SWNOVELXO Chapter 257: This is just the beginning
"Yes, I've recently ascended to Legendary level!
As for that cross-realm teleportation array, do you have any good suggestions on how to handle it?"
That was Orion's reply. When Arthas saw the message, he rose from his Bone Throne and paced about.
"He actually did it! Hulk has reached Legendary level!
That was way too fast…
Unbelievable.
Are giants really that full of potential?"
After a long while, once he accepted the fact of Orion's ascension, Arthas broke into a delighted grin. Settling back onto his Bone Throne, he began drafting his reply:
"Since you've reached Legendary level, that cross-realm teleportation array is a minor issue. I have three possible approaches for you to consider.
First, you can keep blasting the cross-realm teleportation array with your transcendent power. Even though the materials used to build a teleportation formation are tough, they won't last long under sustained transcendent barrages.
However, while this method can destroy the array, it also ruins all its valuable components. I personally don't recommend doing it."
Reading that first approach, Orion felt his tension ease. He glanced back at the towering stone in front of him, confidence growing in his chest. If he couldn't find a good solution, he'd definitely choose to demolish the teleportation array for the horde's safety.
With that worry eased, Orion focused on continuing through Arthas's reply.
"Second, based on what you said, you tested the cross-realm teleportation array with transcendent power and got zero response.
That suggests one thing: the energy has been completely depleted. There's also a chance the faction that built it was wiped out and never repaired the array.
I think that possibility is pretty high because a teleportation formation is critical to any faction.
So the second approach is to leave the array as is. Once you can build your own territory and reach a solid power level, you could use this portal like a forward base and invade whatever realm lies beyond.
In other words, it might not be a threat—it could be an untapped gold mine."
Orion's heart thudded at this second option. From Arthas's perspective, the portal wasn't just a potential danger; it might be a hidden treasure. Excitement pulsed through Orion—obviously it also carried risks. The other side might still have some secret plan on standby, somewhere near Orion's territory.
Taking a breath, Orion gathered his composure, knowing that Arthas wasn't done yet. Stay tuned to empire
"Third, you could share this teleportation array with me and some of my friends, because we're quite curious about the world on the other side.
Naturally, we'd pay you for that access and offer you appropriate compensation.
We'd also give you a cut of whatever spoils we earn there."
Orion understood the implication without further explanation. They'd build a few additional teleportation formations in this underworld, allowing Arthas and his allies to come through, then team up to invade whatever lay beyond.
Of course, the biggest pitfall here is that Orion would expose both his territory and his own world to them. No matter the payment, that might not be worth the risk.
"Thank you."
Orion finished reading and offered Arthas his sincere gratitude.
"Don't mention it. Just lending you a hand.
Let me guess—knowing you, you'll probably go with the second option, right?
Am I right?"
Orion read those lines, stayed silent, and logged off the Survivor's Platform.
No question, Arthas understood him well. As a Survivor and as a giant with big ambitions, Orion was beyond driven. From hearing old legends about the Ancient Titan God in childhood, to suffering the Flower Goddess's Curse of a Hundred Blossoms, and finally channeling Titan God power into himself to slay Ariel and reach Legendary rank—he'd experienced both divine power and the supernatural first-hand.
It was impossible for him not to dream of rising to godhood. Because he held that vague but fiery goal in his heart, Orion refused to surrender in the face of Ariel or Gareth; he'd chosen a third path entirely.
Now, in the underworld, Orion stood atop the Abyssal Dragon. He suddenly opened his eyes, sparks of lightning dancing inside them like twin orbs of thunder.
"This place is my territory.
And whatever world lies beyond that teleportation array… that's my backyard too.
It's mine.
All of it!"
Rumble… Rumble…
Lightning arced outward from Orion's body. Monsters lurking in the darkness were obliterated as currents snapped their way, scattering every last one.
"Xalathar, let's head back."
Three days later, Orion returned to the makeshift camp and informed his sister Clymene about the big picture down here in the underworld.
"Orion, are you serious?"
Clymene and the giant elders listened, stunned. Cross-realm teleportation array? An entirely unknown world? It was all way beyond anything they'd imagined possible.
"Sis, come with me. We're going to set up another camp near the portal. I'm going to build an arrow tower there."
Clymene hesitated. "Who's gonna guard this place, though?"
"Leave ten thousand little spiders. That's enough."
"What if some Alpha-level monsters push through here and head above ground?"
"It's all good. Lorelia and Rockwell are holding the line up top. They'll sound the alarm if something shows up, and our other Alpha-level fighters will rush over to help."
"Well… okay."
"Don't worry—any Alpha-level beast that surfaces becomes just another resource for the horde. The council elders are all keeping an eye on the underground fissure anyway."
That eased Clymene's mind. In truth, she and the other five elders had also been itching to explore more of the underworld, but they stayed here out of concern for Orion and the rest of their people.
"In that case, no sense wasting time. Let's head out now, dear brother!"
"Right!"
Orion nodded, then summoned the Abyssal Dragon to lead the way. Meanwhile, Clymene and the elders each hitched a ride on a giant spider, following Orion.
