This world is also not a perfectly round sphere. According to the records that have been passed down, no one has ever been able to reach the very edge of this world, no matter how vast their divine abilities might be.
However, the books record that in another space high above lies the place where divine beings appear. Only by reaching the level of godhood, gaining the power to pass through that mysterious barrier, can one become a god and ascend to another layer of the world above. That place is known as the God Nation.
Meanwhile, in another place beneath Talentia, there exists yet another world where ordinary people are merely ordinary people, and animals are nothing more than ordinary animals. There are no Awakened, no Beasts, and no other races.
Because of the world's natural covenant, for ordinary people of the normal world to ascend to Talentia is as difficult as it is for Awakened to reach the God Nation. In other words, the possibility is almost nonexistent.
At the very least, within the records, legend has only ever mentioned a single person who managed to cross the barrier between worlds and ascend to the God Nation. That account exists only in legend. Even so, it is firmly believed by all the inhabitants of Talentia, serving as faith that the path to the God Nation has not been completely sealed. As long as they cultivate long enough and grow strong enough, they believe they can open that path once more, and then enjoy eternal life with overwhelming power.
Naturally, the residents of Talentia are also not permitted to appear freely in the normal world. If they do appear there, their power will be suppressed to prevent chaos from spreading through that world, and at times they may even lose their memories. Because of this, no matter how powerful the Awakened may be, they would not risk their lives to explore the world beneath them.
Now, a brief discussion of the status of the races in this world.
There are only two major factions here, simply divided into humans and non-human races.
Humans awaken to become Awakened, and from there continue cultivating in order to grow stronger.
Non-human races, on the other hand, are born with strength beyond that of humans and do not need to undergo cultivation. They grow stronger naturally over time, up to the limit imposed on them by this world. Each individual has their own unique limit, and breaking through it to continue growing stronger is extremely difficult.
Among them are several prominent races that have played central roles in Talentia. The Infernal, beings from hell who wield terrifying destructive power. The Arbor, existences capable of controlling plants, some drawing energy from the sun, others living by moonlight. The Pyros, masters of fire, carrying within them a pride that can never be extinguished. The Hydros, those who can control water, with some legends claiming they can even influence life and fate. The Avians, rulers of the skies, aggressive and brimming with vitality.
These non-human races have their own organization and live together in harmony, much like humans do.
As for the current relationship between humans and non-human races, it does not appear overly tense.
At the borders, peace is still maintained. Trade continues between both sides, and there are even marriages between humans and non-human races. This shows that regardless of how those in power may feel, at the very least, ordinary residents are not particularly hostile toward one another despite their racial differences.
Of course, the only thing despised by those on this continent is weakness.
Weak in strength, weak in wealth, weak in honor. As long as even one of these three becomes strong, you will secure a certain standing in this world and earn respect.
As for the forces within the human faction, there are four main nations: Mytheria, Valeria, Erevia, and Nyxfia.
Among them, Mytheria is the most powerful nation. The other three are merely dependent states of Mytheria and must pay tribute every year to avoid being crushed beneath its power.
Within Mytheria itself exist twelve different citadels. Some of the largest citadels are nearly as vast as Nyxfia, the smallest of the four nations.
With its expansive territory and abundant resources, Mytheria is also the cradle that produces generations of powerful Awakened. Because of this, the three strongest great families of Talentia are all located within Mytheria.
Of course, no matter how powerful a family may be, they still fall under the authority of the city lord governing their citadel and must obey both local laws and the overarching laws of Mytheria.
Above them, the city lords must show absolute obedience to the King.
Because Talentia is a world that worships strength, the higher your position of authority, the stronger you must be. Naturally, your mind cannot be foolish either.
Asher spent the entire morning immersed in the library, temporarily forming a general understanding of how this world functioned.
He raised his hand, and in an instant, countless cards whirled around him like a violent storm. The second card was glowing continuously now, already more than halfway unlocked.
The other cards remained a dull gray, revealing none of the patterns upon them.
Talentia, and even this entire world, was only at the very beginning of his conquest.
At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly rang out.
Asher lowered his hand, and the cards immediately turned into countless points of light, vanishing without a trace.
A servant rushed in and dropped to one knee, speaking quickly, "Young Master, the Grand Elder of the Valerius family has arrived. He says he wishes to deliver a formal challenge to you!"
Asher raised an eyebrow and walked straight toward the grand hall.
The grand hall, which had been left in ruins just the day before, had already been completely restored. In a world where Awakened with Talent were everywhere, rebuilding a collapsed structure in a single day was far too simple. However, this place now seemed on the verge of facing yet another wave of destruction.
High above, currents of wind slowly yet powerfully rose, nothing more than a display of intimidation from the strong.
The Grand Elder of the Valerius family was also the second-in-command of the Valerius family, ranked only beneath the slumbering Elders who protected the clan.
Those sleeping Elders would only appear when the family or the entire continent faced an apocalyptic calamity. Therefore, in the outside world, it could be said that the Grand Elder was the strongest figure of a family, far more powerful than the family head.
At this moment, he hovered in midair. His figure was not tall or imposing, but slender and lean, and he looked far younger than the Elders Asher had seen before.
The hem of his navy-blue cloak whipped violently in the wind. Seeing Asher finally appear, he spoke at once, his voice like rolling thunder, heavy and vast like the sea itself:
"Asher Aurelius, today I issue a challenge to you here. Two days from now, in Roma, I will be waiting for you there. If Asher Aurelius does not appear, the Aurelius family shall bear the wrath of the Valerius family!"
With those words, he immediately dissipated into the air, leaving behind only faint wisps of blue-tinged vapor.
Clearly, this was not a challenge aimed solely at Asher, but at the entire Aurelius family.
After all, Asher had not only killed a member of the Valerius family, that person had also been the head of the entire clan!
The Valerius family would naturally not let this humiliation pass in silence.
What they wanted was not a simple apology from Robert accompanied by a few minor concessions.
They intended to uproot the newly emerged talent of the Aurelius family and, at the same time, use their authority to pressure the Aurelius family into handing over even greater benefits. Only then could the shame inflicted upon their family be truly washed away.
It must be known that among the three great families, the Aurelius family was indeed somewhat inferior to the other two in terms of talent.
Robert knew that in this battle, even if Asher did not wish to go, he would have no choice but to go.
However, with Asher's current capabilities, no one in the family could truly force him. If he chose to flee, he would be hunted down, yet he could still survive for the time being. Nevertheless, the Aurelius family would then have to prepare for a tense and all-out confrontation with the Valerius family.
Asher looked at the expressions of the people around him and gauged the strength of the Grand Elder of the Valerius family. He must be extremely powerful, powerful enough to make everyone here believe that Asher had no path to victory…