Immortal Drunkard: Volume 9

by Mortykay

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

V.9 Chapter 690: End of Seclusion

V.9 Chapter 691: Audience

V.9 Chapter 692: Convenient Backstory

V.9 Chapter 693: A Woman's Body

V.9 Chapter 694: Manipulator

V.9 Chapter 695: Power of Life and Death

V.9 Chapter 696: Craftsman’s Heart Devourer

V.9 Chapter 697: First Guests

V.9 Chapter 698: Passions Heat Up

V.9 Chapter 699: Who Is This Guy?

V.9 Chapter 700: The Sphere of God

V.9 Chapter 701: Proof

V.9 Chapter 702: Laws and Gods

V.9 Chapter 703: Monarch in Fear

V.9 Chapter 704: It’s Up to the Elders

V.9 Chapter 705: Unexpected News

V.9 Chapter 706: Leaving the Pantheon

V.9 Chapter 707: Back in the Poison Mysteries Sect

V.9 Chapter 708: Serpenta and Allies

V.9 Chapter 709: The Need to See Family

V.9 Chapter 710: On the Verge of Understanding

V.9 Chapter 711: Valuable Artifacts

V.9 Chapter 712: Familiar Landscapes

V.9 Chapter 713: Master Mo's Choice

V.9 Chapter 714: Heroes of the Past

V.9 Chapter 715: The Role of Life in the Universe

V.9 Chapter 716: You're Getting Sentimental

V.9 Chapter 717: The Edge of the Universe

V.9 Chapter 718: Transcendent Pressure

V.9 Chapter 719: No One Will Know!

V.9 Chapter 720: Weapon of Law

V.9 Chapter 721: Fear and Terror

V.9 Chapter 722: The Secret of Lineage

V.9 Chapter 723: Overcoming in Delirium

V.9 Chapter 724: Are You Full?

V.9 Chapter 725: The Appearance of the Sphere

V.9 Chapter 726: Farewell

V.9 Chapter 727: Dragon Devours Self Technique

V.9 Chapter 728: Destragore

V.9 Chapter 729: Statues and Writings

V.9 Chapter 730: Main Hall

V.9 Chapter 731: Three Spheres

V.9 Chapter 732: Powers of the Border World

V.9 Chapter 733: Lovers' Bodies

V.9 Chapter 734: Jellyfish

V.9 Chapter 735: Order of Eternal Radiance

V.9 Chapter 736: Goddess of Life

V.9 Chapter 737: Chaos Stones

V.9 Chapter 738: Another Warning

V.9 Chapter 739: The Hearth of Religion and Faith

V.9 Chapter 740: A Joke of Fate

V.9 Chapter 741: A New Batch of Heretics

V.9 Chapter 742: Deep Mine

V.9 Chapter 743: Reckless Act

V.9 Chapter 744: Deathly Punishment

V.9 Chapter 745: Deep Levels

V.9 Chapter 746: The Five Overlords

V.9 Chapter 747: Audience

V.9 Chapter 748: Worthy Slave

V.9 Chapter 749: Upcoming Inspection

V.9 Chapter 750: Devious Advice

V.9 Chapter 751: Cult and Evil Gods

V.9 Chapter 752: Fatal Obstacle

V.9 Chapter 753: Trickery and Self-Sacrifice

V.9 Chapter 754: Bottom of the Abyss

V.9 Chapter 755: Phantoms of the Past

V.9 Chapter 756: Anomaly in the Mine

V.9 Chapter 757: Remembering Oneself

V.9 Chapter 758: Breakthrough!

V.9 Chapter 759: Apocalyptic Battle

V.9 Chapter 760: Too Strong

V.9 Chapter 761: Payback for “Kindness”

V.9 Chapter 762: Shocked Slaves

V.9 Chapter 763: Mufidur's Disbelief

V.9 Chapter 764: Clan of Eternal Monoliths

V.9 Chapter 765: Testing the Opponent

V.9 Chapter 766: Promise Fulfilled

V.9 Chapter 767: Onward into the Unknown!

AUTHOR'S AFTERWORD:

V.9 Chapter 690: End of Seclusion

Author's Foreword:

Greetings, dear readers! This is Mortykay!

Thank you for reading my books! Your feedback and support inspire me to create new stories.

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Let the adventure begin! Happy reading!

V.9 Chapter 690: End of Seclusion

The elder with red hair sat calmly beside the towering bookshelves, gazing upward at the dozens of floors that seemed to stretch infinitely into the sky. At that moment, he was exploring one of the deepest corners of the Divine Council of Craftsmen archive. Even in the early days of his confinement within the archives, he had shown a profound understanding of the ancient universe, making conjectures that greatly surprised others. Naturally, this was Kai, who was merely dispensing information he already knew in measured doses...

“We should be released soon... I wonder if the Law Devourers and other powerful beings of the Region of Energy Domination have arrived yet?” Kai mused to himself, mentally addressing Kessia.

“Either way, you won't be able to evade this. But considering your current status and usefulness, they should protect you,” Kessia sighed heavily in response.

“That may be true, but I feel there will be no shortage of problems…” he replied with a crooked smile.

“Has it ever been any different in your life? I think one of your main traits is finding trouble where none should exist,” Kessia gently teased.

Over the past fifty years, the Divine Council of Craftsmen had transformed into a vast research machine, dedicated to studying the archives and anything that could shed light on the ancient universe and unusual phenomena, following the commands of the Gods of Craft. During this period, each elder, including Kai, took on a role that best suited their abilities and knowledge, ensuring the efficient use of every moment.

The research system was organized with a strict hierarchy and division of responsibilities. At the top were the Overlords of the families, each responsible for a specific sector of research. These sectors were divided according to major areas of knowledge, ranging from stellar phenomena and the properties of ancient artifacts to the study of ancient languages and cultures. The Overlords, using their unique abilities and family members, coordinated the work of smaller groups composed of craftsmen’s of various levels.

Each group of elders worked on their assigned tasks, regularly reporting progress at joint meetings, which were held to share their findings and discuss theories. During these meetings, each elder was required to describe the latest developments briefly in their research, enriching everyone with new ideas and approaches.

To ensure maximum efficiency and focus, the Gods of Craft implemented a sealing system that limited the elders' ability to engage in anything other than research. Initially, this approach seemed extreme, but in practice, it turned the archives into a place where time flowed differently, engulfing each participant in the process of discovery and understanding. After all, the higher realm was a place governed by entirely different principles and possibilities.

Thanks to his unique experience and knowledge gained from previous adventures, Kai was appointed the head of one of the key research directions—studying ancient texts that contained information about the history and culture of various peoples. He assembled a team of talented masters and scholars, with whom he conducted a series of studies and made several discoveries.

In addition to their research work, Kai and his colleagues each had diverse expertise in their crafts. Surprisingly, Kai was very curious, which flattered the other craftsmen. His team included representatives from different families, so Kai constantly asked them questions, deepening his understanding of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen.

Kai even managed to improve his understanding of the art of arrays, finally reaching a passable level for the higher realm. He couldn't match the array masters, but with the help of the Eyes of Essence, he could be considered an average Array Master. Naturally, this claim held only when Kai needed to draw and create an array. But when it came to breaking or detecting energy structures, Kai surpassed everyone by several levels.

The work was constantly bustling, with special attention given to preparations for the upcoming gathering of the Universe's forces, where the enigma found in the Evil Realm Region was to be presented. The Overlords and elders were preparing not only to showcase their achievements, but also to demonstrate strategies for cooperation with other regions to address the challenges faced by all participants in the assembly.

During this period, the Divine Council of Craftsmen had become not just a center of knowledge and research, but also an example of cooperation and unity within the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. Each elder, including Kai, contributed to this effort, proving that even under strict discipline and restrictions, the creative spirit and drive for discovery could lead to great accomplishments.

“I must say, this seclusion has been beneficial for me as well... My understanding of the universe and the range of possibilities available to craftsmen has definitely expanded,” Kai said to Kessia.

“I've also gained a lot. After all these treatises and scrolls, I have a much deeper understanding of the Region of Energy Domination. In fact, it isn't that different from the Region of Flesh Domination. Even many of the crafting techniques are similar, though for us, everything is based on lineage,” Kessia responded thoughtfully, nodding.

“But what increasingly interests me is the question of the Evil Gods... Reading records from many pocket worlds, I'm almost certain that the Rebellion Army of Life was defeated. And most likely, these Evil Gods still control and suppress us,” Kai said, taking a sip of wine from a jug.

Fortunately, there were many elders in this place who enjoyed a good drink. Moreover, there were those who knew how to make alcohol. As a result, Kai could always acquire some to enjoy a moment of peace.

“Yes... Three beings fought on our side: the Creator of Energy, the Eternal Spirit Mother, and the Heretical God. As I mentioned before, the title of Heretical God has become hereditary in the Region of Flesh Domination, which means that the original Heretical God did indeed die,” Kessia shared her thoughts.

Over the past decades, Kessia had occasionally revealed some important facts related to the Region of Flesh Domination, but she never divulged too much detail. She always argued that Kai would learn everything, but only if he ever reached her homeworld.

It seemed that Kessia simply didn't want to burden Kai with new worries, understanding how many problems he already had in the Region of Energy Domination. There needed to be an appropriate time to reveal everything, so as not to overwhelm him.

“Strange that there's no new Creator of Energy. And it doesn't seem like the original Creator of Energy has resurfaced in history after the events of the war with the Evil Gods... Does this mean he's dead?” Kai replied, deep in thought.

“Perhaps he left his legacy somewhere, but unfortunately, it has simply been lost over time,” Kessia suddenly suggested.

Kai would be lying if he said he hadn't thought of this before. Moreover, recalling his visions, he definitely saw a man with the Sphere of Essence...

“Could it be that the Sphere of Essence is the legacy of the Creator of Energy? If so, does that make me the one who, after millions of years, became his successor? But why are the Sphere's abilities connected to all cultivation systems? Something doesn’t add up…” Kai pondered with a complex expression.

At that moment, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the clear, somewhat anxious voice of his subordinate. It was Lufan, who usually shared the latest news with Kai and conveyed orders from above.

“Elder Kai, we are all being summoned to the upper floor. The Overlords are asking us to hurry,” said Lufan, peeking out from behind a nearby row of bookshelves.

Kai immediately shifted his focus from his inner thoughts to the current situation. Calmly standing up and placing the book he had been studying back on the shelf, he replied:

“Thank you, Elder Lufan. Let's not keep them waiting.”

Together with the other members of his group, Kai took to the air, flying upwards through the archive floors. Over the years, this process had become entirely natural. The elders constantly flew between floors, sometimes searching for the right book or scroll, and other times looking for a specific master for specialized consultation.

During the ascent, Kai addressed Lufan:

“Do you know what's happening? It's unusual for us to be summoned so urgently.”

“I heard rumors that something significant might have happened. Possibly something related to the arrival of the Law Devourers and other powerful beings. But I don’t have any precise details,” Lufan replied, following his mentor in the stream of ascending figures.

Although everyone was sealed in the archives, the Overlords still communicated with the Gods of Craft, reporting on the progress of the research and receiving instructions. The Gods of Craft continuously provided hints about what exactly needed to be found and studied.

“Maybe they'll finally let us out of the archives? Although there are still a few months left until the end of our term, but still…” Kai pondered aloud as they continued their swift ascent.

Reaching the top floor, they entered a spacious hall where many craftsmen had already gathered. The atmosphere was calm, and the eyes of all the elders were fixed on the central platform, where the address was to take place.

The moment everyone had gathered in the hall, one of the Overlords, radiating confidence and grandeur, took the floor. His voice echoed throughout the room, filling it with energy and anticipation.

“Honored elders! After lengthy discussions, the Gods of Craft have decided to end our seclusion,” his voice was filled with joy and pride. “Many esteemed guests from all regions of the Universe have already arrived in our Pantheon. We are ordered to rest a bit and prepare for the upcoming gathering.”

“We'll need to use all the information we've learned and accumulated. So, we all need a clear head!” another Overlord added with a smile.

These words instantly elicited happy exclamations and applause from the elders. The faces of the craftsmen, who had spent so many years in the archives, lit up with the anticipation of freedom and a break from routine.

“Finally, fresh air!” exclaimed one of the elders, and his words brought smiles and laughter among those gathered.

“I suggest we all head to a restaurant right now to celebrate this event!” proposed another, and his initiative was immediately supported by the others.

Kai quietly observed this scene until Lufan turned to him:

“What do you say, Elder Kai? Shall we go celebrate our release?” he asked, feeling a lightness and anticipation of something new growing in his heart.

“Certainly, Elder Lufan. That sounds wonderful,” Kai replied with a smile, not showing any strong emotions.

But in reality, Kai felt quite ambivalent and uneasy. He understood that the circumstances that had put his problems on hold had finally come to an end. If the War Flame Devourer had already arrived in the Pantheon, it was only a matter of time before Kai was discovered!

“Well then... Events lie ahead that will shape my entire future path. I hope everything goes relatively smoothly. After all, I’ve worked hard to build a reputation in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen…” Kai thought with a crooked smile and stepped forward with the others.

After a few ceremonial speeches, the Overlords announced that the seal on the passage had already been lifted. Therefore, the members of the Divine Council of Craftsmen could freely leave the archive building.

Along with everyone else, Kai and Lufan made their way to the exit, ready to join their comrades and savor the taste of ordinary life after so long spent in the depths of the archives. This moment was filled with a joy similar to that felt by mortals in the lower worlds. It seemed that for a second, all those present were transformed into ordinary, weary beings.

V.9 Chapter 691: Audience

A group of elders, including Kai and Lufan, eagerly approached the doors of one of the finest restaurants in the main city of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. The air was thick with the aromas of exotic dishes and the sounds of music wafting over the city's bustling streets. From the dimly lit interior, the joyful voices and laughter of patrons drifted out.

As the group entered, they startled both the staff and the guests. Not all the elders had decided to join the restaurant outing, but even those present were enough to instill awe and fear in those around them. These were masters at the level of Craft Magisters, and most importantly, members of the Divine Council of Craftsmen! They formed the core of the Pantheon, the body that made all the crucial political decisions!

The group quickly settled around a large table in a private room reserved for important guests. They had specifically chosen this place so that no one would disturb them, allowing them to fully enjoy their time off.

“Even though we've only been gone for a short time, the city has changed significantly... It feels like there are a lot more masters here now. It seems guests have started arriving from all corners of the Universe,” Lufan remarked, tasting the local wine and gazing out the window.

Outside, crowds of diverse masters roamed, each radiating an incredible variety of laws and energies. The Pantheon was always teeming with visitors, but now it was even more noticeable.

“Indeed,” Kai agreed, peering at the passersby outside the window. “On the way to the restaurant, I noticed several powerful masters. It seems word of the gathering has spread for quite some time; this kind of atmosphere has likely been building for years.”

“This influx of talent only underscores the importance of the upcoming gathering,” one of the elders, an artifact master named Therian, said thoughtfully. “We are on the brink of something truly significant. So many powerful masters wouldn’t put their affairs on hold if this gathering were something trivial.”

Although only authorized members of the higher sects would participate in the actual assembly, others were eager to witness it from afar. An event where multiple Law Devourers would be present was nothing short of extraordinary. It could easily be called a historic event, even by the vast standards of the higher realm.

Kai pretended to listen to his colleagues, but his thoughts wandered... On the way to the restaurant, he had seen masters of various races, each with a unique aura and style. Among them were those he had never encountered before. This served as another reminder of the Universe's boundless possibilities and how little he still knew.

“We should use this opportunity to exchange knowledge,” Therian continued. “Combining our strengths could lead to an entirely new understanding of the world and the culture of cultivation.”

“That will work if masters at our level even get a chance to contribute to the discussion... We might not even be given a voice…” Kai muttered skeptically, swirling his wine in the glass.

“Why not? Haven’t we spent long enough researching the archives? I think even we can make a good impression,” said a woman sitting nearby, who had been attentively following the conversation, with a smile.

Hearing these words, Kai merely smiled and asked in response:

“And how exactly do you think we can best contribute? Is our understanding of ancient texts and cultures really that much greater than that of the other participants? Other sects are also exploring pocket worlds and possess valuable knowledge.”

In truth, all these arguments were more of an excuse for Kai. He was probably the only one who had a rough idea of what was going on. The fact was that their “Universe" was only a third of the true Universe. And it was obvious that the Law Devourers had found clues to this. Everything they had studied up to now might become useless when discussing something so ancient...

The woman, named Siena, nodded, and her eyes sparkled. Clearly, she was confident in her arguments.

“For millennia, masters from all over the Universe have been coming to our Pantheon, bringing and selling all sorts of exotic goods. The other sects also have valuable information, but in terms of sheer volume, they definitely fall short of us,” she explained with satisfaction.

Therian supported her, adding his thoughts as well:

“Plus, our knowledge of artifacts, technologies, and crafts can provide a deeper perspective and analysis. After all, craftsmen are somewhat different from classic martial arts masters. We certainly possess a vast array of expertise in these matters. The Navarin Family alone surpasses any sect in their understanding of the Universe.”

Lufan, who had been silent until now, also joined the conversation:

“I agree. Many of us have unique abilities that can be very useful in unexpected situations. Our presence and participation in the discussions could bring a fresh perspective to many issues.”

Listening to his colleagues, Kai pretended to be inspired by their words and smiled. But in reality, he understood all too well that things could go in a completely different direction...

“Then let's prepare ourselves thoroughly!” he said, raising his glass in a toast. “To our future and the future of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! We will show everyone that the Craft Magisters can surprise even the strongest masters in our Universe!”

Everyone at the table raised their glasses in response, their faces glowing with confidence and anticipation. They knew that challenges lay ahead, but they also believed in their strength and ability to overcome them.

After the toast, the discussion shifted to more mundane topics—plans for relaxation, sharing experiences, and exchanging ideas. But the genuine enthusiasm and anticipation for the upcoming event stayed with them, fueling the conversation late into the night.

The celebration continued for several more hours, during which Kai fully lived up to his nickname, the Immortal Drunkard. The elders drank top-class alcohol, potent enough to intoxicate even masters of their level.

After the feast ended, Kai staggered back to his mansion, lost in thoughts about the upcoming council. Despite the festive mood of the evening, a heavy sense of anxiety weighed on his heart.

“The War Flame Devourer... If he arrives at the council, my chances of remaining unnoticed are slim to none. And that will almost certainly happen because he was the one involved in the expedition,” Kai thought, feeling how each sip of wine taken that evening only amplified his anxiety.

“The Law Devourers... Incredibly powerful beings capable of killing me with a single glance. But if the War Flame Devourer really wants to kill me, how can I avoid this catastrophe?” Kai continued to ponder the situation, each option seeming more hopeless than the last.

During the fifty years he spent in the archives, he had come up with one possible escape plan, but he still had doubts about it...

“Only masters equal in power to the Law Devourer can protect me... But to achieve that, I need to warn them. Should I approach the senior masters of the family to explain the situation in advance?” Kai stopped and took a deep breath, trying to clear the fog of drunkenness from his mind.

“Maybe the key to my survival lies in the knowledge and secrets I can offer? But I need help to formulate this plan and present it at the council…” after much deliberation, Kai finally came to a conclusion, thinking to himself. “Once, at a gathering of the younger generation, the Overlord of Shifting Essence told me that I could ask for his help at any time. I’ve never troubled him since that day. Could it be that the time has come to ask for a favor?” he pondered, gazing at the starry sky.

With this thought, Kai felt some of his anxiety give way to a sense of relief. It seemed that in his heart, he had finally come to believe that this was the best option to ensure his safety.

The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen protected its followers, and everyone in the Region of Energy Domination knew this. But what if the War Flame Devourer lost his temper, and that alone would be enough for Kai to die? It could happen so quickly that no one would even have time to react. This was the outcome Kai feared the most...

Reaching his mansion, Kai nodded decisively and muttered:

“Tomorrow I will seek an audience with the Overlord of Shifting Essence! If I can explain everything to him properly, then he might be able to convey my message to the ancestors of the Pantheon…” Kai deliberately did not dispel the intoxication, feeling how under its influence, time seemed to pass faster. He wanted to get on with executing his plan as soon as possible.

At dawn, after a brief rest, Kai composed himself. He carefully arranged his blood-red hair so that it flowed down his shoulders, giving him an appearance of determination and confidence. His eyes sparkled with resolve, and his movements were filled with purpose. He headed straight for the main building of the Artemion Alchemists' Family. It was there that the Overlord of Shifting Essence usually spent his time, managing many of the family's organizational matters.

“I must be precise and clear, leaving no room for doubt about the seriousness of my situation,” he thought to himself as he approached the grand gates of the family’s building.

Kai was ready for an open and honest conversation, where he planned to lay out all the facts and his concerns, as well as offer his knowledge and experience in exchange for additional support and protection.

Approaching the special reception desk, Kai noticed a servant standing behind it, dressed in the official gold uniform of an apprentice. The servant immediately became flustered, evidently recognizing who was approaching him.

“Good morning. I would like to meet with the Overlord of Shifting Essence,” Kai began, preempting the man.

The servant promptly bowed and politely replied:

“Good morning, Elder Kai! The Overlord is currently in a meeting, but I can relay your message. What is the nature of your visit?” the servant asked, placing his hand on a special artifact.

“It concerns the upcoming gathering of masters from across the Universe. I have important information that could impact the outcome of the assembly. Please make sure to mention this in your message. This is a matter of utmost importance,” Kai replied resolutely, adopting a tone of maximum seriousness.

The servant instantly grasped the significance of the moment and began quickly writing on the artifact.

“Understood, Elder Kai. I will send your request immediately. The Overlord of Shifting Essence will no doubt want to see you, especially after hearing about such information. Please proceed to the waiting hall. We will notify you as soon as the Overlord is available to see you,” his voice was very professional, despite the internal excitement of the important moment.

Kai just smiled and nodded in gratitude, then headed toward the beautiful golden doors. Deep down, he felt that he had made the right decision. Now all that remained was to wait for a response and prepare for the meeting that would determine his future fate!

V.9 Chapter 692: Convenient Backstory

Sitting in a beautiful, spacious hall, Kai calmly sipped fragrant tea, observing the bustling city through the window. He had been waiting for an audience with the Overlord of Shifting Essence for three days. This wasn’t a major inconvenience, as Kai understood from the start that masters of the Overlord’s caliber were quite busy individuals. Even if Kai had important information, the Overlord could not simply drop everything and rush to him at the first call.

“Do masters of the Overlord's level find administrative tasks like these interesting? Isn’t it boring? Although politics isn't much better…” Kai mused to himself with a wry smile.

At his core, Kai was a man focused on martial arts and the exploration of the world. Ever since he was forced to leave the shelter, Kai had always been on a path of dangerous adventures. Even now, his primary goals included such incredible feats as visiting the Ancient Battlefield and even another region of the Universe. Due to these principles and thoughts, it was somewhat difficult for Kai to imagine why a master of the Overlord realm would occupy themselves with administrative affairs rather than exploring the Universe.

“Perhaps discovering the Sphere of Essence initially set my destiny on a particular course. Masters born in great sects strive to advance within their hierarchy, making that goal fundamental to their lives... But I, from the beginning, seem to aim at uncovering all the secrets of the Universe…” Kai reflected, trying to gauge the motives of other masters of the higher world.

“It’s safe to say that the Sphere of Essence is the core of my destiny. If I look back at my past, I’ve always sought to reveal its secret. And no matter how much I progressed, something always happens that reminds me of our connection... The Creator of Energy, Evil Gods, the ancient war…” Kai continued to drift in his thoughts.

But at that moment, there was a sudden knock on the door, causing Kai to turn.

“Grrh.…” the heavy door creaked open, and the attendant who had previously greeted Kai at the entrance slowly entered the room. He respectfully bowed and said:

“Greetings, Elder Kai. The Overlord of Shifting Essence is finally free. He is expecting you in his office,” he explained without unnecessary details.

“Oh? I greatly appreciate your help,” Kai replied with a smile, quickly rising from the chair and following the attendant.

After walking through several spacious corridors, Kai arrived at the teleportation array. In just a moment, he was standing in front of an ornate golden door. And before he could knock, the door slowly swung open, revealing a serene yet majestic scene.

Inside the room, there was a sense that time had slowed down, and the space was filled with a soft light emanating from lamps embedded in the walls. The walls themselves seemed to be made of a rare stone resembling jade. In the center of the room grew a golden tree, which was clearly not just a decoration. Its branches swayed and bent, as if it breathed in unison with the Overlord himself. The foliage emitted a gentle golden glow, illuminating everything around it and creating an aura of sanctity and grandeur. Incense sticks placed in the corners of the room released a subtle yet rich fragrance that calmed the mind and invited meditation and reflection.

Under the tree, sitting on a golden cauldron, was a man Kai recognized. His flame-colored hair gently swayed in the imperceptible flow of air, and his three green eyes gazed at Kai with interest. An aura of power and tranquility surrounded him, making the air heavier yet simultaneously refreshing.

Every element of this room merged into a unified picture, speaking of the wisdom, strength, and depth of the master who resided here. Kai was even surprised, as he had expected something more fierce, considering the Overlord of Shifting Essence’s behavior at public events.

“Greetings, Overlord!” Kai respectfully addressed, dropping to one knee.

Kai made this gesture as soon as he took his first step inside. And as soon as his words were spoken, the door behind him immediately closed.

“Greetings, Immortal Drunkard. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, or rather, since we’ve spoken,” the Overlord replied with a smile, signaling with his palm for Kai to rise. “I must say, your achievements are impressive. When I granted you an additional level of mastery, I didn’t think you would soon reach the rank of Master on your own,” he added with praise.

Such words made Kai smile because the Overlord spoke as if Kai had achieved these successes instantly. Yet, in reality, it had taken him a full two hundred and fifty years of relentless training...

Of course, for beings at the level of Overlords, such timeframes were not unimaginable. After all, masters of this realm of cultivation could live for fifty thousand years. For them, two hundred and fifty years was like three months for a mortal elder who had lived a full life.

“Thank you for your praise, Overlord. I humbly tried to live up to the expectations placed on me,” Kai replied with a smile, bowing.

“Don’t be modest. Mostly, you wanted to surpass Elder Igniris. Even the elders in our family have heard about your competitive spirit. It’s a great fortune that our family was able to acquire two geniuses in one generation,” the man said with satisfaction as he jumped down from the cauldron.

“If Igniris heard you call him a genius, he would start spitting venom. Heh-heh,” Kai joked in response.

At these words, the Overlord of Shifting Essence also smiled, but then his expression became somewhat more serious...

“Alright, let’s get to the heart of your visit. I’ve been informed that you have important information about the upcoming assembly?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “If I didn’t know your character, I would think this was some kind of joke. Can you clarify what exactly you mean by your statement?” he added sternly.

Kai’s expression also changed instantly at the direct question. He understood that now he needed to be as honest as possible and choose his words carefully. His future literally depended on it…

It seemed the Overlord also noticed this reaction, becoming even more interested...

“Overlord... I need to start from the beginning, so forgive me for taking up your time,” Kai warned immediately. “As soon as I heard that the assembly was being held because of the pocket world in the Evil Realm Region, I immediately had an idea of what it was about…” he said with a complicated expression.

“What are you getting at?” the Overlord asked, not understanding.

“The thing is, I participated in that expedition. And to confirm this, I can name a certain name—the War Flame Devourer,” Kai answered seriously, shocking his interlocutor.

Naturally, someone of Kai’s level could not know the name of the initiator of the gathering of all the powers in the Region of Energy Domination. Especially the true name of a master at the level of the Law Devourer.

“Now you have my full attention… It seems you didn’t just come with a report, but also with a request…” the Overlord of Shifting Essence observed, beginning to see certain patterns in Kai’s behavior.

“Allow me to explain my situation first, and then I’ll share my speculations, which may be valuable at the upcoming assembly,” Kai said seriously, bowing slightly again.

The Overlord remained silent, as if giving his consent to Kai’s proposal.

Gathering his thoughts, which he had rehearsed many times over the past years, Kai began to speak:

“I was initially a disciple of the Poison Mysteries Sect… It was with them that I set out on the expedition to the pocket world. Upon arrival, everyone realized that the level and nature of that world were on a much different level than expected. Moreover, its antiquity was simply astounding!” Kai began, starting from the beginning. “After certain adventures, many disciples found themselves in a sort of trial for the younger generation, as some of the ancient arrays were still operational…” he recalled.

Upon hearing this, the Overlord frowned and suggested with a hint:

“Obviously, certain circumstances placed you at a disadvantage…”

“Exactly. I managed to pass this selection, and I was transported to the throne room, which the War Flame Devourer and other respected masters were attempting to penetrate… I won’t go into details, but they didn’t see me. At least, not until another array caught me…”

“I don’t quite understand,” the Overlord replied suspiciously.

“The thing is, the array protecting the entrance was maintained by the Essence of Eternal Dawn. By lifting it, I simultaneously triggered two arrays… One teleported me to another trial zone for the younger generation, and the second removed the protection from the throne room. Thus, I suspect that the War Flame Devourer might have sensed my residual energy and sealed it for himself,” Kai said frankly, deliberately not specifying the amount of Living Energy of the World.

“The Essence of Eternal Dawn? Could it be…” the Overlord murmured, his eyes widening as he seemingly realized who had organized the grand auction in the recent past...

But before he could finish, Kai interrupted:

“I was sealed in the training zone for two hundred years, trying to fulfill the conditions of the ancient arrays. When I finally succeeded, I somehow ended up in the Divine Craftsmen Region. The only thing left for me was to make my way to the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. Then events unfolded too quickly and uncontrollably, leading me to the point where I became an elder of the Divine Council of Craftsmen…” Kai explained with a crooked smile. “And as you’ve probably already guessed, I was the one who sold that Essence of Eternal Dawn. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons for my rapid progress. I had enormous resources for development,” he added, hiding nothing.

This revelation stunned the Overlord of Shifting Essence! He could not have imagined that the events of the upcoming assembly would be so closely tied to their family.

“In other words, you’re now worried that the War Flame Devourer might want to capture and kill you when he sees you at the assembly?” the Overlord asked seriously.

“To be honest, that was my first thought when I learned about the assembly and its cause,” Kai confirmed directly, nodding.

“You don’t need to worry about that. The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen always protects its followers. You are an elder of the Divine Council of Craftsmen; no one dares to touch you!” the Overlord declared boldly, without a hint of fear. “But even so, it would be better if you really had some valuable information... I will try to pass it on to our Gods of Craft, securing additional protection for you,” he added, becoming even more serious.

V.9 Chapter 693: A Woman's Body

The words spoken by the Overlord of Shifting Essence finally instilled more confidence in Kai. If the higher-ranking masters of the Pantheon were warned about potential problems and possible provocations from the Law Devourers, at the very least, Kai would have the protection he needed.

“There’s no time to retreat, and there never was from the start. I’ve done everything I could in this situation… At least, I won’t die without even realizing it…” Kai thought to himself, taking a deep breath.

At that moment, he looked seriously at the Overlord and answered his question:

“The thing is, during the trial, I heard a voice coming from an ancient array. And, considering some specific knowledge and the studies I’ve undertaken over the past fifty years, I’ve developed some terrifying theories,” he said seriously, his voice full of sincerity.

Kai understood that this was the moment when every word had to be chosen carefully. The information had to seem valuable and credible. And considering what he was about to reveal, he might even have to prove his honesty through contracts…

“Then let’s sit down, and you can tell me everything in detail. I imagine this won’t be a quick story,” said the Overlord, waving his hand. In that instant, the surrounding space slightly distorted, and they were transported directly to a table.

Kai did not hurry and humbly waited for the Overlord to take his seat first, then he sat down himself. But before Kai could open his mouth, his companion suddenly brought out a beautiful clay teapot and some cups.

“Start your story. I’ll prepare some tea to lighten the heavy atmosphere,” the Overlord said with a nod.

Kai found it difficult to decide where to begin his story and how to tie all the facts together in a believable way. But recalling the various versions of the conversation he had thought through countless times over the last fifty years, he continued:

“The voice in the array spoke of a certain Creator of Energy and that the younger generation had to undergo a trial. The essence of the trial was to find worthy young masters for the future Rebellion Army of Life. And the main goal of this army was to overthrow the Evil Gods,” Kai stated with utmost seriousness, noticing a hint of surprise on the Overlord’s face.

It was clear that the masters of the Law Overlord Sphere also knew certain legends and facts found in other pocket worlds. Even in the council archives, Kai had seen numerous references. However, they all spoke of different outcomes of that war.

“Earlier, I mentioned that many disciples unwittingly ended up in some kind of trial still functioning on ancient arrays. I completed all the trials as a recruit, and at the end, I witnessed something incredible… I was shown visions of an ancient war in which three masters of an unimaginable level, along with an endless army, ultimately lost.”

“That’s strange, considering the arrays were only recruiting new soldiers for the army, yet I saw the final outcome. As you understand, there’s some confusion in the timelines here. I suspect that after the defeat, someone returned to that temple and left records of this event for posterity…” Kai said, slightly distorting the truth.

He had signed a contract with the Artemion Alchemists Family, so the Overlord understood that Kai couldn’t lie outright to him. Naturally, no one knew that Kai had simply bypassed this restriction, as well as the restrictions of the entire contract.

Because of this, the Overlord of Shifting Essence frowned and asked seriously:

“Are you sure of your conclusions? Some legends speak of the victory of life and that the Evil Gods ceased to exist long ago. Moreover, no one feels that any evil beings are interfering in the course of events in the Universe,” he quickly countered.

“I am absolutely certain of what I saw. Although the visions were blurry, I saw five beings fighting against three others, behind whom stood an army of incredible scale,” Kai confirmed seriously. “But the most terrifying thing happened next…” he added quietly.

Naturally, what Kai had shared was valuable information, but not an astonishing fact. It was unlikely to be helpful at the upcoming assembly, considering it could have been just an ordinary illusionary array…

“Overlord… In those visions, I saw pure body cultivators and spirit cultivators, and I even fought with phantoms from the past. They were no less powerful than energy cultivators. Answer me—why are they nowhere to be found in any region of the Universe now?” Kai asked directly, raising his gaze.

As soon as his words were spoken, the Overlord froze for a second… After a moment of thought, he calmly replied:

“That is one of the Universe’s unsolved mysteries. Although ancient writings and legends mention such cultivators, they have been gone for millions of years. Apparently, they simply faded away, losing to energy cultivators,” he said, pouring himself tea.

Such a statement seemed quite logical and was more or less accepted among the masters of the Region of Energy Domination. The systems of body and spirit cultivation were only auxiliary for some races. Due to the lack of suitable laws in the environment, it was very difficult to cultivate them. Obviously, even if such cultivators became prisoners of the Region of Energy Domination after the Universe’s division, they eventually just faded away…

“And what if I told you that the Evil Gods divided our Universe?” Kai said with complete seriousness.

But before the Overlord of Shifting Essence could respond, Kai raised his hand, as if stopping him.

“I don’t know how true this is… But after completing the trial, I heard something else… Information from the array stating that after life’s defeat, the Evil Gods divided our Universe into three realms. This was done so that cultivators of the three types could not reunite, regain strength, and wage another war against them. So, it’s entirely possible that there are two other realms, where the inhabitants also wonder about us. They believe that energy cultivators have simply faded away!” Kai said, clenching his fists, with a complex expression on his face.

At that moment, the Overlord’s face froze, as it was very difficult for him to believe such a thing. He literally stood still, not knowing what to say… Moreover, if this was true, and the War Flame Devourer had also discovered something similar, it was no wonder why all the powers that be had decided to attend the assembly.

So far, only the masters of the Law Devourer Sphere knew the true reason for the assembly. Even the Supreme Monarchs only vaguely suspected the goals of the upcoming event…

“I think the War Flame Devourer and other forces from the Evil Realm Region have discovered some clues in that ancient pocket world. They’ll want to explore the entire Universe to find breaches into the other worlds,” Kai added, not giving the Overlord a chance to recover from the previous revelation.

Kai intentionally presented everything as if he had no knowledge of the Ancient Battlefield. Naturally, it would have been easier to assume that the passage discovered by the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction was a passage into one of the two other worlds, rather than a border world connecting all three.

And for some reason, Kai’s face looked strange at that moment… It seemed as if he had something to say, but he simply didn’t know if he should…

Seeing this behavior, the shocked Overlord of Shifting Essence asked seriously:

“As I understand it, there’s more to this? Speak, tell me everything you know,” he commanded with utmost seriousness.

“I understand that it all sounds too fantastical… Especially considering someone like me is involved in such matters… But I can provide a lead to the location where this breach exists… I once received the inheritance of a master who managed to penetrate another realm!” Kai said with complete seriousness.

“What?!” the Overlord exclaimed, jumping up in shock. “Do you understand that such statements must be backed by facts? You can’t just make such claims!” it was clear that even he couldn’t react appropriately or control his emotions. Everything Kai had said was absurd to the point of being ridiculous!

The Overlord’s aura unconsciously grew, beginning to suffocate Kai. Naturally, Kai tried not to show it, but it was becoming somewhat difficult for him to speak.

“Overlord… Please, restrain your energy… Gah!” Kai grimaced, requesting.

“Damn! Sorry, I lost control for a moment…” the Overlord realized his mistake and dispelled his aura. “Kai, I want proof… Without it, your entire story is just another legend!”

When the atmosphere in the room returned to normal and Kai felt relieved, he was finally able to continue. At that moment, a cunning idea formed in his mind…

“I can provide certain evidence… But in return, I have to be somewhat bold and demand a condition,” Kai responded confidently, raising his gaze.

“A condition? And what is it?” the Overlord asked, frowning.

“I know where the information about the location of the breach into another world is stored. Moreover, it likely even contains the method of entry. But this place is located right in the heart of the Poison Mysteries Sect. If I give you more details, I’ll need a favor in return,” he said, once again shocking his interlocutor.

“Speak plainly. Now is not the time for games,” the Overlord said, becoming stricter.

“In the knowledge vault, there is the body of a woman. She is the beloved of the master whose inheritance I cultivate. I promised to scatter her ashes, freeing her from confinement. I want you to help me obtain her body. Furthermore, I don’t need any other items or valuables. I simply want to fulfill the promise I made to the remnant consciousness of this master,” Kai explained with complete seriousness.

When these words were spoken, the Overlord of Shifting Essence’s mouth opened slightly… He had expected anything, but certainly not this. Such a request was very sentimental and even seemed out of place for the higher world.

Seeing the ambiguous reaction, Kai added:

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a sentimental person. I simply take my promises very seriously. The inheritance of this master greatly helped me in the past, so I owe him.”

“Noble words. You certainly possess the spirit of a true martial arts master,” the Overlord replied with sincere respect. “I can’t promise to fulfill your request, but I will pass it on to the higher-ranking masters. If you truly have evidence, now is the time to show it,” he said, nodding.

“Thank you,” Kai responded humbly, nodding.

In the next moment, he waved his hand, and a whole stack of notes and research from the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction appeared on the table. Kai had prepared them in advance so that anyone who read them would immediately understand the situation regarding the investigation of the Ancient Battlefield, the conflict with the Poison Mysteries Sect, and Lilorin’s death.

V.9 Chapter 694: Manipulator

The Overlord of Shifting Essence carefully read scroll after scroll, growing increasingly serious with each one. He realized that if what was written within them was true, then Kai had indeed provided invaluable information. No, it was more than that... This was unbelievably valuable information!

No one knew what exactly the War Flame Devourer had discovered in the ancient pocket world or why he had summoned all the powerful beings of this world. But it was clear that he needed to solve a specific problem. What if Kai, through a series of incredible circumstances, had found the answer to that problem? In that case, the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen would have a crucial bargaining chip in the negotiations. Under such conditions, it would be much easier to secure the most favorable terms.

From the perspective of what Kai had revealed, it was possible that the exploration of an entirely new world was on the horizon. Obviously, there would be a great deal of spoils, and how they would be divided would be decided before the expedition even began.

“If we present this correctly, we could lie that we found this information in ancient scrolls. We can also easily claim that we know about the events of the ancient Universe because we once found a similar pocket world…” the Overlord muttered to himself, continuing to read, already beginning to formulate a strategy.