Seven days later, darkness still shrouded everything.
Orion stood before a newly constructed arrow tower, eyes locked on the cross-realm teleportation array. The tower's firing range completely encompassed the portal.
"Orion, you're heading back now?"
Clymene was beside him. During the past several days, day and night blending under the spiders' tireless work, they'd finally managed to finish building the arrow tower.
"Yeah, Sis," Orion said softly. Over this time, he'd only grown more intrigued by the cross-realm teleportation array. The idea of conquering the world beyond it—of hogging its resources—was burning ever hotter in his mind.
"You're not planning to check out the rest of the unexplored underworld?"
"You can handle that, Sis."
Orion turned to look at her. He had already confirmed that no Legendary-level threat existed in this area, and discovered the most critical piece: the cross-realm teleportation array.
"Don't worry, Orion. We'll guard this place for you."
He nodded without speaking and gently tapped the center of Clymene's forehead with one fingertip.
"I may not be able to come down here again anytime soon. If anything comes up, use this will projection to reach me."
With that, Orion left behind a small will projection on Clymene's brow. She stayed quiet for a second, then pulled a leather pouch from her robe and passed it to him.
"There are three Alpha-level crystal cores inside. We got them during our time in the underworld.
My situation is pretty unusual, so they don't help my power any. You'd be better off taking them back topside to develop the horde more."
Orion accepted the bag without protest.
"Sis, elders—take care."
He summoned the Abyssal Dragon, vaulted onto its back, and then left the place. Clymene and her five fellow elders watched him, saying nothing. After their brief reunion, the shadow of parting lingered heavily in the air.
Orion left without looking back, commanding the Abyssal Dragon on through the rocky hills.
---
"Clymene, it's been a while since he vanished," Elder Grendel remarked, stepping up as Clymene continued gazing at Orion's silhouette long after it disappeared.
She finally glanced at the elders around her.
"This is just the beginning," she said.
They all paused. Indeed, it was only the beginning.
"Rest up for half a day, then we'll go explore the surrounding area."
…
Half a month later, at the bottomless abyss:
Spider Queen Lorelia arrived early at the edge of the bottomless abyss, awaiting the aura she sensed coming closer, a presence she found deeply comforting. Soon, a soft skittering noise echoed. A small spider scrambled up over the ledge, with Orion following close behind.
"Master, you're finally back up!"
He calmly asked, "Anything happen around here?"
Lorelia tilted her head, scratching her chin with her little hand while studying Orion's face.
"Hmm, not much, I think!
But Mistress came by three times asking about you, and four of the senior elders also stopped in. They all left disappointed when you didn't show."
Orion nodded, scanning Blackstone City's condition through his senses. Everything seemed normal.
"Stay on your toes. If any subterranean creature tries crawling out, sound the alarm."
He patted Lorelia on the head, then made for the exit of the bottomless abyss.
"Lord."
Rockwell emerged from the shadows at the tunnel mouth and bowed. Orion nodded, exchanged a few words, and finally departed the underground fissure.
When Orion arrived at the Horde Hall, Lilith, Delilah, and Onyx were already waiting. He beckoned them along into the meeting room built within the outer fortress of the Hall.
Though the outer fortress was small, it had everything: a guardroom, a couple of weapon caches, and now a meeting room. Its layout wasn't like some standard human conference chamber; it was more like a big tent.
In the front sat a throne with four seats for the senior elders lined up beneath it, each with its own small table. Next came the Wardens in an oval arrangement that enclosed the central area. After that were eight council elders' seats, behind the Wardens. Finally, the rest of the elders fanned out around the chamber's edges.
Orion entered. Once Lilith, Delilah, and Onyx had settled, his first words left them reeling:
"Prophet, I need two statues built—one in the small courtyard of the Horde Hall and another in the main square of Blackstone City."
"The statues will be modeled on me."
It was abrupt, to say the least. Orion wasn't even talking about the underworld. He jumped right to a "peculiar" request.
"My lord, what size should these statues be?" Onyx asked promptly, nailing down a key detail.
Orion flashed him a smile, looking serious as he replied, "The one in the Horde Hall courtyard should be carved at about three times my actual height. The one for the main square should be about ten times my height."
Onyx nodded. Sculpting was a trivial task for an Obsidian Golem.
"Lord, can I ask what the statues are for?"
Orion paused, then spoke with solemn weight in his voice: "They'll help strengthen unity within the horde and make it easier to gather faith.
Also, anyone among you who racks up monumental achievements might receive their own statue someday."
The first part was pretty clear: it was all about the horde—and Orion himself.
The second part revealed Orion's generosity: even though the horde's faith energy revolved around him, he was willing to share some of it with his top contributors.
Lilith, Delilah, and Onyx stayed silent for a moment, each caught up in private thoughts. Faith energy was something well beyond their usual sphere; they needed time to process that.
While they mulled it over, Orion casually recounted his trip underground. This time, though, he left out any mention of the cross-realm teleportation array. All he said was that he had built a temporary camp in the underworld for the little spiders and that they would continue exploring down there.