The Evolution Of A Goblin To The Peak Chapter 1239: Depth of Banquet

Looking down into a colossal abyss nearly a kilometer wide, the clone hovered in total silence. A ceaseless tide of creatures flowed in and out of the massive opening.

The crowd was diverse, consisting of various aquatic beings, sea monsters, and demis, all either ascending from the darkness or plunging into the depths of the pit.

"I’ve finally stumbled upon a settlement."

Souta whispered to himself. He flexed his legs and propelled his body toward the opening. While he wasn't entirely certain, he suspected a hidden city resided far below.

Swoosh!

He tore through the water like a high-speed torpedo.

Merging with the stream of figures entering the tunnel, he blended in as he drew closer to the entrance.

The environment shifted violently the moment Souta passed the threshold. A sharp drop in temperature occurred, and both the water pressure and current surged to lethal levels.

Any creature not naturally adapted to such a brutal environment would have been flattened instantly.

Souta reduced his speed to take in the scenery.

The tunnel was massive. A multitude of different species glided through the passage with practiced coordination. Buildings were carved directly into the rocky walls, decorated with complex runes that glowed softly against the dark.

A blue-skinned humanoid with gills on his neck swam up to Souta's side. After a quick inspection, the stranger spoke. "Brother, is this your first time here?"

Souta blinked and shifted his gaze toward him. He was surprised to hear the man speaking the common tongue. It suggested these people weren't as secluded as those in the Land of Fire Light; they clearly maintained ties with the surface world.

"Yes," he answered.

"Oh? That explains it." The man gave a knowing nod. "You didn't look familiar to me. Could you be a land dweller?"

"I am. Is that a problem?" Souta asked in a neutral tone.

"No problem at all." The man stared at Souta with a mix of wonder and curiosity. "I’ve just never seen one before. I’m Rhukan Tul, an Aquran, by the way."

Aqurans were a type of demi that inhabited the deepest trenches of the seas. Aside from their specialized biology for deep-sea life, they weren't much different from surface-dwelling demis. They were characterized by purple or blue skin, neck gills, void-black eyes, and a fin on the back of their heads.

"I’m Atos," Souta said, offering a small smile. "A goblin."

"A goblin?" Rhukan’s eyes widened. "I’ve encountered sea goblins, but you’re the first surface one I’ve met. No wonder you’re so tiny. It’s fascinating."

Rhukan chuckled, his eyes traveling down to Souta’s feet, noting that the goblin barely reached his knees.

"..."

Souta fought back the urge to strike him. This was merely a clone; his original form was significantly taller.

However, upon closer inspection, Souta realized Rhukan was a Fifth Shackle Realm expert. He noticed several others in the passage at the Fifth Shackle Realm, and even a few who had attained the Sixth Shackle Realm.

Whatever lay at the end of this tunnel was clearly significant.

At the very least, its strength was comparable to the Everlasting Kingdom at its zenith—ruled by an Eighth Shackle Realm powerhouse and supported by several Seventh Shackle Realm elders. It might even be more powerful.

That realization alone was enough to spark Souta’s curiosity.

"So, what brings you to these parts?" Rhukan inquired.

"Nothing specific," Souta replied casually. "I enjoy exploring new lands and seeing things I haven't seen before. Honestly, I dove in without knowing what I’d find."

"Oh? A true adventurer!" Rhukan laughed heartily. "I can respect that!"

They continued their journey through the passage. Rhukan did most of the talking, while Souta provided only brief responses.

Eventually, they reached the exit.

The sight that greeted Souta was a massive expanse, far larger than he had anticipated. The area was so vast it could easily hold thirty versions of the Land of Fire Light.

"Welcome to the Depth of Banquet," Rhukan announced with a grin.

"The Depth of Banquet..." Souta whispered, scanning the horizon.

Floating directly below them was a gargantuan transparent dome filled with beautiful architecture. The interior held air, and two large tunnels on the east and west sides allowed for easy passage. The environment inside was stable enough for surface dwellers to live comfortably.

Surrounding this sphere were dozens of massive corals, some reaching heights of ten kilometers, with the tallest nearly hitting twenty. Entire cities and infrastructures were carved into these giant formations, housing both sea monsters and various races.

Massive luminous crystals were embedded in the ceiling above, casting light across the entire cavern. They provided the primary illumination for the Depth of Banquet, bathing the sunken city in a ghostly radiance.

"The city below us is Wave Bond City, one of the Eleven Cities of the Tarant Nation," Rhukan said, gesturing toward the dome. "Three different countries exist within the Depth of Banquet. Don't underestimate them; while they aren't labeled as Large Countries, they possess powerful artifacts and formidable armies."

Souta nodded in thought. "Are people from the surface rare here?"

Rhukan looked at him and answered, "Very rare. A few have come through over the years, but I’ve never met one myself. Normal surface dwellers can't survive the pressure and cold. Only those with high-level Cultivation can endure it."

"Understood..." Souta nodded. He then looked at Rhukan. "I’m going down to the city. What about you?"

"I’m headed to a different city." Rhukan gave a short nod. "Well then, I’ll be off. Perhaps we will meet again if fate wills it."

He waved goodbye before turning and swimming away in a different direction.

Souta watched him go for a moment before turning his attention back to Wave Bond City, the massive underwater hub waiting below.

...

After leaving Rhukan, Souta made his way toward Wave Bond City. The settlement wasn't just the transparent sphere; it included the giant corals nearby, forming a sprawling metropolis.

Buildings were scattered throughout the region. Markets lined the paths, offering goods that were unique to the deep sea and never seen on the surface.

'The vibe here is totally different from a surface city,' Souta thought as he wandered the streets.

He eventually reached the massive transparent dome. Hiding his presence, he walked toward one of the entrances at a steady pace.

Two fourth-stage monsters were guarding the gate. They didn't react when they saw Souta, assuming he was just another surface tourist.

There was no identity check. With so many monsters living there, paperwork was a foreign concept. Even those who gained high intelligence through Evolution usually didn't care for such formalities.

Once through the entrance, Souta swam upward and climbed out of the water. As his feet hit the ground, he inhaled deeply, enjoying the fresh air.

'Finally...'

Looking around, he saw the massive buildings constructed by the sea folk. Most demis lived inside this sphere, while monsters generally preferred the areas outside, though many monsters still lived within the dome.

A few demis climbed out of the water behind him. They gave him a quick glance before moving on as if he were nothing special.

Souta, however, noticed the nature of their stares.

'This place might not be as peaceful as it looks.'

A small smile played on his lips.

Some of those looks were filled with blatant hostility, even though they had never met him before.

Regardless, he needed to understand the power structure of this nation before making a move. He would wait for the perfect moment.

...

Wave Bond City, Bubble Bond Area.

The Bubble Bond Area was the massive transparent sphere where the majority of demis resided. Though only a part of Wave Bond City, it was large enough to hold over a million people.

Twisted Forest.

This area was named for the giant weeds that grew over fifty meters tall, their tangled stems blocking out the light from above. They created a thick canopy that kept the ground in constant shadow.

A young boy, around seven or eight years old, stood behind an older man, his face white with terror.

They shared the same features: purple skin, gills on their necks, dolphin-like ears, and fins on their wrists.

They were aquatic demis, though from a different race than the Aqurans.

They were known as Searans.