When the Poison Mysteries Sect discovered the research of Corvus and Lilorin, they naturally wanted to keep it for themselves. But they had failed, as Corvus had hidden the main clues along with his beloved’s body and taken the rest of the findings with him.

“If everything here is true, then why hasn’t the Poison Mysteries Sect simply opened the vault? Shouldn’t they know exactly what’s stored there? In that case, they wouldn’t be likely to hide this information from the Law Devourer, forcing him to share the spoils with other masters of our world,” he asked Kai, raising his gaze.

This observation was quite logical. If the Monarch of the Poison Mysteries Sect truly knew what was in the vault containing Lilorin’s body, he would have immediately informed the War Flame Devourer. In that case, the entity wouldn’t have needed to summon all the powerful beings of the world. He would have had enough clues to search for the answer on his own and investigate the Ancient Battlefield.

Hearing these words, a sly grin spread across Kai’s face. His eyes gleamed as he replied:

“I hold the key to the vault. If anyone tries to open it without the key, the space inside will simply collapse, destroying its contents. Obviously, the Poison Mysteries Sect wouldn’t dare to open the vault, knowing that many of the current elders were once in love with Lilorin. They would never allow such a sacrilegious destruction of her body,” Kai hadn’t realized how many factors had begun to align in his favor.

Over the past decades, he had thought through the entire situation with the vault numerous times. After all, to fulfill his promise, he would eventually have to access it. But how exactly to do that, Kai had no idea. And only now, during this conversation, had he finally found the answer!

Hearing this explanation, the Overlord of Shifting Essence smirked mischievously. Tapping his fingers on the table, he said with satisfaction:

“This takes an unexpected turn. So, even if the treasures are in the hands of the Poison Mysteries Sect, the key to them is with us. If we mention this at the assembly, we’ll have yet another bargaining chip! You never cease to amaze me, Immortal Drunkard!”

“Exactly, Overlord. I’m providing the Pantheon not only with valuable information but also with a winning position!” Kai replied seriously, seeing that he had managed to convince his interlocutor.

In the next moment, Kai waved his hand again, producing a green jade key with an embedded array. Looking directly at the Overlord, he confidently said:

“If we’re going to lie, I think we need to lie one more time…”

“We should claim that the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction didn’t flee to my native lower world, but rather to the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. Although he died from his wounds, before his death, he met with you, leaving behind his legacy and his final wish. And who would have thought that thirty thousand years later, your meeting with the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction would be connected to such unique events as the gathering of all the masters of our world…” Kai suggested with a malicious smile.

Immediately after, Kai laughed and added:

“I didn’t inherit a cultivation technique, but rather resources, so no one will be able to link me to the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. Therefore, it will all sound plausible.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Overlord’s fists clenched! It seemed that he felt a surge of excitement from everything that had transpired during their brief discussion!

“Ha-ha-ha!” the Overlord of Shifting Essence laughed loudly, standing up. “What news! Damn it, I’m heading to the Gods of Craft right now! You can be sure that if they confirm everything, you will be under the full protection of the Pantheon and will even get Lilorin’s body!” he shouted with shining eyes.

Hearing the Overlord’s direct confirmation, Kai unknowingly smiled, a smile of relief. He had come up with many courses of action over the past fifty years, ultimately deciding on this conversation with the Overlord of Shifting Essence. And fortunately, this method had worked!

“I had to sacrifice the treasures left by Lilorin and Corvus, but it’s better than losing my life. Moreover, the writings of the three systems were only with Corvus, as he obtained the writings of the spirit system during his last expedition. Even when they discover the passage to the Ancient Battlefield, they probably won’t be able to open it! I, on the other hand, will still find out where it is!” Kai thought, watching as the threads of his plan came together.

“Your cunning never ceases to amaze me… You’re already trying to manipulate Monarchs and the Law Devourers. I must admit, you’re a very dangerous man,” Kessia’s voice suddenly echoed.

“Don’t paint me in a bad light. After all, I’m saving your life too,” Kai replied mentally, laughing.

“Alright! I’m off to the Gods of Craft, and we’ll discuss everything with them. When the assembly begins, you must be there. While we can lie about the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction, some facts, such as the events of the ancient war, were witnessed only by you. So now, you’re an essential piece of the plan!” the Overlord said with satisfaction.

“I understand! Thank you for listening and believing in me!” Kai responded, bowing respectfully in gratitude.

“The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen is one big family! Though it may sound grand, it’s the truth. We are all bound by contracts, which means you simply cannot lie to us. Therefore, I am obliged to believe you!” the Overlord said, approaching Kai and patting him on the shoulder.

“I’m thrilled to have become a member of this family!” Kai replied with a smile, rising from the table.

After exchanging a few more words, Kai finally left the Overlord of Shifting Essence’s chambers, while the Overlord himself set off for an audience with the Gods of Craft.

As Kai walked through the bustling city of the Artemion Alchemists Family, he felt strange emotions. The weight of his worries and certain fears was suddenly replaced by anticipation! If everything went as it should, he would not only avoid suffering at the hands of the War Flame Devourer but also obtain Lilorin’s body! Moreover, he would be one step closer to traveling to the Ancient Battlefield!

“Listen, Kessia… Once, you mentioned that the space within the passage between worlds is too chaotic, that only a master of the Law Overlord Sphere could pass through it. Is that really true, or were you just trying to divert my interest, focusing my attention on more pressing issues?” Kai suddenly asked, recalling conversations from his first visit to the higher world.

“Of course, it’s true. Mikaela once told you about the terrifying spherical edge of the universe and the unbearable energy within it. Do you think a tunnel through such a space would be a walk in the park?” the queen responded, posing a rhetorical question.

This answer sounded logical. If the theory that the Evil Gods divided the Universe into three regions and forbade leaving these regions was true, then the passage to the Ancient Battlefield was also left by them. But that didn’t change the fact that this passage led through terrifying space. So terrifying that if one didn't enter it at the point where the tunnel lead to the Ancient Battlefield, it would kill even a master of the Law Devourer Sphere!

“Why do you ask?” Kessia inquired with interest.

“I was just thinking…” Kai replied with a sly smile. “What if I enter the world ring? Wouldn’t a spatial transition harm me?” he added immediately.

As soon as these words were spoken, Kessia’s face frowned. She understood exactly where Kai was leading…

“Don’t you think there will be masters on the Ancient Battlefield far more powerful than you? There are indeed native inhabitants, but there are also many terrifying masters. In that environment, you would be an easy target for anyone! Until you reach the Law Overlord Sphere, it’s better not to go there!” Kessia immediately countered, rejecting Kai’s idea outright.

“What if we go straight to the Region of Flesh Domination?” Kai asked with a sly smile.

Kessia’s eyes immediately gleamed with a strange light, and her heart fluttered. Although she had previously tried to hide her true emotions, their relationship had changed over time. As a result, Kessia had softened and began unconsciously revealing her true intentions.

“Kai… I would love to visit my home world again… But there’s no need to rush. It’s better to break through to the Law Overlord Sphere first, and then we can think about everything else,” she replied sincerely with a heavy sigh.

Seeing this behavior, Kai didn’t press the topic or push Kessia further. In fact, he also understood that it was better to wait and not rush. Moreover, the assembly of the hegemons hadn’t even begun yet, so it was too early to make such plans.

“I’m at the sixth transformation now. Given my potential, I should go through three more of them. Only then will I approach a breakthrough. The Law Overlord Sphere… I wonder how my breakthrough will go?” Kai thought, dreaming for a moment.

Calmly walking through the golden city streets, he enjoyed the calm before the storm. Along the way, alchemists passing by constantly greeted him, unaware of the chaos that was about to descend upon their world. Kai, in turn, just nodded at them with a smile...

“Perhaps I’ll visit Igniris today. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him,” Kai said with satisfaction, adjusting his blood-red hair.

In the next moment, he calmly turned and walked toward the academy, where his friend and eternal rival spent most of his time.

V.9 Chapter 695: Power of Life and Death

Time flew by swiftly, drawing closer and closer to the beginning of the assembly of the entire Region of Energy Domination. During this period, Kai remained within the confines of the Artemion Alchemists Family’s territory, not venturing out at all.

He still hadn’t felt the gaze of the War Flame Devourer upon him, but he understood perfectly well that he might already have been noticed... In that case, it was better to be as cautious as possible, which is exactly what he was doing.

Recently, he finally received a response from the Overlord of Shifting Essence. The Gods of Craft were incredibly pleased with the information he had provided. And most importantly—Kai’s request had been approved!

“As long as I’m within the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, I’m safe. Even the War Flame Devourer won’t be able to kill me… Moreover, if everything goes well, I’ll obtain Lilorin’s body and finally repay my debt to Corvus,” Kai pondered this as he sipped wine in his backyard. The starry sky and quiet night only helped him find peace and immerse himself in his thoughts.

Previously, Kai hadn’t thought much about the last request of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction; he was more interested in obtaining information about the Ancient Battlefield. But over time, Kai began to feel a certain duty as a martial artist. Now, he genuinely wanted to thank one of his elders, even if they had never met in life.

There was a certain sacredness in such promises, something one simply had to respect. And the stronger Kai became, the more he felt the weight of the promises he had made.

“You could say there have been three master figures in my life: Grandfather Mo, Corvus, and Kessia. Each of them is a completely different figure to me, but I owe something to each of them. If I repay Overlord Corvus, only Kessia will remain…” Kai philosophized mentally.

“I need to carefully consider my future development as a martial artist… I’m obligated to visit Kessia’s home world, but advancing to new levels will become increasingly difficult… I wonder what secrets the queen still holds?” he pondered, scratching the back of his head. “Well, first I need to survive this assembly. The results will determine everything. Perhaps the elders will reward me with something useful, or maybe they’ll decide to destroy me altogether…”

Kai would be lying if he said he didn’t crave to visit the Ancient Battlefield. All the evidence pointed to it being the site of the ancient war with the Evil Gods, which meant there should be even more answers to his questions! If he managed to reach those places, he could learn more about the Sphere of Essence and the events into which fate had drawn him. It seemed as if all the events were leading him toward uncovering the most fundamental mysteries of the Universe.

But Kessia was right in saying that he shouldn’t rush. If Kai entered a world where many masters at the Law Overlord Sphere level were present, it would be far too dangerous for him. It was better to take his time and continue cultivating in the Region of Energy Domination.

Understanding all the implications, Kai wanted to wait for the outcome of the assembly. If it turned out favorably for the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, Kai planned to ask the Gods of Craft for help with his cultivation.

“If everything goes well and the Law Devourers head toward the passage to the Ancient Battlefield… Maybe I’ll have the chance to visit the Heavenly Continent? I wonder how Grandfather Mo is doing? Are my family and friends still alive?” Kai mused, thinking of Old Mo, Diso, Shuo, and Yao.

This thought was slightly unsettling for Kai, and he often tried to push it aside. When he left the lower world, he had been prepared for the possibility that he might never see his loved ones again, keeping their images only in his heart. But still, he wanted to believe there was a slim chance of seeing them at least once more…

“When I left for the higher world, I was forty-six years old… Now I’m five hundred and fifty years old… Was grandfather able to break through to the Core Sphere? I hope so because otherwise, he’s certainly dead by now,” Kai sighed heavily, looking up at the sky.

Masters of the Star Sphere lived for about three hundred and fifty to four hundred years. Kai, in turn, had already spent five hundred years in the higher world…

“Damn… Brother Diso definitely didn’t have the potential to become a master of the Core Sphere…” Kai thought, coming to an obvious realization.

However, deep down, Kai still held onto a tiny spark of hope:

“Maybe Diso found a way to extend his life… Maybe he used those life-extending pills I left him, and later started buying them from demons? Maybe Yao and Diso figured something out? Even if it seems like self-deception, some part of me refuses to accept any other outcome. I have to believe they managed to live that long,” Kai continued his mental monologue, recalling all his loved ones, each of whom had contributed to the person he had become.

The wind gently rustled the leaves on the trees in the garden, carrying with it the scent of blooming herbs. The air was filled with the smell of impending change, but also with the weight of an indescribable sadness that enveloped Kai’s heart. He raised his wine glass to the light, watching the starlight play in its depths, as if searching for answers in this spectacle.

“It’s too early to draw conclusions, especially about Grandfather Mo. If he really managed to break through to the Core Sphere, then he’s definitely still alive. I left him enough resources for that breakthrough.”

Kai sighed, looking at the stars that were beginning to twinkle in the sky above. This sight always calmed him, reminding him of the vastness of the Universe and that every problem, every trial, had its place in the infinite web of destinies.

“But if they’re gone… What can I do to preserve their memory? Should I do anything at all, considering it’s the natural course of events?” his voice carried the bitterness of loss, mixed with an unyielding determination to move forward despite all obstacles.

“The concept of Life and Death is so strange… It’s so natural, yet so contradictory…” Kai slowly lowered his glass and soared into the air, watching as the first rays of the rising sun flickered on the horizon.

“Life and Death, the fourth law. The fruit of the supreme triad of laws: time-space, fortune, and will. The fortune and will to evolve in the infinity of time give birth to beings and lead them into oblivion,” Kai thought unconsciously, recalling one of the laws of the Sphere of Essence.

The rising sun painted the sky with colors that could rival the most magnificent works of artists. As Kai ascended higher, he allowed himself a moment of distraction from the burden of his thoughts, observing how the world awakened beneath him.

“Life and death… Inseparable parts of a single cycle that maintains balance in the Universe,” he said slowly, as if each word had been forged through hours of contemplation. “The ancients in their texts spoke of life as merely a moment between two eternities of nonexistence. And death—not as an end, but as a transition to another state of being.”

Over the past decades, Kai had read too many scrolls and books in the archive. All of this had given him new insights, not only into the path of a martial artist but also into ordinary life concepts. As it turned out, such trivial topics, even those discussed in the lower worlds, could hold incredible depth!

Kai pondered the words of a mortal philosopher, who wrote that true philosophy is a preparation for death. “Could it be that in my world, where power and cultivation can extend life to unimaginable lengths, the essence remains the same? Do we live preparing for the inevitable, or do we strive to delay it, accumulating knowledge and power?”

Kai realized that the fear of death was nothing more than a fear of the unknown. “We fear death because we don’t know what it entails. But if death is just part of the cycle, shouldn’t we accept it as an inevitability that gives our lives value?”

Kai looked to the east, where the sun had fully risen, bathing the world in its light...

“Perhaps the truth about Life and Death lies not in avoiding or overcoming them, but in understanding their role in our existence. Life without death would be an endless repetition without purpose or meaning. And death without life would deprive us of the opportunity to experience joy, sorrow, love, and loss.”

“Just as every sunrise and sunset carries the beginning and the end, so too do Life and Death serve as reminders that every moment is precious,” Kai thought, descending back to the ground with a strange sense of peace in his heart. He realized that his journey was not only about seeking answers to questions about Life and Death, but also about appreciating every moment of his existence, no matter how much time he had left.

“Whatever the truth may be, I must discover it. Not just as a means to grow stronger, but as a path to understanding the very essence of the world I call home. Why does the Universe exist at all? What caused the ancient war with the Evil Gods? What role does life itself play in all of this?” Kai deeply pondered, trying to penetrate the very essence of these concepts.

He understood that the answers to these questions lay deeper than any cultivation secrets or martial arts techniques. After all, understanding the fundamental laws of existence could open new horizons, not only in cultivation but also in the perception of the world.

“After all, if we understand why the Universe exists, we can better understand our place in it. If we comprehend the reasons for the ancient war, we can learn from the past to avoid similar catastrophes in the future. And if we grasp the role that life plays in all of this, we can understand where everything is headed…” Kai thought, gazing at the rising sun.

He realized that his thirst for power was only part of his quest for knowledge. Knowledge about the world, its laws, and its mysteries was as important to Kai as his martial prowess!

“Power without wisdom is empty, and wisdom without power is powerless to change the world. True strength lies in the harmony between them,” he thought, filling himself with the resolve to continue exploring these questions, no matter where these pursuits would lead him.

Once again, Kai realized that his path was not just that of a cultivator but that of a seeker of truth, wanting to understand the deepest mysteries of the Universe. And though the path was fraught with thorns and full of uncertainty, he was ready to walk it, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge!

V.9 Chapter 696: Craftsman’s Heart Devourer

The days flew by swiftly, drawing closer to one of the most significant events in tens of thousands of years. Meanwhile, Kai calmly attended to routine matters within the Artemion Alchemists Family's territory. From the conversations of passersby, he constantly heard about the remarkable events taking place on the main teralith.

Every day, someone important arrived, occupying the pre-prepared spots in the Palace of the Gods of Craft. All these guests were either Monarchs or even Law Devourers accompanied by their retinues. It was no surprise that they were accommodated in the most prestigious locations within the Pantheon, treated with reverence akin to the Gods of Craft themselves.

Over time, Kai realized that some sects brought along some of their elders, but these elders were housed in the city and did not receive the highest honors. The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen would also utilize masters at the elder level, so it was clear that other sects had expressed similar intentions. There were even rumors that the most worthy disciples of the sects would be allowed to observe the assembly.

Watching the highest masters of the Universe was likely to inspire the disciples in their development and give them new ideas. The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen did not oppose this, welcoming all guests with hospitality.

While the outside world buzzed with activity, Kai stood in the courtyard of his mansion, filled with anticipation. Yesterday, the Overlord of Shifting Essence had warned him to be prepared in advance. When the time came, he would be taken to the assembly.

“So… Today is the beginning…” Kai thought, standing still in the middle of the garden. The tranquility and gentle breeze sharply contrasted with the storm of emotions within him.

At that moment, an incredibly deep and soul-stirring voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

“Prepare yourself, young one,” despite its majesty, the voice was calm and peaceful.

Hearing this, Kai instantly dropped to one knee, knowing who was addressing him. He had heard this voice before, during his confinement in the council archives. It was the voice of that casually dressed old man with three completely white eyes!

But before Kai's knee could touch the ground, he felt solid stone beneath him! He had been transported to another part of the space in the blink of an eye! He hadn’t even felt the distortion of space!

“Greetings, Ancestor!” Kai respectfully called out, not lifting his head.

“Rise. Your contribution to the Pantheon’s cause is invaluable, so there’s no need to be overly formal… I’m too old to be concerned with pleasantries,” the old man’s deep voice resonated, sending a chill through Kai’s body.

Slowly lifting his head, Kai saw the old man before him, dressed in tattered clothes. It seemed that once they had shone with gold, but that was so long ago that now the old man looked more like a mortal beggar. Naturally, this impression was deceiving, as the old man’s power was immense!

Kai even began to doubt the true level of this old man’s strength…

“Thank you for believing in me! I understand how unbelievable my statements sounded, so I hesitated for a long time before voicing them,” Kai said with gratitude as he rose.

At that moment, he noticed that the Overlord of Shifting Essence was standing nearby. He simply smiled at Kai and nodded.

“Today, you will be under my protection. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to you,” the old man said firmly, walking through the spacious golden hall where Kai had found himself.

Hearing this, Kai didn’t ask any further questions and simply followed the elder's quickly. The Overlord of Shifting Essence also offered no explanations to Kai, moving calmly ahead.

“He’s going to protect me? Aren’t the Gods of Craft in the Supreme Monarch Sphere?” Kai wondered mentally, trying to make sense of the situation.

Just as he was about to inquire about the old man’s cultivation level, Kessia answered calmly, beating him to it:

“Kai, he’s also in the Law Devourer Sphere. Moreover, I can sense immense power in him. This old man is definitely stronger than the War Flame Devourer. I’d even say he’s the strongest I’ve seen in the Region of Energy Domination. Of course, I can’t claim he’s the absolute strongest. I spent most of my time in the lower world, so I’ve seen as much as you have,” the Queen said with utmost seriousness.

This assessment greatly surprised Kai, but it also reassured him about his safety. If such a master was going to protect him, it was unlikely anyone would dare to harm him!

When Kai first saw this God of Craft, Kessia had been resting in the book, not paying much attention to her surroundings. Therefore, Kai had thought the old man was in the Supreme Monarch Sphere. But it turned out his nature was far more terrifying!

As they moved through the grand corridors, the old man suddenly spoke:

“You’ll stand next to me. Don’t say or do anything, even if the War Flame Devourer notices you and tries to provoke you. When your account of the trial is needed, I’ll ask you to speak. Say nothing but the essential facts. If everything goes as planned, you’ll certainly be rewarded.”

“I understand and will obey, Ancestor,” Kai replied briefly and respectfully.

“Call me the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer,” the old man said, surprising the Overlord walking beside them. “For your protection, I may need to introduce you as my disciple at some point. In that case, you should know my name and address me as master,” he quickly added.

“I understand, esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer,” Kai immediately responded, showing humility and changing his form of address.

At that moment, Kai understood perfectly that if he wanted to survive, he needed to follow the old man’s instructions unquestionably. The relationships among the highest-level masters involved many unique traditions that Kai didn’t understand. In such a case, it was better to trust someone knowledgeable and not act on his own.

“The assembly is about to begin. We’ll arrive early since we are the hosts of the gathering,” the old man said, turning a corner.

At that moment, enormous golden gates appeared in the distance, towering to incredible heights. Kai was suddenly reminded of the wall from the Border Beast City…

“If you stacked three of those walls on top of each other, they’d still be shorter than these gates…” Kai realized with astonishment, comparing the size of the wall to the gates. It seemed as if they were mere ants standing before the doors of a giant.

As they approached closer, the old man casually waved his hand as if brushing away invisible dust…

“Boom!” a deafening, explosive sound echoed as the doors opened, reminiscent of the thunderous drums of the heavens, heralding the beginning of an important event. The sound filled the air, making even the surrounding space vibrate.

Before Kai, an enormous hall unfolded, its grandeur and layout reflecting the magnificence and power of its owners. Inside the hall, towering ceilings were adorned with intricate carvings depicting ancient scenes of battles and the unification of different treculus clans. The walls were draped with wide golden panels, each telling its own story of the feats and achievements of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen.

A long marble path stretched down the center of the hall, leading to an elevated platform where thrones for the most honored guests were placed. The platform was surrounded by a series of steps, with seats for less significant but still respected guests arranged on each level. This arrangement symbolized the hierarchy of power and influence among the cultivators, emphasizing the status of each attendee.

Along both sides of the marble path stood statues of great masters of the past, each emanating a subtle flow of energy, creating the sensation of the living presence of these legends. Between the statues were stone pools filled with crystal-clear water, where exotic fish swam, emitting a soft light. This light played on the surface of the water, creating a soothing, transcendent atmosphere.

At the opposite end of the hall was an expansive dining area, where elegant tables made from rare woods were decorated with intricate carvings and inlays. Each table was covered with brightly colored cloths infused with magical energy, giving them not only a magnificent appearance but also protective properties.

At that moment, Kai saw numerous servants bustling about, actively decorating and preparing everything. Some approached the food and drink stations, quickly setting the tables for the main guests.

Their faces still showed signs of terror, as the sudden opening of the door had frightened them nearly to death... And upon seeing the old man, they were completely at a loss for how to react.

The old man walked slowly down the marble path, heading toward the central area opposite the entrance. Naturally, it was reserved for members of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen.

Seeing this, the servants didn’t dare to greet such a majestic figure. They continued their work as if they were silent ghosts, afraid to disturb the peace of the hall.

“Even though we occupy the center, the height of the seats is the same everywhere. This way, no one will be offended… I wonder where the elders will sit?” Kai thought, examining the seating arrangements.

The logic behind the seating arrangement in the hall was meticulously planned to reflect the hierarchical structure of the cultivators' world and to ensure respect for each level of mastery represented at the assembly. At the highest point were the most prominent seats, reserved for the Law Devourers. Their number varied depending on how many representatives from different regions of the universe had arrived. These seats were the most distinguished, offering the best view of the entire hall and surrounded by symbols of power and wisdom, highlighting their high status.

Slightly lower, but still in a prominent area visible from any point in the hall, were the seats for the Supreme Monarchs. There were typically about five seats in each sector. It was clear that not all Supreme Monarchs of the Region of Energy Domination would attend the assembly.

For the Law Overlords, there were about a dozen seats in each sector. These seats were placed a bit lower, emphasizing their importance and influence, while still positioning them under the protective aegis of the higher-ranking masters.

The least elevated, but still highly honorable, seats were reserved for elders at the Law Transformation Sphere. About a hundred of these seats were located in each sector, providing ample space for representatives from various sects and clans. Although these seats were visually lower than the highest ones, they were richly decorated and offered a good view of the central platform.

This seating arrangement was very logical and respectful for each of the Pantheon’s guests. There were also many seats outside the central zone, clearly intended for the best disciples of the Region of Energy Domination who had come to broaden their horizons.

V.9 Chapter 697: First Guests

Kai followed the old man first to the sector of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen and then directly to the highest seat, which was clearly intended for the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

“It seems there will only be one master of the Law Devourer Sphere from the Pantheon…” Kai thought, surveying the surroundings. Some sectors had multiple seats on the highest platform, so Kai couldn’t help but notice this detail.

The old man slowly sat down in his seat, calmly observing the area before him. His seat was positioned so that the entrance to the hall was directly opposite him, ensuring that every guest would immediately be met by the gaze of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

Watching this, Kai respectfully bowed and asked:

“Excuse me, senior… Where should I stand?”

“Stand behind me. You’re not allowed to sit at this level, as it would insult the status of the esteemed Law Devourers. At the same time, sitting among the members of the Divine Council of Craftsmen would demean your status. When you speak, many won’t take you seriously. So, you’ll have to endure and forego the pleasure of food and drink. I don’t think that’s a serious problem for you,” the old man replied seriously, his deep voice resonating throughout the hall.

“Yes, sir!” Kai responded with a nod, quickly moving to stand behind the old man’s chair. He understood that he needed to follow every instruction, and it was best not to express his opinion unnecessarily.

“No need to hide; stand slightly to the side so you can be seen,” the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer immediately corrected him.

Kai smiled awkwardly and shifted slightly to the side. Now, when someone entered the hall, they would first see the old man looking down at them and the young man standing in his shadow.

“Galrion, take your place as well,” the old man commanded in a tone of authority, addressing the Overlord of Shifting Essence.

To Kai’s surprise, the Overlord also stood behind the old man and smiled at Kai. In the next moment, he said:

“I’ll be playing the role of the friend of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. He entrusted me with the key to the vault and the responsibility to care for Lilorin’s body. I’ll do everything to fulfill my friend’s last wish,” he said with such a sincere smile that it seemed as if every word was genuinely heartfelt.

Hearing this, Kai couldn’t help but smile, as the plan seemed well-thought-out. Although their actions might initially appear strange, everything would become clear during the negotiations. Moreover, there would be no way to link Kai to the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. His greatest crime would be stealing something from under the nose of the War Flame Devourer. But for that, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer was here. With the old man’s protection, Kai had nothing to fear!

Once the trio had taken their places, the air in the hall filled with anticipation. It was only after half an hour that a grand procession appeared on the marble path, led by two women in the Supreme Monarch Sphere, whose faces Kai had seen before. They walked slowly, each step reflecting millennia of wisdom and depth of mastery.

Following them were eight Law Overlords, seven representing each of the Pantheon’s families, and among them was a scarred woman from the Divine Order Guardians. Technically, the Overlord of Shifting Essence should have been among them, but now he stood next to Kai…

Their imposing figures symbolized the unyielding strength and grandeur of the entire Pantheon. Their presence added weight to the moment, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming assembly. Their aura filled the hall with a powerful energy, causing the servants and musicians to quickly take their places along the walls of the hall. Everyone understood that the assembly was finally beginning!

Then came the elders, with whom Kai had spent fifty years in the archives. They were his colleagues from the Divine Council of Craftsmen and formed the political core of the Pantheon. When their attention turned to the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer to pay him respect, their faces lit up with astonishment and shock!

They saw Kai standing humbly beside one of the greatest masters of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! This moment was a revelation for many, showcasing unexpected connections and shifts in the hierarchy of power. No one understood why Kai was standing in such a prominent position…

“Is that really Elder Kai? What’s going on?”

“Well, I’ll be… How did Elder Kai rise so quickly? He only recently joined the council…” murmured the surprised voices of other masters.

In the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, there was great freedom in expressing one’s thoughts. No one would be punished for such discussions, or even frowned upon.

It seemed that even some of the Overlords were deeply surprised, not understanding what was happening…

“It seems not everyone knows about the plan of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer and the information I provided…” Kai thought, analyzing the behavior of his colleagues.

After the highest masters took their seats, the disciples of the Pantheon entered. Following tradition and respecting the hierarchy, they first bowed to the Pantheon’s leaders and then moved to the standing areas in the expansive hall, not approaching the central area where the negotiations would take place. Their interested gazes and excitement reflected the overall mood in the hall—a mix of anticipation and admiration! They were allowed to participate as observers to broaden their understanding of the world! Today, they would witness several Law Devourers and dozens of Supreme Monarchs!

All the elders and disciples chatted among themselves, but they did so in a moderate tone, careful not to show disrespect to others. This continued for about half an hour until the deep voice of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer rang out:

“Silence. The first guests are approaching our gates. From this moment on, everyone must be on their best behavior! We are beginning the assembly!” he commanded in a tone that brooked no dissent.

As soon as his words were spoken, the sound of invisible instruments suddenly filled the hall, marking the start of the ceremony! The melody was solemn and majestic, highlighting the scale of the event and the unity of all the forces of the universe. The music echoed throughout the hall, enhancing the sense of importance of the moment!

The sudden silence of conversations foreshadowed the arrival of new guests, and all eyes turned to the golden gates, which slowly and ceremoniously opened.

On the threshold appeared masters whose nature was unmistakable…

A cool breeze, heralding their arrival, softly enveloped the hall, like a wind bringing freshness from snow-capped peaks. The very air seemed purer, and the light within the hall brighter.

“The Crystal Cold Region, led by the Ice Star Devourer,” a solemn voice suddenly echoed throughout the hall.

At the head of the procession walked a woman whose appearance left one speechless. Her long hair was the color of a silvery dawn, curling and floating around her like living entities, creating the illusion that she was surrounded by a sea of clouds. Her garments, made of the finest fabric, shimmered with hues of moonlight and icy water, harmonizing with the sparkling ornaments that resembled delicate icicles and snowflakes.

On her head rested a magnificent crown, studded with gems that looked like frozen droplets of dew, and behind her, creating an aura of light and majesty, shone a disk resembling the full moon. At her waist, she carried a sword that glowed with an inner light, as if it contained the essence of cold itself.

“She looks very human…” Kai thought, admiring the woman’s beauty.

It seemed that the only differences were her slightly bluish skin and pointed ears. Such an appearance was truly captivating…

The warriors accompanying her had impassive faces and a stride filled with determination. They walked as if in full battle readiness, though their swords remained sheathed. Their armor, polished to a mirror shine, gleamed with a cold radiance, and each suit was inlaid with magical crystals, creating an aura of intense cold around them.

As the procession moved slowly through the hall, a deep silence fell, broken only by the sound of their footsteps. They carried with them the spirit of the Crystal Cold Region—the power and mystery of an entire cluster of laws within the Region of Energy Domination.

“Only three women in the Supreme Monarch Sphere are behind her… I wonder how many sects are in their region in total?” Kai thought, realizing that each of the women was the head of one of the higher world’s sects.

But before they could reach the central part of the hall, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer stood and calmly said:

“Welcome to our Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. It is an honor to host such masters in our humble abode. Please, take your seats,” the old man pointed to the sector over which a blue flag hung, inscribed with characters that read “Crystal Cold Region.”

Immediately after, applause erupted from all the members of the Pantheon, welcoming the guests. They were indeed showing themselves to be worthy hosts of the assembly.

“Thank you for the warm reception. I am pleased to see you again, Craftsman’s Heart Devourer,” the astonishing woman said with a frosty expression and flew to her seat, which was designed in the style of their region.

The others also stepped forward, respectfully bowed to the members of the Pantheon, and then took their places. The ordinary disciples of the Crystal Cold Region immediately knelt at the entrance, bowed, and quickly moved to the side. They didn’t even approach the central marble area of the hall. Obviously, they had been forewarned about the hierarchy and rules… This assembly was not a place where disciples could act on their own.

“They don’t announce the names of the sects, but the characters are displayed on the women’s chests…” Kai thought as he looked at the Supreme Monarchs.

It was clear that the main actors of the assembly would be the Law Devourers, who were not technically members of any single sect. They represented the entire region and its interests as a whole. But for convenience, the Supreme Monarchs had marked their chests with their sect names. For example, the patches on the women’s chests sequentially read: Sect of the Eternal Glacier, Sect of the Frost Mirage, and Sect of the Yuki-onna Seal.

This allowed Kai to conclude that the Crystal Cold Region had at least three high sects.

V.9 Chapter 698: Passions Heat Up

Kai calmly observed the inhabitants of the Crystal Cold Region, contemplating the unique characteristics of their sects. It was evident that they all belonged predominantly to a single race, similar to the Ice Star Devourer.

But Kai’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the next resounding announcement:

“The Storm Wasteland Region, led by the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest!”

The Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest entered the hall with unmatched grandeur. His step was light, like the wind, yet he exuded an aura of ferocity. His body was a steely color, adorned with numerous tattoos that seemed alive, constantly shifting and changing. The Devourer’s attire, which clung tightly to his muscular frame, was made of material that rustled with every movement, like the gusts of wind that pierce the heavens.

Every element of his gear, from his cloak to his boots, was decorated with symbols of wind and clouds, emphasizing his connection to the boundless storms that ruled his region…

“What a strange master… Law Devourers truly are eccentric beings…” Kai thought, noticing the one element that stood out from the rest of the man’s image.

A wide, satisfied smile was plastered on the man’s face, as if he were ready to burst into loud laughter at any moment. The imposing aura combined with the odd expression created a contradictory impression.

“It’s been a long time, old man! Your Pantheon still smells as sweet as ever! I’m delighted, truly delighted! Ha-ha-ha!” the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest bellowed after taking just a few steps, his laughter booming and overwhelming some of the disciples.

“And I am pleased to see you again, esteemed guest. Please take your seats; we haven’t marked them hierarchically,” the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer responded unexpectedly with a smile.

“It seems these two are on quite good terms… But considering the nature of the masters from the Storm Wasteland Region, it’s no surprise that they are frequent guests of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. Even Mikaela’s organization has its own branch in the Pantheon…” Kai mused, refraining from staring too long at the guest.

Behind the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest followed the masters of the Storm Wasteland Region, and their formation was far less disciplined than that of the Crystal Cold Region. They entered in small, relaxed, and free-spirited groups, reflecting the loose structure of their region. Their attire ranged from simple cloaks to elaborate armor, each adorned with distinctive marks of adventure and travel. There was no strict order among them, unlike in other regions. They seemed more like a group of like-minded individuals, united by common interests, rather than a rigid hierarchy.

These masters embodied the spirit of independence and exploration, possessing freedom that allowed them to traverse all corners of the Universe searching for knowledge, power, and adventure. They didn’t tie themselves to sects but preferred the life of adventurers and guild members, bravely taking on missions in the most remote and dangerous parts of the Universe.

Like the wind that never rests, these masters appeared to be entities that knew no rest in their eternal quest for new horizons and adventures. Their diversity symbolized their region—a place dominated by the laws of wind and storm, where everyone could find their unique path of cultivation.

But despite their free-spirited nature, they were not savages and knew how to honor the traditions of each region, as they were constantly traveling. None of the arrivals ignored the greeting, respectfully bowing to both the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer and the Ice Star Devourer.

And in the moment when the elders approached to bow, Kai’s eyes gleamed slightly! One of the last to bow was someone familiar… It was Mikaela!

It seemed that upon seeing Kai, she hesitated for just a moment. But she immediately continued to her seat, pretending to see Kai for the first time. The young woman was clearly shocked that Kai hadn’t managed to avoid this assembly and escape from the Pantheon. But more importantly—he was standing next to the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer!

“She didn’t even send a thought transmission. But I suppose that’s safer,” Kai thought with a smile, assessing the three masters of the Supreme Monarch Sphere who had arrived from the Storm Wasteland Region.

However the events didn’t stop or pause there. No sooner had everyone taken their seats than a voice suddenly announced:

“The Primordial Sun Region, led by two esteemed guests: the Devourer of Critical Heat and the Sun’s Core Devourer!”

As soon as these words were spoken, memories from Kai’s past flashed through his mind, for the title of the first Devourer reminded him of something…

“I think there was an ancient genius named Arachaldin who possessed the Law of Devouring Heat, or something like that… Could it be that this is one of his distant descendants?” Kai pondered, realizing that such assumptions were too wild to be realistic.

When the voice announced the arrival of the guests from the Primordial Sun Region, the hall froze in admiration! Two transcendent women entered, and their majesty enveloped everyone present!

The Devourer of Critical Heat possessed a slender figure and skin the shade of a deep sunset, fiery red and awe-inspiring. From beneath her full lips peeked elegant fangs, adding an exotic allure to her appearance. Her hair, black as charred wood, cascaded in waves down her shoulders and to the floor, and her gaze was piercing and proud, as if she were the daughter of the Gods themselves.

In contrast, the Sun’s Core Devourer was no less captivating. She had golden skin and webbed wings on her back, resembling those of a dragon. Her walk was soft, but every small movement revealed an uncompromising competitiveness and unyielding will.

Both women were dressed in flowing red robes that seemed to vibrate with warmth and light, creating an aura of radiance around them that harmonized gently with the energy surrounding them.

The two transcendent women from the Primordial Sun Region approached the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, their proud and fiery auras scorching the surrounding air. Many elders, as well as disciples, couldn’t help but swallow nervously, captivated by their beauty.

The first, with a characteristic fiery temperament, proudly spoke:

“We bring the aura of the Primordial Sun to bring a little light to this assembly. I hope our presence here is welcome.”

The second, following her colleague but with the same proud dignity, added:

“Let our participation be a sign of respect for your craft, as well as for the fierce competition between our Regions. We recognize only strength, and every word and deed of ours will reflect this principle. We will not allow ourselves to be subdued at this assembly.”

As she said this, she cast a glance over the stands, clearly addressing the other Law Devourers. It felt as if the masters from the Primordial Sun Region carried the fiery temper and destruction of fire even in their very character.

“Now I understand why Igniris was so fierce in his rivalry with me… It seems that their entire region follows different customs and traditions…” Kai thought with a mental chuckle, keeping any hint of these thoughts off his face.

At that moment, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer simply nodded calmly, fully aware of the passionate nature of his guests. He rose and responded with a slight smile:

“Your fiery hearts and radiant souls bring vitality to our hall. Let us together kindle the flames of wisdom and valor in our assembly. We have much to discuss today. I believe we all stand to gain from this, so competition is unnecessary,” he spoke as artfully as the two guests, almost mimicking their style of speech.

But to Kai, all of this sounded even more absurd…

Hearing such noble and virtuous words, Kai nearly laughed. A series of thoughts rushed through his mind, lifting his spirits.

“Old man, you’ve literally set a trap for all the other Regions to extract the maximum benefit for the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. How can you claim that competition is unnecessary? Ha-ha…” Kai thought with a mental chuckle.

Just as the proud and determined women were about to take their seats, a thunderous crack suddenly erupted behind them, and the hall was illuminated by lightning. A resonant, deep voice of an unknown guest pierced the stunned silence, interrupting the announcement of his arrival:

“What bold words from two little girls! Light and strength, you say? Let’s not forget the thunder that heralds the storm! Ha-ha-ha!”

Masters clad in purple robes burst into the hall, their powerful aura filling the space with lightning and tension, like harbingers of chaos. Among them stood out a majestic elder, whose presence bore a striking resemblance to the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

The man with disheveled gray hair and a beard stepped to the forefront. His eyes, like two bolts of lightning, sparkled with wisdom and power, and in his hand, he held a staff crackling with red lightning from the accumulated energy. His purple robe, depicting lightning and storms, shimmered with energy, and every movement he made was accompanied by a faint rumbling echo.

