Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 333 The Gate Organization

"What? The organization behind the world's sweeping events? I'm member number three? And my number is Nantianmen?"

Fisterion didn't seem to regard it as a great secret. Perhaps he was restricted by supernatural powers such as oaths, but he still revealed a lot in his own way.

The seat, number 3, the South Heavenly Gate, and the most significant clue—the word "gate" itself—already reveal a great deal of information.

"If it's a door, then a world defense organization?"

Fisterion smiled, not denying that the "secrecy agreement" seemed to have limited effectiveness.

"I can't say" is also a hint; what you guessed is naturally not what I said.

Rean could easily guess that it was because the title and organization name were very much in the style of "Lee Eun-suk," plus the hint of seat number 3.
"Li Ensu, the Thousand-Faced Dragon, is one of the founders. Or perhaps even a high-ranking member?"

Fisterion first nodded, then shook his head.

"He was the founder, but not a senior executive."

He would nod first, then shake his head.

"It's not that he's not a high-ranking member; it's that this organization simply doesn't have any high-ranking members at all?"

This time, it was a smiling acquiescence.

Rean thought for a moment and nodded. Although the conspiracy theory that "an organization rules the world" is popular, it is unlikely in reality.

This is not a matter of organization or behind-the-scenes forces, but rather that the world is inherently diverse, with too many high-level figures representing the interests of too many powers and groups.

There are simply too many ethnic groups, too many conflicting interests, and with the continuous rise of powerful individuals, if there truly is a so-called top being, he should be the private property and beneficiary of a certain ethnic group, a certain country, or even a certain family. This is the "inherent concept" of this world, a product of the combination of individual extraordinary abilities and the fierce competition among ethnic groups.

There are virtually no truly solitary superhumans; every powerful individual's growth process involves countless inescapable connections with their clan, race, and nation.

Everyone must fight for their own survival and for the living space of their own race. This living space is not just about land and resources, but more importantly, about "powerful extraordinary resources," including gods, control over planes, energy sources of extraordinary power, and the right to harvest extraordinary materials, etc.

As resources are plundered and accumulated, the strong naturally become stronger, while the weak can only escape to some small plane to eke out a living.

Against this backdrop, unless they betray their own ethnic group and fundamental interests, it is unlikely that they will actually form a so-called "behind-the-scenes organization." And if they do, they will be overthrown sooner or later by the rising lower classes.

Another clue might be the "seat". Seats may have different levels of importance, but as long as everyone is at the same table, there is unlikely to be an absolute hierarchy. Talking around the table is more about "discussing matters".

"A scattered defense organization, or perhaps even just a communication organization, whose core members are likely ancient beings who won't easily die of old age."

At this moment, Rean inexplicably thought of the "United Nations," which also had virtually no real power, whose members only represented the interests of their own ethnic groups and countries, and whose main value was to provide a platform for members to argue.
"The United Nations?" Rean asked directly.

Fisterion's smiling silence was already a form of acknowledgment.

For a joint meeting communication organization to use a nickname like "Guardian Gate" is probably just self-aggrandizement; its members might actually be incredibly idiotic in their daily lives.

The greatest value of the United Nations, besides arguing, is also to reach a certain level of consensus and prevent genocide. But now, it seems that even this function is unreliable, and its only value is "arguing" and "I oppose your proposal."

But here, there seems to be a difference: this organization doesn't seem to be taking any open action; instead, it appears to be keeping a low profile.

"A communication organization operating in the shadows, primarily composed of the Elders, who spend most of their time arguing."

Rean suggested one, and Fisterion acquiesced to the other.

"It can be considered as if it does not exist."

But at that moment, Fisterion shook his head.

"We can ignore it for now. Only those who have reached a certain level of strength, like Lex, will come into contact with it, and even then, it might not be a good thing."

This time, Fisterion smiled and nodded.

Such organizations, seemingly useless, always have value, such as dealing with "external enemies" or facing major crises that could destroy everything.

