I Cultivate 10,000 Times Faster-Chapter 139: [137] The Seven Elder’s Interrogation!
The second mountain was a marvel of water and ice coexisting impossibly. Its structure appeared to be made entirely of crystal-clear ice, but massive torrents of liquid water flowed
upward around its surface in impossible waterfalls that defied all natural laws.
The entire peak was shrouded in mist that sparkled with rainbow light, each droplet containing more Astra energy than some cultivation pills. Occasionally, the water would freeze mid-flow, creating temporary sculptures of incredible beauty before melting and resuming its ascent.
The third mountain gleamed with metallic luster that hurt to look at directly. Its surface was composed of countless interlocking plates of steel, bronze, silver, gold, and metals Levi couldn't even identify. The plates constantly shifted and reorganized themselves in mesmerizing patterns, producing a resonant hum that vibrated through the air and made his teeth ache. Occasionally, the metal would liquify and flow like water before re-solidifying into new configurations. It was metal given life and consciousness, the embodiment of all things refined and forged.
The fourth mountain appeared nearly invisible at first glance, but as Levi focused his enhanced gaze upon it, he could see it was actually composed of solidified wind and atmosphere. Visible currents of air spiraled around its peak in perpetual cyclones, sometimes gentle breezes, sometimes howling tornadoes that could strip flesh from bone. The entire structure seemed to breathe, expanding and contracting rhythmically. It was the mountain of pure movement, of freedom made manifest, of the sky itself compressed into physical form.
The fifth mountain was darkness incarnate, an abyss given form and structure. Its surface wasn't black, it was the absence of light, of color, of existence itself. Shadows pooled at its base like liquid night, occasionally writhing and reaching outward like living tentacles before being pulled back by some invisible force. When Levi tried to look directly at it, his eyes slid away as if unable to focus. Occasionally, the darkness would part slightly, revealing glimpses of what might be infinite depth or might be absolute nothingness. It was impossible to tell which was more terrifying.
The sixth mountain radiated pure light so intense it should have blinded anyone who looked at it. Its surface was composed of diamond and crystal that refracted brilliance in every direction, creating thousands of rainbow beams that painted the artificial sky with colors that had no names. But this wasn't merely bright—it was luminous in a way that transcended normal vision. The light seemed to carry weight and substance, flowing down the mountain's slopes like a liquid that could burn away impurities. Occasionally, the light would pulse, and in those moments, Levi could swear he saw glimpses of figures moving within the radiance—beings made entirely of illumination.
The seventh mountain was perhaps the most peculiar of all. It appeared to be constructed from living wood and stone that constantly grew, died, and regenerated in an eternal cycle. As Levi watched, flowers bloomed across its surface in cascades of color—reds, blues, purples, golds—only to wither to brown husks within seconds. Vines crawled across the stone, reaching toward the peak before crumbling to dust, only to sprout anew from the same spot. Trees grew from sapling to ancient giant in minutes, then collapsed and decomposed, providing nutrients for new growth. It was the mountain of life and nature itself, representing the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth that governed all living things. The smell of fresh growth and sweet rot filled the air simultaneously, creating an oddly harmonious scent.
Atop each mountain stood a figure.
Even from this distance, even though they weren't releasing their full auras, Levi could feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from them. These were the Seven Envoys, the ruling council of Chaotic Star Academy. Each one was a Fiend-God realm cultivator at minimum, possibly higher. Each one could reshape reality with a thought. Each one could end Levi's existence before he even realized he was being attacked.
And they're all here, just do Levi!
Without warning, seven figures materialized before Levi in a flash as space compressed and exploded outward due to their Mach speed.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
They appeared in a semi-circle formation, each one stepping out of a spatial rift as casually as walking through a doorway. They weren't actually their true bodies but Astra projevtionade from their Astra energy.
The group consisted of two elderly men who appeared to be in their seventies or eighties, two younger men who looked to be in their thirties, and three women of varying apparent ages.