The old man’s smile was eerie, as each of his teeth was more like a sharp fang, and his skin in some places was covered in sharp scales. In all other respects, he was very much like a human.

With an unabashedly mocking glint in his eyes, he addressed the two women:

“Magnificent ladies speak of competition and strength, but in my ears, your words sound like the song of little birds before the face of thunder. For true power lies not in words, but in unyielding will and the ability to stand firm in the face of the storm! This assembly will not be so peaceful, so don’t even hope for it!”

His laughter echoed like thunder on a clear day, and many masters recoiled, feeling the terrifying power of the old man. Meanwhile, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer merely observed the guest, waiting for his turn to speak.

“The Thundering Heavens Region, led by the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning!” the ceremonial voice announced, filling the hall.

The Thundering Heavens Region was indeed a region where the laws of thunder and lightning reigned supreme, and its masters were as unstoppable and warlike as the elements they embodied. They not only shared a common spirit and purpose, but each of them was ready for battle at any moment. It was no wonder they were constantly clashing with the Evil Realm Region!

With each passing moment, the atmosphere grew more intense, and Kai increasingly realized that this would likely not end peacefully...

V.9 Chapter 699: Who Is This Guy?

The Thundering Heavens Region burst into the hall with ferocity, not even waiting for the Primordial Sun Region to take their seats. The two women from the latter region cast calm, proud, and disdainful glances in their direction.

“It seems your proximity to the Evil Realm Region has played a cruel joke on you. You’re becoming just as bloodthirsty and savage as they are,” the Devourer of Critical Heat remarked with a sneer.

At that moment, the representatives of the Storm Wasteland Region and the Crystal Cold Region watched the unfolding scene in silence, unwilling to get involved. The only one smiling was the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest.

“I didn’t expect this gathering to be peaceful, but the quarrel started even before everyone took their seats… Damn, I hope these old monsters can reach an agreement,” Kai thought as he observed the situation.

Just as the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning was about to respond, another majestic voice rang out in the hall, sending a chill down Kai’s spine for a brief moment.

“Isn’t it a bit too bold to call us savages? Are you ready to face the consequences for such loud words?” the voice intoned coldly.

“The Evil Realm Region, led by the War Flame Devourer and the Energy Decay Devourer!” the ceremonial voice promptly announced the new guests.

Upon hearing this, Kai was taken aback. His region had sent two masters of the Law Devourer Sphere. But after a moment of thought, Kai understood the reasoning behind it…

“This gathering was initiated by the Evil Realm Region, so they need to maintain prestige and strength. Moreover, they obviously want to negotiate the most favorable terms for themselves…” Kai thought, looking toward the entrance and freezing in anticipation.

At that moment, he fully realized that a being who desired his death would soon appear before him! Moreover, Kai began to feel a sinister presence that had briefly brushed against him, but it seemed the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer had quickly driven it away, preventing it from lingering on Kai for too long.

“We organized this meeting to reveal an incredible secret of the Universe, and you call us savages? Could it be that the Primordial Sun Region is so ungrateful?” the War Flame Devourer remarked with irritation.

As he spoke, a tall master in black armor, with flames instead of a head, entered the hall. His aura was just as tyrannical as when Kai had first seen him. Kai’s legs almost buckled under him, as this was the moment he had dreaded for the past few centuries and had desperately tried to avoid.

Beside the War Flame Devourer walked a woman whose very name struck fear— the Energy Decay Devourer. She was clad in dark robes, the color of decaying leaves. Although she was human, her skin had an unhealthy greenish tint, as if infected by the essence of decay itself, and her eyes burned with a cold, deathly light. Her hair seemed dull and lifeless, as though it hadn’t felt light or warmth for centuries, with the ends appearing frayed and decaying.

Her gait was slow and silent, each step leaving a slimy trail behind. In her hand, she held a staff entwined with distorted roots, its tip glowing with a sickly green energy.

Behind her, as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of her power, followed the five Supreme Monarchs that Kai had seen before. Each of these beings, possessing unique appearances and powers, walked with their own pride and majesty, yet could not help but feel the weight of the Devourers’ authority ahead of them.

“She looks somewhat human… Could she be of our race?” Kai mused briefly.

But then he quickly scanned the disciples and elders of the sects, noticing that neither the Overlord of Poison Transmutation nor Serpenta was present, which brought him a strange sense of relief. They were his temporary allies, and he didn’t want his problems to spill over onto them…

To his surprise, however, he saw Hanin, who at that moment was also staring at him with narrowed eyes full of suspicion. Once, she had sought to enter into dual cultivation with him, promising protection. It seemed she couldn’t quite believe that the man standing beside the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer was indeed Kai…

But this was irrelevant now, as all attention was focused on the Law Devourers. The first to react to the arrival of the Evil Realm Region was the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning, whose lands often became targets of raids by the Evil Realm Region.

“Once again, we see before us those who believe that power gives them the right to take what doesn’t belong to them,” the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning began in a thunderous voice, his eyes crackling with lightning. “Your actions bring destruction and suffering. Though these girls irritate me, they are nothing compared to you!”

Seeing this behavior, the War Flame Devourer merely snorted in disdain and replied:

“Our Evil Realm Region acts according to the laws of survival. We take what we need to prosper. And if that requires battle, we are ready for it. It’s not our fault that our region is filled with chaotic energy and is not particularly fertile.”

At this point, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer finally rose to interject his perspective into the escalating conflict:

“That’s enough,” he said with respect but firmness. “We are all here to discuss matters that concern the entire Universe, not to resolve your eternal disputes. The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen calls for peace and understanding. Your struggles should not overshadow the great goals at hand!” he stated sternly.

As soon as these words were spoken, it seemed that the Devourers calmed down a bit, realizing that exchanging words was pointless. After all, they weren’t going to fight within these walls or even within the territory of the Divine Craftsmen Region.

“Apologies for this farce. We no longer wish to participate in it,” the Devourer of Critical Heat said with a nod, signaling to her subordinates.

With that, they all bowed and quickly flew to their seats. The masters from the Thundering Heavens Region followed suit. The old man with disheveled hair and sharp teeth simply smirked and said:

“I respect you, old man… So I won’t show poor manners in your house,” he addressed the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer before taking his seat.

The only ones left standing in the center of the hall were the representatives of the Evil Realm Region. The Energy Decay Devourer nodded to the elder beside Kai and hissed:

“It’s been a long time,” she then flew to the stands, followed by the masters behind her. After bowing, they also took their seats.

But at that moment, Kai’s sense of impending doom intensified at an incredible pace… The War Flame Devourer lingered, his gaze fixed on Kai!

“Damn it! He’s definitely recognized me! That brief probe was enough for this demon to sense my energy! Well, there was no other way it could have gone…” Kai cursed mentally, realizing that a miracle wasn’t going to happen. He had been discovered!

After his breakthrough to the Law Transformation Sphere, Kai’s very body had changed, as had his aura and appearance. They had undergone enough transformations to confuse most people. Even Hanin seemed uncertain in her assessment. But this transcendent master wasn’t so easily fooled. Moreover, he was the one who had sealed a portion of Kai’s energy. He knew full well that the young man before him was almost certainly the thief he had been searching for!

As everyone else took their seats, some began to notice that one of the Devourers remained standing… It seemed something unusual was happening…

Once everyone was seated, the War Flame Devourer made an unexpected move. The flames burning in place of his head suddenly slowed, and two points of white light, resembling his eyes, gradually turned toward the figure standing behind the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

“I’m curious, who is this young man standing so close to you? Would you care to explain, esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer?” his voice, filled with menace and hidden interest, cut through the air. “It’s rare to see someone standing so close, especially at a gathering of this magnitude.”

Despite the sudden question, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer remained unruffled. His response was calm and measured, though not without an underlying tone.

“This young man is my disciple, whom I have been nurturing for the past two centuries,” his eyes met those of the War Flame Devourer, sending a silent message. The old man clarified that he fully understood the hidden intent behind the question.

This statement surprised everyone in the Pantheon. None of them had ever heard of such a thing, but they didn’t dare to object. Who knows, perhaps Kai’s rapid rise was indeed supported by the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer. This would explain a lot…

The War Flame Devourer, unwilling to concede in this battle of wits, simply smirked, his gaze becoming even more penetrating.

“How wonderful… It seems his presence here is no coincidence. After all, in a world where every action and every choice matters, there are no coincidences,” he said, stepping forward, his aura growing even more palpable. But he did not cross the line, aware of the unspoken rules of this gathering. “Moreover, he seems very familiar to me…”

The Craftsman’s Heart Devourer straightened his back and stroked his chin, acknowledging the provocation but refusing to rise to it.

“The Universe is full of mysteries, and each of us seeks to unravel them in our own way. Some pursue power, others wisdom. But it’s most important to remember the balance and harmony that maintain order among the regions of the Universe. I believe you are familiar with the rules of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. We highly value our followers…” the old man said with a subtle threat.

Their exchange, full of unspoken words and hidden meanings, left many in the audience pondering what secrets and truths lay behind these seemingly innocent remarks. But one thing was clear: Kai’s identity was key in this conversation, and each Devourer had their own plans for him.

“Tell me, esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, is your… disciple… not a member of one of the sects of our great Evil Realm Region?” the voice was openly provocative. “And could you perhaps refute my suspicions that he was spotted in a pocket world, where he stole something very valuable from our highest masters?”

As soon as these words were spoken, almost everyone from the Evil Realm Region turned their eyes on Kai! They immediately understood what the War Flame Devourer was implying. And now they began to notice certain resemblances in Kai’s appearance and aura to the strange young man standing behind the old treculus!

The Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, faced with such a direct accusation, could not help but admire the audacity of his counterpart. He narrowed his eyes for a moment, assessing the situation before responding.

“In our Divine Craftsmen Region, we are not accustomed to making hasty judgments without proper evidence,” he began peacefully, but there was steel in his voice. “If you have evidence of his theft, we can discuss compensation for his actions. Otherwise… I will destroy anyone who tries to take revenge on him!”

At that moment, a deep and unfathomable aura began to emanate from the old man’s body. It was more akin to the aura of a craftsman than that of a martial master. Yet, for some reason, the danger it exuded was no less terrifying!

“So that’s how it is… Then I will provide you with evidence later,” the War Flame Devourer said coldly, turning toward the stands. But at the last moment, he added with a threat. “The world is a very dangerous place. So it would be best for your disciple not to leave the safety of home. Otherwise, he might just happen to die somewhere…”

This exchange, filled with half-said words and implications, only added to the tension in the hall… The assembly had begun on a much sharper note than anyone had initially expected!

V.9 Chapter 700: The Sphere of God

The Region of Energy Domination was so vast that the beings who lived there rightfully considered it an entire universe. Naturally, in such conditions, it was impossible to unite everyone under a single banner. Even within a single region, there were irreconcilable conflicts.

It could be said that among all the regions, only the Divine Craftsmen Region was truly unified, but this was more of an exception to the rule, shaped by the history and specific nature of the local masters.

While the Crystal Cold Region and the Storm Wasteland Region seemed relatively neutral, the other regions were warlike and focused on their own benefits and development.

Watching the War Flame Devourer take his seat, Kai clenched his fists and thought:

“At least he won’t be able to touch me inside the Pantheon… I didn’t expect the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer to speak such combative words. I can definitely count on protection, and that’s a relief…”

At that moment, Kai calmed down a bit regarding the War Flame Devourer and began to regain his composure. Sometimes, the anticipation of something difficult and dangerous brings more suffering than the event itself. It seemed that Kai had avoided confronting the War Flame Devourer for so long that it had become an obsessive fear. But once he realized that he had finally secured reliable protection and saw it in action, he felt a sense of release.

In total, seven Law Devourers, about thirty Supreme Monarchs, and more than two hundred Law Overlords had gathered in this hall. This gathering could rightfully be considered one of the grandest events in the last tens of thousands of years!

During his time in the Pantheon, Kai had learned much about the historical events in the Region of Energy Domination. Based on this knowledge, he understood just how extraordinary today’s event was.

The last time something like this happened was about a hundred thousand years ago when a pocket world was discovered near the very edge of the “Universe,” but even in those times, only four Law Devourers were present.

“When the truth is revealed, I believe that other sleeping monsters of the Law Devourer Sphere will join the expedition to the Ancient Battlefield…” Kai thought as he cautiously surveyed the guests’ seats.

By Kai’s estimates, each region could have up to ten Law Devourers. But the true number was known only to the masters of that level, as they had minimal communication with each other. Nevertheless, based on such calculations, these fifty or sixty masters were the true rulers of the Region of Energy Domination.

Only a few representatives from each region had come to the gathering, which was already a surprising event. Typically, such beings didn’t participate in social life at all. Instead, they were constantly occupied with understanding a new law or seeking out someone whose law they could devour when the victim reached the Supreme Monarch Sphere.

“It’s amazing how the Universe balances itself… Three warlike and wild regions, and three neutral ones…” Kai thought, analyzing the situation.

But at that moment, Kai’s thoughts were interrupted by the deep, resonant voice of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer. He rose from his chair again and solemnly announced:

“Now that we’ve all exchanged pleasantries…” he said sarcastically. “I want to officially welcome you to the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! Dear friends, I ask you to set aside any hostilities and unresolved conflicts and focus on the most important matter—the discovery made by the Evil Realm Region!” he shouted, lowering the tension.

Many of the disciples standing outside the main arena, observing the scene from afar, finally exhaled. They fully understood that if a brawl started here, they would be the first to die, without even being able to defend themselves.

“For the past fifty years, our Divine Council of Craftsmen has been diligently studying ancient history and all available records. I relentlessly sealed our Elders in the secret archives of the Pantheon, so we certainly have something to say!” the old man said, casting a cloudy gaze over the guests. “But first, I want to give the floor to the esteemed War Flame Devourer! For he is the one who has seen the ancient pocket world with his own eyes!” he announced respectfully, as if forgetting their recent conflict.

“These old men have quite eccentric personalities… The War Flame Devourer is a hot-tempered being, but I’ve somewhat overestimated my own importance. Compared to the potential gains from the Ancient Battlefield, I don’t think my life is his primary concern right now,” Kai thought, narrowing his eyes.

Hearing these words, the War Flame Devourer snorted, but then stood up from his chair and slowly scanned the room with eyes that gleamed through the black flames. It seemed as if he was gathering his thoughts to convey the necessary information correctly.

“About five hundred years ago, we began exploring a pocket world in our region. Even before entering it, we realized that its ancientness and very nature were terrifying beyond belief,” he began, starting from afar.

At that moment, all the spectators turned their attention to the War Flame Devourer. Many had been waiting for this moment for decades, so now they tried not to miss even the smallest detail.

“When we entered the pocket world, we headed for its center. To our surprise, the barrier protecting the main palace was still functioning, as were many other formations and structures. Some of our disciples even ended up in a recruitment trial that ancient masters had once undergone.”

These words caused surprise and even disbelief among the listeners. But understanding the nature of this gathering, everyone knew that the War Flame Devourer would not lie or exaggerate.

“While exploring the main palace, we found the quarters of an ancient master. Not just any master… I can assure you that he surpassed the level of a Law Devourer!” these incredible words thundered through the hall, shocking the minds and hearts of everyone present!

Obviously, this statement was aimed specifically at his peers, rather than everyone else. Such a fact would surely pique the interest of those who believed they had already reached the limits of their capabilities and cultivation.

But before anyone could protest, he continued:

“From what we learned, this master had literally reached the Divinity Sphere, or call it what you will!”

“That’s impossible!” the Devourer of Critical Heat cursed.

“Nonsense,” agreed the woman sitting next to her.

The Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest didn’t stay silent either. After a loud laugh, he sarcastically remarked:

“Oh… I’d like to reach that sphere too! It must be interesting to be a god!”

“Shut up and let me finish. I’ll provide you with all the records and evidence later,” the War Flame Devourer said irritably and continued.

“That room, hidden in the deepest part of the palace, took fifty years to break through its defenses. Inside, we found artifacts and scrolls that revealed a strange history of masters of three types: energy, flesh, and spirit. The records spoke of ancient times when all three cultivation paths were equal, and each master could develop themselves to terrifying levels of power.”

The listeners’ faces showed various expressions, ranging from interest to smirks. Even if many didn’t dare show their emotions in front of such a terrifying being, the overall atmosphere suggested disbelief…

“Additionally, among the materials we found were chronicles describing a war in preparation. The so-called Creator of Energy was not the only master of divine level; there were two others: the Eternal Spirit Mother and the Heretical God! They were the ones who achieved divinity in the systems of spirit and flesh!” he continued, undeterred by the reactions of those around him.

At that moment, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer became increasingly intrigued… Now he realized he had made the right choice in deciding to protect Kai, as the guest’s story closely resembled what Kai had previously shared.

“These three Gods mobilized all life in the universe against terrifying beings who wanted to limit or even destroy all living things—Evil Gods. I think you’ve also encountered hints of these legends in ancient pocket worlds. But in this pocket world, I gained almost complete certainty that such events truly occurred and that they are not myths! Unfortunately, the nature of the Evil Gods themselves is still unknown to me…”

“Most of the scrolls had already been worn away by time, only vaguely allowing us to understand that the ancient Universe was much more vast than we now imagine…”

When these words were spoken, strange emotions flickered across the faces of all the Law Devourers and many Supreme Monarchs. It seemed they truly grasped what the War Flame Devourer was talking about.

Even in the library of the Poison Mysteries Sect, there were hints and brief fragments of information about an ancient war and Evil Gods. But everyone considered them legends. Moreover, life has continued to exist and evolve for millions of years, and the Evil Gods have not yet destroyed it…

But the next words greatly alarmed the audience…

“I also thought it was nonsense. But the chronicles contained a warning that the Evil Gods are still alive. And if life doesn’t continue to fight for its existence, they might return!”

“This message hinted at the inevitability of a new conflict that could wipe out life in the Universe if a way to counter the ancient evil isn’t found. Moreover, these scrolls were written by someone else, possibly a follower… This leads me to think that the Creator of Energy and the two other Gods failed to overthrow the so-called Evil Gods,” the last words were spoken with a certain unease, which was very uncharacteristic for a being of such level.

The Ice Star Devourer suddenly intervened in his story, speaking in a calm and measured voice:

“We’ve lived and thrived for a very long time, yet we haven’t been exterminated. Is it reasonable to believe in ancient tales?” the cold voice of the woman slightly eased the tension, lowering the intensity of emotions.

“That observation seems reasonable to me as well… I’ve never encountered any Evil Gods! And no one has hindered me from reaching the Law Devourer Sphere! Ha-ha-ha!” the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest laughed loudly.

The others also wanted to express their thoughts, but the War Flame Devourer spoke first, delivering a phrase that seemed to douse everyone in cold, sobering water!

“I understand you because I thought the same. But ask yourselves: where have the cultivators of flesh and spirit gone? Why don’t we know anything about them, and where are the mentions of them? This fact seriously alarmed me when I found indisputable evidence that they existed. Among them were also Law Devourers and even a God! So why did they suddenly disappear?” he said in a serious and harsh voice.

When Kai heard this and saw the reactions of the others, he was instantly delighted! His enemy had unexpectedly done him a great favor!

Although the War Flame Devourer had drawn false conclusions, these conclusions would work in Kai’s favor. The facts Kai had provided would become even more valuable if all the masters of the Region of Energy Domination began to fear a common enemy!

V.9 Chapter 701: Proof

As everyone tried to grasp what had just been said, the War Flame Devourer continued, further intensifying the situation:

“We do not know what these Evil Gods are truly like. Moreover, we are unaware of their abilities. What if they have the power to erase memories or remove entire sections of history, manipulating time itself? Perhaps for millions of years, living beings have been systematically exterminated, and we were simply unable to see beyond our own noses! If we once had allies in the form of flesh and spirit cultivators, then now we are left completely alone!” he declared loudly, sobering everyone in the hall.

It seemed even the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer tensed, considering the possibility that the guest might be right...

“I must admit that this monster’s assumptions are quite logical... If it weren’t for Kessia, I might have believed his conclusions as well. But even so, how far from the truth is he?” for the first time, Kai felt a strange sympathy for his enemy, he thought.

Kai himself was convinced—or even knew for sure—that there still existed the Region of Flesh Domination and the Region of Spirit Domination. But even so, all the masters were divided... Perhaps they were indeed being systematically eliminated, slowly dwindling in number without even realizing it.

“If the Evil Gods truly exist and are still alive... Then they might have chosen a strategy of silent extermination... In that case, all life in the Universe would simply forget ancient history and slowly die out. And if we assess what’s happening, it seems that it is already in motion…” Kai speculated, sweating and feeling a slight anxiety.

Suddenly, the deep, measured voice of the old man standing in front of Kai broke the silence:

“Your hypothesis sounds terrifying, no doubt about it... But what can we do? Do you have a plan? Why did you say you needed help when you convened this gathering?” the old man asked, posing several questions at once.

“The fact is, we found a half-destroyed map and a letter indicating the location of a passage to an ancient part of the Universe—a battlefield where the Three Deities once fought the Evil Gods. The map and letter were written later, by descendants of the Creator of Energy... They speak of a catastrophe that followed the battle. All I could understand was that the passage is somewhere on the edge of the Universe,” the War Flame Devourer explained with a complex expression on his face.

“If we want to survive and even find the path to divinity, we need to access this battlefield! Only there can we discover answers about ancient history! But as you can understand, my power alone is not enough to search the entire edge of the Universe; that realm is too vast!” he explained with utmost seriousness, finally getting to the main point.

At that moment, both Kai and the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer realized that their plan would unfold a bit differently. The goal of Kai’s information would not be merely to gain advantages for the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, but to aid the entire Region of Energy Domination...

Now, the Law Devourers faced not only the task of exploring ancient secrets and potential benefits, but also the need to unite the forces of all regions. This was essential to prevent a potential threat from the Evil Gods, as foretold by ancient legends.

Although complete unification was nearly impossible, at least an attempt at cooperation could be made!

“So… to show you that I haven’t lost my mind… Take a look at these findings,” the War Flame Devourer said grimly, waving his hand.

Instantly, a whole heap of scrolls and books, seemingly so ancient they might crumble at a mere touch, flew to the center of the hall.

The moment this happened, every Law Devourer immediately leaped from their seats, rushing toward the center of the hall. Naturally, even the Monarchs understood that they were not permitted to touch such sacred items. But even so, the faces of all present followed the Law Devourers with wary anticipation, as if they might learn what was written within by doing so.

It seemed that everyone hoped to hear a refutation of the words spoken by the War Flame Devourer. For if the other Law Devourers confirmed what he said, it would cause true existential dread among everyone present!

Such emotions are usually only felt by mortals, as the boundaries of their lives are finite, and they can do nothing about it. Martial arts masters, on the other hand, can always fight and cultivate to change their fate. But what if they were to learn of the existence of Evil Gods, who had been looming over them all this time, manipulating events from the shadows?

As the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer flew to join the others, Kai heard his voice in his mind:

“Once we resume the meeting, I will give you the floor. Share everything you’ve told me before. And make sure to mention the Essence of Eternal Dawn. I will try to handle this problem, though I cannot guarantee that the War Flame Devourer won’t still want to kill you in the future. His character is very unpredictable.”

The War Flame Devourer closely observed the reactions of his colleagues as they began to study the ancient scrolls and artifacts, one after another. All these items had been found in the secret chamber of a deity named the Creator of Energy, and he knew they were genuine. The silence in the hall was only broken by the rustling of pages and the quiet whispers as the Law Devourers exchanged their findings and conclusions.

“Could it really be that all this time…” began the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, his voice filled with astonishment and a hint of concern. “We’ve been ignorant of such a significant part of our history?”

“It seems so,” replied the Devourer of Critical Heat, as she flipped through the pages of one of the most worn-out scrolls. “And this information about the Three Deities… Did they attain divine status in different systems, or were they born as Gods? Moreover, we’ve always believed that the path of energy cultivation was the only way to the pinnacle. Yet, it turns out that there were terrifying masters in the systems of flesh and spirit as well…”

Upon hearing these words, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer could only smile crookedly and, shaking his head, he said:

“Imagine how I felt reading such things… Artisans have always considered the Spiritual Sea and the spirit system as auxiliary. But who would we be compared to ancient beings who were fully focused on the development of the spirit?”

The Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest finally wiped the smile off his face and looked up at the gathering.

“What troubles me is a completely different fact…” he said darkly. “If these Evil Gods really exist… And if they are still alive, as the scrolls suggest…”

“Then we face a threat that cannot be ignored,” finished the War Flame Devourer for him. “Whether we believe in these ancient tales or not, we have concrete suspicions about their existence and the potential danger to us all.”

“We must unite,” said the Ice Star Devourer resolutely. “Regardless of our past conflicts and disagreements. If this threat is real, then none of us will be able to deal with it alone. Perhaps we are safe now, but future generations will perish until all life is gone. Is there any point in developing and working to leave a legacy? Is there any point in developing our sects?”

One by one, the Devourers began to come to an agreement, despite long-standing conflicts. The idea of Evil Gods, capable of erasing memories or manipulating history, was so terrifying that it demanded immediate reaction and active measures.

“What now?” asked the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning, addressing the assembly. “How can we find this passage to the ancient battlefield, and what do we do when we get there?”

At that moment, the Energy Decay Devourer, who was evidently already aware of all this information before the meeting, intervened. She was also from the Evil Realm Region, so perhaps she had even tried to find this passage along with the War Flame Devourer earlier…

“The first step will be gathering information and conducting a search. We need to study every clue from these scrolls,” she began. “And then… We will go together to this ancient part of the Universe. We must be prepared for whatever awaits us there. If the path to divinity is hidden there, we may find the strength to resist these Evil Gods.”

The assembled Law Devourers slowly began to come to a collective decision, realizing that the greatest challenge of their long lives lay ahead.

At that moment, Kai glanced unconsciously at the Monarch of Poison Mysteries. The man’s face was filled with horror!

“It seems the Supreme Monarchs also entered the Creator of Energy’s chamber, but they weren’t allowed to look at the scrolls. It looks like they’re learning about the Ancient Battlefield only now. And the Monarch of Poison Mysteries seems to be connecting some dots…”

After hearing everything, it would be hard not to think about the events of thirty thousand years ago. At that time, the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction fled into a strange portal, followed by the elders of the Poison Mysteries Sect. As Kai had heard, no one ever returned, so it’s unlikely that anyone truly understood what kind of world lay on the other side.

But if it turns out that the Poison Mysteries Sect discovered this passage so long ago and has been hiding it ever since… Things could take a very nasty turn!

Realizing this, Kai quickly reached out to the man standing next to him, naturally using thought transmission.

“Overlord… It seems that the Monarch of Poison Mysteries is quite tense… I think we should slightly adjust our story,” Kai quickly suggested.

While the Law Devourers continued to discuss the contents of the scrolls, Kai and the Overlord of Shifting Essence were busy planning their next steps. They intended to present things in such a way that the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction had never spoken of the pursuit by the elders, allowing the Monarch of Poison Mysteries the opportunity to remain silent. On one hand, this would give him a chance to avoid disaster, but on the other, all the benefits would go to the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! They would be the ones who completely discovered the Ancient Battlefield!

“Even if the Monarch of Poison Mysteries would like to claim some glory and reward, he will definitely keep his knowledge to himself!” Kai thought with a sly smile, looking at the stands of the Poison Mysteries Sect.

At that moment, even the faces of the Overlords of the Poison Mysteries Sect had changed. It was evident that the Monarch was already giving instructions to his subordinates on what to do next.

Having discussed all the details, the Overlord of Shifting Essence and Kai turned to the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, quickly explaining their plan. Once this was done, the old man’s cloudy eyes gleamed with light!

“Perhaps we should start our search in a specific region? What do you think?” asked the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning.

But at that moment, a somber voice from the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer interrupted him. The old man coughed and spoke seriously:

“Honored guests… One of my subordinates claims to know where this passage is located. I don’t think he would lie in a situation like this…”

“Are you serious right now, old man? If I didn’t respect your power, I would have already laughed at such a statement,” the War Flame Devourer replied irritably.

“We’ve already studied the scrolls… Let’s return to our seats to continue the discussion. And I must insist that we hear out my subordinate. I trust him as much as I trust myself,” the old man declared with utmost seriousness.

At that moment, Kai’s eyes gleamed with cunning! Events were unfolding rapidly, but the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen was poised to extract the maximum benefit from this situation!

The trap was slowly closing!

V.9 Chapter 702: Laws and Gods

The Law Devourers exchanged a few more words and then returned to their seats. In that instant, a profound silence fell over the hall... The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone, as each of the most powerful beings in their region had acknowledged the possibility of the existence of these Evil Gods. The legends they had heard, fragmented and ancient, might actually be true!

As all eyes turned to the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, he sighed heavily and spoke:

“To begin with, I’d like my disciple to share something... The truth is, like the War Flame Devourer, I’ve had some troubling suspicions based on certain facts. The boy will simply confirm our fears. Afterward, the Overlord of Shifting Essence will speak, as he claims to know something about this ancient world and the passage to it.”

At these words, disbelief twisted the faces of some in the room. But the situation was so extraordinary that no one knew where to start or how to form a strategy. So, everyone simply agreed with the old man.

At that moment, it seemed that even the fifty years of work by the Divine Council of Craftsmen had been in vain. But still, there would be many nuances to discuss later, where the accumulated knowledge would be useful.

Kai felt the weight of thousands of gazes suddenly shift onto him. The responsibility now resting on his shoulders was staggering. Kai was still a master of the Law Transformation Sphere, yet here he was, under the scrutiny of so many of the greatest masters in the entire Region of Energy Domination!

“Good thing I left the information about Corvus to the Overlord of Shifting Essence. If I had to tell the whole truth, I would look far too suspicious…” Kai thought to himself as he stepped forward, taking his place beside the old man.

Adjusting his robes and clearing his throat slightly, Kai infused energy into his voice and spoke loudly and with cold composure:

“The esteemed War Flame Devourer is correct—I participated in the expedition to that pocket world as a member of the Poison Mysteries Sect,” Kai said, drawing mixed reactions. “But the fact is, I wasn’t trying to steal anything from you... Let me tell you how it really happened, and at the same time, confirm our fears about the Evil Gods!” he drew all attention to himself as he spoke.

Initially, not everyone understood the purpose of Kai’s words. When such events unfold, personal conflicts are not what should be addressed in front of everyone.

“After entering the pocket world, many disciples of the Evil Realm Region underwent an ancient trial for the younger generation, which miraculously was still operational. And I’d like to ask... Did anyone get past the cultivation platform stage?” Kai asked, directing his gaze toward the Monarchs.

But before they could react, the War Flame Devourer, with growing irritation, answered:

“No. Many endured the baptism of lightning composed of the purest energy. Some were killed, and by previous accounts, you were incinerated.”

It seemed that every detail of the events in the pocket world had been meticulously studied. Even Kai’s situation was known, as he had been turned to dust before everyone’s eyes.

“I see. Thank you for the answer,” Kai respectfully nodded. “The fact is, I was merely transported to the next level of the trial. Apparently, no one else from the younger generation was able to meet the ancient standards,” this statement instantly caused discontent on the faces of all the disciples from the Evil Realm Region, but they didn’t have the status to utter even a sound, let alone a word. Everyone else, on the other hand, was intrigued.

“The second trial involved fighting geniuses from the past. I don’t know how they were created, but their personalities and memories were partially preserved. As I fought them, I tried to extract as much information as I could. Now, I will briefly share everything I learned!” Kai announced with utmost seriousness.

“The trial itself was devised by three gods: the Creator of Energy, the Heretical God, and the Eternal Spirit Mother. It wasn’t just a trial for the younger generation—it was a recruitment test for what was called the Rebellion Army of Life!” he said, shocking those present. “These gods, who stood in defense of all life, were preparing an army to go against five Evil Gods. Moreover, the recruits in the trial were cultivators of three types. I even had the chance to fight each kind!”

But before Kai could finish, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer spoke:

“Tell us all the information about the Gods and the war, and then share your experience fighting the flesh and spirit cultivators. I think that will be very useful for all of us,” the old man said with great interest, as Kai had not previously mentioned the battles themselves, only the information he had learned.

“Understood,” Kai nodded. “After the battles, I was transported to a hall. A voice from the array announced that I was to have an audience with the Creator of Energy. Of course, there was no one inside, but behind me, I saw the War Flame Devourer and the Supreme Monarchs... However, they didn’t see me…”

“And what did you do next, you little rat?” the War Flame Devourer interrupted irritably.

“I approached the throne and saw a chalice with liquid. As soon as I lifted it, the hall lit up, and I was pulled into a spatial rift. It turned out to be the Essence of Eternal Dawn,” Kai answered without hesitation.

As soon as these words were spoken, many members of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen began to exchange glances. They weren’t fools—they could connect the obvious dots. Two hundred and fifty years ago, this rare ingredient had appeared in the Pantheon, at the same time Kai joined the Artemion Alchemist Family.

“So, you do admit that you dared to rob me!” the War Flame Devourer shouted in rage, rising from his chair.

In that instant, a semi-transparent, rainbow-hued energy emanated from the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, enveloping Kai.

“This is not the time for threats. Even considering the fact that this cannot be considered theft, I will compensate you for your losses. My disciple outpaced you and won the trial prize, and that’s solely your mistake. Now calm down…” the old man said coldly. “And let him finish speaking. Our personal conflicts are not worth discussing!”

The War Flame Devourer said nothing in response. He stood still for a few moments, then calmly sat back down as if nothing had happened.

Seeing that the hall was quiet again, Kai cleared his throat and continued:

“After that, I was thrown into one of the lower worlds of the Pantheon, where I saw only hints of ruins. It’s clear that in ancient times, there was some sort of outpost there where I was supposed to undergo further training. Understanding the situation, I couldn’t return to the Evil Realm Region, so I joined the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen,” Kai said, nodding respectfully to the Monarch of Poison Mysteries as if apologizing.

“Very well... Now tell us about the battles with the other types of cultivators,” the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer ordered, nodding approvingly.

But at that moment, Kai’s face contorted theatrically, as if he had just realized something incredible, causing even the old man to be surprised. This action was certainly not discussed beforehand, so the old man asked:

“Has something happened?”

“R-respected ones... I’ve just thought of something I’ve seen multiple times while studying the archives…” Kai stammered, beginning to tremble slightly.

“Speak. Don’t waste our time, pup,” the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning said sternly. It seemed that after learning of Kai’s origins, his attitude had quickly changed. After all, their regions literally hated each other.

“When I was studying ancient texts in the Pantheon’s archive, I noticed mentions of certain higher laws... Laws that no one has been able to cultivate beyond the Sphere of the Overlord... The Law of Time-Space, the Law of Will, the Law of Luck, and the Laws of Life and Death... As well as the Laws of Energy, Flesh, and Spirit... Do these remind you of anything?” Kai said, feigning terror in his eyes as he spoke with anxiety.

And as soon as Kai uttered these words, many faces froze.

If some disciples or even elders didn’t understand what Kai was hinting at, all the highest masters instantly grasped the terrifying fact that had been right under their noses!

The Supreme Monarch Sphere was characterized by the fact that one obtained one of the laws of the Universe into their possession. Failure could only occur in two cases: first, if you couldn’t withstand the baptism of this law, and second, if this law was already possessed by someone else, making it impossible to summon the Cataclysm of the Universe!

Who better than these ancient elders to know that there had been masters who had set before themselves the ambitious mission of possessing one of these eight laws!

“The laws... Those laws…” the Ice Star Devourer muttered, staring into space.

“I don’t know about the others, but I know of a master who tried to obtain the Law of Time-Space… In the Law Overlord Sphere, he was practically invincible because his attacks were so strange they didn’t even seem like energy… But in the end, all his attempts to summon the Cataclysm of the Universe were unsuccessful!” the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest said with utmost seriousness.

Seeing this reaction, Kai rejoiced inwardly! He had just dropped information that had blown the minds of those present! This would certainly compel these monsters to unite and find the passage to the Ancient Battlefield instead of him!

“Realizing the full scale of what’s happening, they will definitely force the Poison Mysteries Sect to hand over Lilorin’s body. Moreover, they will be able to find the passage in the shortest possible time! They will prepare everything for me so that at the right moment, I can take advantage of them!” Kai thought, his eyes gleaming. “The writings of the spirit system were only with Corvus, and he took them with him. They won’t be able to open the passage and will have to find the solution themselves…”

At that moment, a plan began to form in Kai’s mind, a plan he intended to implement in the future. It was still too early, but he could already feel that with proper preparation, he would have an opportunity that he couldn’t even dream of before!

While Kai was contemplating this, the discussion among the Law Devourers flared up again. Naturally, they had grasped Kai’s theory and began to discuss it actively.

“So, does this mean that the Evil Gods are those who control these fundamental laws?” the Devourer of Critical Heat asked, frowning.

“It’s too early to draw conclusions, but your disciple’s hypothesis is indeed reasonable,” said the Ice Star Devourer, glancing at Kai.

At that moment, the usually quiet Sun’s Core Devourer intervened in the conversation. Crossing her arms over her chest, she said seriously:

“I think we should discuss this in a closed meeting. Too much ambiguous information has already been shared within these walls. It’s enough to stir rumors and chaos in the Universe. Let’s hear about the battles with the other types of cultivators, and leave the information about the location of the passage to the ancient battlefield for the closed meeting.”

“Agreed. Looking at the disciples and even the elders, I can sense the fear in their hearts,” the Energy Decay Devourer replied with a nod of disdain.

After a few more affirmative remarks, Kai calmly continued. Though his outward appearance conveyed fear, it was all just an act...

“I’ll be brief. I noticed that energy, flesh, and spirit balance each other out. When I was attacked with spirit, my energy shield worked well as a barrier. Physical attacks were also deflected by my energy. When I attacked them, I felt as if something was depleting part of my power…

Kai methodically began to explain all the nuances he had learned, and then he started giving examples of his battles. At that moment, everyone was entirely focused on him, as this kind of information was entirely unprecedented and unheard of! He was now the center of attention for all the most powerful beings in the Region of Energy Domination!

V.9 Chapter 703: Monarch in Fear

The assembly continued, and the information that had already been revealed was mind-blowing. As soon as Kai finished his account, he humbly stepped back, once again standing behind the old man.

Everyone was stunned by what was happening… It seemed as though all those ancient legends had suddenly become reality. Moreover, a reality in which the modern masters had missed out on countless opportunities—so many that they might even be on the brink of extinction!

But before everyone could fully process their thoughts and shock, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer spoke seriously:

“Now, I give the floor to the Overlord of Shifting Essence. He has stated that he may know the location of the passage to the battlefield.”

At this moment, no one objected, as it seemed as though today’s assembly was more like a fateful day when everything would be turned upside down. It was difficult to imagine that so much information would be gathered in one place and so skillfully tied together.

The Overlord of Shifting Essence stepped forward, and his words shocked many, especially a particular group of people in green robes...

“Esteemed guests... I believe that the information about the entrance to that ancient place is hidden within the Poison Mysteries Sect!”

“That’s absurd!” the Monarch of Poison Mysteries exploded, rising from his seat. His face was twisted with rage. “We, the Poison Mysteries Sect, have always been open in our research! If we had such information, we would have shared it with the world long ago!”

Immediately after, he turned toward the old man sitting next to Kai and said:

“Esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer, we demand proof! Otherwise, we expect severe punishment for slander! To say such a thing in the presence of all the powerful figures of the world is unthinkable!” he shouted in fury.

“Old man, are you ready to answer for your subordinate’s actions?” the War Flame Devourer immediately said, becoming more serious.

Although each of the Devourers was an eccentric being pursuing only their own goals, at this assembly, they were something like guardians of their region. If their region was insulted, it was a personal insult to them!

“Don’t worry. The Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen is not some malevolent organization. We will stand by our words,” the old man coldly replied.

“I hope they can smooth over the issue of the Living Energy of the World, given how tense the relationship between these two is…” Kai thought to himself, watching the situation unfold with caution.

After these words, a tense silence fell over the hall, which was broken a few moments later by the Overlord of Shifting Essence. His voice was calm, but each word carried the weight of a mountain.

