News spread out across the Pill Pavillion Mountain about how the wastrel of the sect had actually broken through to the Saint Realm!
This came as a shock to many, as they had watched this fallen genius waste his life for the past few years. Many disciples then recalled the tension between the Shining Son of the Profound Astral Sect and Crixus, and they wondered how things would play out from here on out.
Back in the Pill Pavilion Mountain, Elder Baldwin waved his hand as the cultivation abode they were in closed and granted them privacy, his face going up and down as he looked proudly at his son.
"Good, good, good!"
Words full of pride came out as he saw the milky white light gradually stabilize, Crixus opening his eyes and showing elation on his face.
"Father!"
The two beings gazed at each other as different thoughts passed through their heads. The proud father looked at his son as old dreams and hopes reappeared, already looking forward to the changes in the future of Pill Pavillion Mountain as at this moment, both father and son were at the Saint Realm!
Elder Baldwin knew the genius of his son, and thus was the one that was most disappointed when his cultivation was affected so heavily after one roadblock. Yet now, his son was back.
These thoughts were only true to his head though, as the being standing in front of him was someone completely different from the son that he knew!
Their brief gaze seemed to portray all of their powerful emotions as Crixus cleared his throat and looked over to his father with a firm expression.
"Father, I want to try and get my hands on the Absolute Space Technique of our sect once more."
…!
A gasp came out of Elder Baldwin's mouth as he heard extremely bold words as the first thing after Crixus's advancement. His gaze turned serious as he seemed thoughtful.
"Historically, only the Shining Son of the sect would be given the favor of entering the Resplendent Abode to try their luck on learning this treasured skill…"
His thoughtful gaze looked carefully at Crixus as he saw a determined expression, hearing powerful words come out of his son's mouth.
"If need be, I will duel with William again for the title of Shining Son!"
The words were full of conviction as they stated a longing wish that seemed to have been welling up in Crixus for ages. Elder Baldwin saw this and sighed as he weighed the possibilities.
He knew his son had just advanced, but William had already been in the Saint Realm far longer, with his realm consolidation already done and continuing to advance forward. Even on the slight chance that Crixus won, there was still the Council of Elders whose decision he would have to face if he wanted to be deemed fit as the new Shining Son! Elder Baldwin was thinking rapidly of the possibilities as he became hesitant, because he knew of one particular way that might just make it possible to grant his son's wish.
'Crixus' was looking at his father's face with a careful expression that hid the true thoughts floating in his mind as he became thoughtful at this hesitation from Elder Baldwin.
A sigh came out of the Elder as he sat down in front of his son and began slowly.
"There might be another way for you to get your hands on that technique without clashing with William…"
The hesitation of Elder Baldwin's face was gradually wiped away as he continued to speak.
"...Only the Elders know of this as of right now, but we have received word from the Sect Master that the Infernal Hunt will be initiated a century earlier than usual, and that we will soon be sending disciples to one of the Infernal Realms, the First Hell!"
Shocking words came out of the Elder's mouth as Crixus held a surprise expression that was not false, he was actually hearing a new piece of information he had not expected.
"I wasn't even planning on letting you go, thinking you were unfit and would simply lose your life. But now…"
He gazed towards his son with powerful emotions as he made up his mind and continued.
"...I see that you have come back to your old self, and have a chance in redeeming your reputation, as well as obtaining great rewards through this Infernal Hunt!"
An Infernal Hunt! Something that Noah had only briefly seen and ignored in the many pieces of his stolen memories had popped up. He listened carefully as his knowledge was expanded, pulling out as much information as he could from this Elder Baldwin.
The Infernal Hunt that many powerful worlds at the level of Prime World and above were under a treaty to act on would actually occur a hundred years earlier than expected.
After many Infernal Hunts, the norm had been established that Powers would send their disciples and beings they were nurturing as a way to empower them and also reduce the Infernals that continued to propagate throughout the First Hell.
Over the years, The Infernal Hunts became more of a competition, and especially so in worlds like the World of Cultivation, where scores were kept and disciples of the three Supreme Sects were ranked based on how well they did in the Infernal Hunt.
Once they entered the First Hell, they would be faced with droves of powerful Infernals that they would have to take down, with those being able to face and take down powerful infernals gaining more recognition.
"Infernals are diametrically opposite to us, with their very origins being extremely vile and evil, only seeking destruction on anything they come across. They have a unique source of essence that when killed will be absorbed into one's body, giving them cultivation comprehension and a boost to their power!"
Powerful words continued to come out of Elder Baldwin as he explained more of the history and undercurrents of the Infernal Hunts.
"But it is the same with us, where if the infernals kill any of us, they also gain power much faster, and explosively increase in rank."
Thus, it had been crucial to make sure that Infernals were not given a chance to grow with their forces throwing themselves in the Infernal Realms and dying, while at the same time reducing the number of infernals as time passed. This was the Infernal Hunt came to be!
Noah's mind soaked in all this new information as behind his carefully listening exterior, his mind began working rapidly as excitement was blooming from the many possibilities.