"Sumatra's Existence is in danger!" The Mystic Tentacle that announced it was named Budduuluu. He was Renduldu's predecessor. Currently, his appearance was of a yarn created by a hundred different strings coiled together.
A bundle of strings moved up and down to form a mouth, the appearance comical to the Transcendents but eldritch to anyone down on the Continents, capable of turning them mad.
As he spoke, Budduuluu noticed Renduldu and glared at the latter. In response, Renduldu too stared at Budduuluu as if about to kill the latter.
Three factions existed among the Transcendent Mystic Tentacles—Gold, Silver, and Iron. The Gold Faction belonged to Mystic Tentacles who spawned on Sumatra Continent as Gold Empyrean Tentacles.
They consumed an Iron and Silver Mystic Tentacle to become a Mystic Tentacle and eventually became a Transcendent. Typically, because a Gold Empyrean Tentacle was an Expert Gold Grade Pranic Beast, it basically formed the pinnacle of strength.
Hence, it commonly hunted and devoured its Iron and Silver counterparts. As a result, among the Transcendents, the Gold Faction was the largest, having the greatest number of Mystic Tentacles, numbering a whopping 48.
The second was the Silver Faction, formed by Mystic Tentacles that spawned on Sumatra Continent as Silver Empyrean Tentacles. They only numbered 4 in total.
The Gold and Silver Factions didn't like each other, cooperating only when Sumatra's interests were at stake. The rest of the time, they competed against each other, trying to prove their Faction as the superior one.
Finally, there came the Iron Faction, one that didn't exist until two millennia ago. The only member of it was Renduldu. If not for the Mammoth Ancestor, it would have been impossible for an Iron Empyrean Tentacle to have killed its Silver and Gold counterparts.
After all, an Iron Empyrean Tentacle could only revive once a day. It had no combat power beyond that. Upon becoming a Mystic Tentacle, Renduldu interfered in the long-term plans of the Mystic Tentacles, those belonging to both the Gold and Silver Factions.
The Gold Faction planned to create and obtain the power of a Transcendent Eater. They wanted to have a Gold Empyrean Tentacle be born with the power of a Transcendent Eater. This way, the Mystic Tentacle would become a powerhouse once it became a Transcendent and could even become the leader of the Gold Faction and basically the leader of all Transcendents who originated from Sumatra Continent.
But Renduldu interfered with that plan and used the Parute King Tree at Ennoudu Plains for the Mammoth Clan's benefit. And now, a Mammoth Clansman carried the Transcendent Eater's power.
Up next was the birth of the Boar King. To date, in Sumatra Continent's history, the Mystic Grade Pranic Beasts to have marked the various eras were all Mystic Tentacles. The chain was broken for the first time with the appearance of the Boar King, and the one who let that happen was none other than Renduldu.
In the time he was in Sumatra, Renduldu brewed up a lot of shit and messed up with the careful arrangements of a variety of Mystic Tentacles. Hence, he was hated by both the Silver and Gold Factions.
It was why he remained with Mahira Tusk. First of all, he wouldn't have become who he was now without her help. And secondly, that was how he was raised, for thousands of years, to serve the Mammoth Clan and keep a note of its best interests.
It was why Renduldu joined hands with Mahira Tusk to create the Transcendent World—Tentacles of Tusk.
"It's in danger? How?" Jandl Brimgan expressed his confusion as he stared at Budduuluu, "Is it because of this Major Treasure?"
"Yes," Budduuluu stopped glaring at Renduldu and spoke, "If a Mystic Grade Major Treasure reveals itself, that is enough to put Sumatra in danger, since it might lure in at least three Cosmic Beings. But that's not the issue here."
He tried his best to control his anger and avoided attacking Renduldu who had the strangest, most bizarre ability that was hard to be guarded against even for it, "The one unleashing a Mystic Grade Major Treasure's light pillar is a living existence."
"Brangara!" He announced with a solemn tone, "He's an unprecedented existence with a potential that dwarfs all of us here, since he travels both the Human and Pranic Beast Paths to Transcendence. But that's not the issue here. Currently, he's a living existence unleashing the presence of a Mystic Grade Major Treasure."
"The Cosmic Beings aren't our priority now. If all of us combine our strengths, we can hold back three Cosmic Beings." He continued to address everyone at the scene, "Some of us, alongside Hannal Brimgan, have been making relationships with the Transcendents in other Nodes. We'll be able to request the assistance of at least a few more Transcendent Worlds. So, it's not the end if three Cosmic Beings enter our Node."
"The problem is this!" His body elongated to condense into a stringed hand, pointing at the tunnels, "The Continents!"
Mahira Tusk was alarmed at the declaration as she, alongside other Gold Transcendents, harnessed their visual prowess to stare into the depths of the Sandy-Grey Void. And then, they noticed.
The continents situated far away in the cube formed by the Sandy-Grey Void began to move, lured in by the pillar of light unleashed by Brangara. The various Enclaves surrounding each Continent consumed the grey sand and dug tunnels, steadily marching toward Sumatra Continent.
In response to their actions, the Transcendent Worlds associated with the Continents began to move too.
"It's not a problem had it been a Major Treasure. But Brangara is alive while existing as a Major Treasure." Budduuluu sighed at the headache he was feeling, "This means that a Continent could consume and assimilate him into itself. This will directly strengthen its Blessed Race and improve the overall strength of the Continent."