“Let us continue. Previously, I would never have seen the connection between the insignificant information known to me and what we have learned today... But in light of everything we’ve heard, I would like to share some thoughts that may prove to be the key to solving our problems,” he said, fixing his gaze on the Monarch of Poison Mysteries before continuing. “Many of us seek the path to divinity, the truth hidden from the eyes of the world. And I want to tell you about a master who spent his entire life pursuing this... He was once a member of your sect—the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction,” he said with a cold gleam in his eyes.

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the entire leadership of the Poison Mysteries Sect paled. It was impossible not to notice! It was as if they had been dunked in filth, from which they would find it very difficult to clean themselves!

“And the Overlord of Shifting Essence is playing his role well…” Kai thought with a sly smile. “I bet the Monarch of Poison Mysteries is furious right now. It’s clear he warned all his subordinates not to talk about this. But unexpectedly, someone completely unrelated brought it up. Heh-heh…”

The hall was in absolute silence, trying to comprehend what was happening. But the War Flame Devourer was the first to speak:

“What is he talking about? Who is this Overlord of Inevitable Destruction? Report immediately!” he barked in a commanding tone, obviously noticing the reaction of his subordinate.

The situation was highly unusual, but still, a master of the Supreme Monarch Sphere couldn’t be a simpleton. He quickly regained his mental stability, took a deep breath, and responded:

“Thirty thousand years ago, there was a master in our ranks who was researching the Universe. At some point, I learned that he had found something very interesting, perhaps an ancient pocket world. The thing is, he had many conflicts with other members of the sect... He would never have given up the information willingly…” he said with a complex expression. “At that time, I ordered several elders to detain him. But both the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction and the other elders simply vanished without a trace. As a result, we have no valuable information on this matter,” he replied grimly.

“Thirty thousand years ago? Are you talking about the time of disgrace in your sect when your overall power noticeably declined?” the War Flame Devourer asked thoughtfully, as if recalling those events. “I remember you mentioning something about this... As if a lone renegade managed to take several of your elders to the grave with him…”

It was clear that the Monarch of Poison Mysteries found these words deeply unpleasant to hear, as they were literally humiliating him in front of all the sects of the Universe! And this was no illusion, as many guests were looking at him with disdain, and some were even chuckling.

Trying to ignore this, the Monarch continued:

“Before his disappearance, the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction was researching ancient history. According to his wife, who was his partner in these travels, he found evidence pointing to the existence of an ancient battlefield—a place where a great battle once determined the fate of all living beings,” he added, without disclosing all the facts.

But at that moment, the loud laughter of the Overlord of Shifting Essence was heard! This greatly surprised those present, as such behavior violated the hierarchy and was extremely disrespectful. Even the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer pretended to frown in disapproval!

But this laughter was quickly followed by words that provided a significant reason for such an act:

“Your story is simply ridiculous! Why are you hiding the fact that you tortured his wife, Lilorin, while he was away from the sect? You wanted to extract information, so you provoked him? Why are you hiding that your pathetic sect hated the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction? Instead of appreciating his achievements and cooperating, you tried to brazenly steal all his work and kill him!” the Overlord of Shifting Essence shouted with direct accusations.

“How dare you!” the Monarch of Poison Mysteries shouted, unleashing a poisonous energy that bubbled with rage.

“Why don’t I tell you how it really was! And why I believe that the information about the battlefield is with the Poison Mysteries Sect!” the Overlord of Shifting Essence shouted back, also summoning his energy in irritation.

From the outside, this might have seemed strange, as the power of a master of the Law Overlord Sphere and that of the Supreme Monarch Sphere were completely unequal! But there was another goal behind this gesture—to demonstrate emotion, so that the audience would believe the following story of friendship.

“Unthinkable! This is absurd! I demand the execution of this bastard!” the Monarch shouted, pointing at the Overlord of Shifting Essence and releasing a flash of green light.

But at that very moment, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer stood up! He casually waved his hand, and a thin, rainbow-colored needle flew out to meet the green energy!

“Bang!” a terrifying, lightning-fast explosion resounded, tearing through the space in its path and releasing a shockwave. Some of the disciples were literally thrown back, crashing into the walls of the hall, breaking bones, and spitting blood!

Those in the stands were protected by their elders, but the disciples far beyond the perimeter were caught off guard!

“Damn! What incredible power!” Kai realized in horror, understanding that joking with the Law Devourers was dangerous! It was clear that the old man hadn’t even tried—he had delivered one casual blow that shook the entire surrounding space. If he had wanted to, he could have destroyed the entire teralith on which the assembly was taking place. These monsters were literally instruments of destruction in the flesh!

Everyone in the stands was rendered speechless, fearing what might happen next... At that moment, the War Flame Devourer stood before the Monarch of Poison Mysteries, holding the needle between his fingers, encased in black armor.

Had he not protected his subordinate, that man would have been in serious trouble...

The hand of the War Flame Devourer flared up with black fire, and the needle instantly burned away, leaving no trace. It was evident that he was extremely displeased with the attack on his subordinate, but he also understood who had instigated it...

“If you think you can come to my Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen and attack my elders, you are gravely mistaken, pup! Have you forgotten where you are?!” the old man shouted furiously, summoning even more terrifying power. “I can offer the other regions invaluable help and payment in exchange for their loyalty! If I wish, we will wipe your sect off the map, and not even your Devourers will be able to protect you!” he declared with a direct threat, striking fear into the hearts of those present.

Though the artisans and the Pantheon might seem like a peaceful and harmless force that never engages in conflict—this was a misconception. If the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen were to go to war with someone, it wasn’t certain that all the Devourers of that region would want to stand in defense. Each of them might need the Pantheon’s help in the future, so they might simply remain on the sidelines.

Fear filled the heart of the Monarch of Poison Mysteries, and he immediately fell to one knee! Bowing his head, he respectfully said:

“Forgive me, esteemed members of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! In my anger and in response to slander, I lost my composure! I have committed an unforgivable act!”

“Hmph! If it weren’t for the circumstances of this assembly, you wouldn’t get off with just a verbal reprimand!” the old man said, retracting his killing intent as he sat back down in his chair.

As the tension began to subside, healers quickly rushed into the hall, flying in all directions to assist the disciples who had been injured. Naturally, the Pantheon wouldn’t leave them to their fate. Also considering the quality of the pills produced by the Artemion Alchemist Family, it wouldn’t be difficult to heal them. After all, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer had expertly controlled his power…

At that moment, the War Flame Devourer also withdrew his aura, but he coldly remarked:

“Old man, I understand that my subordinate was wrong… But you shouldn’t be throwing around such bold words…”

“I’m at home. I’ll throw around whatever words I please. If that bastard dares to pull something like that again, I’ll destroy him! You and the Energy Decay Devourer won’t be able to stop it. So enough with these empty words,” the old man replied fearlessly, his tone growing even more combative.

At that moment, Kai heard the old man’s voice in his mind, speaking briefly:

“From now on, you will be under my protection at all times. Don’t even think that bastard will stop trying to get his hands on you. If there’s even the slightest chance, the War Flame Devourer will capture you, in that case, your best option will be death!” the old man warned him with utmost seriousness.

The situation had definitely spiraled out of control... But the old man simply couldn’t ignore such blatant disrespect toward the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! And Kai fully understood this!

V.9 Chapter 704: It’s Up to the Elders

The two Law Devourers stared at each other with unwavering determination and fearlessness. The others calmly watched, observing how the situation would unfold.

After a few moments, the Ice Star Devourer sighed and said:

“Let’s get back to the discussion. My Crystal Cold Region also has some ancient records that may prove useful. However, your regions likely have similar information. We have much to discuss today, and conflicts will lead us nowhere.”

“I agree with you. Continue your account,” the old man said, ignoring the War Flame Devourer as he turned to the subordinate standing behind him.

“The Overlord of Inevitable Destruction discovered a certain place on the edge of the Universe. For millennia, he sought a way to open the passage, but ironically, it only happened when the Poison Mysteries Sect decided to torture his wife to death. Upon his return, he saw everything and fought his way to retrieve Lilorin's dead body, hiding it along with all his research in an Imperishable Cache. Afterward, he fled to this ancient battlefield, pursued by the other elders…” he said, his voice heavy with the weight of the tale.

“The elders didn’t know how to open the passage, so they were trapped in that world. The Overlord of Inevitable Destruction managed to return after many years, but his cultivation and health were severely compromised. It so happened that I met him, and we became friends,” he stated with utmost seriousness.

In the next moment, the Overlord of Shifting Essence waved his hand, and before him appeared the key to the Imperishable Cache, along with Corvus’s records. He glanced around at everyone and said:

“I’ve already discussed this with the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer. We are ready to hand over all these writings and even the key to the cache if the Poison Mysteries Sect returns Lilorin's body to us and agrees to certain other concessions... Before my friend’s death, I promised that I would give her a proper burial beside him!” Although this sounded noble, everyone understood that the main issue would be with those “certain other” conditions. The Pantheon would undoubtedly negotiate the best terms for itself if everything said turned out to be true.

These words made the hearts of the Poison Mysteries Sect boil with rage! The Pantheon wanted to return their own property to them, but on their terms? If they could, they would have started a battle right then and there!

Watching all this, Kai only grinned wickedly and thought:

“The Monarch of Poison Mysteries has already been reprimanded by the old man… Now, he won’t dare to protest or even negotiate. And if he admits he’s been hiding this, he’ll have to answer to the War Flame Devourer. You’re caught between a rock and a hard place, leader! Heh-heh.”

The War Flame Devourer slowly turned to his subordinates and sternly asked:

“Have these events occurred in your history? And can you identify this key?”

Hearing the direct question, the Monarch of Poison Mysteries’s face contorted further. He frowned but eventually nodded and replied:

“Yes. I’m very surprised, but it seems the Overlord of Shifting Essence isn’t lying… It’s obvious to me that this key belongs to one of the Imperishable Caches of our sect.”

“Good! The Poison Mysteries Sect will give you the woman’s body. Is there anything else to say?” without even asking for the opinions of his subordinates, the War Flame Devourer said.

“No. Thank you, esteemed War Flame Devourer,” the Overlord respectfully bowed in response.

When Kai heard this exchange, a wave of joy surged in his heart! Perhaps everything didn’t go perfectly, but at least he would get Lilorin's body without a fight or battle. This was already one of the most challenging parts of fulfilling his promise to Corvus.

“It’s a pity I can’t break free from this psycho… He’ll definitely kill me if the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer isn’t around,” Kai thought, cautiously glancing at his enemy.

In truth, Kai couldn’t even call the War Flame Devourer an enemy because, to be considered one, they would have to be at least somewhat equal in power. This transcendent master was more like a nightmare or sudden death that could strike at the most inconvenient moment.

At this assembly, Kai had hoped to resolve all his problems at once. But now it seemed that one of them had only worsened… Not only had Kai stolen something from under the Devourer’s nose, but he also ended up as a disciple of the old man who was now in conflict with him.

Once, the Overlord of Poison Transmutation had said that the War Flame Devourer had a very nasty and eccentric character. And recently, this was confirmed by the old man sitting in front...

There’s no smoke without fire, meaning there must be a solid reason for such words. If Kai had become one of his targets, it was best to avoid any encounter between them. Kai understood that perhaps even a personal meeting wasn’t necessary, as the War Flame Devourer could easily send some of his subordinates from the Law Overlord Sphere after him.

As Kai pondered all this, the assembly continued its course. It could be said that up until this point, only the Evil Realm Region and the Divine Craftsmen Region had spoken. But it was clear that the others were also prepared and had gathered much interesting and valuable information.

The subsequent events unfolded with far less tension and conflict. Once everyone realized the scale of the problem they were facing, there was no longer any room for quarrels.

The assembly lasted for several more days, each day witnessing new historical revelations. The regions of the Region of Energy Domination presented their information one by one, immersing the assembly in the depths of ancient times. Stories of ancient wars, Evil Gods, and lost civilizations filled the hall with wisdom and fear of forgotten threats.

One old man spoke of artifacts found that testified to the existence of an ancient war when the world clashed in a battle for dominance, and the Evil Gods tried to devour all living things. Ancient texts from the Region of Eternal Light revealed a legend about an incredible artifact used in the war against the Evil Gods.

When Kai heard this, he immediately thought of the Sphere of Essence and the visions in which the Creator of Energy held it in his hands...

The Monarch of the Whirling Abysses presented evidence of a passageway to the ancient battlefield. It turned out that their sect had also once conducted research on something similar. But this was so long ago that reliable information about the location of the passage itself had not survived. At that time, their sect had been unable to find a way to activate the ancient array, so they concluded it was simply broken.

After the assembly ended, when the last guest had finished speaking, all the Devourers and Monarchs went to a closed meeting to discuss strategies and alliances to counter the possible return of the Evil Gods. During this time, the disciples and elders could finally relax. In the silence that followed the heated debates and revelations, they began to drink, socialize, and exchange opinions with representatives of other regions. The halls and gardens of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen were filled with laughter, conversation, and the sounds of a feast. Some found new friends, others—perhaps even new enemies, but all were united in their desire to unwind after the intense assembly.

It was no exaggeration to say that some representatives of the younger generation almost died from the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer’s attack. But even so, they had seen and learned so much information that they couldn’t be bothered by their injuries. They endlessly discussed everything they had heard over the past few days.

Kai did not join the general banquet, as his figure was now quite delicate. And given his knack for finding trouble, Kai decided to distance himself from contact with the guests.

The Overlord of Shifting Essence made a similar decision, so they left together, heading straight for the domains of the Artemion Alchemist Family. When they entered the Overlord’s chambers, he immediately pulled out a jug of top-quality alcohol.

Sitting across from each other in a secluded room lit by the soft glow of crystals, Kai and the Overlord of Shifting Essence momentarily forgot about the outside world and its problems. The air was filled with the aroma of ancient wine, and the room’s silence was only occasionally interrupted by quiet sips.

The Overlord was the first to break the silence, his voice calm and thoughtful:

“Incredible... We’ve learned so much over these days. Ancient wars, Evil Gods, lost artifacts... It all sounded like legends, but now we know it’s true.”

Kai nodded, playing along with his interlocutor:

“Yes, and every story told only confirms that our world is much more complex and mysterious than we could have imagined. I never thought that the legacy I received in the lower world would become so important at an assembly of this level. I hope that visiting this Ancient Battlefield will give us answers to some of our questions…”

The Overlord of Shifting Essence nodded thoughtfully and said:

“I agree. We need to act quickly on this matter. Who knows, maybe these Evil Gods are watching us... If so, they might start acting more decisively…” he speculated with caution.

“What do you think, can all the regions set aside their old grudges and work together?” Kai asked, trying to grasp the essence of the diplomatic relationships between the powerful forces of the Universe.

“It will be difficult. Pride and power are strong obstacles to cooperation. But the threat we discussed is so serious that even the most stubborn will begin to understand the need for unity. In the end, an enemy that threatens all existence should be enough of a motivation to work together,” he replied, taking a large gulp of wine.

They continued discussing possible strategies and mechanisms for cooperation between regions, trying to anticipate challenges and find ways to overcome them. The conversation flowed calmly, without haste, allowing each to express their thoughts and reflections.

“Perhaps one of the first steps should be the creation of a council of representatives from all regions,” Kai suggested. “A place where we could share information, resources, and strategies without fear of betrayal or hostility.”

“The idea sounds sensible, but it won’t happen. Everything will be managed by the Law Devourers, and they have a completely different type of relationship. It’s best not to meddle with your councils. All we can do is follow orders. Thanks to you, we’ve already done the maximum possible.”

Their dialogue continued, shifting from general issues to specific actions that could be taken in the near future. Both understood that the path ahead would be difficult, but necessary if they wanted to protect their world from future catastrophes.

Meanwhile, Kai was also considering his upcoming conversation with the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer... It was clear that Kai would be rewarded for providing such valuable information. And now the main question was: What exactly to ask for in return, and what to do next?

But all that would depend on the results of the negotiations. For now, all he could do was wait...

V.9 Chapter 705: Unexpected News

After a period of rest and a good conversation with the Overlord of Shifting Essence, Kai returned to his mansion to spend some time alone and discuss certain matters with Kessia. He wanted to hear her opinion regarding his future plans.

Kai intended to stay within the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen and continue his peaceful cultivation. He aimed to gradually reach the Law Overlord Sphere and only then consider venturing to the Ancient Battlefield.

Although events were unfolding rapidly and unpredictably, it was unlikely that the masters of the Region of Energy Domination would manage to open the passage so quickly. Everyone in this part of the Universe cultivated energy as their foundation. Moreover, they didn’t possess the Eyes of Essence to perceive the “scriptures” of the laws of flesh and spirit. Considering the records that were with Lilorin, there was a possibility that they contained symbols of the flesh system.

At the assembly, the Overlord of Shifting Essence mentioned that the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction didn’t pass on any knowledge or clues to him. As a result, they would have to search the entire Region of Energy Domination and the archives of all the sects in the hope of discovering the writings of the spirit system.

If Corvus managed to find clues to open the passage, it was evident that sooner or later, the others would too, especially now that they understood what exactly they needed to look for…

“I agree with you… It’s better for you to simply cultivate within the Pantheon. Everything related to the Ancient Battlefield far exceeds your current level. Or rather, with your present level, it would be unsafe for you there,” Kessia said seriously after a long conversation with Kai.

“I think the Devourers and most Monarchs will head out on the exploration. Perhaps I’ll even have the chance to slip away from the main teraliths for a while and embark on a small adventure…” Kai mused aloud. “Fighting the Divine Order Guardians is fine, but sometimes you need to experience real battles,” he murmured, waving his hand.

In an instant, a black-and-red dragon appeared beside him, immediately locking eyes with Kai. There was a hint of intelligence or perhaps instinct in those eyes. Kai had grown accustomed to the dragon and their mutual battles.

Compared to his initial transformation of the law, Kai’s strength had increased significantly. He had much better control over energy, especially in transforming it into various weapons. Sometimes, the dragon would even anticipate Kai’s moves, reacting and adapting on its own. It seemed intent on always inflicting the maximum damage and destruction on the enemy.

“I wonder what you’ll become when I break through to the Law Overlord Sphere? You’re supposed to become my full-fledged main weapon. Although, in essence, you already are,” Kai muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Just as Kai was about to say a few more words, a deep, bass voice resounded in his mind. It was unmistakably the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer!

“I’ve arrived at the main building of the Artemion Alchemist Family. Finish your business and come to me immediately,” the voice ordered in a commanding tone.

Hearing these words, Kai instantly dispersed his energy and sprang to his feet. In such a situation, there was no room for delay, so Kai soared into the sky and immediately shot toward the center of the inner courtyard of the Artemion Family.

As he flew, he couldn’t help but wonder about the reason for this sudden summons. However, Kai’s feelings were more optimistic than anxious.

“They finished the discussion faster than I expected! I wonder if they’ll reward me for my help during the assembly?” Kai thought with a sly grin, already anticipating the upcoming conversation. “Deciding to stay in the Pantheon and work on building my reputation was an excellent decision!” he added, feeling pleased.

A few minutes later, Kai was walking through the inner corridors, approaching the special hall located on the top floor of the main building of the Artemion Alchemist Family. Kai had heard that the most important alchemists were supposed to be meeting there, but it seemed they had vacated the room due to the presence of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

Approaching the door, Kai politely knocked and pushed the golden gates open. Before him, an enormous hall unfolded, with a path leading to a throne that was evidently meant for the God of Craft among the alchemists. On both sides stood various cauldrons, each burning with fires of different colors and auras. Each was a Spiritual Flame that would have driven an ordinary alchemist mad!

On the throne now sat an old man in simple, worn clothes that had long-lost their golden sheen. His cloudy eyes watched Kai intently, and his face bore a barely noticeable expression of satisfaction.

“Greetings to the esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer!” Kai said respectfully, dropping to one knee.

“You may rise,” the old man said calmly. “The meeting is over, and we have gained a great deal. Thanks to the key to the Imperishable Cache, as well as additional information, we held the most weight in the discussion of the future division of profits. Although everyone is concerned about the problem of the Evil Gods, each also understands that potential treasures lie ahead. No one will be eager to share them out of the goodness of their hearts,” he added with a haughty smirk.

“This old man is not as simple and kind as he initially seemed…” Kai thought with a wry smile, recalling the events at the assembly.

“I’m glad I could contribute to the development of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. I won’t hide that I also pursued selfish goals, but I care about the Pantheon’s affairs no less,” Kai replied frankly, not attempting to deceive the old man.

It was obvious that such a master, who had lived for an incredible number of years, could see through people almost completely. It was better not to lie in conversations with such beings, or at most, to distort the truth only minimally.

“We all pursue our own goals first and foremost. If not, then you’re just a fanatic with no future. Do you think I would have ascended to the Law Devourer Sphere if I only focused on the Pantheon’s affairs?” the old man said, surprising Kai with his honesty.

Gazing at Kai, he stroked his gray beard and added seriously:

“I’m sure your age is somewhat less than you claim. Obviously, the reason for your level of cultivation is the Essence of Eternal Dawn. But you obtained it fairly, snatching it from the hands of a master of my level,” he said with a sly smile. “I see great potential in you, both as a martial artist and as a craftsman. Therefore, I will personally oversee your further development. Once, the same was done for me, showing that the Pantheon was worthy of my protection in the future,” he added, somewhat cryptically, but with a clear implication.

These words had a direct and obvious meaning. They saw in Kai a master who could potentially be developed to the level of the Law Devourer Sphere. And judging by the old man’s words, it seemed that once, he too had been nurtured without sparing resources.

If you think about it, such a system was very reasonable. For a vast organization like the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen to continue to exist and thrive, it needed strong protectors.

“It seems that the Gods of Craft have another important duty… Namely, nurturing talents!” Kai immediately realized the opportunities that lay before him.

Outwardly, Kai froze for a second, unsure of what exactly he should say in response. But seeing the old man waiting, Kai respectfully nodded and replied:

“Such an offer would be an honor for me!”

“There’s no need for formality and pomp. After all, I won’t be your teacher, more like a mentor. You’ll now be under my protection and will receive the best resources and advice. I should tell you that you have no option to refuse, so you might as well not bother answering,” the old man said in a bass voice, laughing.

“It would be foolish to refuse,” Kai replied with a grin. “Then, given how things have turned out… May I be a little bold?” he asked with a smile.

“Do what you think is necessary. If you cross the line, I’ll just punish you,” the old man replied calmly, half-jokingly.

Hearing such a response, Kai rose from his knee and asked seriously:

“How did your meeting conclude? When will you go to explore that passage to the ancient battlefield? Will all the Law Devourers participate?”

“First of all, not just I, but some elders will also go. Naturally, you will come with me. For your development, you need to experience life-threatening situations. You’ve already spent quite a lot of time in closed cultivation. The time for cultivation is at an end!” the old man said sternly, causing Kai to tense up.

Hearing these words, a whole chain of thoughts immediately began to form in Kai’s mind, sharply contrasting with what he had recently considered back at the mansion.

“Damn it! Does he want to take me on the expedition? But what’s the point if I’ll be a constant target for the War Flame Devourer?!” Kai thought, realizing that all his plans were crumbling before his eyes.

But before he could say anything, the old man calmly continued answering Kai’s questions.

“Not all the Law Devourers can show up on such expeditions because there are certain agreements between us. As you can see, I’m the only one dealing with the Pantheon’s affairs right now. The other Law Devourers of our region are in closed cultivation. We can’t wake each other up without good reason. If the situation becomes critical, then the others will be awakened. Most likely, only those who attended the assembly will participate in the exploration.”

After this explanation, certain points in Kai’s mind fell into place. Earlier, he had wondered how many Law Devourers existed, where they were, and why they hadn’t all come to the assembly. But if you think about it, each of them could go into cycles of cultivation lasting thousands of years, not wanting to be disturbed.

It now seemed that they simply took turns, leaving one representative from their region to guard the order. Kai was curious how long one cycle of this rotation took, but he decided not to ask, seeing that the old man was about to speak again.

“The expedition will begin in five years. During this time, all guests and sect leaders will remain as our guests while we finalize all the details and sign the agreements. Then we will head to the Poison Mysteries Sect to study the information in the Imperishable Cache. Until then, you can focus on your cultivation,” the old man concluded.

Hearing these updates, Kai felt both tension and the stirring of new possibilities.

“Perhaps this is even for the best... I’ll get resources for development, and I might even have the chance to visit my home teralith…” Kai thought, suddenly seeing the benefits of this situation.

“Esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer… And how will my development proceed over the next five years?” Kai asked with interest, looking up.

“I’ve studied the information about you. So I’ve outlined several directions for your development. As I understand, you’re trying to develop your own technique for cultivating your Spiritual Sea?” the old man asked with a smile.

“Exactly. My Spiritual Sea is unusual, so I’m trying to develop my own technique,” Kai replied honestly, nodding.

“That’s the right decision. If you’ve been developing your Spiritual Sea spontaneously and without external techniques, then the best option would be to create your own. I also developed two cultivation techniques for myself, which I use for the development of my Energy Center and Spiritual Sea,” the old man said approvingly, nodding.

“Do you possess a law based on the spirit system?” Kai asked in surprise.

“No. Any Law Devourer develops their strength based on energy and laws of that type. Only a few cases are known in history where a master could comprehend two laws from different cultivation systems. Such laws were referred to in records as parallel laws. Unfortunately, I don’t possess such laws…” the old man calmly replied, shaking his head.

When the old man mentioned this, Kai immediately recalled Kessia’s words! Long ago, she had also spoken of the concept of parallel laws. Such laws included the Law of Inevitable Destruction and the Asura Reaper Law. This was precisely why Kai had been able to develop both at the start of his journey. And in the process, he had realized yet another parallel law—a law he named the Oblivion Law.

V.9 Chapter 706: Leaving the Pantheon

Reflecting on the concept of parallel laws, Kai momentarily drifted into deep thought...

“I don't know if it was the Sphere of Essence that helped me or if it was fate itself... But I'm increasingly understanding why Kessia called me a monster,” Kai mused, realizing a crucial fact.

Previously, Kai hadn't given it much thought, but Kessia had never spoken about beings developing two laws simultaneously. She spoke of beings developing two systems simultaneously!

There were races that developed in two directions, but one was always prioritized! Thus, they comprehended only one law, while the second system was merely supplementary!

And as Kai considered this, he froze in shock. A thought flashed through his mind, striking him like lightning:

“Damn! Why didn't I pay attention to the fact that every master develops only one law? Only Law Devourers can possess more than one! So... how did I manage to do it?!” Kai cursed mentally, beginning to get lost in his thoughts.

It seemed that Kessia understood the reason for Kai's turmoil, and with a laugh, she said:

“As the old man said, sometimes there are masters like you, who are fortunate enough to comprehend parallel laws. Such individuals can develop two systems equally. However, this happens extremely rarely, literally once in hundreds of thousands of years. When we first met, I was intrigued by this ability of yours, but then you pulled out another law.”

“You said that the asuras develop body and energy. Didn't you have a law in the energy system?” Kai immediately asked, feeling his previous assumptions shatter.

“I never developed any laws of the energy system. It seems you came up with that fact on your own and then believed it,” Kessia replied calmly, further shocking Kai.

“Damn it! Why did you never correct me and clarify this point?!” Kai snapped, shouting into his Spiritual Sea.

“You never asked. We always discussed different systems of development. Now that you mention it, I realize how absurd this situation looks…” Kessia replied, barely holding back her laughter.

When Kai heard this, he wanted to slap himself on the forehead! The facts had always been right in front of him, but he had been blind to them. He had always thought that asuras could develop two laws, like treculuses and humans, even though he had never seen anyone with two laws before...

“That's why the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction was so excited about the Invisible King's Torture Technique! If he could have progressed further in cultivation, at some point it would have allowed him to comprehend a parallel law of the body system!” Kai mentally exclaimed, furrowing his brow.

Even the spirit cultivation techniques that Kai had acquired didn't allow treculuses to comprehend a law based on the spirit. They merely strengthened the Spiritual Sea, enabling the absorption of more Heavenly Flames and expanding the spirit's capacity. Only under the rarest of circumstances could a spirit technique lead to the comprehension of a law parallel to the law of one's energy. Naturally, such circumstances would be incredibly rare.

At that moment, Kai's frustration was interrupted by the deep voice of the old man, who had been watching Kai in silence for a few seconds.

“Are you alright?” he asked with interest.

“Yes... Sorry, it's just been a lot of information over the past few days,” Kai replied with a wry smile. “I really want to improve my Spiritual Sea, so I need other spirit cultivation techniques as a foundation.”

“I understand you. Therefore, I'll provide you with several Spiritual Flames as well as top-tier techniques. Over the next five years, focus on absorbing them and cultivating. Then we'll head to the Poison Mysteries Sect. Until then, I'm relieving you of your duties as an elder of the Artemion Alchemist Family,” the Craftsman's Heart Devourer ordered with an approving nod.

“Understood,” Kai respectfully bowed, feeling a wave of joy rise in his heart.

“If I have no obligations and unlimited resources... In five years, I can fill in the gaps in my understanding that I've always lacked the time for!” he thought with anticipation.

“Also, take this communication artifact. If you encounter any difficulties in your understanding that you'd like to discuss, you can contact me. I won't be cultivating for the next five years, so I have plenty of time,” the old man said, tossing Kai a golden token.

This news was an incredibly fortunate opportunity for Kai. Although Kessia, who was also a Law Devourer, lived in his Spiritual Sea, she developed the body system and a bit of energy, but knew nothing about the spirit. In essence, Kai had been developing the spirit system entirely on his own, with Kessia unable to offer any useful advice. With the help of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, he was certain he could make a breakthrough in his understanding.

“Thank you very much! In that case... Could you answer some questions right now?” Kai asked, his eyes burning with excitement.

“Of course. I'm not rushing, so we can talk,” the old man replied calmly, nodding.

After that, the old man seemed to give a mental command, and servants entered the hall, bringing snacks and drinks. To Kai's surprise, the Craftsman's Heart Devourer was not opposed to worldly pleasures and leisure, such as drinking. It seemed that after such a long life and the availability of all sorts of things, these elders began to appreciate quite mundane things, returning to the habits of mortals.

Over the course of several evenings, Kai deepened his knowledge in the area of the spirit system, spirit cultivation techniques, and the study of Spiritual Flame. All of this was conducted in detailed conversations with the Craftsman's Heart Devourer. These interactions were filled with deep reflections and endless questions from Kai.

At some point, it even seemed that the old man enjoyed answering and teaching the young master. When Kai asked the right and deep questions and showed genuine interest, it was as if the old man became a wise sage, passionately teaching the young.

The Craftsman's Heart Devourer shared with Kai the intricacies of the spirit system, explaining the subtleties of the interaction between the spirit and the Spiritual Sea. He explained how imbalance could lead to stagnation or even a decline in skill level, and even recounted a similar experience he had. Kai learned more about the importance of strengthening his Spiritual Sea, which is the foundation for perceiving and using more powerful energy flows.

The old man shared several advanced spirit cultivation techniques from his collection, often used by the highest echelons of the Pantheon. Even after a brief examination, Kai noticed areas for growth and improvement for himself. The techniques described ways to manipulate the spirit that he had never considered before. After this, he realized how to more easily rotate the spirit, mimicking the paths of the Oblivion Law.

Special attention was given to the Spiritual Flame—the next level of flame that Kai had only recently acquired. The Craftsman's Heart Devourer described in detail the process of working with Spiritual Flame, as well as its role in enhancing the transformation of spiritual energy. Kai was amazed at the variety of uses for Spiritual Flame, from enhancing personal power to the ability to purify and protect against negative influences and treacherous techniques.

During their conversations, Kai also gained valuable information about the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen and the unique role that the masters of the Law Devourer Sphere played within its structure. He learned about the complex hierarchy and relationships among them, as well as the ways in which they used their skills to maintain the balance of power in the region.

Law Devourers typically had several opportunities to acquire a new law. The first was to take it from a Monarch. The second was to cultivate independently for a long time, reaching a point where the Devourer would trigger a new Cataclysm of the Universe.

But, according to the old man, the first option was very difficult to accomplish. To begin with, the Devourer needed to study the new law at least at the Law Sphere level to understand if it would be rejected by the previously acquired laws. Only then would it make sense to kill a Monarch with the appropriate law. Otherwise, the law would simply return to the Universe, and the Devourer would suffer a backlash. Moreover, the appearance of a suitable Monarch was a very rare and fortunate occurrence, not to mention that other Devourers would protect them…

Thus, almost all Law Devourers engaged in continuous independent study of various laws, seeking the one that suited them. And afterward, they would spend millennia striving to trigger a new Cataclysm of the Universe. Because of this, they rotated in cycles of “closed cultivation,” leaving one or more Devourers to protect the region.

Kessia also confirmed this information. But what surprised Kai the most was that Kessia revealed that she never possessed the Asura Reaper Law! She only studied it to potentially trigger a new Cataclysm of the Universe. This was the news that surprised him the most…

Moreover, Kessia explained that it wasn’t just about suitable or unsuitable laws, but also about the order in which they were comprehended. The more laws a Law Devourer had acquired, the greater the chance that they would find the right approach to a new one. Naturally, this sounded easy only in words, as even understanding one law required an unimaginable amount of time.

These evenings spent conversing with the Craftsman's Heart Devourer became an invaluable source of knowledge for Kai. He felt that, finally, some of the questions that had long troubled him had become clear and inspiring for new discoveries.

After these enriching discussions with the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, Kai decided to go into closed cultivation, fully dedicating himself to the deep study of spirit cultivation techniques. The next five years became a time of complete immersion in the essence of spirit system development, with the outside world and its hustle and bustle left behind in his secluded space.

During this time, Kai not only set aside alchemy and other artisanal pursuits but also battles, and even the fulfillment of his duties as an elder of the Pantheon. His sole goal was the deep study and development of his unique Ninth Oblivion Technique. He diligently worked on perfecting the methods of spirit circulation, relying on the advanced techniques provided by the old man. These new methods allowed Kai to significantly increase the speed and efficiency of spirit circulation in his brain.

Every day, his practice was accompanied by pills sent by the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, as well as special cultivation zones of the Pantheon. The pills, filled with concentrated essence of spiritual energy, became indispensable aids in his routine. Kai did not hesitate to take them, knowing that they were of the highest quality.

During this period, Kai applied the studied techniques daily, repeatedly going through cycles of cultivation, which allowed him to make significant progress in controlling his spiritual potential. With each day spent in seclusion, his understanding of the deeper aspects of cultivation deepened, and his mastery reached new heights.

Reflecting on the time spent in the Pantheon, Kai realized that the development of the Ninth Oblivion Technique was his greatest achievement. Furthermore, It was crucial that he had managed to develop the Spiritual Flame. Because of this, Kai learned not only to use his spiritual energy more effectively, but also to discover new horizons in manipulating the Oblivion Law. This technique became the embodiment of his unique path in cultivation, symbolizing the transition from borrowed techniques to his own, unparalleled practice. It could be said that with the creation of his own, albeit rudimentary, version of the technique, Kai had embarked on the path of a true master of the highest order!

Five years of closed cultivation passed unnoticed, but the results of this period became the foundation for his further development. Strengthened with new knowledge and techniques, Kai was ready to face the new challenges and problems that lay before him in the near future.

Standing in his mansion, Kai looked at his reflection in a large mirror. Before him stood the image of a young man, still appearing to be around twenty-five, with blood-red hair and eyes of the same color. He was now over five hundred years old, but he still looked as young as ever. This was the result of reaching a high level of cultivation at a very young age.

“The universe is an amazing place… I've spent more than three hundred years in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, but it feels as if I arrived here only yesterday…” Kai muttered thoughtfully, casting a glance around his mansion.

Today was the day when Kai, along with the Craftsman's Heart Devourer and other masters, were to depart for the Poison Mysteries Sect. Because of this, Kai felt a strange bittersweet sensation. It seemed to him that he would not return to these places, which had truly become a second home to him after his native teralith, for a long time.

“Alright, it's time to go! I've already said goodbye to Igniris and Alarion, so there's no need to delay any longer!” Kai said with a smile, taking a deep breath before heading out of his small mansion.

Earlier, he had visited all his acquaintances and collected the remaining funds from the Auction House, purchasing many useful items for the journey. Now Kai was fully prepared for the adventure ahead!

V.9 Chapter 707: Back in the Poison Mysteries Sect

Many of the highest-ranking masters flew through the starry expanse. They all traveled in vessels resembling the island of the Poison Mysteries Sect, the same type Kai had once used to reach the pocket world. The only noticeable difference was the speed! These vessels were controlled by masters of the Law Devourer Sphere, making the journey far more efficient. At times, Kai witnessed flashes streaking across the barrier, as if space itself were tearing itself apart, allowing them to leap vast distances.

Naturally, not everyone who had attended the gathering of all regions participated in this journey. The sects of the Region of Energy Domination had sent their subordinates and disciples back home. Only the Law Devourers, most of the Supreme Monarchs, and about a hundred Law Overlords remained. The rest had been sent back to their territories to tend to daily affairs. After all, each sect had numerous responsibilities and couldn’t simply halt all operations.

Analyzing this, Kai understood that soon, terrifying news would spread throughout the Region of Energy Domination. The disciples would undoubtedly talk about the events at the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen and the mind-blowing revelations about the Evil Gods.

Kai was currently inside a massive golden rock, which was hollow within. It soared through the starry space, leaving a trail of rainbow energy in its wake. This was one of the transportation vessels of the Pantheon’s upper echelon. It was piloted by the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, explaining the rainbow energy. Kai had already seen this energy at the gathering when the old man attacked the Monarch of the Poison Mysteries Sect.

Inside the massive golden rock lay an incredible city, resembling a golden oasis amidst the dark void of starry space. This city, carved into the very rock itself, shone with a soft, warm light, illuminating every corner of its gold-tinged streets. The buildings were spaced apart, as if creating a zone of tranquility for each master within.

Between them sprawled magnificent gardens filled with exotic plants and flowers, with artificial streams and waterfalls adding to the sense of living nature. In the center of the city stood a majestic palace, covered with the thinnest sheets of gold, reflecting the light of crystals embedded in the ceiling.

To Kai's surprise, beyond the city, deep within the rock, were vast cultivation halls equipped with various arrays. Kai visited them without hesitation, knowing that the journey to the Poison Mysteries Sect would take a long time...

Kai was currently in one of these cultivation zones, where he spent most of his time, not daring to disturb the other “residents” of this small city. Although Kai's status now equaled that of a disciple of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, he still couldn’t behave arrogantly in front of two Supreme Monarchs and ten Law Overlords.

The only people Kai occasionally spent time with were the Overlord of Shifting Essence and the Overlord of Elemental Resonance, a woman with scars on her face who represented the Divine Order Guardians. Kai had visited her teralith many times and had fought with her subordinates, so he was somewhat familiar with her.

Kai also occasionally visited the Craftsman's Heart Devourer to ask him questions related to cultivation and difficult aspects of spirit techniques. Although the old man was busy piloting the golden rock, he still found time to answer Kai’s questions. Usually, he would pull out some records from his world ring and pass them to Kai. It was clear that the old man also possessed something akin to Kai's world ring. After all, he was a Law Devourer in the Divine Craftsmen Region. He was the first master Kai had seen with an artifact similar to his own ring.

“I wonder if I'll get to see the members of the Seven Immortals Fraction? Are they still as fearsome as they once were?” Kai thought, reminiscing about his companions.

Though he was fully focused on his path, he still occasionally thought about the people important to him. Other thoughts also concerned him…

“Maybe I could visit my lower world? But how can I accomplish that? Should I just ask the old man directly?” Kai pondered, sitting in the lotus position.

He cultivated calmly, not wanting to waste time. Earlier, he had been told that the journey would last several years, which only highlighted the terrifying size of the Region of Energy Domination. If the golden rock were piloted by Law Overlords, it would be frightening to imagine how many decades it would take to fly to the Evil Realm Region...

