Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 1367 Intricate Formation

”Thatʼs setting people up to die. Anyone who canʼt survive the flames will die.” Grey whispered softly to his friends.

”Whatʼs the point of sending people out on a trial that might claim their lives?” Someone from the crowd asked.

”Nothing is given for free. You either fight for it, or someone does it for you.” The middle-aged man didnʼt see anything wrong with this question. He knew some of the people would ask about it.

”It has been like this since time immemorial. A sacrifice must be paid. Pass the obstacle, and you grow stronger. Fail, and you fall.”

”Only the strong and relentless grow to become the best. Anyone else who can not even dare to face a challenge shouldnʼt call themselves an Elementalist.”

”Living itself is a challenge. From birth we all struggle, and until our last breath, we will continue to struggle.”

The man continued with his speech as a path opened up in the center of the Hall.

The man took flight as he looked at the fiery path below him.

”Those who feel they are worthy should descend into the volcano.”

Grey looked at the volcano, he didnʼt have any interest in going in.

”Thereʼs something good. I can assure you. Itʼs on the level of that Dragonʼs blood essence.” Void showed excitement.

Grey tilted his head to look at the opening better. He didnʼt know what was inside, but he wasnʼt too interested in it either.

Void might be excited about something inside the volcano, but he wasnʼt. He had gotten so many treasures already, putting himself in harms way for a new treasure wasnʼt something he would do, especially now that he had countless treasures.

Void saw his lack of interest and his excitement died down.

”Youʼve become very boring.”

”Not boring, but cautious. My enemies are powerful, too much for me. I donʼt know where or when they will attack. Itʼs best Iʼm always on my toes.” Grey didnʼt feel bothered about Voidʼs words.

”You guys are free to head in. Iʼm not going.” He said to his friends.

”I donʼt like hot places.”

”Iʼm better off watching them.”

They turned to Alice and saw her looking into the place with intensity.

”You can go, just be careful.”

”I know. But I donʼt think it will be that easy.” Alice shook her head with a sigh. She wanted to go, but she could sense unprecedented danger in there. There was also opportunities, but she knew the danger was higher.

”Iʼm not going. We should all stay back and watch. Who knows, it might be interesting.” She added.

Grey nodded. He didnʼt want to enter the volcano in the first place. Since he wasnʼt prepared for what might happen, it was best to stay out and watch others.

The young lady they met earlier walked over when she noticed none of them was standing up.

”Arenʼt any of you going to try?”

”No, weʼre not interested in getting any blessings. We only came here to see new things, and watching will be beneficial to us than experiencing it.” Klaus replied.

”Understandable. Iʼll take my leave first, hopefully we see when I come out.” The young lady left them, heading for the opening.

She was the first person to step into the opening. With one person taking the lead, the others started to troop in one by one.

After a few minutes, the Hall was almost empty. Only a few people were left. Most of them were elders, but there were also a few youngsters like Grey and his friends.

The man who gave the speed took a glance at the few who didnʼt go in.

”Are you sure you want to watch this opportunity slip?”

Those who were seated nodded. Theyʼve all accessed their situations and felt it was better not to step in.

The man didnʼt say anything and went to take his seat. The show was about to start.

A large screen appeared in the Hall and they could see all the people that were inside the volcano.

”Thatʼs some impressive formation.” Grey muttered when he saw the people.

He could work out something like this if given the chance, but other than his communication and tracking device, he had stopped researching on this aspect of arrays.

When he first met Ellis, he got a communication device he could see the figure of the person heʼs talking to. So he knew things like these were possible.

Everyone focused on the screen before them. There were a few people who were still slightly considering if they should go in or not.

The scene in the screen changed and a large group of skeletons rose, charging towards the people that just stepped into the volcano.

”This is the first trial. Defeat the skeletons and get to the other side.” The man explained to those watching.

”Not everyone has to kill the skeletons, as long as you can get to the other side, youʼre good.”

”These things are difficult to defeat. And if one manages to defeat ten, the other skeletons will let them go through without bothering them.”

”The more skeletons you defeat, the better your reward after the trial.”

Grey and the others listened as the man spoke.

The battle erupted soon after.

Most of the people that entered were in the Late stages of the Venerable Plane. There were a few in the Early and Mid stages, while there were others in the Sage Plane.

”Wouldnʼt this trial be unfair for those who are weak?” Grey asked a question.

The man glanced a Grey, ”Not entirely. Due to the formation, thereʼs not really a concept of strong and weak. Everyone faces an opponent on their level.”

”Since youʼre at the Peak of the Venerable Plane, your opponent will be at the Peak as well.”

”It all depends on your ability. If you canʼt hold your own against someone in the same stage as you, what makes you a genius?”

Grey nodded. His eyes were glowing, the intricacy behind this formation left by the Firelord was stunning. At the moment, he felt like going in, not for the treasure, but to study the array formation.