"Hah, then they're courting death!" Mahira Tusk laughed as all the Transcendents at the scene joined her.
"Is this funny?" Budduuluu glared at everyone.
"At his peak, Brangara can kill Iron Transcendents and even weak Silver Transcendents. And now that he has evolved, his strength is even more pronounced." Renduldu shrugged, "You think the Mystic Grade Pranic Beasts of other Continents can pose a threat to him? Rather, they'll become the fuel to strengthen him further. The only thing Brangara is lacking is a few Mystic Grade Natures."
"Ignorance is toxic!" There was a grumpy voice as a golden flash condensed before Renduldu, condensing into the figure of a man wearing a crown whose ends were shaped to resemble tentacles.
At his arrival, every single Free Human Transcendent bowed in respect, for he was the first of their kind to attain Mystic Grade strength, touted to rival the Mystic Empyrean Tentacle of his time.
A legendary ancestor from the Brimgan Empire's history, and the first Transcendent from the Brimgan Royalty—Hannal Brimgan.
He observed the pillar of light unleashed by Brangara and frowned, "I could feel this all the way in another Node. This doesn't bode well for us."
"What do you mean?" Renduldu frowned, "Unless a Transcendent were to take action, no one can kill Brangara."
"How do you rate Sumatra's strength?" Instead of arguing with everyone, Hannal Brimgan asked Renduldu, "Are we strong? Or Weak?"
"We're strong." Renduldu snorted, "We have interacted with Transcendents from various Continents. None of those Mystic Transcendents can hold a candle to Brangara once he becomes a Transcendent."
"You're right about that. Brangara will be a powerhouse even among Mystic Transcendents. But, he won't be the strongest. Or rather, it'll be a wonder if he can rank around the top 20s." Hannal Brimgan said, stunning everyone.
"Feels unbelievable, right?" He smiled wryly, "That's because Sumatra Continent's power system hasn't even reached its peak."
"That doesn't make any sense." Undrakha voiced his objection, "Our power system doesn't have any flaws."
"Oh, it doesn't have flaws, but it's just incomplete." Hannal Brimgan stared at Undrakha and asked, "Can you point out the foundation energies that form Prana?"
"The energies of Body, Mind, and Soul." Undrakha said, "Isn't that very basic?"
"Now, what's the power Humans at the Spirit Stage possess?" Hannal Brimgan asked next.
"Psychokinesis," Undrakha replied.
"Right, it's psychokinesis. But you see," Hannal Brimgan tapped his head, "Psychokinesis is a manifestation of Prana's mind aspect. Mind Space, Information Slip, Cultivation Technique, Skills, Prime Skills…do I need to say more?"
He laughed, "The entire power system of Sumatra revolves around the mind aspect of Prana. We haven't explored its body and soul aspects at all. Unfortunately for us, there exist countless Continents that predate Sumatra and have fully explored all three aspects. Their power system is perfect."
"Yes, that's the issue." Budduuluu took it from there and addressed everyone, "If these Continents with a power system more developed and more advanced than Sumatra target us, we'll be destroyed. Even at the same power level, we'll be destroyed."
"It's unfortunate, but those Continents are already in motion. It's just a matter of decades before they reach Sumatra." Budduuluu sighed.
"You predicted that Brangara would have strength in the top 20s among all Mystic Transcendents, right?" Suddenly, the voice of a certain someone broke the sombre atmosphere. Everyone turned in the respective direction, observing the source to be an Iron Transcendent.
"Yes," Budduuluu nodded, "But Brangara is merely two millennia old. It would take him a few thousand years to become a Transcendent. So, we cannot rely upon him to deter other Continents by targeting their Transcendent Worlds."
"Nah, we only need to wait a century." The Iron Transcendent stared at Renduldu and winked, "The Seat of Transcendence will reveal itself. So, as long as Brangara obtains it, he'll become a Transcendent. As long as we hold back these continents for a Century, this problem will resolve by itself."
"That's impossible. The Seat of Transcendence requires at least another twenty thousand years to mature…" Budduuluu stopped speaking as he stared at Sumatra, observing a certain location before glaring at Renduldu, "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?"
"You are…?" Renduldu ignored a raging Budduuluu and instead glared at the Iron Transcendent, "How did you know this information?"
"Oh, I read the novel you published on Earth." Saying so, the Iron Transcendent took out a smartphone that displayed the cover photo of Sumatra Chronicles, noticing it turn to dust, unable to endure the presence emanating from the Transcendents at the scene. "Oops, I forgot that I can't bring these items here."
"Oh, was I not supposed to read it? You weren't exactly sneaky when you headed to Earth. I followed you to see what you were up to and discovered Sumatra Chronicles. So, don't give me that pissed look. Also," The Iron Transcendent acted confused, "Which retard would refuse to get a taste of the banquet you have crafted with the utmost care?"
"Your name?" Renduldu transformed into a cosmic giant to unleash a presence capable of causing most Transcendents at the scene to go mad.
Even Budduuluu trembled faintly at the presence, staring at Renduldu in shock, 'How's he continuing to improve in strength even after becoming a Transcendent? That's impossible!'
"Torq," The Iron Transcendent bowed casually as a Cosmic Being's skin wrapped around his body like an armour and defended against Renduldu's presence, "I'm your fan."
He grinned and stared at Budduuluu, "Even if Brangara dies, equally terrifying individuals will take his place. So why don't we focus on holding back the other Continents for a century?"