Tower of Heaven

'That is enough. I am prepared to return to the Tower at any time.'

Atlas patted his side with a smile. There was nothing there. It was just a matter of habit.

His spatial ring was filled with all the materials he could need. That included some gifts from Mireiya Tatsuya. He had already said his goodbyes to Artemia and he'd even met with those young masters and misses from the other divine beast clans for some time.

They were good people. Atlas was especially interested in the martial techniques of the White Tigers and the strange defensive physiques of the Black Tortoises, but he'd have to wait until later to explore them further.

After all, the two clans were not on Vanatos. Unless he met their members in the Tower, he would not see anyone from their two clans for some time.

Nevertheless, the last person he needed to visit was Alaric, and conveniently enough, the old dragon finally had a moment to spare.

"You're here," Alaric said, ushering Atlas into the room.

"Follow me."

They were in a study that Atlas had never seen before. If he wasn't led here, he would have never found it.

But, the moment he stepped inside, Alaric led him to the back wall, where he placed his hand.

A pulse of strong qi ran through it. The wall responded immediately. Its surface shimmered and rippled as it turned as clear as glass. Without another word, Alaric walked into the corridor that was revealed.

Atlas was led down a staircase that led very deep into the ground. After around five minutes of walking in silence, they arrived at the end.

"They say that dragons are hoarders. It isn't as true for our Azure Dragon Clan, but it's also not a lie."

The two men stood before a large and ornate golden door. Its surface was ordained with artistic representations of dragons flying into the heavens and terrorizing the lands.

"This is the secondary storage. You won't find any supreme treasures in here, so don't expect anything preposterous. Still, the stuff that's stored here is more than good enough for someone at your level."

Atlas didn't have to guess the point that Alaric was reaching.

"Go ahead and pick any two. This is the reward I've decided to give you."

"Two" things. Atlas only expected one, but it was a welcomed surprise.

"You said I can take anything, right?"

"That's right, you brat. Now go in there and take some stuff. I've been waiting to kick you out."

"Sure, you can do that, but it won't be so easy. You said there's nothing good inside, but know that I'm entering solely with the intent of swindling you out of something good."

"Tch! I should've never raised an ungrateful disciple like you!"

"Please. You're the one who turned me into an ungrateful disciple."

"Alright, just get in there, you brat!"

Alaric furiously opened the door and shoved Atlas inside. After stumbling a little bit and while hearing the door close behind him, Atlas scanned the surroundings with a smile.

"He wasn't lying. It is mostly artifacts under Heaven Grade here."

Heaven Grade artifacts were at the peak of Mortal Realm crafting techniques. It was probably better for Atlas to be taken to a treasury like this instead of one filled with Immortal Artifacts.

'In the end, that kind of power cannot be used until it is earned. An Immortal Artifact will be more of a hindrance for me than a blessing until I cross the boundary.'

There were artifacts in many forms. Some were weapons, others were accessories, and others more couldn't be described in just a few words.

'First, I must understand what I need most.'

Armor…wasn't necessarily helpful to a cultivator. Most armor would be shattered in combat before they could provide any benefit.

'The chest armor I received from the Tutorial shattered during this recent conflict. Even then, it was barely providing me any defense. It is better to rely on strengthening my body.'

Chain sickles were too rare of a weapon choice for there to be any in this treasury. There were several swords that caught Atlas' eyes, but that era was past him.

'Then, what else is there?'

Frankly, the majority of the artifacts in the treasury were disqualified as they were either meant for attack.

[Intrinsic Foresight]

Unable to make a choice on his own, Atlas asked the Eyes of One for help. He scanned the black and grey world, looking for any signals that stood out from the rest.

The first was actually close. It was a defensive artifact, sure, but the fluctuations of its qi made it unique from those around it. Atlas couldn't find its exact uses with his abilities, but a rudimentary appraisal was possible.

'It must be an artifact that contains its own skill. More importantly, it is a Heaven Grade defensive artifact. It will help me when I'm dealing with Dusk.'

Yes, it would likely break fast, but survival was more important than long-term benefits.

'I will find greater treasures as I continue my journey. There is no need to make everything I find now last until the very end.'

Despite it being somewhat plain, Atlas happily equipped the defensive artifact and moved on. It would be his first of two choices.

He found the second in a corner, completely hidden under a pile of artifacts that looked to have been randomly thrown away.

It appeared in the shape of a small red gem. It shined with a subtle light, pulsating strangely. The fluctuations of qi were obvious from the artifact, but its purpose could not be entirely understood.
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Atlas observed it for some time, but he only noticed something when he injected his mana into it.

"...!"

His eyes widened.

The essence of the gem flowed out and into his own arm. It melded with his qi while the gem lost its color and turned to ash.

Atlas held his arm and tried to stop the mysterious energy from combining with his own, but it was impossible. His own qi stopped listening to his command, flowing as it pleased through his veins.

Faster and faster and faster it swirled. The massive movement of qi affected Atlas' spiritual world as the gem energy's effects finally made themselves clear.

Atlas' eyes widened, their color turned crimson.

He saw it.

"The Empire of Ataraxia."

He didn't know where it was. He didn't know what it meant. However, there it was.

In the Empire of Ataraxia, in a building entrenched in a deep and dark forest, tucked away from the world, was a gem similar to the one whose energy he'd just consumed.

And though Atlas had no idea what that gem was supposed to be, his heart and soul agreed on their opinion.

'That is where the first clue is.'

The first clue to the darkness in his soul. Mireiya prophesied that it would appear if Atlas interacted with Alaric, and as always, she was correct.

In this moment, right before he was to leave Vanatos, Atlas received what he had been looking for from the moment he decided to stay with the Tatsuya Clan.

'Good.'

Atlas gripped his fists in anticipation.

'Now I have even more reason to return.'

He was a person who valued his morals, so Atlas counted the gem as his second treasure. More than satisfied with his gains, he left the treasury and regrouped with Alaric.

'Night has already fallen.' Atlas thought as they returned to the surface of the world.

'I will leave at dawn.'

It was a short yet meaningful stay in Vanatos, but it was time for it to come to an end.

By the time morning came, Atlas was already gone.

The Tower was once again calling his name.