The First Envoy was one of the elderly men. He had a gentle face with laugh lines around his eyes and a long white beard that flowed down to his chest. He wore simple robes of green and brown that seemed to be woven from living vines. The scent of fresh earth and growing things emanated from him—this was clearly the one who commanded the seventh mountain of life and nature. His eyes, though kind, held the depth of someone who had witnessed countless cycles of birth and death.
The Second Envoy was one of the younger men, appearing to be in his early thirties with sharp, aristocratic features. His hair was an unusual blue-white color, and his robes seemed to be made of flowing water that never actually got anything wet. Occasionally, ice crystals would form in his hair before melting away. His eyes were the cold blue of glacial ice, assessing Levi with the detached interest of someone examining an interesting specimen.
The Third Envoy was the other elderly man. Unlike the First Envoy's gentle appearance, this one had a face like weathered stone—all hard angles and sharp edges. His eyes were the metallic silver of polished steel, and his robes appeared to be woven from actual metal threads that clinked softly when he moved. A long scar ran down the left side of his face, disappearing into his collar. He radiated an aura of uncompromising hardness, of will that could not be bent or broken.
The Fourth Envoy was one of the women, appearing to be in her forties with elegant features and hair that constantly moved as if blown by a wind only she could feel. Her robes were a pale gray that seemed to shift between visible and transparent. She stood with perfect balance, as if gravity affected her less than it did everyone else. Her eyes were the color of storm clouds.
The Fifth Envoy was another woman, younger in appearance—perhaps late twenties. She had sharp, predatory features and eyes that literally glowed with inner darkness, as if her pupils had been replaced with fragments of the void. Her robes were midnight black and seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Shadows clung to her like loyal pets, occasionally reaching out before being pulled back. When she smiled, which she did often, it never reached her eyes.
The Sixth Envoy was the other younger man, in his early thirties. He was almost painfully beautiful in a way that transcended gender—perfect features, golden hair that seemed to emit its own light, robes of pure white that practically glowed. His eyes were impossible to look at directly, as if staring into them would blind you. He radiated warmth and comfort, but also a sense of overwhelming exposure, as if no secret could hide in his presence.
The Seventh Envoy was the most surprising of all. She appeared to be barely over a meter tall with the face and stature of a thirteen-year-old girl. She had short black hair cut in a practical bob and wore simple robes of indeterminate color that seemed to shift between brown and gray. But her eyes… her eyes held the weight of centuries, maybe millennia. They were ancient beyond measure, having witnessed things that would drive ordinary people mad. Despite her childlike appearance, she radiated more authority than any of the others, as if age and power had compressed themselves into the smallest possible vessel.
Levi immediately bowed his head in respect, dropping to one knee and pressing his fist to his chest in the formal gesture of acknowledgment. He kept his posture perfect and his eyes lowered, understanding instinctively that any sign of disrespect here could have catastrophic consequences.
The pressure from their combined presences was immense. Even suppressed, even filtered through astral projections, the weight of seven Fiend-God realm cultivators focusing their attention on one person was enough to make Levi's bones creak.
"Rise," the First Envoy said, his voice gentle but carrying absolute command.
Levi stood slowly, keeping his movements controlled and non-threatening. His heart pounded in his chest, but he forced his expression to remain calm.
The seven Envoys studied him in silence for several long moments. Levi could feel their gazes dissecting him, analyzing every aspect of his being—his cultivation level, his bloodlines, his soul, his intentions. It was invasive and uncomfortable, but he endured it without flinching.
Finally, the Seventh Envoy spoke, her childlike voice at odds with the authority it carried.
"Humility doesn't mean good behavior," she said, each word precise and cutting. "Bowing and showing respect is easy. Anyone can do it. But true character reveals itself in action, in choices made when no one is watching." She paused, her ancient eyes boring into him. "If you lied about anything—about what truly happened in that dimensional zone, about the circumstances of those deaths, about your own actions and motivations—we will know. We will see through every deception."
