Realm of Myths and Legends

If old man Zhi was born during the Lost Generation, it meant that he stepped into the world near the end of the Sixth War of the Titans. If so, that would make him at least 300 years old!

However, the humans in RML, even those at the legendary realm, were not long-lived. At most, a human who enters the legendary realm should be able to live 150 years. Beyond that, it would require an extraordinary method to deny the hands of time. But, Izroth was not too surprised by this as such means were definitely attainable for someone at Zhi's level.

More importantly, according to Aurie, the Lost Generation was an era with a damaged Divinity Line. If so, how did someone like Zhi manage to become so powerful under such harsh restrictions? At the very least, Izroth could see why Aurie said he was born into the wrong era. If someone like that had been born during a period of time where the Divinity Line was normal, who knew how much more remarkable his accomplishments would be?

Furthermore, even if he was from the Lost Generation, from the way Aurie described him and taking their brief encounter into consideration, it was clear to Izroth that old man Zhi's strength exceeded that of others in the legendary realm.

If that was the case, why was he still in the Mortal Realm? Why had he not ascended? Better yet, why did the Laws of the World not force him to ascend to the Divine Realm?

As if sensing Izroth's thoughts, Aurie said, "I was once told that Grandpa Zhi always has one foot in the Divinity Realm. However, he is never permitted to take that final step forward."

"When I simplified the Divinity Line, there was one thing I left out. It's the least common of its uses but undoubtedly the most valued in the eyes of those ready to break through the peak of the legendary realm."

"If one wants to reach the Divine Realm, it cannot be done without the Divinity Line, which connects the two planes. Besides this, there are four requirements that must be met. The first of which is rather clear cut, and that is to step beyond the peak of the legendary realm." Aurie explained.

"You mention the peak of the legendary realm quite often. Does that mean there are different levels of strength within the legendary realm?" Izroth asked.

"Indeed, not every person or being in the legendary realm are equal in terms of power. This goes for other realms as well; however, the difference is not too noticeable until one steps into the legendary realm. Initial, Primary, Late, and Peak--these stages determine how far one has stepped into their respective realm." Aurie spoke unhurriedly.

'I see. I figured it was something like this; however, I originally thought it simply came down to a level difference. But, it seems the lines between levels become blurred at some point--at least, this is the case for those in the legendary realm. If I had to make a comparison, it would be similar to players reaching a level cap. Equipment, skills, experience--even if two players are at the max level, these things separate top players, pros, and casual players. Named NPCs appear to have their own form of progression.'

"Ah, if you're curious, the Night Lord we encountered back at the Unsanctioned Zone is someone at the Primary stage of the legendary realm. However, if he had his Spirix with him, his power would have been equivalent to someone at the Late stage. Looking back, our circumstances were quite fortunate." Aurie noted.

Izroth knew that Aurie's words were correct. If not for Zarolas having his guard down and underestimating them, Aurie's Dream Domain, and his presence at the Unsanctioned Zone, a great slaughter would have taken place that day.

"Some say one's fortune and luck are also skills, Commander," Izroth commented.

"An optimistic viewpoint to hold. But, I suppose there is some truth to what you say." Aurie responded.

She then continued, "Getting back on topic--those who are genuinely at the peak of the legendary realm are few and far between. Even in the Mortal Realm, the number can be counted with one's fingers alone. However, what many people don't know is that there exists another realm under the firmament--one below the divine realm, yet above the legendary realm."

When Aurie brought up this subject, Izroth's interest was immediately piqued. There was a level between the legendary realm and the divine realm?

"Interesting, I thought the legendary realm was the furthest one could tread before the divine realm. I've never heard the slightest whisper of a stage that exists in between the two." Izroth stated.

"That's no surprise. As I said before, not many people know of this fact. If not for my adoptive mother, I too would have remained ignorant of it." Aurie sighed.

"Your adoptive mother has gifted you with a precious source of knowledge."