“It's still hard to believe that I'll be able to fulfill the promise to the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction so soon... Maybe I won't reach the Ancient Battlefield just yet, but the hardest part—retrieving Lilorin's body—will be done. I could never have imagined how to do it correctly before. Especially after the events in the pocket world, when even returning to the Poison Mysteries Sect became a very difficult task,” Kai thought with a sense of anticipation.

Before the gathering and all the events of the past years, Kai had thought he would have to deal with this issue only after reaching the peaks of cultivation. But even in such a hypothetical case, negotiating the opening of the Imperishable Cache in another sect would have been very difficult, if not impossible. The only option left would have been conflict and direct combat...

“Alright, I won't waste any more time,” Kai said, taking a deep breath and diving into the cultivation of the Ninth Oblivion Technique.

The golden rock continued its journey through the starry space, carrying the lives of the masters within it, as time flowed relentlessly forward...

After a long journey that lasted several years, Kai, immersed in the process of cultivation, calmly awaited the moment of arrival at the Poison Mysteries Sect. During this time, he took every opportunity to refine his skills and understanding of each of the laws, alternating the cultivation of three techniques.

His journey was not a lonely one. Over time, he even managed to personally meet and share a drink with some of the other Law Overlords. Kai asked many questions and showed interest in their crafts, which greatly flattered them. In return, Kai expanded his understanding of various techniques for working with ingredients and minerals.

Thus, in a state of constant cultivation and learning, Kai barely noticed the passage of time, until one day he heard the booming command of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer!

“Everyone, prepare yourselves and finish your cultivation! We will arrive at the Poison Mysteries Sect in a few hours!” the deep voice echoed, reaching every corner of the golden city.

“Have we finally arrived?” Kai said, opening his eyes. “Damn, I need to wash up and change.…” he sighed heavily, rising from the floor of the cultivation zone.

They were representing the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, which meant they couldn’t afford to embarrass themselves! They needed to look dignified and impressive!

Kai immediately headed to the baths in the mansion that had been assigned to him. After taking a bath, he quickly dried himself and got ready.

Now his appearance was flawless. His blood-red hair cascaded down his back, shimmering beautifully and contrasting with his pale skin, giving him an almost celestial look. His skin, thanks to cultivation, appeared perfect, without a single blemish or sign of aging. Every feature of his body spoke of years of rigorous training and discipline.

Kai’s blood-red eyes and eyelids added a unique accent to his appearance, making his gaze more piercing and mysterious. He dressed in the golden robes of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, which emphasized his status and rank. The clothing wasn’t just beautiful; it was imbued with powerful protective energy, providing not only external beauty but also practical benefits.

His posture was straight, and his gaze confident, further highlighting his mastery and self-control. The wild and predatory aura that Kai exuded was so strong that it elicited awe. This was the appearance of someone who had been through countless battles and killings, making him stand out significantly from other artisans.

Leaving his room, he headed to the main hall, where the other masters were already gathering, preparing for the upcoming arrival at the Poison Mysteries Sect. His steps were confident and determined. Kai was ready to finally return to the sect that had welcomed him at the beginning of his journey in the higher world.

Kai politely nodded to those present and took his place at the back. The Craftsman's Heart Devourer floated before them, surveying everyone with a stern gaze. After a few moments of silence, he spoke firmly:

“Everyone, conduct yourselves with dignity. We represent the Divine Craftsmen Region, so let everyone witness our greatness!”

“We will be given a separate wing in the main palace of the Poison Mysteries Sect. The cultivation zones are also available for use. We will remain here for an indefinite period as we study all the research and records of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. Afterward, we will finalize our overall strategy. As you understand, this will take some time,” the old man calmly explained, waving his hand and transporting everyone outside the golden rock!

At that moment, they found themselves above a vast green city, shrouded in a veil of mist due to the high humidity. But even so, the massive gathering of masters below could be seen, greeting them with admiration and shouting in welcome.

“Welcome to the Poison Mysteries Sect! Welcome!” the muffled cries echoed from below.

“Damn... It's been a long time since I last saw this city…” Kai thought, feeling a twinge of nostalgia.

Looking around, he saw representatives from other regions in the sky, led by their Law Devourers. Clearly, they all emerged at roughly the same time as the Divine Craftsmen Region.

Kai noticed the massive silhouette of an icy throne fading away, near which the Ice Star Devourer had appeared. Kai immediately realized that this was their region’s equivalent of their golden rock.

At that moment, the crowd was silenced by the booming voice of the Monarch of the Poison Mysteries Sect. As the leader of these lands, he was obligated to speak.

“Today is truly a grand event for our sect! We are hosting the mightiest masters from across the Universe! Not only other sects but the Law Devourers themselves!” he announced, causing shock and awe among the crowd.

Ordinary disciples or even lower elders had never seen masters of the Law Devourer Sphere. It could be said that many of them weren’t even sure such masters existed... But now, the Monarch of the Poison Mysteries Sect himself was presenting such incredible beings! This moment was like a miracle, as if the Gods had descended from the heavens to meet ordinary people!

Watching the events unfold, Kai, like the other guests of the Poison Mysteries Sect, ignored these formalities. Everyone understood that this was just a courtesy gesture, which no one cared about. Kai's thoughts were preoccupied with something entirely different…

“If we're going to be here for an indefinite amount of time, I need to visit the Seven Immortals Fraction. I can't wait to find out how they're doing!” Kai thought with a satisfied smile, gazing into the distance.

V.9 Chapter 708: Serpenta and Allies

Kai walked calmly along the main streets of the Teralith of Poisonous Mystery, drawing admiring glances. It was a rather strange feeling, as he had previously only felt disdain in this place.

“As soon as I traded my green robes for the golden robes of the Pantheon, people's attitudes changed drastically. This trait of living beings never ceases to amaze me…” Kai thought as he made his way to a specific location.

Earlier, all the elders had gone to the Imperishable Cache. According to the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, they would be occupied with initial research for the next few days. However, he assured Kai that Lilorin's body would be immediately stored in his world ring.

This gave Kai some free time, and he decided to visit his old comrades. Unfortunately, he no longer had any means of communication...

“I hope Mustus is still dealing with the Seven Immortals Fraction. I think I can contact them through him and arrange a meeting at the main teralith,” Kai thought, realizing that he couldn't simply move to the Teralith of Poison Followers because of his new status.

“Serpenta has probably already advanced to the rank of lower elder... I'll need to look for her or approach the Overlord of Poison Transmutation. I hope the old man doesn't hold a grudge against me…” Kai continued to ponder.

An hour earlier, he had visited the area for the main disciples of the Poison Mysteries Sect, but to his surprise, Serpenta's mansion was occupied by another disciple. This wasn't entirely unexpected, given her considerable talent. Considering that she had been under the protection of the Overlord of Poison Transmutation all this time, it wouldn't have been surprising if she had broken through to the Law Transformation Sphere.

Turning a corner and finding himself on a familiar street, Kai walked straight to a trade shop. Fortunately, from a distance, he could see the same sign, which brought him some relief.

Kai leisurely approached the door and opened it, stepping into the familiar atmosphere. Shelves lined with various goods surrounded him, and light wisps of smoke filled the air. Mustus loved to smoke a pipe and burn incense, so this atmosphere was always present inside.

In the distance sat the same serious gray-haired old man with sharp, hawk-like eyes and a small beard. He was intently examining a round object on his desk.

“It's been a while, Mustus,” Kai said with a smile, heading toward the counter.

At the sound of his voice, the man quickly looked up. But upon seeing Kai, it seemed as though he didn't recognize him. Moreover, upon assessing Kai's cultivation level and the appearance of his robes, he immediately jumped to his feet and exclaimed:

“Welcome to my humble trade shop! How can I assist you?” he blurted out, not yet fully processing the greeting from his guest.

It was only after a brief pause that he furrowed his brow and hesitantly asked:

“Excuse me, have we met before? I don't recall having acquaintances from the esteemed Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen.”

“When we knew each other, I was a disciple of the Poison Mysteries Sect. Take a closer look. Heh-heh,” Kai responded with his characteristic chuckle.

At these words, the man scrutinized Kai's face, showing signs of distrust and suspicion. But the longer he looked, the more his brow furrowed. It seemed he simply couldn't believe what he was seeing.

“This can't be... The Immortal Drunkard? But you... Is this some kind of joke?” he muttered, frowning.

“It's a long story, one I won't tell you. But now I'm an elder of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. I arrived with the other guests. I assume you've already heard the latest news,” Kai said with a smile, confirming the man's suspicions.

“An elder of the Pantheon... What in the world is going on here.…” Mustus uttered in shock, sinking back into his chair.

“The thing is, I need to contact my comrades, but unfortunately, I have no means of communication. Could you help me with that? I have numerous interesting things to offer, so I won't be in your debt,” Kai said cheerfully, demonstratively rubbing his spatial ring.

But when these words were spoken, Mustus' face took on a strange, sorrowful expression... This reaction immediately stirred a bad premonition in Kai's heart. It was clear that something had happened!

“What's with your expression, Mustus?” Kai asked, frowning seriously.

Raising his eyes and looking directly at Kai, the man displayed a strange mix of negative emotions that were difficult to decipher...

“They're all long dead. And they died because of you. It's the way of our world, but I can't say I'm indifferent about it,” Mustus said seriously, with a hint of revulsion.

When those words reached Kai, it was as if lightning had struck him, and his body almost lost its balance! The news was too unbearable and unexpected to take in! Especially contrasting with his previous emotions, everything felt even more horrific!

“What... How did it happen?!” Kai shouted in confusion and rage, clenching his fists.

“From what I know, you dared to offend a master of the Law Devourer Sphere. When the expedition ended, he demanded that everyone associated with you be handed over. They say even one of the masters of the Law Transformation Sphere was incinerated by a terrifying black flame,” Mustus said, looking at Kai with hostility.

“And... Serpenta…” Kai muttered, his gaze empty.

“The poor girl was burned along with the rest of your subordinates,” Mustus replied immediately, his voice tinged with particular anger. “Seeing your reaction, I understand you didn't know and didn't want this. But I ask you to leave my shop. It sickens me to look at you. There is no longer any connection between us, and you are now a completely different master,” the man said seriously, pointing a finger at the door.

At that moment, for the first time in his life, Kai felt such a storm of emotions—guilt, shame, confusion, and hatred toward the War Flame Devourer—that he couldn't even fully comprehend them! Moreover, he even felt that hatred toward himself!

Looking at the expression on the previously cheerful man's face, Kai could only bow and quietly head for the exit. He understood that there was no point in making excuses here. Mustus and Serpenta had always been close, more like a grandfather and granddaughter than just trade partners and friends. Kai had become the reason she was mercilessly incinerated, not even leaving a body behind!

Stepping out onto the street, Kai wandered aimlessly forward, as if in a trance. He stopped after only a hundred steps and stared blankly at the sky...

In his worst fears, he had imagined such an outcome, but he had never truly believed it would happen. This simply shouldn't have occurred...

While he had peacefully cultivated and advanced in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, all his comrades and friends had been burned in black flames.

“Damn... This is…” Kai gritted his teeth, trembling.

As he recalled the thoughts he had as he walked to Mustus' shop, he felt sick... He had been thinking about drinking soon with Yao, Dangan, Velaris, Shigeo, Nanaya, and Silin. He had also been thinking about how he would surprise Serpenta with his sudden return.

The moment when he had smilingly told Mustus that he wouldn't remain in his debt, smugly rubbing his spatial ring, now seemed unbearably nauseating.

“Damn it! If only I had focused on my own cultivation, without trying to create my own faction! If only I hadn't suggested Serpenta to the Overlord of Poison Transmutation... They would all still be alive!” Kai shouted in rage, almost wanting to punch the wall in frustration.

But at that moment, he heard Kessia's stern voice in his mind:

“Stop! Your power isn't what it used to be, don't harm the ground and walls, they're not to blame,” she firmly said. “What you've learned is undoubtedly terrible. But this is the world of martial artists. You need to grieve, so I won't lecture you. Live through this moment and remember it if you want to continue on this ruthless path,” she added with utmost seriousness.

Hearing these words, Kai's fist stopped midway. Frozen in that position, he breathed quietly, trying to regain his composure. Slowly lowering his hand, he stood upright. Deep down, he knew Kessia was right, but he couldn't quell the storm of devastating emotions within him.

Learning about the deaths of innocent loved ones who had fallen victim to his conflict with a master of the Law Devourer Sphere, Kai felt a sharp pain in his heart. This was something new for him, a feeling he had never encountered before. In a world where strength dictated right, where every day was a battle for survival and dominance, Kai had always been confident in himself and his actions. He believed that every decision he made, no matter how harsh, served a higher purpose—the pursuit of immortality and the secrets of the universe. But now, faced with the consequences of his actions, he realized, and more importantly, felt that his mistakes could cost many lives.

Reflecting on his actions, Kai understood that he had acted impulsively, driven by a desire for power, forgetting those around him. He began to question the purpose of his cultivation path and where the pursuit of power without considering the consequences was leading him. These thoughts tormented him, forcing him to reconsider many of his past decisions. Kai felt as if his heart was being engulfed by a darkness of despair.

It was as if he stood among the ruins of what had once been a place of happiness and peaceful lives for many of his friends. Around him, the echoes of the city's cries and laughter still lingered, and he couldn't shake the feeling that each of those voices was accusing him of what had happened. At that moment, Kai realized that the true challenge for a cultivator wasn't in battles or power, but in the ability to maintain one's humanity in a world where it seemed like an unnecessary luxury!

This realization brought a new, deep pain within Kai, different from the pain he was used to in his countless battles. The pain of loss and the realization of his role in this tragedy was so acute that at times Kai felt as if his soul was being torn apart. He understood that the path of a cultivator he had chosen was never just about seeking power. It was a path where every decision and every step could lead to irreversible consequences, not only for him, but for everyone around him.

This was different even from the loss of his brothers and sisters from the orphanage. In that instance, the cause had been tragic circumstances and fate. But this time, he himself had been the catalyst for the catastrophe!

“Not everything is within our control,” Kessia's words echoed in his mind, now taking on new meaning. “Don't forget who is truly responsible for what happened and who your enemy is. You didn't consciously take on this burden or sacrifice anyone,” she said with utmost seriousness.

It was clear that the War Flame Devourer was the bastard who, out of his egotism, destroyed hundreds of beings simply because he felt something had been stolen from him. Moreover, Kai had rightfully obtained the Living Energy of the World first, without stealing from anyone.

“I understand that... I will do everything I can to destroy that bastard, no matter how long it takes me... But I can't deny that part of the blame lies with me!” Kai mentally shouted through gritted teeth.

Looking back at his life, Kai began to see how many of his actions, which he had believed were right, had actually led to the suffering of others. This realization made him reflect on the fact that true mastery and power lay not in the ability to defeat enemies, but in the ability to make wise decisions, balancing self-interest with concern for others.

“This is the first time I've truly encountered the concept of Life and Death... Before, I only saw one aspect of it, but now I've faced the other. And I must say, it's utterly draining…” Kai murmured, lifting his gaze to the inappropriately sunny sky.

V.9 Chapter 709: The Need to See Family

As Kai walked through the bustling streets of the city, he felt his heart burn with bitter rage, awakened by his encounter with Mustus. At this moment, he didn’t even want to drink; he just wanted to walk, to bring some order to his chaotic thoughts.

Vivid memories of the time spent with each of his comrades, whose lives had been taken because of him, flashed in his mind. Though Kai had always been focused on himself and his own path, there were times when he had enjoyed their company.

He remembered the ever-talkative Yao, who could never keep quiet. He recalled the naive Nanaya, who constantly clung to him and called him a drunkard. He thought of the duo of Shigeo and Silin, who were always rational and logical, often asking for his opinion on various matters. Even the gruff Velaris and the silent Dangan had become close comrades to him.

As these thoughts raced through Kai’s mind, he realized that he had considered them all his friends, not just comrades. Even if their bond wasn't as close as with Diso, Shuo, or Yao, they still weren’t indifferent to him.

“Kai…” Kessia began, her voice quiet but filled with unyielding strength. “My path was long and treacherous. Much of what I lost can never be recovered. The power I wielded came with heavy decisions, sometimes leading to unimaginable tragedies. Believe me, my hands are stained with the blood of many loved ones…”

She paused, as if memories flooded her, bringing with them a touch of pain and regret.

“You are not alone, Kai. The life of each person dear to you has left an imprint on your heart. But it’s important to remember that not everything is within our control. We make choices based on what we know and feel presently, but the consequences are often unpredictable. You can’t place all the blame on yourself for things that were beyond your control.”

Kai listened in silence, the flicker of pain and realization in his eyes. In Kessia’s words, he found an echo of his own experiences; her story became a mirror in which he saw not only his mistakes but also the possibility of accepting them and moving forward.

“Every decision, every step... They carry a part of our essence, but also an inevitability that we must learn to live with,” Kai said thoughtfully, as if speaking to himself.

Kessia nodded gently, confirming his words.

“Power and responsibility go hand in hand. Sometimes that burden seems unbearable, but remember: those who chose to trust you also bear their share of the responsibility. They willingly followed you, understanding the potential risks. They were the ones who stood by your side, sharing in your struggles and pains. And while some decisions lead to pain, they can also lead to growth, to a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves,” Kessia added philosophically, trying to convey to Kai the many facets of this complex situation.

“I understand all of this... But I need time to come to terms with these thoughts,” Kai muttered, running a hand over his face. “I never thought life could be this heavy. Not even a century of cultivation or deadly battles bring such overwhelming experiences.”

At that moment, Kai stopped again and murmured words that greatly surprised Kessia:

“Life and Death is the fourth law. The fruit of the highest triad of laws: time-space, luck, and will. Luck and will to develop within the infinity of time, create beings and lead them into oblivion…”

“I never thought that in practice this law would be so complex. It hides both beauty and creation, as well as horror and destruction. How can one law contain so many emotions, from joy to despair? It seems as if it doesn’t belong to the Universe at all, as it’s too alien to its infinite tranquility and serenity…” Kai thought, feeling a certain shift in his consciousness.

He looked closely at the lively streets of the city, where every resident, every vendor’s shout, or child’s laughter seemed to him like echoes of another world. A world where Life and Death were not just abstract concepts, but something incredibly tangible and personal.

“Everything we perceive in this Universe,” Kai continued, addressing Kessia. “From the starry space and teraliths to the tiniest grain of sand, seems to follow soulless laws. But life... Life seems to inject a spark that cannot be explained or measured by traditional means.”

He paused, as if seeking support from Kessia or perhaps even correction of his thoughts...

“That spark... It makes every being unique. We create, love, hate, suffer... We bring chaos to this order, making the universe alive and dynamic. But it also makes us vulnerable... We feel pain from losses, joy from encounters, despair from betrayals. All of this creates an indescribably complex fabric of existence, where every life is an inseparable part of a greater whole.”

Kessia nodded silently, as if acknowledging the depth of his words. Kai was experiencing a certain catharsis, reaching a new understanding as he felt the weight of grief and regrets.

“Sometimes I think that it is precisely in this chaos of feelings and emotions, in this struggle for existence, that the true meaning of all being lies. Perhaps the soulless Universe created us to know itself through our suffering and joys, through our defeats and victories,” Kai added thoughtfully, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

Kessia sighed, her gaze becoming deeper, as if she could see through the very essence of existence.

“Kai, perhaps that’s why every life is so important. It carries a piece of this Universe’s mystery, giving us a chance to understand what it means to be part of something greater. Our path isn’t just about cultivating strength or achieving immortality. It’s about knowing ourselves and the world around us. I believe that you are the one who can reach such heights where the answers to these eternal questions will be revealed to you. Don’t let tragedies break you. Move forward so that the sacrifices of your comrades are not in vain!” Kessia said in one breath, trying to turn the burden of Kai's experiences into fuel to strengthen his character and personality.

They both fell silent, absorbed in the deep contemplation of the essence of Life and Death, of the meaning of every moment of existence in an infinite Universe. In this silence, there was an agreement that despite all the futility and transience, every life is invaluable, every choice matters, and every action leaves a mark on eternity.

“Don’t worry, Queen. I still need to restore your body, as well as find answers to many questions. One day, I’ll become strong enough to personally tear off the head of the War Flame Devourer. He will pay for mercilessly taking the lives of my loved ones! And only when I’ve done that will I apologize to all the fallen comrades! My regret or remorse now would only dishonor their memory! I must back it up with action!” Kai exclaimed seriously, clenching his fists with determination.

His words resonated between the walls of the quiet, narrow alley, filling the air with the vibration of unprecedented resolve. A fire flickered in Kai’s eyes, reflecting not only anger and the desire for revenge, but also an unyielding will to overcome his fears and doubts.

“I see you’ve found yet another meaning in life and a new path... The path of a warrior not only in battles with enemies but also in the struggle with oneself. Your journey is already different from many, as you are driven by the desire to know all the mysteries of the Universe and understand its laws. I’m proud of you, Kai,” Kessia said gently, and Kai felt as if someone had placed a hand on his shoulder.

It was an ephemeral feeling, something Kai knew too well from Kessia's mannerisms. If he had entered his Spiritual Sea, the Queen would definitely have made that gesture. But now Kai didn’t want to dispel or dull his emotions. He wanted to fully experience them, to forever imprint them in his heart.

With every word from Kessia, the thought that his friends, though fallen, were still with him, became more ingrained in Kai's heart. They guided his hand in every battle, granting him spiritual strength in moments of despair. He felt how the burden of guilt gradually gave way to a sense of purpose, a vow to avenge not out of anger but out of justice and memory for the fallen, for personal atonement.

“My regrets have now turned into a vow. I will move forward, no matter what. I don’t want to push away new allies, but from now on, I will warn them of the ambiguity of my path. We all bear a heavy burden in this harsh world. And the longer we live, the more of this harshness accumulates!” Kai said firmly, his voice filled with determination.

“But good moments also accumulate. Life and Death are very contrasting concepts, but they give each other the meaning that brings purpose to existence. You can’t lose sight of the good by focusing only on the bad,” Kessia said with a nod.

“Of course. I feel regret, but it will become something that adds yet another reason to live and strive to reach the pinnacle of martial arts,” Kai agreed, taking a deep breath.

With this newfound spiritual resolve, Kai felt a new strength flowing through his veins, like a mighty current ready to sweep away any obstacles in its path. This was more than just a surge of spirit... It was the rebirth of a master, ready to face the darkest corners of the Universe for his beliefs and love for life!

As he left the narrow streets of the bustling city behind, Kai walked toward his mansion, knowing that there was nothing more for him to do in the Poison Mysteries Sect. It could be said that everything that had once connected him to this place had been destroyed.

For some reason, the images of Grandpa Mo, Diso, Shuo, and other close ones, those he had left in his native lower world, started to flash more and more often in his thoughts. With every step forward, Kai felt a growing need to return to where his cultivation path had begun, where his first dreams and ambitions had been born.

As he climbed the stairs to the entrance of his mansion, Kai suddenly realized that he wanted to see the other side of the concept of Life and Death not just in the theory of his reflections but in practice. He wanted to see his loved ones, hoping that at least they were safe, that they were alive. That they could share with him the moments of joy and sorrow he had missed, being consumed by his journeys and battles.

Realizing that one day he might outlive all his loved ones, Kai felt his heart tighten. Thoughts of the losses that might have occurred in his absence were just as overwhelming. These reflections made him quicken his pace. He understood that the meeting with them should not be delayed!

Entering the mansion, Kai headed to a hidden room to contact the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

“I must see them again. I must make sure they are okay,” Kai said aloud, solidifying his decision. “This will not just be a visit. It will be an opportunity to reevaluate everything I know about Life and Death, about the value of every moment spent with those I love.”

Kai understood that returning to the lower world would not just be a journey into the past, but an opportunity to gain new strength and wisdom that would help him in the upcoming trials. He was confident that meeting his loved ones would fill his heart with new light and give him additional motivation to continue his path as a cultivator. He needed to complete the realization of the warrior's path, which carries responsibility not only for his fate, but also for the fates of those who stand beside him!

Kai wanted to look at old things with new eyes. Eyes filled with the wisdom and new understandings he had gained in the higher world!

V.9 Chapter 710: On the Verge of Understanding

Upon arriving at his mansion, Kai took out the communication artifact to contact the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer. He infused it with a bit of energy and respectfully said:

“Excuse me for the interruption. May I request a meeting with you?”

After a brief pause, the deep voice of the elder echoed from the artifact:

“In three days, we will conclude the initial council. I will then hand over the girl's body to you. You can wait for me at my mansion.”

At that moment, Kai understood that his request might sound strange and even dangerous. Traveling to the lower world in his current situation wasn’t the wisest decision. On the other hand, all the Law Devourers were gathered in one place now. It was unlikely anyone would allow the War Flame Devourer to leave. Moreover, it was doubtful that he expected Kai to dare to leave the territory where he was under the protection of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer.

“I need to tell the elder everything as it is. There’s no point in coming up with strange excuses. If he refuses, then so be it… As Kessia said, not everything depends on our decisions…” Kai thought to himself as he calmly sat in a lotus position.

For the next three days, he neither meditated nor cultivated. All he did was reflect on what had happened. Even though he was a martial artist of a significant level, his mentality was much stronger than that of ordinary mortals. Yet, even so, he couldn’t rid himself of all the regrets instantly.

During these days, Kai spoke a lot with Kessia, and her support helped slightly dissipate the heavy emotions. To his surprise, Kai found that a woman’s gentle touch and words could act as a balm for the soul.

Although Kessia could only touch and embrace his spiritual projection, it still greatly helped Kai. Over these three days, he regained his mental stability and fully resolved that he would one day avenge his fallen comrades.

When the time set by the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer was near, Kai immediately headed to the mansion. Before he even reached the gates, he heard the elder’s voice, already calling him inside.

Kai didn’t hesitate and followed the order, walking through several corridors and entering a vast hall. Falling to one knee, he respectfully said:

“Greetings, esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer!”

But as soon as these words left his lips, Kai caught sight of a beautiful jade platform out of the corner of his eye, upon which lay a stunning woman. It seemed as though she was merely sleeping, or that her beauty had been immortalized in eternity, turned into a sculpture of incredible artistry.

“This…” Kai muttered, lifting his eyes and clearly recognizing who it was.

The body of Lilorin was beautiful even in its stillness, resembling an invisible boundary between the mortal world and eternity. Her skin, pale as the first snow, only accentuated the silent grace with which she lay on the jade platform. Lilorin’s long hair, the color of dark cherry, was neatly spread on either side, creating an aura of mysterious beauty. Her eyes were closed tightly, and it seemed as if she was about to awaken. The light garment, exquisitely draped around her figure, did not conceal her slenderness and elegance. A peaceful smile rested on Lilorin’s face, as if she were dreaming of places where there was no pain or suffering, only eternal joy.

“This is the girl’s body you spoke of. I must say, it’s an incredibly small price to pay for what our Pantheon has gained,” the elder said with a slight smile.

“Forgive me, elder… May I take her now?” Kai asked cautiously, lifting his gaze.

“Of course. You may rise,” the elder said with a nod, flying over to Lilorin’s body. “I must say, some of the elders of that pathetic sect looked rather grim when I took this body. What a pity…” he added with a snort.

Kai also approached the jade platform, and after a few seconds of hesitation, carefully moved her to his spatial ring. When he was alone, he would transfer her to his world ring, directly to the remains of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction.

Watching Kai’s seriousness and his respect for promises, the elder nodded approvingly. It seemed that he appreciated this trait in martial artists. Once the body disappeared from the hall, he looked at Kai and asked:

“What did you want to discuss? Did something happen?” he inquired with interest.

As soon as this question was asked, Kai’s face immediately darkened. It seemed as if heavy emotions and hints of a desire for revenge clouded his features. Kai slowly lifted his gaze and said:

“You already know about my conflict with the War Flame Devourer… A few days ago, I learned of the deaths of everyone in the Poison Mysteries Sect who was even remotely connected to me. Even a Law Overlord elder who once helped me,” he said with grave seriousness.

Hearing this, the face of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer remained expressionless. It was evident that for a cultivator of his level and with such a long life, such situations were neither new nor surprising. This was something one could, and should, expect from an eccentric being like the War Flame Devourer.

“My condolences. But remember, this is the fate of all martial artists who strive for the peak. If something like this breaks you, then you are not worthy of knowing the secrets of the Universe,” he coldly replied.

“I understand that, elder… But it seems that this shock has helped me find new meanings in life and cultivation,” Kai muttered, nodding. “But it feels like I’m missing a small piece to complete the picture…”

“Do you want to ask me for advice? Or find out what someone of my level thinks about death?” the elder asked, as if already anticipating the question.

But unexpectedly for him, Kai’s answer was negative. He shook his head and replied:

“I clearly feel that I need to visit my lower world. The place where I was born and where all my loved ones remain. Perhaps they are already dead too, but I need to be sure. I feel as if I need to complete a certain cycle to reach a new level of understanding of myself and the Universe itself. As if I can find the missing puzzle piece there in the picture of the new understanding of the path of martial arts that is emerging,” Kai sincerely explained, trying to convey his feelings to the elder.

And as soon as these words were spoken, a spark flickered in the eyes of the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer. It seemed as though he saw something deep and essential in Kai, as if he himself had once experienced something similar and understood what this young man was talking about.

The elder, with a wise gleam in his eyes, looked at Kai, his gaze penetrating the darkness and doubts that clouded the heart of his young subordinate.

“You are on the verge of a great understanding. An understanding that will finally help you shed the mindset of a mortal,” he began, his voice calm and confident, carrying the tone of a teacher. “You are approaching the completion of your mortal karmic ties, and this is only the beginning of your journey. You must fully comprehend and understand the perspective of higher masters on Life and Death.”

The elder sighed, and for a moment, it seemed as if his cloudy eyes flickered with memories and ghosts of a distant past. Clearly, at one time, he too had faced similar experiences.

“Life and Death are not simple opposites. They are two sides of the same coin, an eternal cycle that maintains balance in our world. Moreover, at different levels of existence, these concepts seem to change, but they retain the most important aspects. Some masters encounter this understanding too late, or too early... It’s clear that you are the latter…”

He smiled slightly, looking at the young master before him, who had unexpectedly pleased him.

“The fact that you have begun to understand these truths at a young age speaks of your great potential. It is a sign that you are chosen to walk a path that many cannot. Not everything in the Universe is measured by strength… Sometimes masters need philosophical and intellectual breakthroughs that are not related to martial arts mastery. And you are on the brink of such a breakthrough, which will positively influence you in the future. Of course, if you can pass through this trial.”

The elder smiled slightly, stepping closer to Kai and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Do not be afraid to move forward, Kai. Cast aside the limitations of the mortal world and embrace the wisdom that comes with understanding Life and Death. You are embarking on a path that will lead you to greatness. Remember that every step, every decision you make, carries the seed of the future.”

These words momentarily knocked Kai off balance. It seemed that the elder’s wisdom complemented everything that Kai and Kessia had discussed in recent days. As a result, Kai became even more certain of his aspirations, and his thoughts cleared completely!

After the elder’s words, thoughts began to form in Kai’s mind, reflecting a deep philosophical understanding of Life and Death. He felt his perspective on the world shifting, gaining a new depth inaccessible to those doomed to live only a few decades.

“Life and Death…” Kai mentally murmured. “These concepts are as ancient as the Universe itself. For a mortal who lives but a fleeting moment in the scale of eternity, each day may seem precious. But for a being whose life spans millennia, the perception of time is radically different. We see the rise and fall of civilizations, the birth and death of geniuses. And this profound awareness of time gives us a unique perspective on the true value of Life and Death.”

Kai realized that letting go of mortal emotions and attachments, while understanding the fundamental sanctities of life, opened the way for him to a deeper understanding of the essence of existence.

“Mortal feelings and emotions, such as love, fear, concern for loved ones—these undoubtedly add brightness and color to life. But they can also become shackles, limiting our perception of deeper truths. As beings capable of living thousands of years, we have the opportunity to see beyond these limitations, to see and appreciate the more subtle, essential features of life that remain unknown to those burdened by mortality,” he realized that it is in these profound reflections that the key to true wisdom lies.

“By learning to perceive Life and Death as a whole, we can reach new horizons of understanding and existence, where every moment is filled not so much with worldly significance as with a deep awareness of the infinity of being.”

“In the end…” Kai mentally concluded. “True greatness is not in the length of life or the power over death. Greatness lies in the ability to see beyond the visible, to feel beyond the tangible, and to understand beyond the measurable. We, as nearly eternal beings, possess a unique opportunity to experience and comprehend the deep aspects of life that are beyond mortal understanding…”

These thoughts, filled with philosophical contemplation, not only opened new horizons of understanding for Kai but also offered him an invaluable opportunity for true self-discovery and development.

At that moment of realization, Kai was interrupted by the deep voice of the elder, who, without needing a response, already understood what his subordinate required.

“If you stand on the brink of such an understanding, it must not be lost. We will remain in the Poison Mysteries Sect for several more years. I will provide you with a valuable artifact that will help you visit your native world. As your elder, I am interested in cultivators capable of further glorifying the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen in the future! I will help you, young one!” he said with all seriousness.

V.9 Chapter 711: Valuable Artifacts

Standing in the spacious hall, Kai respectfully looked at the elder. Deep down, he had been almost entirely convinced that the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer would refuse his request to travel to his home world. Or perhaps even forbid him from considering such a thing. But to his surprise, the elder supported him and even said he would help.

“Thank you, elder,” Kai responded respectfully and bowed. “Could you tell me more about the artifact you intend to provide? And do you have any other advice?” Kai asked immediately.

“As a master with the status of a God of Craft, I have my own creations. I will give you a special accessory that will place a sort of barrier over you. It will limit your energy to such an extent that even the War Flame Devourer won’t be able to detect you. Of course, unless he directs his full attention at you or probes you with energy,” the elder calmly explained.

“But isn’t he already watching me? I doubt I can just disappear without raising suspicion. He will definitely notice something odd,” Kai muttered with a frown.

“You’re right. Even now, I can feel his perception enveloping this entire world. The same goes for the other Law Devourers. But he cannot penetrate this mansion because I protect it with my own law,” the elder confirmed with a nod.

“Won’t it be suspicious if I visited you and then just vanished afterward?” Kai pointed out the obvious issue.

“It would be. That’s why we’ll use another interesting artifact,” the elder replied with a sly smile and waved his hand, pulling out a golden sphere from his ring. “Infuse it with your energy. It will absorb as much as it needs, so don’t stop until it’s full,” the elder casually tossed the sphere to Kai and nodded, signaling him to begin.

Watching this, Kai carefully caught the artifact and stared at it for a few seconds. Then he began channeling his destructive energy into it, as if pouring it into a void. No matter how much energy Kai poured out, the sphere absorbed it all.

“It seems this will be more difficult than I expected…” Kai thought, amazed by the sphere’s capacity.

The longer it went on, the more astonished Kai became. The elder even brewed himself some tea, calmly waiting for Kai to finish. For a master of his level, waiting a day or two was merely a moment.

After several days of continuous energy infusion, the golden sphere in Kai’s hands suddenly flared up!

“What the?!” Kai exclaimed in surprise.

The brilliance that filled the room was so intense that Kai instinctively squinted. He watched as the sphere began to melt, transforming into a golden liquid. This liquid slowly floated into the air and seemed to spread out in the space, taking on a human form. But what happened next was even more astonishing...

To Kai’s utter amazement, the liquid began to mold itself into his own likeness! The newly formed Kai, created from golden essence, looked at him with the exact same expression, radiating the same powerful aura as the real Kai.

After another flash, the golden figure started to dim, its clothes and body changing color to mimic the original. Within moments, a perfect clone of Kai stood before him!

“How is this possible? I’ve never seen an artifact like this before…” Kai thought, feeling the tension in his body ease, relieved from the anticipation and uncertainty.

“Incredible… It’s like some advanced illusion technique,” Kai mentally remarked, gazing at his golden double. “But why would I need an illusion of myself?”

This double, perfectly mirroring every feature of his appearance and even his aura, was a complete mystery to him. Kai cautiously reached out to his reflection, expecting it to dissolve upon contact or react in some other unusual way. But the clone remained still, only mirroring his gestures, creating the sensation that Kai was looking at himself in some kind of magical mirror.

Suddenly, understanding dawned on Kai! This double wasn’t meant for battles or companionship on his journeys. It was created to stay here, in the sect! It would act as a stand-in for Kai while he was away. This was the perfect strategy to deceive both enemies and allies who might suspect his absence.

“Give him a command,” the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer suddenly instructed.

Hearing this, Kai hesitated for a moment, but after taking a deep breath, he seriously said:

“You are here to replace me until I return. Your task is to convince everyone that I am still in the Poison Mysteries Sect, safely and carefree engaged in cultivation, and accompanying the esteemed Craftsman’s Heart Devourer,” Kai commanded slowly, carefully considering each word.

Kai’s double, created from golden essence, nodded in understanding. His eyes reflected determination and unwavering loyalty to the original. This was not just an illusionary image—it was imbued with a portion of Kai’s energy, allowing it to act and react as if it were the real Kai.

“Act as I would. Your role is crucial. Thanks to you, no one will know of my absence until I return,” Kai added confidently.

But what happened next shocked Kai even more! The clone nodded again, and then responded!

“Of course. I understand. I’ll do everything I can. I think it’s best if I stay in my mansion and just cultivate,” the clone suggested.

It seemed that the clone had not only inherited Kai’s energy and aura but also a copy of his personality. Such an artifact was simply mind-blowing! Where did the elder even get such a thing?

“Elder… This is simply incredible!” Kai exclaimed sincerely, unable to hide his admiration.

“Thank you. I’m glad you appreciate my humble creations,” the elder replied with a hint of sarcasm, obviously aware of his terrifying level of craftsmanship and not needing any praise. “Here, take this,” he added briefly, handing Kai a golden, unassuming bracelet.

Naturally, Kai didn’t hesitate and immediately put it on. The moment he did, he felt a pulse, and his body was enveloped in golden energy. After that, a sort of barrier formed on his skin, invisible to the naked eye. Kai’s energy and aura simply vanished from the room, making him seem like an ordinary mortal.

At that moment, Kai’s energy could only be detected from the clone, who stood calmly beside him. The methods of the highest masters were simply mind-boggling. Law Devourers clearly used many tricks inaccessible to ordinary elders. In addition to what had just happened, Kai had already encountered a strange method that allowed the War Flame Devourer to track a trace of his energy and pursue him.

“I need to be extremely careful… I’m sure there are countless other amazing methods I’m unaware of…” Kai thought, looking at his clone again.

Confident that his secret was safe, Kai spoke with the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer for a while longer and then headed out of the mansion. He deliberately altered his appearance slightly and changed into the plain green robes of the Poison Mysteries Sect, but most importantly, he now wore the unremarkable golden bracelet that suppressed his aura. Although the War Flame Devourer was monitoring him, it was unlikely that he paid attention to everyone entering and leaving the mansion. After all, there were many staff members maintaining the cleanliness and order.

Earlier, he had agreed with the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer that the elder would discreetly pick him up and transport him into the starry space. Everything was done as if Kai had visited the elder’s mansion and then calmly left, although it was already the clone. The Craftsman’s Heart Devourer would then tear through space and transport Kai far away. It was unlikely that anyone would notice this, as the elder was excellent at blocking the perceptions of his opponents.

A few days later, the Craftsman’s Heart Devourer left his mansion to attend another council meeting. On the opposite side of the street, in a narrow alley, sat a tired man, sipping wine…

But no one noticed that at some point, he disappeared, as if he had been nothing more than a mirage. Naturally, this was Kai, who had been carefully waiting for the plan to be executed. A few seconds later, he found himself in starry space. Kai immediately surged forward, distancing himself from the Poison Mysteries Sect as far as he could.

Leaving the sect’s territory behind, it was as if Kai left behind an entire world of deception and secrets that had surrounded him for the past few days. His speed was astounding, as Kai did not want to waste a single minute. His thoughts were focused on the upcoming reunion with his home world, on returning to the place where his first friends and family were.

After several days of flight, Kai entered the world ring and ordered Seth to head for the nearest teleportation point that could speed up his journey. Kai still had Corvus’s maps in his arsenal, as well as more detailed maps from Mikaela, which made it easy to find the way back.

