Pillar of Yita

It’s like pushing open the door of a small cabin, only to find a massive hall inside, an overwhelming spatial dislocation. As Fang Hong walked on the thick hand-woven carpet, seeing the doors leading straight to the end, he realized why this place was called the ’Hall of Thousand Doors’.

Even more striking was the space above the hall.

Fang Hong raised his head and discovered there was no dome, but a void overhead, with countless bookshelves and books suspended, and spiral staircases leading to these massive bookshelves, like an ocean of Knowledge.

Yet the spiral staircases were not connected to the ground, leaving one to wonder how to reach them. Occasionally, a bright lightning bolt would streak through the void deep within the bookshelves.

He stared blankly for quite some time.

This undoubtedly was a half-plane created by Magic, and the ancient magic of the Numelin was evidently more astonishing than rumored. Yet how did the powerful Numelin Elves, holders of such formidable Strength, disappear completely after a single catastrophe?

Many historical records show they continued to appear in various places after the Aithelin disaster, but not long after, all traces of this civilization vanished.

Leaving behind countless Mysteries in today’s Eteliria.

The Tower Guard advised them to stay in the hall and not wander around. Before the Hall of Thousand Doors truly opened, the endless spaces behind those doors would trap one in a space-time labyrinth, never to escape.

Fang Hong had a similar experience in Dolifen, so he dared not act recklessly.

Moreover, that was in a dream, whereas this was reality.

In addition to Odin’s previous words, leaving him breathless for a long time, he still appeared somewhat dazed even now.

Aside from him, the others were not visiting this place for the first time, so they were not overly surprised. Everyone picked a spot, had dinner—the plates on the tables and long benches would automatically fill with sumptuous food the moment they sat down.

Then they each rested.

The Door opening ritual would take place at ten o’clock the following morning.

As dawn arrived, the hall brightened, though the source of this Light was unknown—Fang Hong looked up to find overhead still countless bookshelves, spiral staircases, and the void with rolling lightning at its end.

Others awoke in succession, and the Tower Guard appeared for the first time during the day, wearing a silver robe, leading them ghost-like to the hall’s deeper recesses.

Reaching the hall’s depths, Fang Hong discovered a circular plaza surrounded by dense doorways, almost inducing trypophobia. The Tower Guard remained silent, proceeding to the plaza’s center, raising his hand.

Suddenly, silver Light beams shot up from the ground, converging into a huge pattern.

But because the plaza was so vast, Fang Hong couldn’t clearly see what the pattern was at a glance. Someone tapped his shoulder from behind, speaking, ”Go on, just don’t embarrass yourself!”

Fang Hong didn’t need to turn around to know it was Odin.

Anyway, whatever this person said never made anyone happy.

He took a gentle breath, nodding before stepping forward, and just then, Leiya also stepped out, handing him a wrapped gift, ”Be careful, give it your all, don’t give up—!” Fang Hong unexpectedly took the gift, feeling its weight.

Ripping open the wrapping, he found it was a book titled ”Eteliria Travels.” ”I really like this book,” Leiya said, ”The author is obscure, but very insightful, with beautiful prose.”

Fang Hong was momentarily at a loss for words.

Others gave him mostly Equipment, potions, and similar items. But this Captain Madam, uniquely, gifted him a book, and judging by her expression, she genuinely cherished it. It hadn’t occurred to him that Miss Leiya was a literary enthusiast.

After contemplating, he decided to keep the book.

This fantastical world was precisely what drew them to this land, and though many years passed and hearts changed somewhat, the initial dream still lay in each person’s heart.

Perhaps this book of Miss Leiya’s was a mirror of her once-held ideals.

And also something he was currently pursuing.

He put away the book and thanked her. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Anluose waving to him from afar. He dared not neglect, and quickly bid farewell to Leiya before heading towards the plaza center.

Arriving near the Tower Guard, Anluose spoke:

”Choose a door.”

”What happens after that?” This time, Fang Hong planned to find out first.

”Don’t worry about it,” Anluose replied, ”Once you step through the first Door, you’ll know what to do.”

Looking at the doors, densely packed up and down, Fang Hong asked, ”Any door will do?”

”It’s best to start with the green door first.”

Only then did Fang Hong notice the doors were colored red, green, and blue. He nodded, walking towards a small green door at the bottom. But before getting close, he heard a voice coming from within his heart:

”The green door symbolizes Knowledge.”

”The blue door symbolizes Challenge.”

”The red door symbolizes Danger and Opportunity.”

It was Anluose’s voice, and with it, that door opened in front of him.

Fang Hong was startled, but noticing the other seemed unaware of Miss Tata, he felt relieved. He couldn’t help but think of another Soul within him, which had been dormant ever since leaving the Ash Woods.