At that moment, Rean remembered something.
"Outer God?"

“Not only.” Fisterion’s first clear response confirmed that this troubled world likely faced more than just the bizarre and unpredictable Outer Gods. Rean smiled; Fisterion’s friendliness had exceeded his expectations.

At least, he didn't seem to have any hostility towards him. Although killing oneself is quite unsettling, considering Li Ensu's past actions, it wouldn't be surprising for Li Ensu not to think that a few heroic souls would actually do it.

Rean roughly understood what the "gate" was; it was probably a consultation mechanism among top-level figures, and also a way to ensure someone would take responsibility should something serious happen.

If you're not high-class enough, it's naturally irrelevant to you. Judging from the fact that the Demon Tide War has never stopped, it doesn't seem to care about the civil war either.

This seems to suggest that the Thousand-Faced Dragon is far more ancient than he had imagined.
"Then why did Lex warn me to be careful of the 'door'?"

A dying man's words are often wise. His daughter was in Rean's hand, and Rean felt that Lex wouldn't say anything insignificant in his final moments.

"By the way, the information about the 'door' should be bound by some oath, and there should be a price to pay for speaking it out. But an oath cannot bind a dying person."

Rean pondered that, given Lex's situation, his last words were clearly a desperate attempt to leak information.

"So, can we assume that there was a special person involved in what happened back then, acting in the name of the Gate? Does Lex's words, 'Don't believe,' mean that he lied to Lex?"

It seems that another clue has emerged regarding what happened back then, but it is still impossible to determine whether it is truly related to the 'gate'.

Rean always felt that an organization of this caliber shouldn't be interested in interfering in the rise and fall of small border states, unless...
"Unless what happened back then involved the safety of the entire world."

Rean seemed to be deducing, but as he uttered each word, he was still looking at Fisterion in front of him. This primordial god simply smiled in response, as if he had already acquiesced.

"We can talk to Dania and ask her to help investigate. The fact that Lex still remembers it suggests that he was seriously deceived."

Filled with questions, Rean awoke from his dream.

He touched the "sacred emblem" on his chest, and it changed again.

This time, it was a tiny sun on a musical note, a heat source radiating a faint red glow. He didn't understand what it meant to arbitrarily divide and modify his divine duties, and to casually create a false god.

In fact, even if you went to ask a new-age deity like the Mirror Woman, they couldn't understand how she managed to do it.

In a distant dimension, a massive "island" is slowly being divided, and a tailor-made "sub-server" is being created.

Inevitably, Rean also stepped into the world of the true Ancients.
"As expected, it was another night where I learned nothing." But more than the gains and losses in intelligence, Rean was more troubled by the major failure in the inheritance of heroic spirits.

He tried to teach Rean the abilities of "inscription" and "echo," which seemed to be similar to the essential characteristics of a bard, but Rean still couldn't learn them at all.

They've already taught Rean everything they could about mental abilities; he's only just starting out in that area, so he doesn't need a teacher of that caliber.

"It seems I can only wait for the spirit to pass on its knowledge. It will teach those apprentices, and then those apprentices will teach me." This is already a very mature system. Rean is asking Victoria for alchemy and magic knowledge, and learning swordsmanship from Hela.

The skills and inheritance of the heroes are too advanced, but the inheritors who will carry on their memories are still on their way. It is much simpler to learn from them.

"No rush, I still have time. I should have time."

While Rean was still battling wits with the spirits in the dead of night, more outsiders entered Radiant City.

First, there is a tired man who looks like a corporate slave on the verge of death.

Secondly, there was a duo whose sleeves were marked with a gate sealed by a "ghost hand," surrounded by a number—117.
The two met by chance at the city gate, and were both stunned by the encounter.

"Heroic spirits?! How could they be here?"

"Disciples? What are they doing here!"

They looked at each other silently, and finally asked the same question.

"You guys aren't here to cause trouble, are you?"

"Your mission is to destroy this city?"

(End of this chapter)