Chapter 444: Guardian
The markings on the top surface of the stone pillar are actually quite easy to understand, it doesn't need extreme formation expertise or any other expertise for that matter. All it needs is some IQ and logical thinking.
If Sam has to compare this difficulty, he would say that this is similar to one of final stage puzzles in a Murder mystery mobile game.
He went back to the cave and sent his friends back to their caves.
He activated the communication device and started giving instructions.
"I think, I now understand the sequence, I will give you instructions and act accordingly. Please be careful, if we make a mistake, it would come back to square one.
First, Watt, activate your third formation."
Watt did as he was told and replied.
"Done."
"Philip your first formation."
"Done."
The instructions went on and slowly but steadily all the formations are being activated in Sam's estimated sequence.
The stone pillar in the center is in constant modification. The sections are rotating in a different direction and in different speeds.
After an hour or so, the stone pillar stopped moving and all four of them came towards it. They placed their palms in the grooves and injected the spiritual energy at the same time.
This time, the lines on the stone pillar started brightening up and extending all over the pillar. There is a huge pattern of lines forming on it.
The four of them could feel some sort of movement within the stone pillar, but they don't know exactly what it is, but the movement is too strong to ignore and within a few seconds, the whole island is quaking and shaking.
They felt like there is something wrong, but they didn't take their hands off. But if they saw the rest of the island, they would have changed their minds, because the island's landmass started collapsing.
From the outer side of the island, the landmass was falling down bit by bit and drowning in the sea. Slowly, it crept inside and reached the parts where the formations are present. The landmass around the formation is also completely collapsed, but the formations didn't disappear.
The formations along with the landmass underneath is floated in the sea as the rest of the landmass drowned.
As the island slowly reduced in size, the four of them also noticed that something happening. But Sam felt like, this is something that is supposed to happen, so he didn't stop at all.
The whole island underwent a huge metamorphosis in the next five hours. The landmass was gone and even the valley started shaking. The walls of the valley slowly collapsed and the surroundings are drowning in the sea slowly.
The caves though are still floating just like the formations. The energy waves are too much and the four of them closed their eyes tightly because of this. They could feel that their positions are locked in that place and it is too late for them to back down at this moment.
As they stood there with their eyes closed, the seawater hit them like crazy, the surrounding valley is nowhere to be seen.
Soon, the land beneath their feet is also gone, but the pillar is holding them in their positions and they are floating as if the roaring sea under them couldn't devour them no matter how much it desired.
The chaos continued and after more than an hour, they could feel that everything is settled again and then only they dared to open their eyes.
By now, there is some solid under their feet and when they looked around, they were stunned by what they saw.
The stone pillar seemed to have been standing on the stone platform upon which they are standing too. They noticed that the shape and size of the stone pillar changed a bit and there are some transformations.
They could see the vast sea around them without any form of disturbance, but this made them even more agitated.
There is nothing left. As for the rooms and the formations that are floating, they don't even know about them much less think about it.
Only at this moment, did they notice that the pillar is decreased in length and the palm grooves are gone too.
Their palms are placed on the normal surface of the stone statue. As soon as they removed their palms, a human silhouette emerged on top of the pillar.
At first, the pillar is actually as tall as a small hill, but now it is only around fifteen feet tall. So, they can clearly see the top and the silhouette.
"Now, you four guys are the ones who got the pillar. I am the guardian of this Pillar by the way. You call me Guardian. So, out of four of you, who wants to take the pillar. Decide quickly, or fight to the death. I will prefer if you choose the latter option."
The guardian sat on top of the pillar as he spoke.
The four of them looked at him with a weird expression.
"What are you guys looking at? Just finish it. I will transfer the ownership quickly."
"I need answers to some questions before that."
Sam spoke at this moment.
"Let's get this over with." The guardian seemed to be a bit frustrated, but Sam spoke.
"Where are you from?"
"A place which you don't even know the existence of."
"Are you the owner of the pillar?"
"No. It is my boss."
"What is the purpose of the pillar?"
"Why do you have so many questions, kid?"
"Answer or all four of us will forfeit this and the pillar can stay here," Jack said from the side.
"Okay, you stupid brats. This is the divine heirloom of the family of my boss. Its main purpose is to create the test island, which you guys might have just crossed. It is used by my boss' family to test the younger generations and reward them.
But something happened and the pillar disappeared along with the island that was created around it the night before the exam.
We tried really hard to find it. But a prophet finally determined its location in this damned world. We couldn't enter this place. So, they sent a fraction of soul a bit to this world by paying a significant prize to find a suitable person to finish the island tests.
You must have gotten all the meteorite-sands, right? That is the most treasured island trial ever held in history. We almost lost hope. If you guys can pass the final stage, you can win a place in the family of my boss in exchange for the pillar.
And you will also get the chance to climb into the higher realms. Trust me, that place is a lot better than this place many times."
Sam frowned. He doesn't know if this guy is telling the truth. But it sounded like bullshit for the most part.
Who would give so many secrets away?
"What would happen, if I could keep it permanently?"
"Do you think you can handle that kid? It can only be permanently controlled or completely owned by my boss's family member. The bloodline is important."
"Then, what's the point of us being here?"
"Did you even listen to what I said? I am here not just as a guardian, but also to find a suitable candidate who has the potential to climb into higher realms. No matter how you cracked all those formations, you are qualified to do so.
I am here so that one of you can temporarily control the pillar. I will guide you to climb the realms and you will be rewarded after you come to our family estate."
"Then, you could just take the pillar away? Why bother with us? Don't tell me you guys are magnanimous and are feeling like grooming a person from a lower realm such as this?"
Sam asked with a hint of sarcasm. Something is not adding up. The words of this guy are being minced and confusing.
Sam thought for a moment and said.
"Don't tell me, this wouldn't move past this realm unless there is no owner. That or, you guys don't have the means to cross it remotely and you need someone from this realm. Otherwise, why would you look for a worthy candidate on this planet?"
"We are looking for a candidate of potential since the island appeared in this planet anyway. Don't malign our generosity." The man's voice became a bit colder and Sam felt like he hit a bullseye.
The man is saying all about Sam handing over from the start but not the reason why they waited this long or why they didn't take the pillar away in the first place.
Sam had a myriad of thoughts running inside his head. But no one could understand it.
"Okay, then. I will take ownership."
Sam replied with a calm gaze.
"But would they agree?" The Guardian pointed at the three of them.
They nodded their heads and Sam was asked to make a spiritual imprint on the pillar.
"How do I carry this?"
"It can change the size. Don't worry." The guardian replied and all of a sudden it turned into a small-scale model in Sam's hand and at the same time, they fell into the sea.
The guardian is still attached to the pillar and said.
"As a reward, I will not only help you guys enter the higher realms, I can also help you to kill three enemies who are extremely powerful than you."
Sam nodded and the guardian disappeared into the pillar.
Sam took out his hovercar at this moment and the four of them boarded it and planned their return journey.
What they don't know is a Middle-aged man is looking at them from afar and has a deep contemplating look on his face as he looked at them leaving.