Aurie smiled and said, "Yes, and I am forever thankful to her for it. I am afraid I can never repay for everything she has given me in this lifetime alone. She is an exceptional person--one I aspire to be like one day."

Izroth could hear the pride and admiration in Aurie's voice whenever she brought up her adoptive mother. Her eyes lit up like a child talking about their hero.

"I never knew the Commander had such a tender side," Izroth said with a carefree smile.

Aurie lightly cleared her throat as she immediately changed the topic at hand, "Anyhow, I know it is hard to accept at face value, but it's the truth. Those who step above the legendary realm but have not yet entered the divine realm are called Plane Ascenders. Earlier, when I said that one has to step beyond the legendary realm, I was referring directly to Plane Ascenders--just like Grandpa Zhi."

"Plane Ascenders... How many are there?" Izroth asked curiously.

Aurie, however, shook her head and replied, "I don't know. Besides other Plane Ascenders, I doubt anyone knows the exact number. However, I estimate that even taking every other major realm into account, the amount can be counted on a single hand. Of course, this is just speculation. Grandpa Zhi could be the only Plane Ascender in existence for all I know."

"You mentioned there are four conditions to reaching the divine realm. Becoming a Plane Ascender is one part, but what are the other three requirements?" Izroth questioned. Naturally, he was curious as information surrounding the legendary realm was extremely scarce and hard to come by. Even after reading every book on the Amaharpe Palace Library's first and second floors, when it came to things about the legendary realm, and beyond, Izroth repeatedly received stories or myths--nothing concrete. Having access to this kind of knowledge was crucial if he hoped to climb to the top of this world.

"The second is that one must reach a certain level of comprehension of a Law of the World--this is what others refer to as a Domain. As for the third requirement, it is to complete the development of one's Source. Though it is essentially impossible to become a Plane Ascender without first achieving these two feats in the first place, so it's difficult to see them as actual requirements." Aurie stated.

Izroth inwardly furrowed his brows. So far, with the way Aurie described everything, it sounded like Zhi should have already long since ascended to the divine realm. Therefore, what was preventing him from taking that last step forward?

"The cruelest requirement, however, is the fourth. One must be chosen to ascend during their realm's Divinity Line Cycle." Aurie observed Zhi's medallion and could not help but sigh.

"Divinity Line Cycle?"

"After the Divinity Line was damaged during the Sixth War of the Titans, things became complicated in the Divine Realm. As a result, when the Divinity Line was finally repaired, the divine beings made a pact. On a specific day every 500 years, the Plane Ascenders from one of the major realms will be permitted to ascend to the Divine Realm. Unfortunately for Grandpa Zhi, the first realm to be chosen was the Mortal Realm. At that time, he was nowhere close to the legendary realm, let alone becoming a Plane Ascender, and with there being seven major realms..."

"It'll be another 3,000 years or so before the Mortal Realm's Divinity Line Cycle." Izroth finished what Aurie wanted to say but lamented speaking aloud.

'It's truly a lost generation. Still, 3,000 years... Even with the 3:1 time ratio, that's 1,000 years. Does this mean it's impossible for players to ever reach the divine realm?'

Aurie's words had given Izroth a lot to think about regarding how he should proceed at the later stages of RML. However, these were all issues outside the scope of his current strength. Izroth understood that if he wanted to change anything, no matter what world it was in, he first had to gather enough power to do so.

Without power, everything would become mere wishful thinking.

...

Several minutes later...

Not too long after Aurie finished speaking, the medallion at the center of the spatial corridor trembled. The next moment, the medallion shot towards Izroth and returned to his inventory.

When Izroth and Aurie examined the spatial corridor, they noticed that the once unstable space had become orderly and now formed a straight path.

"It's finished stabilizing. Let's move. Remember to stay alert, Captain." Aurie reminded as she stepped forward with the unconscious Dolos hovering at her side.

Izroth gave a small nod as he followed Aurie into the spatial corridor.

A few seconds after they entered, the spatial corridor closed itself after them, leaving behind nothing but a deathly silence.