Kai understood that he first needed to make a series of jumps through spatial tunnels to return to the closest teleportation point to his home world. All of this wasn’t a particularly difficult task; it just required paying for the teleport.

With a wave of his hand in the air, he activated the map of the Evil Realm Region, calculating the necessary route. And as soon as they reached the first point, Kai felt the anticipation of the upcoming reunion and a tinge of nostalgia. He knew that each teleport brought him closer to his goal, closer to his home world, where his old friends might still be waiting for him eagerly. With each leap between worlds, he felt the flame of determination and hope growing in his chest, hoping that they were still alive.

After several months of intense travel, leaping from one spatial tunnel to another and using teleportation points, Kai finally found himself on the last leg of his journey...

In the starry space, a ring flew, suddenly flaring with black energy. Moments later, when the light faded, Kai found himself in starry space once more, facing a familiar world. Two continents, separated by a vast ocean, shimmered under the distant stars, evoking a wave of emotions in Kai’s heart.

At that moment, his heart filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety, for he did not know what he would find upon returning home after such a long absence.

He gazed at the landscape, and his heart tightened in anticipation of the reunion and fear of the unknown.

“Are any of my loved ones still alive? Has my home survived?” he thought, feeling hope and worry battle within his chest.

Despite the lingering doubts, Kai knew he had to keep moving forward. He gathered his resolve and activated the final burst of energy to descend to the planet’s surface. The wind brushing against his face as he approached the ground felt like a welcoming gesture from his home world. Kai flew directly toward the territories of the Shadow Sect on the Heavenly Continent.

Although he was eager, he carefully restrained his power to avoid causing a catastrophe in the lower world. Even though his seal had been lifted, the space here could not have strengthened in just five hundred years. Lower worlds were inherently much more fragile.

Moments later, Kai saw the familiar Shadows City lying beyond the mountain, illuminated by the bright sun rising from the ocean’s side. It was through this mountain that he had first come to the Shadow Sect, leaving behind the Border Beast City…

As his feet touched the mountain’s peak, Kai took a deep breath, trying to capture the familiar scents and sounds. He scanned the surroundings, assessing the landscape that seemed almost unchanged.

“Alright. There’s no point in delaying. I need to head to the main palace!” Kai thought resolutely and flew toward the Shadow Sect’s territory.

Kai could have crossed this distance in an instant, but now it felt infinitely long to him. Every second echoed in his heart, filled with trepidation and hope. Ahead lay answers and a reunion with his past and loved ones. No matter what awaited him, Kai was ready to face it head-on! But deep down, he hoped that he would still be able to see some of his loved ones!

V.9 Chapter 712: Familiar Landscapes

Kai slowly flew toward the Shadow Sect. At one point, he thought to himself. “Alright… I need to expand my perception,” fearing that he might not find any of his old acquaintances.

In the next instant, the entire Shadows City fell under Kai’s intense scrutiny! In that brief moment, Kai felt a strange sensation, something he hadn’t experienced in many years. The icy cold that flared in his chest suddenly turned into warmth, sending shivers down his spine. These contrasting feelings stirred up a flood of forgotten emotions, echoes of which he thought he would never feel again.

His attention was involuntarily drawn to two figures meditating under an ancient tree in the main garden of the Patriarch’s mansion in the Shadow Sect. Their auras gently fluctuated with the rhythm of their breathing, creating a field of calm and power around them, characteristic of Core Sphere masters.

“They’re alive… I’m so glad…” Kai murmured to himself, feeling a deep flame ignite within his soul. His heart pounded faster as he headed toward the figures, each second bringing him closer to the moment of truth. The anticipation of the reunion grew within Kai, for he was certain he knew who these masters were. He just needed to see them with his own eyes to dispel any lingering doubts!

As he drew closer, Kai froze, staring at the faces of the two men. It was Master Mo and Shuo! Master Mo, despite his advanced age, hunched back, and numerous wrinkles on his face, radiated peace and tranquility, while Shuo, now dressed in the Patriarch’s robes, had a mature appearance and still sported a shaved head.

“They’re truly alive…” Kai whispered almost inaudibly, feeling his eyes unexpectedly moisten. These tears were a symbol not only of the joy and relief of reuniting with his loved ones, but also of understanding the depth of the path they had all walked in his absence.

With every moment spent near them, Kai felt less like an immortal traveler between worlds and more like an ordinary person, whose heart was capable of deep and sincere emotions. Remembering all the hardships and trials they had faced together and apart, he realized how much each of them had changed.

The tears that welled up in his eyes were not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of pure and genuine emotions that only true friends and family can feel when reunited after a long separation.

Currently, Kai was wearing the special bracelet that concealed his aura and energy. Moreover, Kai himself existed on an entirely different plane of being. The two masters sitting under the tree couldn’t detect him, even when Kai spread his perception.

Standing in the air for another moment, Kai gathered his courage and began to quietly descend into the garden. He did this so skillfully that Shuo and Master Mo didn’t even open their eyes. At least not until Kai decided to reveal himself…

“It’s been so long since I last saw you. I’m so glad you’re still alive,” Kai said with a soft smile on his face.

In that instant, both masters practically jumped to their feet, instinctively summoning their energy! They were Core Sphere masters, but someone had managed to sneak up on them unnoticed! Yet when they saw the figure before them, they froze in place! Despite the changes in his appearance, they couldn’t fail to recognize Kai!

Over the long five hundred years, Old Mo had come to resemble a mortal elder in the final years of his life, and the once-powerful figure was no more. Shuo, on the other hand, had also aged noticeably. But with Kai, it was entirely different… It seemed as though the years hadn’t touched his youth at all!

“My boy, you’ve returned! I knew this day would come! I’ve been waiting for you!” Master Mo said, with a hint of tears in his voice, his tone full of warmth and joy.

Shuo, staring in shock at his old friend, couldn’t believe it wasn’t an illusion. Although Old Master Mo had always said he would live to see his grandson’s return, Shuo had thought it would never happen. Or rather, that they wouldn’t live long enough to see it.

“Welcome home, Brother Kai. I never thought I’d see you again,” he added, expressing sincere respect and admiration.

At that moment, Kai felt overwhelmed by emotions so strong that words became unnecessary. He stepped forward, embracing his family, and within that embrace was everything: the joy of reunion, gratitude for their unwavering loyalty and devotion, and boundless respect for their achievements and chosen paths.

“Damn… I was so afraid I wouldn’t see you again,” Kai said with a smile, recalling the recent events in the Poison Mysteries Sect.

In contrast to the loss of his companions and subordinates, Kai had slightly rethought his views. And now, having finally arrived in his home world, Kai felt these changes more distinctly. Until then, it was as if he had postponed the question of returning, trying to hide from himself the fear of discovering that all his loved ones had already passed away...

“But I knew I would live to see you again, brat. Now I can die in peace. Heh-heh,” old Master Mo said with a smile, showing a sentimentality he hadn’t before.

“What are you talking about, Grandfather? I have many useful things from the higher worlds! I’ll help you regain your health, don’t worry!” Kai replied warmly, showing slight displeasure at the elder’s words.

“Of course. Let’s discuss that later. Heh-heh,” Mo replied carelessly and laughed.

At that moment, a communication artifact in Shuo’s hand lit up, as if he had given someone an order. Kai had a feeling that Shuo wanted to relive the old days when they could relax together without a care.

This moment of reunion became a symbol not only of their personal victories and trials but also of the unbreakable spirit of kinship, which proved to be stronger than any test of time and fate.

After the touching reunion and a few more exchanges, Shuo placed a hand on Kai’s back and said with a smile:

“Come. I’ve prepared something modest in honor of your return.”

The trio’s steps led them to a cozy pavilion located in the heart of the main garden. The table was already set, with dishes that each held a story and tradition of the Shadow Sect. But most importantly, the table was adorned with jugs of precious demonic wine, which Kai had always loved.

Master Mo, despite his appearance as a mortal elder, suddenly seemed to come alive at the sight of such a familiar feast.

In turn, Kai laughed and brought out some gifts from the higher worlds. There were delicacies and incredible wines. Kai hadn’t forgotten about Shuo, bringing him a collection of rare and precious teas. Naturally, Shuo immediately began brewing one of them.

“I suspect you still don’t drink alcohol?” Kai asked with a smile, watching Shuo gaze with interest at his cup, finishing the preparations.

“Of course. Martial artists shouldn’t stray from their principles. Here’s to your return, Kai!” Shuo exclaimed, raising his tea, the fragrance of which alone was intoxicating.

“To your return, pup!” Master Mo added playfully, his eyes glowing with warmth and pride.

Filled with the emotions of the reunion, Kai raised his cup in response. The wine poured into him, leaving behind a warm and pleasant reminder of the old days.

As they relaxed a bit, Shuo began telling his story. From the moment Kai left the lower world, Shuo continued his practice and cultivation, relying on the knowledge and power Kai had passed on to him. His determination and perseverance allowed him to reach the Core Sphere, an incredible achievement.

“These years haven’t been easy, but your legacy and Master Mo’s support kept me from giving up,” Shuo continued. “When Master Mo became the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect, he ushered in an era of true wisdom and strength. His leadership helped us through many challenges.”

Master Mo, listening, smiled and added:

“I always knew Shuo was capable of more. And when the time came, I gladly passed the leadership of the Shadow Sect to him. Although my strength is waning, my heart is full of joy seeing you both grow.”

They drank and laughed, reminiscing about past moments and discussing the changes that had taken place in their world. Kai listened attentively to their stories, feeling pride in his brother and grandfather reigniting in his heart again and again.

After Kai had left to explore the higher worlds, his old friends and comrades continued their own cultivation journeys, reaching various heights and overcoming difficulties.

Master Mo had managed to break into the Core Sphere. His brief period as the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect was marked by wisdom and fairness. However, the lingering effects of old wounds and accumulated fatigue prevented him from achieving the ideal breakthrough he had strived for. Acknowledging his limitations, he passed his position on to Shuo. Mo, nevertheless, found peace and contentment, continuing to live within the walls of the Shadow Sect, where he could observe the growth and development of his disciples.

In the early years, Old Master Mo helped Shuo with many matters, but over time, the leadership of the sect fully transitioned to Shuo. Moreover, Aoki had become the leader of the Sword Sect, and other sects were also governed by members of Kai’s generation. As a result, Shuo maintained good relations with nearly all the current leaders of the Heavenly Continent and the Unholy Continent.

But there were also sad moments… Master Mo, feeling the approach of the end of his path, had only one wish—to see his grandson, Kai, one last time…

“I’ve been keeping myself alive with pills for years. In fact, I’m just a living corpse. Heh-heh,” Mo said with a laugh, taking a large gulp of wine.

“Grandfather, don’t talk nonsense. I’ll give you such pills that you’ll practically regenerate your body!” Kai shouted confidently, not wanting to hear any of this nonsense.

But the next words shocked and even disoriented Kai! The old man simply laughed and calmly said:

“I don’t want that, my boy. My final wish was to see you. That’s the only thing that kept me going. I’ve long been ready for eternal rest and the end of my journey. I have no reason to strive for the heights of cultivation anymore. As I said before—I don’t even want to know the true vastness of the Universe,” he explained with a confident and sincere smile.

Not long ago, Kai had wanted to tell his adventures, but Master Mo stopped him. The old man insisted that he just wanted to enjoy a moment of normalcy and tranquility with Kai. He suggested that Kai share all the wonders of the world with Shuo, but not tonight.

At that moment, Master Mo’s words penetrated the deepest parts of Kai’s soul, triggering a series of realizations about the concept of Life and Death. Having spent his entire life striving for immortality and power, Kai had always seen Death as an enemy, an obstacle on the path to eternity. However, Master Mo’s words reflected a different philosophy… Death—as the completion of a journey, as an inevitable and, in some sense, a welcomed conclusion to a long life.

Master Mo wasn’t afraid of Death… He embraced it as an old friend, who comes to remind one of the cyclical nature of existence. This acceptance in the face of eternity, the joy of realizing the completeness of his journey, and the gratitude for all he had experienced—it was a perspective on life that Kai had never considered before.

For Master Mo, Death was not the end, but rather the next stage of existence, a journey into the unknown, where the knowledge and achievements of the cultivation world no longer held significance. He didn’t seek solace in immortality, understanding that the true meaning of life wasn’t in its duration, but in the moments spent with loved ones; in the lessons learned; and in the changes he was able to bring to the world.

This perspective on Life and Death as a single process, where death is not the end, but just another transition, made Kai rethink his own views. Suddenly, he realized that the pursuit of eternity shouldn’t overshadow the beauty and value of each moment of life. That the importance of life lies not in its length, but in the depth of experiences and lessons it brings.

In response to Master Mo’s words, Kai fell silent for a moment, feeling a dissonance—a sadness at the inevitable farewell to his beloved master and a reverence for his wisdom and acceptance. After a minute of silence, Kai simply nodded in a sign of respect and understanding.

“I respect your choice, Grandfather…” Kai quietly said, understanding that in this situation, he wouldn’t be able to convince his teacher otherwise. Or that even the attempt to do so might be more of an insult to the old man than an act of care.

This moment became another turning point for Kai in his understanding of the concept of Life and Death. It seemed that lately, he had been constantly encountering different aspects of it, absorbing the depth and complexity of this law.

V.9 Chapter 713: Master Mo's Choice

Upon returning to his homeland, Kai decided to stay for a while. No one knew of his return, and Shuo had not announced the arrival of an important guest. It could be said that Kai was simply spending peaceful mortal days with his grandfather and friend. After a few days, Master Mo sincerely declared that he would soon stop taking life-prolonging pills and proudly face his end. Naturally, this caused pain in Kai's heart, but he understood that it was the old man’s conscious choice.

Master Mo said he wanted to spend one more month with Kai and then humbly finish his journey. He even joked that he didn’t want to become a burden on Kai’s mind by making him witness his death with a happy smile on his face. He wanted to show him that there was nothing frightening or sorrowful in it.

During these moments, Shuo could only sigh heavily and pat Kai on the back. But deep down, he was also on the old man’s side. Shuo understood that he, too, would one day have to make the same decision. His path differed from Kai’s, and he would not be able to keep advancing further and further. Even though their lower world had been unsealed five hundred years ago and the quality of energy had noticeably improved, Shuo himself had been shaped in the old world. And now, he had many responsibilities that he couldn’t abandon to embark on a free journey like Kai.

During this period, Kai spent time with Shuo separately, sharing stories about the higher world and its vastness. He talked about his adventures, the masters at the next levels of cultivation, and much more. Kai also explained how, in the higher world, the focus shifts from mastering techniques to mastering one’s own law. All of this inspired Shuo, yet it also felt somewhat distant to him. The monk consciously created a mental distance from these events, not allowing himself false hopes.

However, he couldn’t convince Kai that he didn’t need resources from the higher world. Kai generously gifted Shuo various pills and energy beads to help him cultivate. After all, Shuo still had a chance to break through to the Law Sphere. He had about five hundred years left in the Core Sphere.

But not everything can be solved with resources…

“By the way, Shuo… I haven’t asked, but you must know about my brother Diso,” Kai said, swirling the wine in his cup and looking up at his companion.

As soon as the question was asked, Shuo sighed heavily, already signaling bad news to Kai. Although Kai had been prepared for the answer for a long time, he hadn’t dared to ask. All these days, the question had been swirling in Kai’s thoughts, and he had tried to put it off until the last moment.

“Kai… You understand that Diso and Yao didn’t have the potential to break through to the Core Sphere. And for everyone who didn’t manage to ascend to that realm, five hundred years is too long a life span…” Shuo began, choosing his words carefully. “But I must say, their partnership shone throughout their lives as they enjoyed every moment,” he added with a smile, full of intrigue.

As soon as those words were spoken, memories connected with those two began to surge in Kai’s mind. They were both very similar to each other, especially in adulthood, when Kai had last seen them…

Among the memories that filled Kai’s mind were moments of laughter, sincere conversations, and the insurmountable challenges they had overcome together. Diso and Yao were not just companions; they had become much more, turning into brothers not by blood, but by spirit. Moreover, Diso had been Kai’s first friend, forever occupying a special place in Kai’s heart.

With Diso, Kai had shared countless adventures, starting with their first clumsy steps on the path of cultivation and ending with great deeds in the Border Beast City. They had laughed together, fought together, and most importantly—grown together, facing the endless trials of the cultivation world side by side.

Kai recalled the moment when Yao and Diso decided to unite and become sworn brothers after discovering their common bond with him. Despite differences in character and strength, Kai, Diso, and Yao had found common ground that made them close friends.

In Kai’s soul, the moments they celebrated together were particularly vivid—when they drank until they passed out from too much alcohol. Back then, when they said their goodbyes, Kai didn’t know if they would ever see each other again.

Reflecting on those days, Kai realized that his relationships with loved ones had played a significant role in shaping who he was today.

“Their partnership shone? I’d like to hear about that. Heh-heh…” Kai said melancholically, trying not to focus on the fact that both of his friends had already departed from the world of the living.

Seeing the interest in Kai’s eyes, Shuo smiled and began to speak:

“After you left for the higher world, they didn’t waste a single day. They took on the responsibility of developing the city of Intercontinental Breeze, which initially was no more than a small trading settlement at the crossroads between the Heavenly and Unholy Continents. Their visionary approach and unwavering determination turned the city into one of the most prosperous places in our world.

“In the beginning,” Shuo continued. “The city faced many challenges: power struggles and economic instability, provoked by various disagreements between the forces in our world. But Diso and Yao were true masters at resolving conflicts and strategic planning. Yao used his unique skills in running the black market, while Diso applied his knowledge of trade to strengthen the city’s economy.

“Soon,” Shuo paused to take a sip of tea. “Intercontinental Breeze became known as a trading hub where merchants from all corners of the world gathered. Diso and Yao created a system of trade alliances that ensured a steady flow of resources and goods to the city. They also introduced innovations in education and culture, making the city not only an economic center but also a cultural one. I should mention that, thanks to Yao, the city became another center of entertainment in our world.

“Their mastery in governance and business was so impressive that even the rulers of the Heavenly and Unholy Continents couldn’t ignore Intercontinental Breeze. Over time, thanks to their efforts, the city gained autonomy and became an independent state, governed personally by Diso and Yao.

“However, the event they were most proud of,” Shuo smiled as he said this. “Was the creation of a grand festival that annually attracted cultivators and guests from all over the world. They called it the Intercontinental Breeze Festival. For a month, the city was immersed in a celebration of music, art, and cuisine. There was also a grand cultivators’ competition that drew the strongest warriors from both continents. This event not only brought in huge revenues, but also elevated the city’s status as a center of world culture and craftsmanship.

“But the most important day of this festival is the Day of the Immortal Drunkard! A day when everyone drinks until the last drop and celebrates a hero of the past, whose statue stands tall in the center of the city!” Shuo said with a laugh, winking cheerfully at Kai.

As soon as these words were spoken, Kai felt a pang in his chest, followed by warmth spreading throughout his body…

“Those two, always in their element… Heh-heh…” Kai replied with a genuinely happy smile.

“For three hundred years of their lives, extended by pills, Diso and Yao transformed Intercontinental Breeze into a true wonder. Their legend lives on to this day, and their names are respected and honored in every corner of the world, just like yours. They were not only great strategists and businessmen, but also wise rulers who always put the well-being of their people first.”

Shuo finished his story, and a glimmer of deep respect for Kai’s two friends, who had managed to change the world around them despite not being fearsome martial artists, flickered in his eyes.

“Their graves are in Intercontinental Breeze?” Kai asked, sighing heavily and looking up at the sky.

“Yes. Be sure to visit them before you leave. I think you’ll be pleased with what you see,” Shuo said with a hint of intrigue. “But first, spend the remaining time with Patriarch Mo. All these years, he believed he would see you again, and he waited until the very end. I think your return has finally given him the catharsis he needed to die peacefully,” he added seriously.

“It couldn’t be any other way. I’m grateful to the Universe that I at least got to see my old man alive. All my friends, except you, are dead, and I won’t even be able to visit some of their graves,” Kai replied with a sad smile.

“Everyone has their own path and opportunities. You were destined from the start for great things. And I can’t say that I envy you… A fate like yours can be far more difficult than the life of an ordinary mortal…” Shuo said philosophically. “A life that’s too long provokes an endless search for meaning. But sometimes, I think there might be no meaning at all,” he added, shrugging.

“Maybe there isn’t any meaning, but there are mysteries I want to unravel. No matter how hard it gets, I’ll always find something to keep myself interested. So even if there’s no meaning, I think you can make one up for yourself,” Kai replied with a smile and a wink.

Time slowly passed, and Kai spent every day with Old Master Mo. From the moment he stopped taking life-prolonging pills, his body visibly changed. It seemed that with each passing day, his strength left him, his back became more hunched, and his body grew thinner. But even this decline couldn’t extinguish the light and happiness in the old man’s eyes. He still laughed, shouted curses, and made crude jokes.

Today, Master Mo lay in a large bed, breathing heavily, and Kai sat beside him, smiling as he held his hand.

“My time is coming soon, my grandson,” Mo said with a smile. “I’ve seen much in my life, and meeting you was the brightest event in my difficult journey. But now… I realize that the happiest moment will be the culmination of my path. I’ll be able to die with a smile, holding the hand of my beloved grandson,” the old man said, tears of happiness rolling down his face.

Seeing this, Kai squeezed the old man’s hand tighter. He didn’t intend to hold back, and tears began to roll down his face as well. He looked at his teacher with a smile and said:

“The feeling is mutual, Grandfather. I love you, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. Even if I live for hundreds of thousands of years, I will always remember you,” Kai said sincerely and laughed through his sobs.

“And I love you, rascal. After my death, this feeling will belong to you forever. Don’t forget your old grandfather. Heh-heh,” Mo replied with a laugh, his tone lighthearted.

That night, the air in the room felt especially still, as if nature itself held its breath in anticipation of the inevitable. Master Mo looked at Kai one last time, his eyes filled with wisdom and love. In his gaze, there was no sadness about leaving, but rather joy—joy of a meeting with peace and tranquility that comes after a long and fulfilling journey.

Kai, whose heart was overflowing with emotions, gently held the old man’s hand, as if trying to transfer part of his strength, his spirit, to somehow ease his final transition. But deep down, he knew that this farewell was necessary, that it was part of a much greater path that everyone must walk alone.

“Your lessons, your love, your stories will always stay with me, Grandfather. You taught me not only strength but also wisdom, compassion, and acceptance,” Kai said, his voice trembling with emotion. “You were more than a teacher to me…”

Master Mo smiled, his eyes slowly closing, his breathing becoming barely noticeable. At that moment, it seemed the entire room filled with light, warm and comforting, enveloping them both like a promise of eternal peace and an unbreakable bond of souls.

When the last breath slipped through the old lips of Master Mo, a smile remained on his face—the smile of a man who had lived a life full of meaning, the smile of someone who did not fear death.

Kai, bowing his head, allowed himself to cry, paying tribute to his departed teacher. But in his tears, there was no despair, only gratitude for all the years lived, for all the lessons and moments they had shared. He knew that true love and memory never die, and that Master Mo would always be with him as long as his soul lived.

That night marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. Kai felt the strength and wisdom of his grandfather flowing into him, like a final gift before the great departure.

When the first rays of morning sunlight entered the room, they found Kai sitting in deep thought next to Master Mo’s body. In his heart reigned silence, peace, and an unshakable determination for the path ahead!

V.9 Chapter 714: Heroes of the Past

After the death and burial of Master Mo, Kai spent some more time in the Shadow Sect, talking with Shuo. He had spent several months in the lower world, and considering the journey there and back, he had been away for almost a year. Kai knew that the time to return to the Poison Mysteries Sect was approaching.

“I suppose we won’t meet again,” Shuo said with a resigned smile, watching Kai prepare to leave.

“Who knows? Maybe you'll break through to the Law Sphere. Then, we might meet again,” Kai replied with a laugh, spreading his arms wide.

Seeing this gesture, the monk calmly approached Kai and embraced him in return. After they patted each other on the back, it was time to say their goodbyes...

“I was glad to see you, Brother Shuo. Even more glad to see that you're doing well,” Kai said with a nod.

“The feeling is mutual, Brother Kai. I hope that your future journey will be just as thrilling but also safer for you,” Shuo replied, also nodding.

“Safer? Brother Shuo, have you forgotten my talent for finding trouble? Heh-heh,” Kai joked, raising one eyebrow in mock seriousness.

“True enough... Then I hope you at least outlive me. Ha-ha-ha!” the monk countered with a loud laugh.

After exchanging a few more words, Kai took off and disappeared from Shuo's sight in an instant. At that moment, the monk was certain that this was their final meeting. In his hand, he held a ring filled with many valuable items for cultivation that Kai had left for him. But even so, Shuo understood that Kai’s next round of adventures might last too long, even for someone in the Law Sphere…

At that moment, Kai was flying not toward the starry space but toward the Unholy Continent. He still remembered where the Intercontinental Breeze, the city founded by Diso and Yao, was located. He couldn’t just leave his homeworld without visiting his friends' graves. Kai even knew what kind of alcohol he wanted to “drink” with them.

With Kai's level of cultivation, reaching the territory of another continent was not difficult. Within minutes, he saw a massive city on the ocean shore, comparable in size to the Shadows City. Although it didn’t possess the power of a sect, its strategic importance ensured that masters from all corners of the teralith would visit. This trend accumulated all the wealth and entertainment right here.

Kai flew toward the city center, concealing himself from the local masters' sight. He landed quietly, remaining unnoticed by the local inhabitants. As he approached, a smile appeared on his face, for in the central square, he saw a massive statue towering above the rooftops...

“Those rascals…” Kai thought with a heavy sigh.

Before him stood a colossal statue of himself. The sculpture’s face bore a mischievous grin, and in its hand was a wine jug. It seemed that they had deliberately depicted him as slightly cunning and willful. The statue of Kai evoked a sense of freedom and irrepressibility.

Just then, a beautiful young woman leading a group of people and a few nature spirits walked past him. She pointed to the statue and explained:

“This is the legendary hero of the past—the Immortal Drunkard. I’m sure you all know about him and his contribution to the beginning of the era of prosperity.”

But suddenly, a young man from the human race interrupted the girl:

“I’ve also heard that cultivating used to be more difficult. They say the Immortal Drunkard broke through to the higher realm and simultaneously shattered the chains of our world. Since then, the quality of energy has increased significantly. Is that true?”

“That’s a fact. Many rulers of that time mentioned it, and there are numerous reliable records preserved,” the girl confirmed with a nod. “But what you may not know…” she added with an intriguing smile. “Is that the Immortal Drunkard was a sworn brother to the two founders of this city! That’s why they immortalized him! There are even many city tales about the events of the annual festival,” she laughed as she added this.

“Oh? And what are those tales?”

“I’m curious too…” several masters chimed in, intrigued by the story.

At that moment, Kai quietly slipped into the group and revealed his appearance. He did it so seamlessly that no one even realized another person had joined the tour.

“Let’s move on to the next point, and along the way, I’ll tell you about the drunken tirades of Head Diso,” the girl said with a laugh, leading the group onward.

As the group followed the guide, Kai’s gaze wandered through the streets of Intercontinental Breeze. He observed the changes that had taken place over the centuries. The city, once small and unremarkable, now buzzed with life and activity. Kai couldn’t help but marvel at how his friends had transformed this place into a flourishing center of culture and commerce.

“They say that during the Intercontinental Breeze Festival, Head Diso often drank to the point where he began recounting his adventures with the Immortal Drunkard,” the guide continued. “His stories were full of humor and warmth, revealing their friendship and mutual support in the most incredible situations. People would gather around him, hanging on his every word and, of course, drinking. It’s said that in those moments, the entire city was enveloped in an atmosphere of joy and unity.”

As the group moved through the city, they passed various landmarks—from majestic marketplaces to quiet, secluded alleys, each carrying a piece of Intercontinental Breeze’s history. But the most impressive sight for Kai was their stop at a luxurious and well-tended garden.

“And now…” the guide said, stopping at the garden entrance. “We’ve arrived at one of the most touching places in the city. Here lie the crypts of the founders of Intercontinental Breeze, and behind them is a sculpture composition symbolizing eternal friendship!”

The group slowly entered the garden, and Kai saw two crypts adorned with exquisite reliefs and symbols reflecting the lives and achievements of Diso and Yao. But the most remarkable feature was the sculpture composition between the crypts: three figures sitting on the ground—Diso and Yao on either side, facing the central figure, a statue of Kai raising his cup. All three figures were depicted as if they were laughing and drinking together, recreating the joyful moments of their friendship.

“This composition was created according to the will of Diso and Yao,” the guide continued. “They wanted to be remembered not only as great founders, but also as loyal friends who cherished every moment spent together. And, of course, they wanted everyone to remember their brotherhood with the Immortal Drunkard, who was not just a friend to them but a true brother in spirit.”

Listening to these words, Kai felt his heart swell with pride and warmth. He stepped closer, touching each of the sculptures in turn with his hand. At that moment, it was as if he could feel the presence of his friends. It was like magic—a moment when time stood still, and he was once again beside Diso and Yao, sharing the joys and sorrows of life.

“Thank you, my friends,” Kai whispered quietly, a melancholic smile on his face. “For everything you did for me. I promise that our friendship will live on forever.”

Standing before the statues, surrounded by the greenery of the well-kept garden, Kai felt his soul fill with peace and tranquility. Though his friends had left this world, they would always be with him—in his heart, in his memories, in the legends of Intercontinental Breeze. Just like all the others with whom he had once forged bonds...

But at that moment, the guide’s cautious voice broke the silence. She awkwardly muttered:

“Excuse me, sir… These statues are not to be touched; please, let’s move along…”

Hearing this, Kai slowly turned to her, a smile on his face. It seemed that his emotions had caused him to momentarily lose control of his aura. In that instant, all the tour participants turned to look at him, as if sensing the presence of something extraordinary, as if a deity had appeared before them!

“Don’t worry, I’ll be leaving soon,” Kai said with a smile, a beautiful jade jug appearing in his hand.

And before the guide could say anything, Kai uncorked it, releasing an incredible aroma that instantly enveloped the entire garden! As soon as the people breathed it in, their legs gave way, and their faces flushed. This was alcohol from the higher world, from the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen! Every breath the mortals took sent them into a dreamlike state!

In less than a second, everyone present had collapsed to the ground, falling asleep with smiles on their faces. Kai wasn’t afraid of harming them; on the contrary, this event would even benefit their cultivation. Perhaps, upon waking, many of them would feel they had overcome their cultivation blockages.

Kai knew he couldn’t stay here too long, and there was no reason to…

He turned to the statues and carefully filled the cups in the hands of Diso and Yao’s sculptures, then his own. Taking a deep breath, Kai drained his cup in one gulp and poured the remaining wine onto the ground before the statues, symbolizing that the three of them had once again shared a drink together. This gesture reunited the friends in a common act, even if it was only symbolic.

“Diso, Yao…” Kai said in a quiet but warm voice. “You will always be in my heart. Our journey together was full of joy and laughter. You taught me to cherish every moment, and I will never forget the time we spent together. Rest in peace, my friends. Your memory will live on forever, as will our friendship!”

After these words, Kai slowly stepped back, a happy smile lighting up his face. With ease and grace, as if he felt an incredible sense of relief, he soared into the sky, leaving behind only a faint trace of his aura. The moment was so magical that even the air seemed saturated with something special.

When the wine’s scent faded and the group awoke, they felt an unusual lightness in their bodies and clarity in their minds. They looked at each other, trying to understand what had happened, and only then did their gazes return to the sculptures. In shock and awe, they realized that the mysterious man who had uncorked the wine earlier bore an uncanny resemblance to the Immortal Drunkard depicted in the statue.

“This… This can’t be real…” the guide whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. “He looked so much like him… But that’s impossible!”

“Maybe it was the spirit of the Immortal Drunkard, coming to say goodbye to his friends?” one of the tour participants mused, quickly spinning a strange theory.

Rumors of this unusual event quickly spread throughout Intercontinental Breeze, adding a new, mysterious chapter to its history. And the legend of the Immortal Drunkard, Diso, and Yao gained new life, inspiring generations of cultivators to great deeds. But, of course, Kai would never know this...

V.9 Chapter 715: The Role of Life in the Universe

As Kai flew through the starry expanse, drawing closer to the Poison Mysteries Sect, he found himself deeply immersed in thoughts about what had transpired in the lower world. The realm of stars was calm and silent, providing him with the perfect opportunity to reflect on the three different concepts of death he had encountered in such a short period of time.

The first was the moment when all his loved ones in the Poison Mysteries Sect were killed because of him. This death was brutal and sudden, snuffing out many innocent lives. It left a deep wound in his soul, a reminder that every action can have far-reaching consequences. It was a death filled with grief, guilt, and irrevocable loss.

The second concept of death Kai faced was in the peaceful passing of Master Mo, who died right in his arms. This death was full of wisdom and acceptance, the end of a journey walked with dignity. Master Mo met his end with a smile, grateful for the moments spent with his beloved grandson. This death taught peace, acceptance, and the understanding that the end of one story is merely the beginning of another.

The third concept of death manifested in the passing of his brothers Diso and Yao, who died without ever seeing him again. But despite the separation, they remembered and loved him all their lives, leaving behind a legacy that forever tied them to Kai. Their death was filled with unspoken words but realized dreams and unyielding loyalty to friendship and brotherhood.

Kai pondered these three aspects of death, realizing how they intertwined with life, creating a mosaic of human existence. Each death taught him something, altering his views on life, on relationships between people, and on the value of each moment.

“Life and Death are two sides of the same coin,” he whispered into the starry silence. “One cannot exist without the other. We value life because we know of death. We strive to live fully because we understand that every moment could be our last.”

Kai realized that his path was not only an endless battle and cultivation, but also an understanding of what it means to be alive. Life is an opportunity to love, to learn, and to grow despite the inevitability of death. It was about embracing each day as a gift, a chance to leave behind something meaningful that would outlive him.

“In the end,” he continued. “The meaning of life isn't about avoiding death, but about living in such a way that every moment matters. For ourselves and for those who will remain after us.”

Kai flew on through the boundless starry space, carrying with him the memories of loved ones who had passed and the lessons he had learned from each encounter with death. He understood that his life was a journey filled with light and darkness, joy and sorrow, and that each step on this path made him stronger, wiser, and more complete.

Kai increasingly understood that the Craftsman's Heart Devourer had been right to help him safely return to his lower world. The brief reunion and final farewell to his origins had brought Kai numerous insights akin to a spiritual awakening.

Over the past month, during his journey through the starry space, Kai had come to realize something else that added a new dimension to his reflections on Life and Death. Beyond these two concepts, there was also an infinite, meaningless, yet all-encompassing void. This void, stretching between the stars and between worlds, seemed entirely separate from the concepts of Life and Death. It bore neither a beginning nor an end but was more a state of eternal nothingness.

As he pondered the void, Kai realized that life might be the only thing that can fill this endless emptiness with meaning. Life, with all its joys and sorrows, love and losses, seemed like a bright flash of light dispersing the darkness of the infinite starry space. This fragment of existence, a brief moment in eternity, became a source of meaning in the boundless void.

“Perhaps it is in this struggle with the void that the essence of existence lies,” Kai mused. “We strive for life because we instinctively feel that it brings meaning to the endless void. We create, love, dream, and suffer, filling this world with our stories so that when we depart, we leave behind something more than just a memory.”

Kai understood that the void, which seemed so terrifying and lifeless, was actually a canvas. A canvas on which every living soul could paint its story. It was a chance to defy the eternal nothingness, infusing it with a touch of light and warmth.

“Life is not just a journey from birth to death,” he continued his reflections. “It’s an opportunity to leave a mark on this canvas of emptiness, proof that we were here. We combat the meaninglessness with our actions.”

Kai realized that death is merely a transition to another state, while life is that very spark that illuminates the darkness, making the void less frightening, turning it into a place where anything is possible. And although each of us will eventually disappear into this endless void, the meaning we bring to the world through our existence remains eternal.

“Thus, the struggle with the void, the search for meaning within it, is nothing less than the essence of our existence,” Kai concluded. “And every moment of life is worth living, every farewell, every loss matters because they are part of the greater story of how we fill the void with meaning.”

At this moment, Kai felt a sense of oneness with infinity, understanding that his soul, his stories, and memories were but small parts of the grand fabric of the Universe, yet at the same time indispensable and important.

“Funny that among all the Laws of the Sphere of Essence, nothing is said about this void that obviously surrounds us all… Strange that I never thought about this before,” Kai suddenly thought, and then his face froze for a moment.

Kai's thoughts suddenly darkened as the overall picture based on his theories began to take shape…

In these reflections on life and the void, he recalled the Evil Gods, those beings whose actions seemed aimed at destroying all life. It seemed as if they were heralds of that very void, refusing to accept the colors and meanings with which life is filled. These deities appeared to be the cold and soulless embodiment of the void, seeking to destroy everything that gives the world meaning and value.

Kai felt an unimaginable evil emanating from these Gods, a cold that penetrated straight to the soul, evoking rejection and hatred. These Evil Gods seemed to embody the very absence of life, wishing to return the Universe to a state of primordial emptiness. They appeared to be the antithesis of everything that living beings represent.

“Why do they desire the destruction of all life?” Kai wondered. “Life is an endless opportunity for creation and exploration. But these Evil Gods, if they exist… They want only one thing—to consume everything into their infinite void, leaving behind only cold and quiet.”

The thought of such forces existing stirred a storm of emotions in Kai—from anger to despair. How can one fight against such absolute evil that desires nothing but destruction? How can one stand against an enemy for whom the concepts of Life and Death hold no meaning, an enemy striving solely to return all existence to its original state of nothingness?

At that moment, it seemed to Kai that the true meaning of the ancient war and the desires of the Rebellion Army of Life began to reveal themselves to him. Previously, the world seemed as if life was battling against death, trying to extend existence and gain greater power. But now Kai saw how wrong he had been...

Life and Death empower each other, but the absolute, all-consuming void stood apart. It seemed as if all living beings had unconsciously been fighting against a false opponent, while failing to see the real enemy…

At that moment, a piercing clarity enveloped Kai. He realized that his path would inevitably lead him to the Ancient Battlefield, a place where the echoes of great battles between the living and the void still reverberate in the emptiness of worlds. Kai felt as if his fate had been predetermined from the very moment he received the Sphere of Essence as an infant. This artifact, which appeared by his cradle on the riverbank, had always been more than just an object of power. It was a key to understanding the deep laws of the Universe and perhaps held answers to questions Kai had not yet asked.

The Sphere of Essence didn’t just grant him power; it seemed to hint at the path he was destined to follow, the trials he was meant to overcome. Kai sensed that he alone, the bearer of this strange artifact, was capable of uncovering the true nature of the conflict between life and the void, of finding the truth that would ultimately allow life to prevail.

“The Evil Gods, who serve the side of eternal meaninglessness, desire only desolation…” Kai reflected. “But it is life that gives this void meaning, turning it from an endless nothingness into something fascinating and wondrous. And if I am to stand in defense of this spark of life, then I will accept that challenge!”

Now it seemed that every moment of Kai’s life, every trial, and every victory was not random. They were steps on the path to understanding his role in the great struggle against the void. Suddenly, a sense of mission filled him not only with resolve but also with peace.

“My struggle is not just my own,” Kai concluded. “It is the struggle of every living being, standing on the side of life against the senseless void. I don’t know who decided to pass the Sphere of Essence to me, but it is certainly connected to the Creator of Energy. And now I am even more certain that I must continue the battle our ancestors began!”

An unwavering confidence was born in Kai’s heart. Previously, he was driven solely by the goal of uncovering the nature of the Sphere of Essence. But now he had another, grander goal—to understand whether the Evil Gods still lived. And if they did, to find a way to fight them, to wrest all life from the dominion of the void!

Kai, deep in thought, suddenly noticed a shimmering teleportation platform on the horizon. With each moment, as he drew closer to the platform, Kai felt a new sensation growing within him—a feeling of the completion of a karmic cycle and the beginning of something entirely new, something wholly his own.

