Chapter 471: World Embyro

Bertram looked at the others and found no recognition on their faces either. How did these people become Primordial without knowing a single thing?

"Then it’s a good thing I asked. Every Primordial needs a core to keep growing stronger, so we’ll have to help you get started on yours."

Caelus’s expression changed. He had arrived hoping to find ways to improve, yet he hadn’t even known he was missing something this important.

The Axiom Origin’s power had made him stronger after his transformation. But that didn’t mean he understood how Primordials normally developed their strength.

"Then what do we need to build one?"

"A few things, but the main one is an embryo. A World Embryo, to be exact."

Caelus frowned at the unfamiliar name while Sylvia listened beside him. Bertram continued before he needed to ask.

"They come in different kinds and grades. You’ll want to choose carefully instead of settling for the first one you find."

Bertram spoke with more confidence now that they had reached a subject he understood.

"Get your hands on a High-Grade World Embryo and you’ll grow stronger very quickly. Believe me, a good one is worth the trouble."

That caught Caelus’s interest immediately. He needed enough strength to face enemies far beyond an ordinary Primordial, and Sylvia needed to keep advancing too.

"That sounds like something we should look into. Where do people find these embryos?"

"In the Embryo Zone. Every so often a wave sweeps across the world, and new World Embryos are born there."

"Some of them turn out to be very good indeed. And you’re in luck, because we had a new wave just recently."

Freya titled her head hearing this. "Can we go and look? There should still be some left!"

"There should be. Though I should warn you, plenty of new Primordials and Transcendants are heading there too."

"Sorry, what rank is Transcendant?" Caelus asked with a frown.

"It’s the stage directly below Primordial."

Caelus understood. That should be what Edran had called the Chaos God rank, though people here used a different name for it.

He would have to get used to the local terms as well as the local rules.

"I’ll take you there and explain the rest when we arrive. But getting an embryo will be up to you."

"All right. Let’s go take a look."

They left the mansion after getting ready and boarded Bertram’s ship. Freya claimed a seat beside the glass while Sylvia sat with Caelus and Himmel joined them across the table.

Soon the crowded streets disappeared beneath them. They flew past the outer cities and followed a broad river toward a region surrounded by dark mountains.

Even from a distance Caelus could see other ships heading toward the same place. Some were small enough for a handful of travelers while others carried dozens of people beneath faction banners.

The ships descended around a wide stone platform at the foot of the mountains. Beyond it lay a valley filled with pale mist and scattered points of light.

People crowded the steps leading toward the valley. Caelus sensed Primordials among them, along with others whose strength fell below that rank.

Bertram landed beside a row of waiting ships and opened the door.

"Here we are. Come with me, I’ll show you where to go in."

Caelus stepped onto the platform with Sylvia. Nearby a woman with copper-colored hair was fastening a pair of gloves while two companions checked the supplies at her feet.

She noticed Bertram and stopped what she was doing.

"Lord Bertram?"

Several people turned at her voice. A broad man with gray skin lowered the crate he was carrying and stared toward their ship.

"Is that really Bertram? What would someone as strong as him want here?"

"Do you think he’s going in?" someone behind him asked.

Caelus heard them clearly. He looked at the round-bellied fairy who was still making sure everyone had stepped off the ship.

So Bertram was a powerhouse?

The man had spent yesterday apologizing for his driving and boasting about his hotel. Caelus hadn’t expected his arrival to make nearby Primordials stop what they were doing.

He hadn’t been given a clear measure of Bertram’s strength either. Now he had another reason to pay attention to the man.

The copper-haired woman approached and greeted Bertram with a slight bow.

"I didn’t expect to see you here today."

"Just showing some friends around. Have you had any luck yet, Nessa?"

"We only got here this morning. I’m hoping the good ones haven’t all been taken already."

Bertram introduced her to the four of them.

"This is Nessa. She’s only recently become a Primordial, so she’s here for an embryo too."

"I’m Caelus Kross. We only heard about this place this morning, so you’re already ahead of us."

"Not by much," Nessa said with a smile. "Good luck in there."

The gray-skinned man approached next with the crate balanced against his hip. Bertram greeted him as Dorran and explained that he was a Transcendant.

Dorran gave a rueful smile.

"I told everyone we should come early to avoid the crowd. You can see how well that worked out."

Caelus glanced toward the ships still arriving. Even while they spoke another group had joined the line at the steps.

Across the platform three horned figures stood beneath a black banner marked with red stars. The people passing them gave the group considerably more room than anyone else.

At their front stood a tall man with curved black horns and dark red skin. He wore a long coat and watched the valley while his companions spoke behind him.

Bertram noticed Caelus looking.

"That man is Varek. He’s with the Stellar Devils, a name you’ll want to remember."

"The Stellar Devils? Should we be careful around them?"

"I’d advise it, because they have some very powerful devil Primordials among them. And they’re actual devils, by the way."

Caelus studied the banner once more so he would recognize it later.

"Got it."

Varek turned toward them and his gaze settled on Bertram. He gave the fairy a brief nod but didn’t approach.

Bertram returned the greeting and led the four toward the valley. Nearby conversations grew softer as people noticed who was walking past them.

Caelus was becoming even more curious about the fairy’s standing here. However, the lights appearing through the mist drew his attention back to the World Embryos.

At the bottom of the steps Bertram moved aside and gestured toward the entrance.

"Please, go in."

Caelus entered the Embryo Zone beside Sylvia while Himmel and Freya followed.