, if I wish to take a more practical approach, it is still beneficial.'

The rewards for this trial were like the other Cumulative Trials, "Based on contribution." Depending on the kind of outcome Atlas created, his rewards would differ.

'Ending the Third Prince is the easiest option.'

Meaning, it would grant him the lowest possible reward.

'Saving this world, truly saving it… I wonder how many people have been willing to put in the effort.'

The reward for such a feat had to be far better than its counterparts.

Atlas' time in the outside world was over. According to the Third Prince's plans, he would remain here for the next two weeks and then die meaninglessly.

'This body has been brutalized.'

It reminded him of his childhood, almost. Despite the injuries he accumulated, he somehow managed to live. The guards didn't even question it when he was pelted in the head with a rock and barely winced.

'This body has a great physique.'

It was the advantage that helped the Imperial Family rise to prominence all those years ago. Their blood housed one of the 1000 Heavenly Constitutions, the Spiritual Wood Constitution.

This physique essentially gave their bodies a natural power of regeneration that made them gods amongst mortals. It was also the source of the great wood affinity that the Second Prince had.

'In reality, he was the most talented of the three. The First Prince was better at administration and would have made a far better emperor, but Kade Von Ataraxia had the potential to be a magnificent cultivator.'

The other two couldn't accomplish the same feats because they were born with affinities that mismatched their physique.

They could still cultivate and achieve great things, but the synergy between the wood element physique and the affinity for the Dao of Wood was hard to replicate.

Even now, Atlas felt like it was only natural that his body absorbed the surrounding energy and healed. It was only natural that he didn't feel fatigued or burdened in the slightest.

'The raw essence of vitality has taken root within me.'

As his own body synergized with Kade, the effects of the physique were temporarily mirrored onto him. The budding affinity that Atlas was housing was suddenly emboldened greatly.

'Vitality is like that. It is not just in every living thing, but in everything that exists, even the air itself.'

It was a great balancing force, as nothing could ever be eternal. Vitality was just as essential as life itself.

Atlas was chained to the wall and unable to move more than a few inches in every direction.

In this state, he felt the pull of vitality even more.

His eyes suddenly closed on their own. His internal body, the one hidden inside of Kade, reacted to the stimulation.

His inner world now had a sky and earth. The twin-seeds were nuzzled warmly in the space between them. A light green energy started to accumulate around it, giving it the strength to grow.

Atlas' comprehension of the Dao of Wood rapidly accelerated. For the entire time it took his body to heal from the many wounds he received as he was paraded around, he sunk into an atmosphere of sudden enlightenment.

He was lucky that others were intentionally ordered to disregard him and isolate him as much as possible so he went insane before his trial. Otherwise, this would have been a perfect opportunity to kill him.

He didn't know how long it was before he regained his wits.

'That was…unexpected.'

He only remembered his circumstances when he tried to move and was restricted by chains.

'It would have been dangerous if I was unconscious for too long.'

His plans had already been properly altered.

'As I look back, I realize that the imperial prison is actually a better starting point. My original plan was good, but this is even better.'

The best thing, however, was still the fact that he awakened.

After all, two days had passed since he was thrown back into the prison.

And, a new visitor was approaching.

He walked through the halls with a slight smile on his face. His eyes were curved into crescents strangely, but nobody questioned it. The prison was off-limits according to the Crown Prince's orders, but he was someone who could still enter and leave as he pleased.

The Crown Prince's attendant approached the traitorous Second Prince's prison cell.

And, at the same time, one Ascender approached another.