He felt as if Death, which had taken the lives of his loved ones, had at the same time freed him from invisible bonds that had tied him to the past. This release allowed him to step onto a new level of understanding—the understanding that his path, his battle, his true mission was just beginning. Kai realized that now, with all his karmic ties dissolved, he had gained complete freedom of action, full responsibility for his path and decisions. And though it might sound cynical, he felt a sense of gratitude to Death for this harsh opportunity!

Kai understood that the Sphere of Essence, this strange artifact that had crossed his path at the very start of his life, held within it the keys not only to his own fate, but also to the fate of the entire Universe. He felt that his mission was not simply to fight the Evil Gods, but to come to an understanding of how life can flourish even on the brink of absolute nothingness.

As he approached the portal, Kai felt the vibrations of the Sphere of Essence beginning to resonate with his flesh, energy, and spirit. It seemed like a sign that his path was true and that his quests and aspirations had meaning.

Kai felt as though he was no longer the person he had been before visiting his home world. He felt that ahead of him lay trials, perhaps more difficult than anything he had faced before. But now he feared none of them. Kai was ready to embrace his destiny, full of determination to forge his path through darkness toward light, through death toward life, through the void toward meaning!

V.9 Chapter 716: You're Getting Sentimental

Kai walked calmly through the streets of the Teralith of Poisonous Mystery, cloaked in a black mantle, not revealing even a trace of his energy. The artifact from the Craftsman's Heart Devourer was still active, and he was heading straight for the mansion.

“It’s been just over a year since our last conversation. But seeing representatives from all the regions, it’s clear that the journey to the gates at the Ancient Battlefield hasn’t begun yet…” Kai thought to himself as he observed his surroundings.

To a mortal, it might seem as if the elders were needlessly dragging out time, since they could have long since ventured to the passage and started studying the records there. But the lifespan of the Law Devourers allowed them to view a year as a mere moment. They had no need to hurry...

Kai had already contacted the old man and knew that he was expected. As soon as he entered the mansion, he removed his concealing cloak and the artifact, as the building was under the complete control of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer. No one would be able to spy on what was happening inside.

Opening the large jade doors, Kai saw the familiar old man with cloudy eyes, watching him closely.

“Greetings, elder!” Kai said respectfully, dropping to one knee and folding his fist into his palm.

“I can sense something different in your aura. It seems that your journey to your home world had a beneficial effect. Have you completed your mental transformation? Found the answers to the questions that tormented you?” the old man inquired immediately.

“Yes. Thanks to your help, I was able to see and experience exactly what I was missing. Now, I am fully confident in my goals and what I need to do next,” Kai replied respectfully, nodding.

There was genuine gratitude in Kai’s voice because, without the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, he might not have been able to witness Master Mo dying with a smile on his face. If Kai had arrived too late, he might have heard a tragic tale of how his grandfather had waited for him all his life but died with regrets, never seeing his grandson even once more.

“That’s good. It seems you’ve finally taken the last step, mentally becoming a martial artist of the higher world. There are still many challenges ahead, but now you will perceive them differently,” the old man replied with a slight smile, nodding.

Immediately after, he rose from his luxurious chair and moved directly toward Kai. He gently grasped his forearm, lifting him from the floor.

“I think in a few more months, we’ll finally head to the Ancient Battlefield,” the old man said calmly, clearly pleased with Kai’s progress.

Kai also noticed that the old man had started using terms and names that appeared in the records of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. Previously, the elders hadn’t referred to the site of the ancient war as the Ancient Battlefield.

“It’s good that I managed to return in time,” Kai said with a smile, then immediately asked. “Have you learned anything interesting?”

“In short—there is a small pocket world on the border of our universe that looks like the interior of an ancient temple. The space inside is labyrinthine and contains some dangers, but I don’t think that will be a problem…” the old man murmured thoughtfully before his expression darkened. “But the next stage is far more difficult…” he added, frowning.

“Could you tell me more, or is this information not meant for my ears?” Kai asked respectfully, maintaining proper deference.

The old man’s words intrigued Kai, and he wanted to know more. Previously, he had read many records from the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction, but there had been no mention of a temple. Perhaps it was simply not the focus of his studies, or the records about it had remained with Lilorin’s body...

“After advancing to the innermost part of the temple, we will arrive at a large platform with three spheres floating above it. According to this Overlord of Inevitable Destruction, a symbol of unique writing must be inscribed on each of them…” the old man responded without hesitation.

“Writing? What kind of writing is it? Something like the language of the higher world?” Kai asked, pretending to be naïve.

“Based on what we’ve read and discussed, it seems to be a kind of script used to write our laws. Perhaps this Overlord didn’t fully understand it at the time, so his assumptions aren’t entirely accurate... But after hearing your stories and the events in that pocket world of the Creator of Energy, it’s clear that this is the script of the three types of laws,” the Devourer said with all seriousness and certainty.

At that moment, Kai’s eyes lit up with surprise. These elders were truly formidable masters. It took them almost no time to grasp the true nature of the situation. However, even for them, there was one critical problem that needed solving…

“Just as I suspected, Lilorin didn’t have the symbols for all three systems of writing…” Kai thought, understanding why the old man was so troubled.

“One of the spheres can be activated by any master who has reached the Law Sphere by inscribing the symbols from their core on it. The second symbol we found in the records should activate the second sphere, but it’s unclear to which cultivation system it belongs. And as for the third symbol... it’s unknown…” the old man calmly explained, lost in deep thought.

“So, what do you plan to do?” Kai asked with interest, realizing this was a similar dead end that the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction had previously encountered.

“First, we’ll locate this passage and examine it. If all attempts to open it fail, we’ll set out in search of the third symbol. After all, if a master at the Law Overlord Sphere managed it, the regions of the universe should be able to as well. Each sect regularly explores ancient pocket worlds and discovers many interesting things. I believe something useful must be lying around in someone’s archives,” the old man explained, just as Kai’s clone entered the room.

At that moment, the clone had become useless since the real Kai had returned. When the clone approached the old man, he placed his hand on it and infused some energy, disrupting the flow of its internal energy channels. Immediately after, the fake Kai reverted to a golden sphere as if it had never existed.

“Take it. A gift for the future. Keep the bracelet too; it might be helpful someday,” the old man said impassively, handing the artifact to Kai.

“Thank you, elder!” Kai responded with surprise and joy, accepting the gifts humbly. Although these items might seem like trinkets, they would be incredibly useful if he ever needed to deceive not masters of the Law Devourers Sphere but, say, Overlords.

After exchanging a few more words with the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, Kai slowly left the mansion. The old man instructed Kai to train for the next six months and to absorb another Spiritual Fire. It seemed he was deeply interested in seeing Kai gradually advance in strength.

As he moved through the familiar yet now detested city streets, Kai calmly contemplated his next steps:

“I suspect that when the elders reach the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield, they’ll fail. Afterward, all the masters of the Region of Energy will leave, searching for the signs of the spiritual law script. I wonder how long that will take…”

But at that moment, a soft female voice echoed in Kai’s mind. All this time, Kessia had remained silent, careful not to interfere with Kai’s spiritual reflections, giving him time to ponder. She understood better than anyone that during such spiritual transformations and new emotions, a master needed to be alone.

“How are you feeling, Kai?” she asked briefly.

“Oh? It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you, my queen!” Kai replied joyfully in his thoughts. “I feel strange… It’s a mix of satisfaction, acceptance, but also bitterness. Visiting the lower world has left a permanent mark on my soul and a new understanding,” Kai honestly shared his emotions with Kessia, not trying to evade or pretend that he was indifferent.

“That’s superb… As the Craftsman's Heart Devourer said, we all go through a similar catharsis at some point,” Kessia calmly responded, as if sharing Kai’s emotions.

“Did you experience something similar?” Kai asked with interest.

“Of course. I had many close siblings who, unfortunately, didn’t share my talent. I witnessed the deaths of many loved ones, from peaceful to horrifying. At some point, you gain understanding and enlightenment regarding Life and Death. But each person must go through this trial on their own,” Kessia said, as if recalling days long past.

Kai was deeply surprised by this response because Kessia had never spoken about her past, her family, or such things before. Even though she had deep feelings for Kai, she had never revealed her past. Kai had accepted this, never prying into her soul, waiting for the moment when she would decide to share her secrets.

“What’s gotten into you? I didn’t think you’d share something about your past…” Kai murmured in surprise.

“Some things aren’t worth sharing unless the listener can fully understand them. Otherwise, you’re just sharing important events for nothing, devaluing them…” Kessia replied seriously, not trying to dodge the subject.

Their communication had long become open and sincere, based on mutual respect, trust, and, to some extent, love. Even if there were secrets between them, they were sacred, kept only for oneself. Kai was the same way, not revealing the full truth about the Sphere of Essence and other matters…

“Maybe you’re feeling sentimental because you sense that returning home isn’t far off?” Kai joked with a laugh, trying to lighten the melancholic mood he had set.

“Maybe you’re right…” Kessia replied with a smile. “Although I understand it won’t happen tomorrow or even in a hundred years… Being sealed in a book in the lower world, I had almost no chance of returning home. I comforted myself, but deep down, I always had doubts. Our meeting truly seems like fate,” she added with a smile.

“Of course, it’s fate! The moment I saw you, I knew I needed such a beautiful woman! See, I’m willing to do anything for you, even return you to your home world!” Kai replied, laughing as he reverted to his playful and unserious nature.

“Sure, but first of all, you do everything for yourself. As if I don’t know you…” Kessia said with a smile, rolling her eyes.

“I won’t deny that’s true. But restoring you to your home world and recreating your body is at the top of my list, right after my personal plans. Heh-heh,” Kai teased, feeling Kessia’s smile in his Spiritual Sea.

It might have sounded arrogant, but the truth was that everyone thought of themselves first. Masters who had lived long lives understood well that this was neither good nor bad—it was simply the nature and order of things. And those who denied it were either deceiving themselves or placing others' ambitions above their own, consciously or unconsciously submitting.

V.9 Chapter 717: The Edge of the Universe

While the elders prepared for departure, Kai fully immersed himself in cultivation, focusing on absorbing Spiritual Fire. In his remaining time, he alternated between cultivating three techniques, further developing his three laws.

One day, Kai heard a command from the Craftsman's Heart Devourer echo in his mind. As soon as it happened, Kai sprang to his feet and resolutely declared:

“The time has come to journey to the Ancient Battlefield!”

“It’s been over thirty thousand years... I will be closer to my home world than I’ve been in all that time,” Kessia said with a smile.

Kai didn’t respond or react outwardly, calmly exiting the mansion and unceremoniously taking to the air. Flight was forbidden on the Teralith of Poisonous Mystery, but Kai didn’t care in the slightest. Soon, they would be leaving this place, and considering his current status, no one would dare challenge him.

“One day, I’ll settle my score with this place, and with the War Flame Devourer too…” Kai thought coldly, sealing and setting aside the thought for later.

When Kai arrived at the mansion of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, the other members of the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen were already there, gathered beneath a massive golden rock hovering in the air. The old man waved his hand, and in an instant, everyone, including Kai, vanished as they were transported into the inner space of the craft.

That day, the residents of the Teralith of Poisonous Mystery witnessed their guests ascending into the sky, finally departing from the sect’s territory. In truth, this brought a great sense of relief to many, as it had been difficult to coexist in the same space with such legendary beings for the past two years.

Inside the golden rock, everyone stood before the stern old man, who silently surveyed them with his gaze. After a brief pause, he finally spoke:

“I estimate that we will reach our destination in a few months. As it turns out, the Ancient Battlefield isn’t that far from here. But that’s not surprising, considering that the Teralith of Poisonous Mystery is closest to the edge of the universe, at least in the Evil Realm Region.”

These words didn’t surprise Kai, as everything seemed logical to him. When the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction fled back to the Region of Energy Domination, he flew as far as he could before landing on Kai’s home teralith. Thus, one could infer the location of the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield.

“First, we’ll search the palace where the passage is located. Perhaps with our level of cultivation, we’ll find something that the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction couldn’t,” the old man added calmly before ordering everyone to prepare.

After the brief instructions, Kai, true to his habits, retreated to a cultivation room. But as soon as he sat down, a scene of a couple peacefully lying beside each other suddenly flashed in his mind.

During his journey to and from his home teralith, Kai spent time in his world ring. Now, it held the remains of two people… the bodies of Corvus and Lilorin, who had finally been reunited. It looked as though they were merely sleeping, as their bodies had not changed since the moment of their deaths.

This scene was like a sudden enlightenment that revealed to Kai yet another perspective on death. He was surprised at how often he had recently been confronted with the concepts of Life and Death...

“Life and Death are the fourth law, the fruit of creation of the supreme triad of laws: time-space, fortune, and will. Fortune and the will to evolve within the infinity of time give birth to entities and lead them into oblivion,” Kai mentally recited as he plunged into deep thought.

Kai’s inner monologue stretched across myriad thoughts as he pondered the newly revealed paths of the Law of Life and Death. The image of Corvus and Lilorin, who seemed to continue their story beyond the threshold of death, stirred deep reflections in him about the nature of existence and infinity.

“Death, as the end of life, is merely an illusion, a limit of our perception…” Kai began, his thoughts drifting toward the idea that the life of each being is not just a sequence of events but something more.

“Every moment, every action, leaves behind a vibration that continues to exist in the universe, forming its fabric. Thus, life does not end with physical death; it becomes part of the universal flow of existence. It’s as if life accumulates knowledge and strength through itself to combat the void and chaos.”

He envisioned how the stories created in life become an inseparable part of the universal memory, continuing to live and evolve, influencing future generations and events, even if unconsciously.

“Our actions, words, and thoughts don’t disappear into nothingness; they transform, becoming eternal companions of the universe, an integral part of it... Even the Laws that were developed before allow followers to grasp them more easily…”

“In this way, death ceases to be an end and becomes a transition, a point of fusion between the individual and the collective, the particular and the infinite. In this lies its unspeakable beauty and grandeur—the ability to be a bridge between the world of the living and the universe as a whole,” Kai continued, his gaze now filled with yet another layer of understanding, and in his heart, a new confidence in the inevitability and significance of each moment of life began to grow.

“True wisdom lies in the realization that we are merely temporary custodians of the energy of life, which we pass on beyond time and space, weaving our thread into the grand tapestry of the universe’s fate. Our story, created in life, does not cease with our departure; it becomes part of the infinite cycle of life, transforming and giving new forms to existence. Forms that the Evil Gods sought to destroy!”

Finishing his reflections, Kai felt as though the last few years had not just been a transitional period in terms of the morality of a higher-world master—he had unconsciously delved deeper into understanding the Laws of Life and Death!

“No matter how much I deepen my understanding, it will only bring me slight benefits, just like the Law of Time-Space. These laws cannot be cultivated because they belong to the Evil Gods…” Kai thought, understanding that no one is allowed to develop these laws beyond the Law Overlord Sphere.

But that didn’t mean that some understanding of these laws couldn’t strengthen a master. For example, by delving into the Law of Time-Space, Kai could better control his Divine Dual Entropy Technique. And by immersing himself in the Laws of Life and Death, his personality underwent changes.

It seemed that in the universe, everything is interconnected, and one cannot ignore any of the great truths…

“I wonder what the Law of the Eternity of Will entails? It is the most mysterious concept for me right now... With all the others, I have either already encountered them or intuitively understand them on a superficial level... Will exists in all living and non-living things; it is like an intangible essence that drives all the laws of being... Hmm…” Kai pondered, drifting into deep thought.

Time flew by as Kai cultivated and reflected on the laws of the Sphere of Essence. But one day, he was suddenly interrupted by the old man’s call, summoning them all to the main hall. At that moment, Kai realized that the long-awaited moment was approaching!

Kai’s heart raced in anticipation. The Ancient Battlefield, a place shrouded in mysteries and legends, was now so close. This was the moment Kai had dreamed of since he first learned of it five hundred years ago. For the first time in many years of his journey and cultivation, Kai felt a thrill mixed with genuine awe at the impending discovery.

“Finally, I will see it with my own eyes! I never thought I would arrive here so soon…” Kai thought, rising to his feet and heading to the main hall.

In the main hall, the old man was already waiting for them, his face reflecting both calmness and expectation. The old man’s gaze met Kai’s, and at that moment, Kai understood that their adventure was only beginning.

“We’ve arrived,” the old man said calmly, and those words fueled a wave of emotion in Kai’s heart. “We will now exit into star space and open the passage to the pocket world. There may be some dangers there, but I don’t think they’ll be critical for us. Stay together, and everything will be fine. Prepare yourselves for the possibility that we may be here for a long time,” he added in one breath.

Kai nodded, his gaze filled with determination. Ahead lay answers to the questions he had been asking himself for centuries. He was ready for any challenges, and deep down, he hoped that these discoveries would bring him closer to understanding his personal mysteries, especially the Sphere of Essence.

As the group exited the space within the golden mountain, the starry expanse opened up before them, shimmering with all shades of darkness and light. Around them were the other Law Devourers and their followers. Everyone who had left the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen was present, including representatives from the Poison Mysteries Sect. No one could miss such an opportunity...

But Kai didn’t care about them; his attention was fixed on an entirely different spectacle...

“What is that…” he muttered in shock.

All the stars in the distance appeared distorted, as if reflected in a warped mirror, forming a strange wall of shifting space. The sight was breathtaking and evoked a profound sense of insignificance in the face of the universe’s infinity. This wall extended in all directions, forming a sphere around the Region of Energy Domination. However, the sphere was so enormous that to Kai, it seemed as though he was standing before an endless wall, with no hint of curvature in sight.

The Craftsman's Heart Devourer, noticing Kai’s gaze, addressed everyone:

“This is the boundary of our universe. It’s not a wall, but rather a zone of instability where space and time warp to such an extent that beyond it lies only death. Entering this boundary will tear you apart into tiny particles, regardless of your cultivation level. It all depends on how deep you can penetrate,” he said with utmost seriousness.

“We are standing at the threshold of the entrance to a pocket world located within this spatial distortion. So, you’ll have to endure a bit. But don’t worry; the passage isn’t deep enough to threaten your lives,” the old man warned before beginning to move forward.

Kai and the others were captivated by the “wall” of space. Many of those present were encountering such a phenomenon for the first time, and even the most experienced and powerful beings felt a sense of awe before the unknown.

Gathering, the Law Devourers and their followers slowly advanced toward the boundary, each step filling them with the feeling of entering something grand and unexplored. Kai, along with the rest, prepared to step beyond this boundary, drawing closer to the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield.

“If the Evil Gods could create such a barrier around the entire Region of Energy Domination... Does life even have a chance of resisting?” Kai thought, feeling a mix of terror and awe at the unimaginable power of the Evil Gods.

As soon as he touched this mysterious wall of space, Kai instantly felt an overwhelming pressure!

“Gah!” Kai coughed, suddenly spitting blood.

His body seemed on the verge of being torn apart under the influence of the warped space that enveloped them from all sides. He tried to resist, mobilizing all his inner energy for protection, but he realized that his efforts were in vain!

In the next moment, as if sensing his distress, the Craftsman's Heart Devourer surrounded Kai with his powerful energy. This energy, like a warm blanket, enveloped him, softening the pressure and providing protection from the tearing force of the warped space. Kai felt his body relax as the pressure decreased to a manageable level. Only now did he realize the terrifying pressure that existed here. And the deeper they went, the stronger it would become! Without possessing the level of an Overlord, even the first steps would be nearly impossible!

V.9 Chapter 718: Transcendent Pressure

A group of the strongest masters of the Region of Energy was making its way through the thick, oppressive space. Even under the protection of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer energy, Kai still felt immense pressure, as if the old man couldn’t entirely neutralize the surrounding forces.

Glancing around, Kai felt slightly disoriented, as the space was strange and inconsistent, with the visuals appearing as blurred and drifting stars.

“Damn, it feels like we’re not flying but swimming through thick liquid…” Kai thought, sensing the pressure intensifying with every passing minute.

At this moment, even the masters of the Law Overlord Sphere began to change their expressions. It was undoubtedly difficult for them to traverse the space at the edge of the Universe.

“Kessia, does your Region of Flesh also encounter a similar barrier? Or is it different?” Kai asked, trying to delve deeper into the situation.

“No, it’s identical. This only strengthens the belief that the Universe was indeed artificially divided because identical seals are placed on each domain,” the queen immediately replied, also carefully observing the progress of the expedition.

Among the entire group, only Kai and a few other masters were at the Law Transformation Sphere. The rest were at higher levels, so it was easier for them to withstand the atmosphere here.

“It seems we’ll be arriving at the destination soon…” Kai thought, noticing chaotic flows of laws, composed of the writings of all three systems.

Earlier, before entering the convoluted space, Kai had activated the Eyes of Essence. He couldn’t miss the chance to examine everything happening here in greater detail. As soon as he entered the thick space, he saw a faint presence of the three systems’ laws, as if they were seeping in from somewhere, yet not penetrating the regular space of the Region of Energy.

But the most surprising thing was that he also noticed several other types of “symbols”...

“These writings are too archaic... Could these be the writings of higher laws? It seems that the Law of the Uncertainty of Time-Space doesn’t belong to any of the three writing systems... As if it’s something else entirely,” Kai cautiously noted. “If my assumptions are correct, then the Causelessness of Luck Law, the Eternity of Will, as well as the Laws of Life and Death, stand apart from the laws that gave birth to all life in the Universe. Some can perceive them on a basic level, since these laws still partially exist in living beings…”

Now, various hypotheses about the nature of the Universe swirled in Kai’s mind. Masters who believed they were cultivating one of the five higher laws likely didn’t even realize they were developing a separate system. A system that no one was allowed to comprehend at the highest level, as they originally stood apart from living beings.

“Time-Space, Will, Luck, Life, and Death... These laws of the Universe oppose all life, specifically: Flesh, Energy, and Spirit…” Kai continued to ponder.

But at that moment, his thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning. The wild old man suddenly pointed forward and exclaimed:

“Do you feel it? It’s really there!” he shouted with a maniacal gleam in his eyes.

In the next second, red lightning spheres began forming ahead, their crackling sounds instilling fear in the heart! Kai felt even this unstable space begin to tremble!

“Boom!” a terrifying bolt of lightning struck in a single point!

“Paf! Kragh!” immediately, there was a pop followed by a crack, as if invisible glass had shattered into pieces.

Before everyone’s eyes, a gray vortex appeared, emitting an incredible aura and hovering in the midst of the unstable space... It was something archaic, wild, and chaotic... The aura it exuded was entirely atypical for the Region of Energy.

“Wow... The concentration and flow of various laws are literally pouring out into the outside world!” Kai thought in awe, watching with the Eyes of Essence.

He saw streams of various laws bursting from the vortex. Among them were several types of writings mixed in, but now they were not just symbols, but entire scripts! Kai’s pupils darted across this stream, searching for similarities between the writing systems. He tried to calculate how many unique types of laws could be distinguished...

“One... Two... Three... Four... Five... And also three systems: Flesh, Energy, and Spirit... My assumption was correct! The laws belonging to the Evil Gods have a separate nature! Although their presence is minuscule among the variety of other laws, it’s there nonetheless!” Kai mentally exclaimed, realizing he had made an incredible discovery.

It seemed there should be many more traces of the Evil Gods on the Ancient Battlefield than in the Region of Energy. Even when Kai saw the actions of arrays that distorted time and space, they worked based on energy. Through the power of energy, they influenced space. But these weren’t arrays using the law of time-space itself. It’s like a supreme master can create a rift in space or form a world ring with his power. With enough strength, you can influence every component of the Universe, but control it—certainly not!

At this moment, an unbearable desire arose in Kai’s heart to reach the Ancient Battlefield as soon as possible. If he could spend enough time there, he would gain incredible benefits.

“Not only is there a high concentration of laws of the three types, but I’ll also be able to observe the laws of the Evil Gods!” Kai exclaimed in excitement, clenching his fists.

The space around the gray vortex began to move, slowly sealing the rift created by the Devourer of Bloodthirsty Lightning. It seemed there was no time to waste...

“Well? Shall we enter?” the Craftsman's Heart Devourer calmly asked, looking at his “allies.”

“A master of the Law Overlord Sphere entered here. I don’t think we have anything to fear. Let’s begin the expedition,” the calm and serene voice of the Ice Star Devourer echoed. She gazed at the gray vortex with burning interest, a stark contrast to her cold tone.

“Kai, stay close to me... Although there shouldn’t be serious dangers inside, you’re still too weak!” the Craftsman's Heart Devourer said with utmost seriousness, sending Kai a mental message.

Upon hearing this, a sense of dread arose in Kai’s heart... He subconsciously glanced towards the War Flame Devourer, and in that instant, he felt an even greater surge of caution.

The fiery head of the War Flame Devourer was turned in his direction! It was hard to understand what emotions this being expressed since it had no facial features, but for some reason, Kai felt as if it was smiling.

“Pray, boy…” a cold, yet mischievous voice echoed in Kai’s mind.

Kai felt as if he had fallen under the gaze of a predator who had decided to toy with its prey. If Kai happened to cross its path, and the Craftsman's Heart Devourer wasn’t nearby, it could be considered his end!

Hearing this threat, Kai quickly averted his gaze and moved even closer to the old man. The latter, evidently, also understood that his subordinate had just been threatened. But there was no point in arguing...

“Stay close,” the old man briefly said to Kai, then turned to his subordinates. “Everyone, follow me! We’re entering this pocket world, which will lead us to the Ancient Battlefield!” he shouted loudly.

At this moment, similar scenes were occurring in other regions of the Region of Energy. Each Law Devourer addressed their subordinates, once again giving brief instructions.

After a short delay, the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest waved his hand again, releasing a black wind blade and cutting through the space. Instantly, the vortex, which had already begun to close, was opened once more! After that, all the groups flew straight into the gray vortex!

As soon as they got close enough, the gray vortex engulfed Kai, sucking him into its infinite depths with unimaginable force. The moment he crossed the unknown boundary between worlds, feeling time and space distort around him, the cold fingers of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer gripped his clothes tightly. An energy cocoon instantly enveloped his body, becoming his only protection against the all-consuming chaos of laws raging within the vortex.

“Damn! The pressure is too intense! Thank goodness the old man is here!” Kai cursed mentally, feeling the grip of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer on him.

In this environment, Kai had neither sight, nor smell, nor hearing. Even his perception didn’t work, as the space was too distorted!

Darkness and silence surrounded Kai as he continued his movement through this turbulent environment, second after second. At some point, he felt as though the old man wanted to pull him into his world ring, but unexpectedly, that sensation vanished!

In the next instant, an unimaginable force crushed down on Kai from all sides, as if trying to flatten his very essence! This power mercilessly began to tear his body apart, each cell screaming in agony. His blood froze in his veins, his bones groaned under the incomprehensible pressure, and his skin cracked as if layers were being peeled off.

“Oh no! The old man is gone!” Kai instantly realized, noticing that the sensation of the hand on his clothes had disappeared.

What happened was something Kai didn’t expect—this passage had separated everyone who entered! Earlier, the old man had protected him, so it was relatively easy for Kai to withstand the pressure. But as soon as he was alone, it started tearing him apart!

“Kai, hide in the ring! Immediately!” Kessia’s panicked voice echoed in his mind.

Just when it seemed that the end was inevitable, Kai instantly transferred himself into the space of his world ring. He appeared directly in the mansion, collapsing on the floor and starting to bleed profusely. It took only a moment to nearly kill him!

“Kha... kha…” he breathed heavily, feeling that some parts of his flesh were exposed down to the bone. “Unbelievable... The power of that space is simply unimaginable…” Kai muttered with effort.

He slowly raised his hand and threw a few pills into his mouth, given to him by the Craftsman's Heart Devourer. It could be said with confidence that for his level, these were the best pills available in the Region of Energy.

As soon as their healing essence penetrated his body, Kai felt his condition begin to stabilize. Moreover, the Asura Reaper Law seemed to instinctively sense the critical nature of the situation, starting to act on his body and heal it. A similar process occurred with his energy. After all, Kai now possessed the sixth transformation of the law, and his laws already had instincts, acting somewhat autonomously.

“Yeah… I don’t envy the other masters of the Law Transformation Sphere… If they were separated from their elders—they’re definitely done for…” Kai muttered, trying not to move until his body returned to optimal condition.

V.9 Chapter 719: No One Will Know!

While Kai lay on the ground, recovering, he simultaneously assessed the situation outside the ring. Kai's cultivation was now at a fairly high level, so he no longer needed Seth's help in such matters.

“We're still in the turbulent zone. I didn't think the edge of the Universe would be such a dangerous place…” Kai muttered thoughtfully, touching the skin where bare bones had recently been visible.

“That's exactly why I insisted that you reach the Law Overlord Sphere. Only then could you penetrate the Ancient Battlefield relatively safely. The passage through the spatial tunnel is too difficult. Luckily, you have the world ring... But that doesn't change the fact that you've been separated from the old man,” Kessia responded, her tone tinged with caution.

“I agree... If I encounter someone from the Poison Mysteries Sect or any representatives of the Evil Realm Region, there won't be anything good to expect,” Kai said with a complex expression.

“When the journey through this passage is over, I suggest you stay in the ring for a while longer. Let those who have entered the pocket world go deeper into the passage. It's better for you to stay behind and catch up with the others later,” Kessia immediately proposed.

“I think you're right... Only masters of the Law Overlord Sphere and above can withstand such terrifying spatial pressure. It's safe to say that I'm no match for anyone here,” Kai said as he got to his feet and began changing out of the tattered remnants of his clothes.

“You won't be able to fight, but given your strength, you might be able to run for a while. The main thing is that you have enough time to find the Craftsman's Heart Devourer,” Kessia added, as if trying to offer support.

Kai continued discussing further actions with Kessia, while time slowly ticked by. At some point, Kai's perception sensed that his ring had finally transported him to a giant room. Fortunately, no one else was around...

But Kai didn't rush to leave and followed Kessia's plan. He waited a few more days, observing the place he had arrived at directly from the ring. The only thing that puzzled him greatly was the density of the space here... His perception couldn't penetrate further than a few dozen meters from the ring.

After several more days of observation, Kai finally exited the space of the world ring, finding himself in a dark corridor of colossal proportions. It felt as if he were an ant in a human palace. The scale was overwhelmingly exaggerated...

“Damn... This is incredible…” Kai muttered unconsciously, his mouth slightly agape.

The corridor, swallowed by darkness, appeared endless at first glance, but upon closer inspection, some details became discernible. The walls of the corridor were adorned with exquisite reliefs, and the floor was paved with large slabs, each seeming like an ancient artifact. Enormous columns, arranged in strict order, supported the vaulted ceiling, which was adorned with unknown symbols that shimmered like stars at night sky. All this created the impression that he had found himself in one of the halls of a forgotten palace, raised from the depths of time by some ancient beings.

“There’s something strange about this place, but I can't quite figure out what... It evokes a sense of something unnatural and archaic,” he said, assessing the interior.

“You're right. It feels as if someone tried to imitate the style of structures built by living beings, without understanding their nuances. Considering everything we've learned over the past centuries... It's clear that this palace was created by the Evil Gods!” Kessia said with all seriousness, sensing the same as Kai.

After these words, Kai once again scanned the walls. On some of them, there seemed to be hints of scenes depicting ancient battles and myths. But there was no naturalness to them... They seemed artificial!

“It’s like looking at something familiar, but there’s something soulless or even hollow about its essence…” Kai said cautiously, and carefully began walking forward, activating the Eyes of Essence.

The air in the corridor was cold, and the space was filled with countless inscriptions of laws. The silence was so deep that Kai could hear his own footsteps echoing throughout the space. Each step stirred up a slight cloud of dust, a testament to the long centuries of silence that had enveloped this place. He felt the oppressive atmosphere of grandeur and power that filled these halls. It seemed as if some ancient force slumbered deep within the walls, waiting to be awakened.

The lighting in the corridor was ghostly, emanating from vague sources of light, shimmering with a soft, greenish-blue glow, like phosphorescent plants or stones. This light created an illusion of movement, as if the walls pulsed in rhythm with an unknown heartbeat, giving the entire space a living and at the same time unfathomable character.

Kai felt like an intruder, having stepped into a realm where ancient gods and monsters could reveal themselves from the shadows at any moment, filled with the mysteries of the past. He hadn’t taken more than a few steps when he noticed a natural formation of incredible complexity, which made him even more wary.

“The old man wasn't joking when he spoke of the local traps. I don’t think I should find out what effect they have,” Kai thought, taking to the air.

Before him lay an entire network of arrays, making it easier to navigate through the gaps between them while flying.

“I’ll move forward, following the flow of chaotic laws. They should all lead to the passage to the Ancient Battlefield, from where they seep into the Region of Energy…” Kai mentally concluded, making an obvious assumption.

However, in reality, everything turned out to be much more complicated...

As Kai moved deeper into the castle, he felt the flows of chaotic laws disappear and reappear, whimsically changing direction. He had to rely on his intuition and skill to avoid getting caught in a trap or ending up at a dead end, of which there were plenty in this labyrinthine structure. Sometimes, the flows led him in circles, forcing him to pass through the same halls multiple times. At other times, they abruptly ended at a wall, compelling Kai to find a new path forward.

With each new intersection and fork, Kai faced the choice of which way to go. What seemed logical—following the flows of chaotic laws—turned out to be partially a false assumption. The castle's architecture was so convoluted that even these flows occasionally wandered within it.

“If I follow the flows indiscriminately, I might never find the exit... I need to figure out how to distinguish the true flows from the false ones,” Kai pondered, stopping at one of the many crossroads. Here, three different paths stretched out before him: one led directly toward the source of the flows, another bypassed it, and the third descended into the depths of the castle.

Deciding to take a risk, Kai chose the path leading downward. His instincts told him that the secret to the correct direction might be hidden there. As he descended, the flows of chaotic laws became more distinct and tangible, while the architecture of the corridors grew increasingly ancient and mystical.

“Hmm? What’s this?” after some time, Kai’s perception detected a small hall along his path.

Kai couldn’t fully assess it, as his perception was limited by the local space. But finally seeing something other than the giant corridors, Kai couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

“It doesn't matter, I’d better check it out and then reflect,” with a smile on his face, Kai thought as he sped up slightly.

With a smile still on his face, Kai flew into the hall, a sense of anticipation building in his heart. The view before him slowly opened up, as the passage was at a rather steep angle. But he could definitely see something interesting there!

However, when the entire scene unfolded before him, it instantly made him tense up! Ahead was a strange altar, and on it stood a half-dead corpse in the robes of a martial arts master!

Kai didn’t even have time to react before the head of this being slowly turned toward the entrance, staring directly at Kai. At that moment, both the corpse and Kai seemed to freeze! It was as if this being itself couldn’t believe what had just happened!

“Damn! What the hell?!” Kai cursed instantly, turning in midair and immediately fleeing back toward the corridors.

But at that very moment, a burst of burgundy energy erupted directly in front of him, exploding and enveloping the passage from which Kai had come! The opponent had instantly moved to the entrance, unleashing his powerful energy!

“Boom!” a blast wave instantly threw Kai back several dozen meters, leaving multiple injuries on his body.

As he was hurled back, slamming into the wall of the hall, Kai immediately activated all his power! A dragon appeared behind him, merging into his back, and all the tattoos on his body pulsed with energy!

At this moment, Kai fully understood that he was in a very dire situation! Standing before him was a master of the Law Overlord Sphere, and on top of that, he was from the Flesh Seekers Sect! Kai hadn’t even had a chance to escape, as this skeleton had almost instantly blocked his path!

“What a wonderful find! Click! Your flesh is simply incredible! The demon within me craves to feast on it! Ha-ha…” the skeleton added, with a maniacal glint in its eyes.

Kai ignored the words, as his mind raced through hundreds of scenarios on how to escape this deadly situation. With the Eyes of Essence, he carefully evaluated his surroundings, searching for another exit!

“There! Behind that column is another passage!” Kai mentally shouted as he spotted another flow of laws. “With all my abilities activated, my speed has greatly increased... He won’t be able to block my path so easily now... But…” Kai continued to analyze, feeling the mortal danger closing in.

This was the first time he had actually encountered a master of the Law Overlord Sphere in combat! And Kai understood perfectly well—this would hardly be a fight, but more like a desperate escape!

“Why so quiet, boy? Will you share your flesh? Though, for that, you'll have to die. Heh-heh,” the skeleton croaked with a raspy laugh.

“The War Flame Devourer is already hunting me. Are you really bold enough to steal his prey? Do you want to end up in my place?” Kai said with a wicked grin, becoming as serious as possible.

As soon as these words were spoken, the skeleton's energy faltered for a moment. It was clear that Kai's words had struck a chord, as it couldn't be said that Kai was exaggerating this problem...

“And how would he know? Click! Do you think I’ll leave any traces?” the skeleton retorted irritably, its eyes gleaming predatorily.

“I didn’t leave any traces either, but he managed to seal a strand of my energy. What do you think he’ll do if he suddenly senses my aura on your body? I doubt you could consume me so thoroughly that not even a hint of my energy would remain,” Kai said, narrowing his eyes threateningly.

At that moment, a thought flashed through Kai's mind that nearly made him laugh nervously:

“I never thought the War Flame Devourer would become a shield for me…”

The situation was indeed ironic... He had to use the name of his enemy as a threat.

But after Kai's confident argument, a terrifying, raspy laugh echoed from the skeleton's mouth. Clicking its jaws, it spitefully said:

“Thanks for your concern, but I possess a rather unique law... I think even the War Flame Devourer won’t notice that I devoured you! Heh-heh…”

“Damn! I need to run!” Kai thought in horror, not even having time to wipe the smile off his face.

“Bang!” a surge of terrifying power erupted from Kai's body, and he instantly flew toward the other exit!

As soon as the skeleton had spoken, it was as if lightning had struck Kai! He realized that his bluff had failed! In that instant, all his power surged within him because his only chance to survive was to flee!

V.9 Chapter 720: Weapon of Law

In the blink of an eye, as another burst of burgundy energy exploded behind Kai, he realized—there was no way back! The only option was to push forward! His legs propelled him off the ground with unprecedented force, every muscle, every cell in his body focused solely on survival. But the skeleton reacted just as quickly! With incredible speed, it flew after him, racing through the darkened corridors of the ancient castle.

“Damn it! Even the residual energy is hurting me!” Kai thought frantically, desperately trying to figure out how to escape this dire situation.

As he darted into the passage behind the column, the Overlord attacked him once more. To Kai's surprise, by exerting all his strength, he managed to gain at least some opportunity to flee.

The skeleton couldn't block Kai’s path as swiftly as it had moments before. But after the first strike, the bones on Kai’s back were now visible... The explosion of burgundy energy had touched him, devouring his protection and then part of his flesh!

At that very instant, the Asura Reaper Law, along with his entire body cultivation system, seemed to explode in resistance! Before his eyes, new fibers began forming on his back, intertwining like strings of divine metal, creating new muscles! The sixth transformation of the law had elevated Kai’s power to an entirely new level!

Even for Kai, this was a pleasant surprise. In the Pantheon, he had sparred with the Divine Order Guardians, but those were friendly matches, not battles to the death. He simply hadn’t had the opportunity to experience such terrifying attacks firsthand.

But the outcome didn’t just delight him—it also thrilled the crazed skeleton chasing him! With a greedy, maniacal shout, a voice echoed behind Kai:

“What delicious flesh! It’s simply incredible! My Ravenous Hunger Law rejoices! Ha-ha-ha!” the Overlord screamed with wild laughter.

“This is bad—he’s catching up!” Kai thought, seeing another attack flying toward him.

“Boom!” in the next moment, there was another explosion of terrifying power, once again tearing into his back, ripping off the newly regenerated layer of flesh!

“Gah!” Kai gritted his bloodstained teeth and cried out. He could feel the full force of his bloodline and vitality rushing to his wounds, working together to heal them.

“I need to boost my defense! Even if just for a moment!” Kai mentally shouted, his hands beginning to bare themselves, dispersing the claws of entropy. At that same moment, a massive black-and-red shield began forming on his back, with a dragon's face at its center.

