Chapter 233 233: Forbidden Forest
Xu Shan's gaze fell upon the High Priest, his eyes filled with an indescribable aura of dominance. The High Priest couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine, realizing that he was standing before someone far superior to him.
"What did you find?" Xu Shan asked, his voice calm and composed.
The High Priest hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with fear.
"I...I have divined the location of the Shadow Hall," he stammered, his voice barely audible.
He couldn't even ask about the identity of the man before him. He remembered how furious the Empress was. She was the most eager to find the address. But she wasn't here anymore. That convinced him that even she didn't dare to stay in the presence of this young man.
Throughout the last few days, he had heard a lot about the situation of the Capital. He knew that in the present time, there was only one person who was capable of such a thing. The person who had made a name for himself in the shortest time.
Xu Shan was young. Yet, he wasn't comparable to the most talented youngsters of the Divine Realm. He was in a completely different league of himself. Let alone being comparable to himself, even the strongest of adults weren't comparable to him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtA smile tugged at the corners of Xu Shan's lips as he stepped closer to the High Priest. "Are you scared of me?"
"Don't worry. If your information is proved to be right, I won't harm you. But if it's a lie..."
Xu Shan didn't finish his sentence but his words were enough to convey his message.
"So where are those rats hiding?" he asked, his thoughts clear.
The High Priest took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "The Shadow Hall is located in the Forbidden Forest, deep within the Eastern Province," he revealed, his voice trembling. "It is a place shrouded in darkness, hidden from the eyes of ordinary mortals."
Xu Shan's eyes gleamed with excitement as he heard the High Priest's words. The Forbidden Forest was a treacherous and dangerous place, filled with mythical creatures and unpredictability. It was the best place to hide, so he could almost confirm the information.
"Not a bad place to hide," he said as he turned around and started leaving. "Though don't forget what I said. If it turns out to be a lie, you won't have a good time, no matter where you run off to."
The High Priest nodded, relieved to be dismissed. Once Xu Shan left, he dropped to his knees, his legs getting weak. Only he knew how much of a struggle it was to stay standing in front of Xu Shan.
Even though Xu Shan didn't release any of his Celestial Aura, he could still feel a suppression that came from the soul itself.
Xu Shan stepped out of the Tower, deep in thought. In the entire Divination Tower, only one person was left alive. And it was only a matter of time before he died as well.
"I wonder if I should keep him safe. He might come in handy in the future." He pondered, looking back at the Palace. "Too much work."
Eventually, he dropped the thought.
With a flick of his wrist, Xu Shan summoned a portal, a swirling vortex of energy appearing before him. Stepping through, he found himself standing on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, feeling the oppressive atmosphere surrounding him.
The Forbidden Forest was not a place to be taken lightly. It was said that it was a place that could only be entered but not left. There were also many rumors about the place having frightening beasts of supreme celestial cultivation.
Since no one knew the truth about such rumors, many people tried to explore this region in the past, all dying in the process. Since then, this place was considered a forbidden forest.
Moreover since the Forbidden Forest was very far from the Divine Capital, the Divine Empress also didn't bother much about it, her goals clear from the beginning.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmPrecisely because this forest was such an ignored and isolated piece of land, this also became the best place for the Shadow Hall to establish itself when the Divine Queen came to power and unified all the Empires.
The Shadow Hall, known for its covert operations and clandestine activities, saw the potential in the isolation of the Forbidden Forest. They recognized the strategic advantage it provided for their operations, as it allowed them to remain hidden from prying eyes and maintain their secrecy.
With the dense vegetation providing excellent cover, it became an ideal base for the assassin organization to carry out their missions across the various domains.
Unfortunately, as scary as it might be for most people to enter this guest, Xu Shan didn't reveal the slightest bit of concern. Instead, he seemed eager to enter.
As he delved deeper into the forest, Xu Shan could sense the presence of powerful beings lurking in the shadows. The air crackled with an electric energy, and he could feel the eyes of unseen creatures watching his every move. But Xu Shan was undeterred.
For most people, it would've been impossible to locate the Assassins, let alone even feel their presence. But for him, even the slightest trace of killing intent directed at him was too much.
He acted as if he hadn't noticed them as he kept going deeper. Minutes turned into hours as Xu Shan navigated through the treacherous terrain of the Forbidden Forest.
The Assassins trailed after him, slowly surrounding him as they spread out while not even making the slightest sound. However, none of them attacked, as if waiting for something.
Xu Shan also understood what they were waiting for. They were trained assassins, and they were even more dangerous at their own home, where they knew the terrain the best. With home advantage, they didn't take any risks.
"What are they waiting for? Shouldn't they attack you?" Xinren asked Xu Shan, slowly following behind him. "Are they scared?"