" Eh? This…"
Rowan was stunned when he saw the notification window.
" If I reveal my divine name by myself, your existence won't be able to withstand it…for now at least." Prabhanjan spoke in a calm way.
" The Heavenly Tower's Akashic Records act as a filter barrier, helping communications between the mortals and divines."
" Sometimes, even knowing something can…put your in danger."
Rowan stood stumbled as he bowed. " I greet the Great Prabhanjan."
" You really came here randomly without knowing anything, huh?" Prabhanjan asked Rowan to follow him with a laugh. " But then, is there anything random in this world? I see a predestined fate pulled you here."
" Anyways, I think Second Brother will answer your questions."
Suddenly, Rowan felt his surroundings turning into a blur, as if he was dragged forward by a swirl of wind.
When passing, Rowan noticed a gigantic golden mace resting against a mountain. The orb of the made was encrusted with nine colored gems, with a small spear tip on top embedded in the ground.
He also saw a golden scaled armor resting atop an altar, with a golden staff floating in front of it. The monkeys who were coming and going in the surroundings always nod at them with respect and reverence.
With the gentle sound of music coming, Rowan and the white monkey arrived at the center plaza.
Celestial fairies are dancing in scantily clad clothes while holding various musical instruments. Rowan almost felt blood rushing to his head when he saw such beauties.
Despite his spiritual form, Rowan couldn't help but sigh at the dancers, feeling a raging boner.
' Fuck! All my life on the internet was nothing before a single glimpse of this.'
His gaze moved forward as he saw a human, enjoying fruits and wines while enjoying the show. A golden headband shone like a crown on his forehead, and his body was wearing a loose cotton robe.
' What a bastard. Such sexy dancers are putting on a show, yet he is just listening to the music with closed eyes.' Rowan couldn't help but lament.
*CLAP! CLAP!*
The man suddenly clapped his hands, speaking in a lazy voice. " Alright, let's wrap the show today early. Looks like we have a guest."
All the dancers paused as they bowed before the man.
" Then we shall take our leave, Great Handsome Monkey King."
Rowan's eyes turned wide as he saw all the women turning into beautiful cranes before flying away gracefully.
The man suddenly opened his eyes, both eyes blazed like purest of flames.
" Hoh, First Brother, you brought someone interesting, huh?"
Prabhanjana shook his head. " I didn't bring anyone. Young benefactor here came by himself."
" Hmm, Crystal of Descent used in a reversed way, huh?"
Rowan finally noticed that the man's upper body was still hairy, especially his face. If Rowan was asked, he would answer that the man looked 3 parts human and 2 parts monkey.
" But… I feel aura of an interesting item on you." The fiery golden eyes seemed to pierce through Rowan's self.
" Ughh!"
Rowan felt a strange heat, making him suffocate. It was as if his soul itself.
" Second Brother, he isn't even a ranker of tower." Prabhanjan reminded him. "Don't be too harsh on the benefactor, yes?"
" Hahaha, my bad. I do feel I know the aura around him." The man's fiery golden eyes seemed to dim slightly. " I guess it's so long, I have forgotten."
" Listen, mortal. I am the…"
[ Ding! You have met The Victorious Battle Buddha, Sun Wukong]
" Yo-You are the monkey king?"
Rowan instantly realized the name as he exclaimed in shock. Sun Wukong rubbed his chin with a smirk. " See, first brother? Looks like I am still famous than you. It's the third time already."
Prabhanjan merely smiled, shaking his head. " I only need my lord's recognition. As for someone else, it truly doesn't matter to me."
*WENGGGGGG*
Tearing through the wind, a golden staff pierced through the cloud. Yet before it could reach the ground, Sun Wukong grabbed it up.
Putting it over his arms, he cracked his back a bit.
" Anyways, kid, it's rare to have newcomers here." Sun Wukong chuckled. " Come with me, I think Third Brother should have woken up."
Suddenly, clouds gathered around their feet, making Rowan's eyes widen. Sun Wukong, Prabhanjan, and Rowan suddenly floated into the sky, before disappearing into the distance.
" So, what exactly is Heavenly Tower?" Rowan finally asked.
" Think of it as a tower that contains thousands of worlds," Prabhanjan spoke. " It's a place where mortals and gods both reside."
" If you are here and still don't know about the tower, that means your world is already in the boundary zone." Su Wukong spoke with a chuckle.
" Once in a random interval, the tower accepts new worlds into it's realms. The boundary zone is a trial stage that the tower sets for various worlds."
" Conquer this stage, and your world will be part of the Heavenly Tower. Failure? Then enjoy the apocalypse."
Rowan shuddered when he heard that. " Wh-What? Boundary zone? Apocalypse?"
" Here we are."
Without answering Rowan, Sun Wukong waved his golden staff. The cloud lowered allowing them to slowly glide over a vast lake.
The sun was mild, reflecting crystal radiance from the surface of the lake. On the edge of the river, a gigantic monkey moved, seeming to carve something on the mountain.
The giant gorilla suddenly paused, turned around, and looked at Sun Wukong and Prabhanjan.
" First brother, Second brother…How come you are here?"
Rowan was speechless as he pointed at the mountain like a gorilla.
" Uhhh… King Kong?"
" Aha, so you recognize him too." Sun Wukong grinned. " You say, first brother, you need to increase your popularity too."
Prabhanjan only smiled, but said nothing.
" Second brother, you always jest with First brother." King Kong lowered his body. " Oh, so this is the fellow you're talking about."
Rowan felt a strange fear when he felt King Kong's gaze on him. It didn't feel as magical as Sun Wukong's or Prabhanjan's gaze. But it certainly felt more natural, as if being stared at by an apex predator.
[ Ding! You have seen by King of Thousand Beasts, King Kong]
" Greetings, Uhh…Lord Kong?" Rowan nodded. " I guess I have met everyone here?"
Sun Wukong scratched his face. " Well, that's true. You have met all three lords of this realm. I think you can go now."
" ??? Go?"
Rowan was stunned. " Aren't you supposed to bestow me with some powerful techniques or treasures?"
" Benefactor, it could have been possible if you were an actual ranker of the tower." Prabhanjan spoke in a mild voice. " But you haven't even reached level 10 yet."
" Hmm, can't we bestow him with a class?" King Kong spoke. " I am sure First and Second brother can form a contract with him."
" That's not impossible." Sun Wukong looked at Rowan.
" However, a class gained by a contract is just too restrictive. I genuinely hate those contract-based classes. The Heavenly Tower allows everyone to raise their power naturally, and everyone should do that."
" In the end, the choice has to be made by the benefactor." Prabhanjan looked at Rowan.
" I see an extraordinary power residing inside you. A uniqueness…" Prabhanjan explained.
" So, will you walk on the path of your uniqueness and achieve greater strength? Or you will form a contract with us?"
" Remember, forming a contract basically means you will be our servant and vessel."
Rowan was stunned as he was given an offer from such divine entities.
" I…I will pick the first one."
After a long breath, Rowan decided on that. " I have already ruined my life by acting like a dog to powerful people. No more, I will never live that life again."
His eyes shone with conviction. " If I have the chance to seize what I desire, I will gamble on that!"
" Even if it's just a small chance…I would rather pick it, than becoming someone else's pawn once again."
" PHUAHAHAHAHAHA"
Leaning against his golden staff, Sun Wukong laughed loudly.
" Good! Good! Good!"
" First Brother, send him out of this place. We will watch his path with great interest."