The Fifteenth Layer of the Necropolis of the Gods.
Within a terrifying magic formation, countless spells comparable to the attacks of Highgods materialized out of thin air.
Water, wind, fire, earth, light, darkness, lightning.
All elemental spells emerged unpredictably.
Sadius had no choice but to constantly dodge.
The area near the passage leading to the Sixteenth Layer was even more densely packed with energy attacks.
"If this continues, I'm afraid this dark God clone will meet its end here."
Sadius was frantically searching for a way to break the deadlock.
"I'll first try destroying each formation node and see if it has any effect."
He spotted a column of light and flew toward its base. At the bottom, he saw a massive magic stone disc. It looked somewhat similar to the magic formation in the Valley of Fog, but the inscriptions were completely different.
"Each light pillar is a small magic formation, with a divine crystal as its core. It's almost impossible to destroy them through brute force."
Suddenly, Sadius remembered the magic formation decoding techniques he had learned from the Harry brothers back at Beirut's metallic castle. That method seemed applicable to the formation before him.
"Let's try it first. Maybe it'll work."
He immediately began to crack the formation.
Dark divine power invaded the structure, forcibly altering the flow of energy within the magic formation.
But after just a moment of work, a random surge of energy attacks struck toward him, forcing Sadius to pause.
"This method works, but it's far too slow. I'll have to summon my true body and the other two God clones. Only with all of us working together can it possibly be done before the ten-year limit expires."
Without hesitation, his true body stepped from the Fourteenth Layer into the Fifteenth.
Then, the two God clones separated from the true body, each heading toward a different formation.
Four bodies cracking formations simultaneously—efficiency instantly skyrocketed.
As for the combined magical assaults from these arrays? Sadius didn't bother to resist them head-on; if he could dodge, he dodged.
Breaking the formations was his top priority.
After he unraveled the first magic formation, Sadius realized they weren't as difficult as he'd feared.
The second formation was unlocked with ease.
Then the third… the fourth…Of course, cracking formations wasn't instantaneous. It still took considerable time.
But time-consuming tasks like this were something Sadius was happy to endure.
Day by day, he dismantled more and more formations.
As the number of magic formations decreased, the energy assaults on the Fifteenth Layer weakened noticeably.
"Just a few more. I need the attacks reduced to a level I can comfortably endure, otherwise there won't be enough time."
At this point, there wasn't much time left before the ten-year trial period expired.
When Sadius had dismantled thirty-six formations, the power of the grand array had weakened to the point where it could only threaten ordinary Highgods.
Under such conditions, Sadius could move freely.
"Good. That should be enough. Let's see what reward awaits at the passage."
Once those thirty-six formations were cracked, the energy around the passage weakened greatly.
Sadius recalled all his clones back into his main body. Holding the Violet Blood Divine Sword, he charged toward the passage.
Oblivion Sword Intent constantly cleaved through the surrounding energy attacks.
Seizing the opportunity, Sadius dashed through the energy barrier and arrived at the edge of the passage.
There, he saw a stone platform. On it was embedded a long sword.
"So, this is the reward for the Fifteenth Layer?" Sadius frowned.
"Could it be… a Sovereign artifact?"
He shook his head. Impossible. This is only the Fifteenth Layer. How could there possibly be a Sovereign artifact here?
At that moment, a voice entered his ears.
"Sadius, I didn't expect your talent in magic formations to be this high. Even some Highgods who specialize in arrays can't match you. You've managed to 'take a shortcut' through the Fifteenth Layer. The divine artifact before you is a Highgod-tier Divine Spark Weapon."
It was Beirut's voice.
Clearly, everything happening within the Necropolis of the Gods was already within Beirut's gaze.
"Milord, what exactly is a Divine Spark Weapon?" Sadius asked knowingly, feigning curiosity.
"This is a weapon forged from a Highgod's Divine Spark. Its power far surpasses ordinary Highgod artifacts."
"Divine Sparks can be forged into weapons?"
"Others can't… but I, Beirut, can. This weapon is second only to a Sovereign artifact."
"Then I must thank you, Lord Beirut."
Sadius immediately pulled the divine sword from the stone platform.
The sword was crystalline in texture, dark in hue, yet within it faintly shimmered various colored glimmers.
It was somewhat different from the Mirage Sword Beirut gave to Linley in the original story.
The blade wasn't as thin as a cicada's wing like Mirage; instead, it appeared slightly heavier and thicker.
Moreover, the Divine Spark used in its forging wasn't carefully selected from the four elements of water, wind, fire, and earth, but rather forged casually from an available Highgod spark.
Overall, it was not as exquisite as Linley's Mirage Sword, but it was far superior to normal Highgod artifacts, and much stronger than his Violet Blood Divine Sword.
Sadius dripped a drop of blood on the sword to bind it, then casually swung it.
The stone platform before him shattered instantly.
"Good. Got what I came for. Time to leave—the ten-year limit is almost up."
"Milord, there are still a few days before the ten years are over. Can't I at least take a look at the Sixteenth Layer?"
"You're quite greedy. Even Infernal Realm's Seven-Star Fiends and the Radiant God Realm's Twelve-Winged Angels have fallen there. If you want to die, you can certainly take a look."
Sadius just laughed sheepishly and didn't bring up the Sixteenth Layer again.
A few days later, the ten-year trial of the Necropolis of the Gods ended.
Sadius, Dylin, and Catherine exited the Necropolis through the passage.
On the South Seas, Beirut was already waiting.
"Sadius, congratulations," Beirut said, his tone meaningful.
Sadius was puzzled. What's so surprising about just clearing the Fifteenth Layer?
"This time, four of you entered the Necropolis, but only three came out alive. O'Brien died on the Twelfth Layer. One can only say his luck was poor. The Necropolis tests not only strength but also luck. Those who survive all gain something. It wasn't a wasted trip."
At that moment, two more figures flew out from beneath the sea.
They were the Kui Bull Usor and the elf Dolantell.
"Lord Beirut."
The two immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Beirut.
"Sadius, you really know how to exploit loopholes in the rules—digging into the foundations of the great Sovereign's Necropolis itself. Luckily, the Sovereign sees us Gods as mere ants and couldn't be bothered with you. Otherwise, you would've been pEunicehed."
From Beirut's tone, it was clear he was slightly displeased at Sadius "stealing from under the Sovereign's nose."
"Lord Beirut speaks the truth. I won't use such petty tricks again."
Beirut let Sadius take the two survivors away.
Then his voice echoed across the entire Yulan Plane:
"In fifteen days, the Necropolis of the Gods will reopen. Highgod experts may enter."
In the Planar Prison, countless God-level experts heard Beirut's announcement.
In Odin City, one of the Five Kings—Odin—also heard the voice.
At the time, he was holding a beautiful Lesser God in his arms, while another Lesser God was undergoing unspeakable torment before his eyes.
Upon hearing the announcement, he immediately reacted.
Although he was confined to the Planar Prison within the Yulan Plane…
He still had a God clone in the Netherworld.
"Should I gamble or not?"
Odin hesitated for a moment, then made his decision.
"As long as I don't provoke that Beirut again, I refuse to believe I won't get a Sovereign artifact this time!"
--
Read up to 22 chapters ahead on p atreon/TheUncrownedKing
Novel is complete!! New Novel Dropping Soon!!