Moreover, the dragon's face seemed almost alive, intently watching the Overlord behind him. As this happened, part of the armor also began to dissipate, seemingly shifting to the edges of the shield and Kai’s back.

Over the last few centuries, Kai had become much better at managing his laws and had developed specific combat techniques. It could be said that he had devised many moves, though he hadn’t bothered to name them. This shield was one of them... Now, Kai was combining both the concepts of increased and decreased entropy, focusing entirely on reflecting his opponent’s attacks.

“What tricks are these, boy? You’d better give up and let me devour you! Heh-heh-heh!” the skeleton shouted, continuing to laugh.

Immediately after these words, the bony hand of the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger launched another attack. A crescent of burgundy energy flew straight toward Kai’s back, within it the silhouettes of screaming faces in agony. The speed and power of this attack were enough to slightly shake the incredibly dense space around them.

“Shooosh!” with a sharp whistle, the terrifying crescent sliced through the air, hurtling toward Kai’s back!

But just as it was about to hit, the dragon's face on the shield contorted in fury!

“Grrraaa! Bang!” with a thunderous roar, a sphere of black, destructive energy shot from its mouth! As Kai’s body had developed instincts, so too had the manifestations of his energy in the form of this dragon-like being!

“Thum-doom!” a cataclysmic explosion echoed as the two energies collided, delivering yet another blow to Kai’s back! But this time, it managed only to create a crack in the shield and consume a small portion of his flesh!

Naturally, Kai’s attack couldn’t fully block the strike from a master of the Law Overlord Sphere. But thanks to the dragon’s actions, part of the damage was redirected and dissipated, allowing Kai to reduce the impact. The remaining force was then blocked again by the shield!

“Incredible! Well done!” Kai mentally praised himself. “I can’t run forever, but at least I might hold out until I find the old man!” seeing a glimmer of hope for survival, Kai thought joyfully.

At that moment, his gaze briefly fell on his right hand, where his pinky was now missing. Part of the attack from the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had bypassed the shield, hitting his hand. Kai had deliberately removed protection from certain parts of his body to channel all his strength into the shield. But this also exposed him to other dangers...

However, even such an injury wasn’t fatal for Kai’s body. Though bones didn’t regenerate as quickly as muscle tissue, Kai could feel his pinky bone beginning to grow almost immediately after the wound.

“The body cultivation system is astonishing! I never imagined my regeneration had reached such a level!” Kai thought awed by himself.

But at that moment, another explosion erupted, its trajectory not sufficiently distorted! Sensing the amount of energy that had hit his shield, Kai instantly knew nothing good would come of it!

“Boom!” the impact struck the dragon’s face directly, splitting the shield in half and slamming into Kai’s back! He felt the sharp pain of flesh tearing, bones cracking, and tyrannical energy penetrating deep into his internal organs!

“Blugh!” in that same moment, Kai vomited his own blood, but he didn’t dare slow down “Damn it! This is bad!” spitting out another mouthful of blood, Kai shouted.

Now, for the first time, he truly felt the difference between masters of the Law Transformation Sphere and the Law Overlord Sphere. Even with all his strength and talents, the best he could do was resist. If anyone else, lacking his level of defense and regeneration, had been in his place—one hit would have been enough to knock them to the ground, if not tear them apart entirely.

Despite such a brutal blow, Kai’s laws never stopped fighting! His entire being surged inward, obliterating the invading energy! Even the Oblivion Law came to his aid, sealing strands of the Law of Ravenous Hunger, allowing his allied laws to tear them apart. The shield also seemed to fuse back together, restoring its form, while his body began to regenerate.

“This is bad... I’m holding on, but my strength isn’t infinite! If I keep taking hits like this, in due time, I’ll be exhausted! And where are all the damn arrays?” understanding the looming threat, Kai thought grimly.

Fully aware of how dire the situation was, Kai immediately pulled out several top-tier pills, tossing them into his mouth.

As he raced through the endless, maze-like corridors, Kai hoped to delay his pursuer, but for some reason, in these few minutes of flight, not a single natural formation appeared in their path! It was as if fate itself was mocking Kai!

Kai knew that every trap, every mechanism in this place could become his advantage. His heart pounded in rhythm with the explosions behind him, resonating with the ancient stones that bore witness to this chase.

“Kai, it seems there’s an energy concentration around that corner!” Kessia’s tense voice rang out.

“Yes, I feel it too! Let’s hope something good is waiting for us!” Kai shouted, clenching his fists and flying at full speed.

And as Kai burst into the intersection, turning sharply to the right, his eyes lit up! He saw that the entire passage ahead of him was filled with natural formations that left almost no gaps for passage!

But the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger noticed this as well. He didn’t possess the Eyes of Essence and couldn’t see what Kai did, but he could at least grasp the situation before him. This sparked a wave of joy in the skeleton’s heart, and with maniacal laughter, he shouted:

“Your end is here, boy! You’ve run out of road! Heh-heh-heh!”

He was already imagining Kai plunging into the zone of natural formations and instantly getting caught in a trap. If the skeleton had muscles on its face, it would surely be smirking right now! But what a surprise it was when Kai, at full speed, flew into the zone of arrays and began executing what seemed like wild and chaotic maneuvers!

“What the? How did you do that, you bastard?!” the Overlord screamed with furious fire in his eyes, immediately launching a vicious attack at Kai.

But as it crossed one of the array lines, a golden flash occurred, and the skeleton’s attack seemed to burn out in the air! At that moment, he watched in horror as Kai moved further and further away, performing his wild dance in the air!

“You won’t escape, bastard!” the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger shouted irritably, clenching his bony fists and charging after Kai.

Naturally, he had a good enough memory to almost perfectly replicate Kai’s movements, following the path Kai had taken! The skeleton used his opponent’s cunning to catch up with him.

“Damn it! He’s catching up again!” Kai shouted in shock, realizing that even the arrays didn’t guarantee his escape. “But not all arrays are static!” Kai snarled with a grim smile.

In the same instant, a loud crack echoed behind him! The Overlord had triggered a trap, brushing against one of the arrays with activation lines that were in constant motion. Kai turned for a moment to see something resembling gray chains or vines wrapping around the skeleton, entangling him from all sides!

But this only bought Kai a few precious seconds...

“Boom!” another explosion of burgundy energy erupted as the Overlord, freeing himself, surged after Kai with even greater fury! Kai could feel blood streaming down his body, every wound burning with fire, but the fear of imminent death drove him onward.

As he sped past ancient statues and ruins, they bore witness to the most brutal chase for survival. The Overlord relentlessly launched attacks at Kai, disregarding the arrays. It seemed he had decided to forge a direct path, continuously destroying the arrays in front of him!

Kai, using every ounce of his strength, kept deflecting the enemy's attacks, though he was accumulating horrifying injuries. His breath grew heavier, his body barely moved, but he knew—stopping meant death!

“Stop, you scum! You Law Transformation Sphere trash!” the skeleton began shouting in rage. It seemed his mental state was deteriorating, driving him into a frenzy.

Just as Kai was about to shout something sarcastic in return, a chill ran down his spine! In the same instant, Kessia’s voice screamed in his mind:

“Kai, he’s forming a weapon from his law! This is really bad! Damn it!”

Even without the queen's warning, Kai had just seen the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger begin to form a burgundy scythe in his hand, its blade imprinted with the suffering faces of tormented beings...

At that moment, Kai realized that the danger had escalated like never before! Earlier his opponent had simply attacked with energy, now he had decided to use the main advantage of the Law Overlord Sphere—the complete embodiment of a law as a weapon! This was the first moment when Kai witnessed such a thing, and he was literally praying that it wouldn’t be his last!

V.9 Chapter 721: Fear and Terror

It seemed that time had frozen, awaiting the next move from the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger...

Kai could feel the terrifying scythe being raised, ready to deliver an attack of an entirely different magnitude directly into his back. At that moment, he sensed the screams and eerie laughter invading his mind, as if the energy of the skeleton began to envelop the entire space, trapping Kai within it!

“Khe-he… Come to us! Nooo, run! It hurts… It hurts!” echoed the cacophony of voices in Kai’s mind. All of this happened in such a brief instant that the Oblivion Law didn’t even have time to block the illusions invading his consciousness.

In the shadow of the grim castle, Kai distinctly felt as though he was facing fate itself… The chase from the insane skeleton, wielding overwhelming power, had now ended. Escape was impossible!

“Damn… Is this really how it all ends, so stupidly…” a fleeting thought flashed through Kai’s mind, causing him to hesitate for a moment.

In that brief instant, the scythe slashed through the air, creating a silhouette identical to the blade of a weapon, slicing through space. The burgundy energy of the skeleton, filled with screams of agony, suddenly flared behind Kai, piercing the castle's darkness like a flash of light. None of the natural barriers could stop this attack anymore; they all simply shattered and disintegrated in its path. Clearly, the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had decided to hold nothing back!

Kai didn’t even have time to realize as the scythe came crashing down on him, transforming into a blade of death, aimed to cleave him in two!

At that moment, Kai’s mind and potential sharpened to their fullest! Every cell in his body, every strand of energy and spirit was engaged to find even the slightest chance of survival!

“Shsss! Bang!” a sharp sound rang out, shattering Kai’s defense in a second!

“Kgaaah!” Kai screamed in horror, spraying a terrifying amount of blood around.

It was only a moment, but Kai distinctly felt the blade penetrate his body, cutting through his defense and slicing through flesh like a hot knife through butter. To his horror, he realized that he had been split in half!

“What?!” Kai cried out in terror, thinking as quickly as he could. Blood, warm and alive, splattered around, staining the dark corridors a crimson hue.

He instantly dispersed the shield and armor, immediately enveloping his body in black chains, preventing the divided parts from flying apart! Kai had artificially bound the pieces of his body together just to give his terrifying regeneration a chance! It instantly began to repair and reconnect the halves!

The will to live and incredible regenerative abilities, awakened in the bloody struggle, immediately sprang into action, striving to seal the wounds and weave new muscles from threads of flesh.

But there was a critical problem—Kai had reacted lightning-fast, but now all his energy was focused on recovery! He was literally left defenseless!

“Incredible body! It's absolutely incredible! Khe-he-he!” the skeleton cried out maniacally, beginning to laugh frighteningly. “This is the end for you, pup!” he added furiously, easily swinging his hand to attack with a simple strike, not even using his scythe anymore.

“Bang!” an explosion echoed, shaking the ancient walls of the corridors and destroying another part of Kai’s body and energy, almost letting the halves of his body fly apart!

The ensuing energy blast flung Kai’s body like a ragdoll, slamming him against the wall. But what was even worse—Kai triggered a natural formation!

A long-forgotten array, dormant for centuries, awoke, spawning a trap as ancient as the castle itself. Spiked chains of pure energy appeared in the air, immediately latching onto his flesh, suspending him and preventing any movement.

Every drop of Kai’s blood, every inch of his flesh at that moment, bore witness to an incredible fight for survival. No matter how much he struggled to break the chains, all the power of his body and energy was now spent on preserving life and regeneration!

“Kai… Do you have any ideas?” Kessia asked calmly, trying not to exacerbate the situation.

“Damn… I’m hanging on by my last strength just to restore my body’s integrity. Even if I somehow break these chains, another scythe from this bastard will definitely kill me!” Kai mentally responded, feeling as though he was trapped in a dead-end with no way out.

Through the pain, Kai raised his gaze, looking at the source of his catastrophe...

The skeleton, with greed in its hollow eye sockets where flames of fury had recently burned, was slowly but inexorably approaching Kai. It tore through the darkness of the grim corridor on its path. With each step it took in the air, the atmosphere grew heavier, filled with the echo of maniacal laughter that reverberated off the walls. The sounds of its laughter were like the death knells, playing a melody of hopelessness. It laughed because it saw: Kai was trapped, and now, like a mouse before a snake, he was devoid of any hope of salvation!

“Rarely do victims manage to escape us, the flesh-hungry. Especially those victims weaker than us…” the skeleton began its monologue slowly and with relish, as if savoring each word. “I’ve seen many pieces of meat wandering this forgotten world, but never have I encountered one as appetizing as you.”

“You thought you could escape? That you could evade the eternal hunger that devours my essence, my Law of Ravenous Hunger? No, my little one, the moment you first crossed my path—it will be your last! Your flesh will be a delicacy for my parasite, and your soul will feed my scythe!”

Each word of the skeleton was filled with the promise of pain and suffering, and its laughter following those words sounded like a death sentence. Kai, in his helpless situation, felt despair tightening around his heart. He understood that the skeleton didn’t just want his death; it craved to destroy his essence, to consume his soul and body, leaving nothing but emptiness where Kai once was.

In this atmosphere of hopelessness, Kai tried to muster his will and search for ways to fight, even if it seemed that all was lost. For a true warrior fights to the end, even when facing death itself!

“Don’t worry, you won’t die quickly…” the skeleton said, flying closer.

It slowly ran two bony fingers across Kai’s chest, leaving cuts with a thin line of flesh in between. Immediately afterward, it grabbed the flesh and tore it straight from the bone!

“Kgah!” Kai screamed, gritting his teeth in pain and shock.

After this strange gesture, the skeleton, right before Kai’s eyes, threw its head back and opened its jaws, dramatically stuffing the freshly bleeding piece of flesh into its mouth.

Disgust flashed across Kai’s face! Watching this was unbearable! This lunatic was literally devouring his flesh right in front of him!

But unlike Kai, the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger felt something entirely different… As soon as Kai’s flesh entered its mouth—the skeleton’s chest pulsed with red light, as if some creature inside it rejoiced! Immediately, an ecstatic roar burst from its mouth:

“Kgaaah! What is this?! What divine flesh!” it screamed maniacally, completely consumed by hunger, tearing off another piece of Kai’s flesh and stuffing it into its mouth.

The bony jaws chewed the meat, and blood trickled down its chin. It seemed as though it deliberately began to savor it, prolonging the moment of pleasure. The entire scene made Kai feel nauseous as he watched.

“Incredible! How lucky I am not to have killed you! Khe-he-he!” the Overlord cried, beginning to laugh and spin in the air.

As soon as these words were spoken, a very unsettling and oppressive thought flashed through Kai’s mind: “Could it be that he wants to keep me alive, turning me into an endless source of nourishment?!”

At that moment, he realized with horror that he might become this madman’s prisoner! Considering Kai’s regeneration, he could be force-fed pills and devoured for eternity! During the battle, Kai’s finger had even grown back, and he managed to fuse his split body parts! This way, he could become the skeleton’s personal livestock!

“Damn it! Kessia, the situation is awful! I can endure the pain, but I won’t agree to be a pig for slaughter!” Kai mentally cried out, seeking help from Kessia.

Since the moment Kai was trapped in the array and the Overlord began to suppress him further with his energy, Kessia seemed to have completely retreated into thought. She floated silently in the Spiritual Sea with a horrified expression on her face. It seemed that she was desperately considering any way to save Kai...

“Khe-he... Did you know that flesh spoils its taste if several minutes pass after the owner’s death?” the skeleton said ominously. “With you, I don’t need to worry about that…”

It was clear that his phrase had something to do with the concept of bloodline consumption. If blood spills for too long, it becomes impossible to absorb. It seemed that the Flesh Seekers Sect unconsciously followed the same principle, but didn’t realize that this was one of the fundamental principles of the body cultivation system.

For some reason, at that moment, the situation had become so desperate that Kai’s frantic mind began to think about completely irrelevant things...

“Could it be that the parasite inside them is a creature or technique from ancient times, belonging to the Region of Flesh Domination? It’s surprising that they managed to adapt it to themselves, literally sacrificing all their flesh…” Kai thought as he looked at the terrifying skeleton.

“Silent, are you? Well then, let’s at least hear your screams!” the skeleton shouted with a malicious laugh.

As soon as these words left its bony mouth, its jaws opened wide, and its chest began to glow with a dark red light, some of which flowed up its throat and into its mouth! It looked as if thick blood was coating its white teeth, forming blood-red fangs on each of them!

In an instant, the skeleton’s mouth transformed into a predatory maw! A maw that immediately lunged at Kai’s shoulder, biting into it and tearing off an entire chunk of flesh!

“Clack! Crack!” a horrifying sound echoed, exposing Kai’s bones. Immediately after, the disgusting sound of the skeleton’s chewing filled the air!

Kai was being devoured alive, and he couldn’t do anything about it! Moreover, hoping that someone would suddenly find and save him was utterly foolish! If he didn’t find a way out of this situation immediately, his future would turn into a living hell!

“Damn it! I should have stayed in the Pantheon until I reached the Sphere of the Law Master!” Kai mentally screamed, feeling the skeleton’s jaws close once more, this time on his chest. Another part of his muscle was torn away, and Kai felt as the creature ripped apart every fiber of his flesh!

“Bastard! If I manage to get out of this—pray you survive afterward! Someday, I’ll destroy you, the Poison Mysteries Sect, and that War Flame Devourer!” Kai growled through gritted teeth, slowly beginning to lose control and succumb to his rage!

For the first time in many centuries, he found himself in such a catastrophic situation. This helplessness and anger began to cloud his mind, making him lose his composure!

But his words elicited no reaction… The skeleton paid no attention to Kai’s declaration and continued to chew his flesh in ecstasy.

“Chew! Chew! Chew! Khaaa! So good!” the revolting sounds echoed, as if the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger was in a trance.

The situation was becoming more and more horrifying… It seemed that even Kessia didn’t know what to do!

V.9 Chapter 722: The Secret of Lineage

Kai felt each minute stretch into an eternity, an eternity filled with painful anticipation and the desperate hope for salvation that, in truth, did not exist.

The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, relishing the torment of his prey, was in no hurry to deliver the final blow. A terrifying fire danced in his hollow eye sockets, and his jaws constantly clattered together, showcasing to Kai how his flesh was being devoured. With every moment, every breath, Kai felt his strength ebbing away. His body constantly regenerated, but the skeleton was too quick, tearing away new chunks of flesh...

This had been going on for several hours, and the Overlord deliberately allowed Kai brief moments of rest, with a certain regularity. Drained of blood, Kai hung in chains, unable even to move.

Earlier, he had made several attempts to counterattack. But neither energy nor spirit worked... The defenses of the Master of the Law Overlord Sphere were too strong to engage with him. And with each passing hour, the hope that he might still escape was fading...

At this moment, another lull came. The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger allowed Kai to catch his breath, watching as his body formed new flesh, restoring itself with astonishing speed. The skeleton's eyes, two bottomless pits of greed and mania, gazed at him as though at a long-awaited meal, he was about to savor once more.

Echoes of moans and screams, maddening to the mind, echoed around them. It seemed as if they emanated from the parasite in the skeleton's chest. When the skeleton began devouring Kai's flesh, it felt as though the parasite rejoiced.

“Is this the end, Kessia? Are we going to become prisoners of this bastard?” Kai barely whispered in his mind, feeling that he had no options left for resistance.

All this time, Kessia had remained silent, only once asking Kai to endure. She was actively trying to find a way out of the situation, but it seemed she had hit a similar dead end.

While the skeleton cackled and continued to spew nonsense, Kai remained silent, waiting for Kessia's response. He understood that in this situation, he had two options...

The first—become the skeleton's prisoner and eternal meal, hoping that at some point he might escape and take revenge. The second—Kessia might come up with something, for she had been silent all this time, allowing Kai to suffer.

“You can rest for another minute, then I'll resume my feast! Heh-heh…” the skeleton said, running his bony hand disgustingly over Kai's chest as if over a piece of juicy meat.

And at that very moment, Kessia's voice sounded. But its tone alarmed Kai, for it was filled with uncertainty and anxiety...

“Kai... There might be one option... But I'm afraid it could kill you,” the queen spoke with all seriousness. “In that case, I don't know what's the better choice. Perhaps becoming a prisoner and searching for a way to escape might be the more reasonable way out,” she added through gritted teeth, realizing how terrible that sounded.

Hearing this response, Kai fully realized that Kessia was not joking. If she spoke of his death with such seriousness—it meant the risks could not be underestimated!

Hanging in chains and breathing heavily, Kai, without showing it, mentally replied to Kessia: “First, tell me what your plan is. That way, at least I'll know what choice I have…”

In such a desperate situation, the very possibility of multiple outcomes was encouraging. This way, Kai could at least take the risk knowingly, continuing to keep his fate in his own hands, rather than surrendering it to the enemy, hoping for a miracle.

At this moment, Kai had already moved into the Spiritual Sea, looking at a troubled Kessia. Doubt and even some denial were evident in her eyes, but there was also a horror that suppressed all other emotions.

“What’s wrong with you, queen?” Kai asked, frowning, never having seen Kessia in such a state before.

“It's about your lineage... More precisely, the lineage I passed on to you... Do you remember what I said during our first meeting? The moment when the scarlet beads of blood entered your body?” she asked with all seriousness.

As soon as these words were spoken, images of the distant past flooded Kai's mind, back when he went on a mission to assess a book. It was that fateful day when Kai's and Kessia's destinies intertwined. Carefully sifting through his memories, Kai hesitantly raised his eyes and spoke suspiciously:

“You said two drops would be enough... Is that what you're hinting at?” Kai asked, beginning to frown. Until this moment, he had never recalled that phrase, not attaching much significance to it. But now he saw it in a completely different light...

“Exactly. I gave you only a small part, mixed with my asura lineage. The rest I left in the book, so that after my body was restored, I could immediately regain my former strength. Moreover, if I had given you more—you would have died instantly,” Kessia said firmly, greatly surprising Kai.

Though such an act could not be considered something bad, it still showed that Kessia had always pursued her own personal goals. But Kai couldn’t blame her, for he was the same...

“I understand you. But why did you decide to tell me this now?” Kai said with acceptance, slowly approaching Kessia and gently embracing her waist.

“Because now, much has changed…” Kessia whispered quietly. “You changed many things... Our relationship changed many things…” she added seriously, raising her eyes. “I am ready to sacrifice all the remnants of my lineage so that you can escape from this deadly situation! But I’m afraid you won’t survive this power!” the girl stated firmly, shocking Kai.

As soon as these words were spoken, Kai's heart seemed to tighten. He had not expected Kessia to say these words. She herself was an ancient master who had once reached incredible heights. Such beings primarily pursued their own selfish goals. Her willingness to sacrifice was simply nonsensical!

“But Kessia, what about your body... I won't accept this!” Kai said indignantly, shaking his head.

“I love you, but I’m not a fool,” she stunned Kai once more. “The book holds my lineage. But it is not uniform, for before my death I absorbed an ancient heritage... An ancient lineage, for which even Law Devourers in the Region of Flesh Domination are willing to die. The drops of that very lineage, mixed with traces of the asura lineage, are what you accepted,” for the first time revealing a secret that had been hidden from Kai, the queen said.

“I... I don’t quite understand…” Kai mumbled, frowning. He had always remembered this question, but was not prepared for the answers to surface under such circumstances.

“If I separate this lineage from mine and pass it on to you—there's a chance you could be saved. But there's also a chance you’ll simply die from its power. No, it’s even less... There’s a slim chance you’ll survive!” Kessia said, looking at Kai as if wanting him to make the choice.

“And what about your body... What about your cultivation?” Kai asked, returning to his previous question.

“I’ll keep my asura lineage. If we survive, thanks to it, you’ll easily be able to restore my body. And as for my cultivation…” she paused for a moment. “I won’t regain my previous strength, and it will take me millennia to make up for the loss. But that’s better than letting you die,” Kessia explained without hiding anything.

At that moment, a wave of pain, but also warmth, spread through Kai’s heart. Previously, he had always entertained the thought that Kessia might place her goals above Kai's in the future. The higher world was a place where masters pursued their own paths, and in a critical situation, everyone would choose themselves. But now, she was ready to make a sacrifice just to give Kai a chance to survive!

“But…” Kai wanted to object once more, but Kessia interrupted him.

“Enough. We need to make a decision. You need to make a decision!” the girl shouted, becoming cold-blooded, as if preparing for a deadly battle.

“I’ll start slowly pouring the ancient lineage into you while that bastard is devouring you. The parasite inside him will also be nourished by it, but this lineage can have only one owner... If you survive—you can use this moment to your advantage! The question is, will you survive while waiting for the full absorption of the ancient lineage!” she said in one breath, laying out the entire plan that had been spinning in her mind.

Hearing this, Kai just swallowed, realizing there was no time left to hesitate. He didn’t even need to clarify what exactly Kessia meant, for he had once performed a similar trick with the Demon King. The only difference was that now everything had reached a new level!

“If I pass on the entire lineage to you, and you can endure it... Then you’ll have enough power to remotely consume that parasite. These skeletons develop a modified body cultivation technique. They’ll never be able to withstand this lineage... No one in the Region of Flesh Domination could!” she said, once again assuring Kai.

When Kai heard such bold words, he was literally stunned. It was akin to saying that there was an energy that would be hard for everyone in the Region of Energy Domination to contain.

At that moment, Kai recalled Kessia's words that in her world, lineages could conflict, making the enemy's blood unsuitable for cultivation… That was when she had said that only the lineage she passed on could give the ability to absorb the blood of all beings…

All of this slowly began to form a complete picture in Kai's mind, painting a very strange image. It seemed that he had truly not realized what exactly he had possessed all these centuries…

“Kessia… Whose lineage exactly did you pass on to me?” Kai asked warily, completely forgetting about the situation in which his physical body currently found itself.

As soon as this question left Kai’s lips, Kessia clenched her teeth, as if unsure whether to tell the truth. But realizing that they might both soon die or be captured, she looked seriously into Kai's eyes and said:

“The Region of Flesh Domination is different from your world… Our highest heritage has not disappeared, but has been passed down from generation to generation. In the Region of Flesh Domination, there was always a supreme master who was the balance point between all regions and races. He was stronger than all the Law Devourers, for he possessed the most powerful lineage... The lineage that all masters coveted!” the queen began, speaking from afar.

“Naturally, killing such a master was impossible, even by combining the forces of all the Law Devourers!” Kessia said, shocking Kai. “There is a tradition in the Region of Flesh Domination… Once every few million years, when this terrifying master dies, he voluntarily leaves behind his lineage. On that day, a war of Law Devourers begins, who fight for the right to become his successor...

When these words were spoken, Kai already understood where Kessia was going. He understood that the next words would blow his mind!

“Do you remember I said I had committed an unforgivable sin in the Region of Flesh Domination?” the queen asked coldly. “I am the one who obtained this lineage, but did not manage to use it properly. My sin lies in the fact that I fled from my enemies, carrying this lineage away from the Region of Flesh Domination, taking the main heritage of an entire region,” she added, clenching her fists.

“Kessia… So whose lineage is it?” Kai mumbled, stepping back slightly.

“I think you already know... It’s the lineage of the Heretical God!” Kessia's words struck like thunder on a clear day, causing Kai's mind to tremble. The truth he had longed to know almost all his life turned out to be too incredible!

V.9 Chapter 723: Overcoming in Delirium

When Kai heard Kessia's words, it was as if his brain buzzed with confusion. It all seemed too incredible, too strange. All this time, he had possessed something so terrifying, yet had no inkling of its true nature.

Of course, when Kessia had passed on those two drops, they had largely consisted of asura lineage, but even the trace amounts of the Heretical God's bloodline were enough to bestow Kai with a crucial ability—the power to absorb the blood of any creature.

“The Sphere of Essence was in the hands of the Creator of Energy... And now, I have inherited the Heretical God's bloodline... This can't just be a coincidence! Who am I, for God's sake?!” Kai mentally shouted, realizing that this couldn't be mere chance.

“It's clear that Kessia didn't know about the Sphere of Essence and couldn't have orchestrated those events intentionally. But it feels as though someone nudged me toward a series of events from the very beginning of my journey. Even as a child, I gained too many remarkable abilities, the influence of which somehow extends even to the peaks of the higher worlds. This certainly can't be a coincidence…” Kai thought, continuing to piece together the puzzle in his mind, forgetting the pain from the skeleton's fangs sinking into him.

From the outside, it now seemed that Kai's eyes had emptied, and he had resigned himself to his fate. As the jaws of the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger clamped down, Kai's head simply bobbed in time with the skeleton's movements, but he made no sound.

“Kessia obtained the Heretical God's bloodline but was forced to flee and seal her entire lineage within a book. The Overlord of Inevitable Destruction also found the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield and discovered this book... Moreover, he possessed a law that parallels one of the asura race's laws. And somehow, both ended up in the lower world where I was born and received the Sphere of Essence…” Kai mentally mumbled, as if in a trance.

“Could it be that someone planned all this? Am I merely a pawn in someone else's hands, all the while thinking I have complete free will? But how…”

At that moment, Kessia interrupted Kai's thoughts, practically shouting:

“Kai, we need to decide what to do next!” she spoke seriously, grabbing the astral projection of Kai by the shoulders.

“Kessia... Since the title of Heretical God has persisted... How much did you know about the Evil Gods?” Kai muttered, not answering the queen's question.

“No. Everything fell into place for me when we entered that ancient pocket world. In the Region of Flesh Domination, there was never any talk of a war, and our masters never prepared for an uprising,” she shook her head in denial.

“But how is that possible? If the first Heretical God somehow survived after the war, why does no one know about it? Why has everyone forgotten?” Kai continued, frowning.

“The struggle for the Heretical God's bloodline takes place in his palace. All the secrets are hidden in his private chambers, which only a being who has inherited his blood can enter. I never got the chance because I was betrayed. As soon as I obtained the Heretical God's bloodline—I was attacked from behind and barely managed to escape. If you can survive and absorb the entire Heretical God's bloodline, then we might still have a chance to uncover the truth. But decide now!” Kessia spoke in one breath, not delving into unnecessary details.

Hearing this response, Kai frowned, realizing that a whole series of new questions had been born in his mind. It was as if, from birth, he had been on a path to uncover an incredible mystery. A mystery that encompassed all of existence, with answers rooted in deep antiquity... At the very origins of the Universe!

“Kessia, forgive me for taking something so valuable from you. I…” Kai began to speak, but the queen immediately interrupted him.

“Now is not the time for that! I’ve already said that I willingly give you the Heretical God's bloodline! I’m ready to die with you, Kai! But if we survive, and you restore my body—then you'll protect me while I recover my cultivation on my own!” Kessia shouted with all seriousness.

At the moment their eyes met, it was as if the world around them stopped. Kai's heart, beating in unison with Kessia's, resonated with each beat to her sacrifice and her willingness to do anything for him. This moment seemed to overshadow all the promises and boundaries they had set for themselves before. The air around them was charged with the electricity of unspoken feelings, pulsing in time with their accelerated breaths.

“Kessia, I…” Kai began, but his words drowned in the emotion that had blossomed between them when he touched her face. His fingers trembled as they grazed her skin, as if they were touching something infinitely precious and fragile for the first time.

“I know, Kai, I do too…” Kessia barely whispered in response, and her words became the final push for him. At that moment, they both understood that they could no longer pretend that their feelings could be contained within boundaries.

Kai slowly leaned in, and their lips met in a tender but passionate kiss, which became an expression of all that had been left unsaid. The kiss was soft and cautious, as if they feared breaking the fragile magic of the moment. But the longer they kissed, the more intense it became, deeper and more demanding. They both forgot everything else in the world, except for the sensation of each other close by. It was absurd in its own way, as at that very moment, Kai's physical body was being devoured by the maniacal skeleton, tearing off chunks of flesh and disgustingly chewing them.

This kiss became a promise and a prophecy for them, as if binding their souls together forever, despite all the dangers and obstacles that might lie ahead.

The air around them vibrated with the tension and emotions they had accumulated over time, hiding their true feelings. And when they finally pulled away to look into each other’s eyes, their gazes held not only deep affection but also an unshakeable determination to face all the trials ahead together.

This moment redefined their previous relationship, intertwining their fates even more closely. A promise that no matter what the future might bring, they would stand together, ready for any challenges.

“Let’s begin. I entrust you with my life!” Kai said sincerely.

“As do I with you,” Kessia nodded in reply. In the same instant, a crimson book began to rise directly from the floor.

The book, as if alive, gently landed in Kessia's hands, its cover emanating sparks of ancient power that could be felt even from a distance. Gathering all her willpower, the queen opened it, and the pages began to turn on their own, stopping at a specific section. Symbols and signs danced before their eyes, as if they were living beings, beckoning them closer. At that moment, the atmosphere in the room grew thick with power, vibrating with the anticipation of the ancient legacy’s transfer.

Kessia, raising her hands above the book, spoke ancient words that sounded like music, filled with power and depth. The words were in an incomprehensible language, but their meaning was clear to both Kai and the universe itself. She was calling forth the transfer of the Heretical God's bloodline!

“Boom!” a wave of terrifying power swept across the Spiritual Sea.

Suddenly, from the pages of the book, a thin stream of pure black blood began to flow, which in the air found its way to Kai, passing through his soul and heading downward. Kai felt how this stream, like a living organism, penetrated his body, passing through his bone marrow and heading to his Heart of Flesh, the place where the entire system of body cultivation developed.

As soon as the first drop of black blood touched his Heart of Flesh, Kai felt a deafening explosion of physical power that surged through his veins! It was like an ocean tide, bringing new life and rebirth. His horrifying wounds, which until now had been unable to heal under the pace of the skeleton's feast, began to heal with incredible speed! Every cell in his body vibrated with newfound power, each torn piece mending, leaving only faint traces that quickly disappeared.

But this sensation was too forceful, too overwhelming... What seemed like a tide was actually a terrifying tsunami! Within seconds, it became unbearable!

This terrifying power, like the very embodiment of ancient rage and fury, began mercilessly tearing Kai's body apart from within. The immense force, saturated with the Heretical God's blood, exceeded all possible limits that his body could handle.

Kai felt his skin begin to stretch and tear, and his bones crack and break under the unbearable pressure!

Kessia, witnessing the horrifying scene, realized that despite all her efforts to limit the dose of the Heretical God's blood, Kai's body could not withstand such an onslaught. Pain and despair were reflected in her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the process—it was too late! The transfusion had begun, and now it couldn’t be interrupted without risking Kai's complete destruction!

Seeing the terrifying explosion of power in Kai's body, the skeleton laughed. “Did you use a suicidal technique? It’s useless! Heh-heh…”

It appeared as though Kai had suddenly released all his physical power, which he had carefully stored somewhere in reserve. From the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger’s perspective, it seemed that Kai had decided to kill himself, exploding his body just to avoid being captured.

Understanding this, the skeleton laughed and pounced on him, beginning to devour him at double the speed!

“Dream on if you think you’ll die before i consume you, pup! Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!” the Overlord's jaws clamped down over and over again, now tearing not only Kai's flesh but also some of his bones, grinding them with his teeth.

Kai's blood had already covered the skeleton’s entire skull and clothing. The skeleton had stopped savoring the flesh, simply consuming it. Because of this, the parasite in his chest began to screech, its cries mingling with the screams of thousands of devoured souls contained within him, making the situation even more horrific.

“Incredible! Delicious! So delicious!” the skeleton shouted, tearing off Kai's fingers and throwing them into his mouth.

The entire scene was truly terrifying, as the blood transfusion was literally destroying Kai's entire essence while he watched some madman devour him. The sounds of crunching bones and tearing flesh were especially revolting, causing shivers…

“Gah! Ugh!” Kai involuntarily coughed and even vomited blood, feeling his consciousness slipping away from the excruciating pain.

“Damn! This... this is unbearable…” Kai mentally murmured, trying to stay conscious, attempting to distract himself from what was happening.

“Kai, hold on! As awful as it sounds, this situation might work in your favor! This bastard is absorbing the excess power of the bloodline, preventing your body from exploding! Please, just endure it!” Kessia shouted, trying to find something positive in a situation filled with absolute horror.

Kai's body became the battlefield between Life and Death. The black blood continued to flow freely into his body, each drop carrying unimaginable power and potent healing.

At this moment, Kai looked utterly dreadful... He hung, stretched on chains, as the skeleton's jaws bit into him over and over, making his body sway lifelessly with each bite. Kai seemed like a half-eaten fruit, with gaping holes where pieces had been torn away...

“Let's see how long your reserves last, boy! Heh-heh…” the skeleton laughed, while chunks of Kai's flesh fell from his mouth. At this point, he indulged himself, allowing such a precious substance to spill onto the floor.

“Hold on, Kai! Just hold on! We will get out of this situation!” Kessia continued to shout, trying to keep Kai conscious.

“I... I... I must live... I won’t break... I won't…” Kai mumbled deliriously, spitting out blood.

“You won't die, that’s for sure! Crunch! But as for not breaking—I’m not so certain! Heh-heh-heh!” the skeleton shouted maniacally, continuing his feast.

“Monster! You’re just a monster! I’ve never seen a body like this!” the skeleton screamed, feeling his own power inexplicably growing at an unnatural rate.

At the moment when it seemed that Kai's body and will would not withstand and would be torn apart, a quiet but determined voice echoed in the depths of his consciousness. It was his own voice... A voice beginning to recite the mantra of the Sphere of Essence:

“The Uncertainty of Time-Space is the first law. Imperceptible and unperceived, it seems to have existed before everything and will persist after.”

“The Causelessness of Luck is the second law. One cannot fathom the causes and effects of the universe's manifestations, as if everything is decided by the roll of dice with infinite sides, giving birth to the most incredible regularities.”

“The Eternity of Will is the third law. Will exists in all that is living and non-living, an immaterial essence that sets all laws of existence in motion.”

“How funny... Ridiculous…” Kai thought deliriously, realizing that it was as if he was praying to the Evil Gods themselves. “Whatever... I need this right now... Yes... I need it…” he added mentally, still in a daze.

Kai concentrated all his will and energy on containing the explosive power that threatened to tear him apart from within. He simply closed his eyes, no longer wanting to watch the scene of his own devouring...

Kessia witnessed how Kai's exhausted yet unyielding body accepted and assimilated the Heretical God's power, transforming into something new, something never seen before. She saw how Kai, pushing past his limits, sought to gain new strength, rising to it through pain and suffering, through death and rebirth.

“Hold on! Just hold on!” Kessia kept shouting, never for a second losing track of Kai's condition. She couldn’t feel everything Kai was going through, but she was in incredible pain herself. Even watching something like this was unbearable!

V.9 Chapter 724: Are You Full?

Days dragged on, and the skeleton was in no hurry. Suspended in chains, Kai endured an endless cycle of devouring and regeneration. The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had long realized that Kai was no ordinary master, as no matter how many times he tried to stop Kai’s suicidal technique, nothing seemed to work. The physical power within Kai continued to grow and surge into him!

However, this turn of events didn’t disappoint the skeleton; instead he relished it, feeling his own power increasing by leaps and bounds, while the parasite in his chest rejoiced! The Overlord no longer cared even about the passage to the Ancient Battlefield. Right before him was an invaluable ingredient that was accelerating his development.

A new cycle of devouring had begun recently... Kai had almost no clothing left, and he hung there, deathly still, with his eyes closed, swaying in rhythm with the skeleton’s bites…

“Kai, how are you? I think there are only a few days left…” Kessia whispered cautiously, as if afraid to wake him.

Throughout this time, the mantra of the Sphere of Essence had been running through Kai's mind, and he felt his entire body undergoing a transformation. The two other cultivation systems were constantly absorbing some of the terrifying power of the Heretical God’s bloodline.

Kai didn’t know exactly how many days he had spent in these horrifying tortures, but he had long since come to terms with what was happening and simply continued to persevere, using his willpower to its fullest extent. But in this situation, there was a light that sustained his spirit—he had realized that thanks to the skeleton, he wouldn’t die from the bloodline transfusion! Enduring the torture was a small price to pay.

Kessia had been right when she said that this disgusting situation would work in his favor. The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger thought he was the one benefiting, constantly nurturing the parasite and feeding it with the unimaginable flesh and blood of Kai. But in reality, he was digging his own grave…

“I’m okay... I’m starting to sense my bloodline remotely now…” Kai mentally replied to Kessia, forcing himself to respond.

Kessia’s original plan had proven to be feasible. Kai now understood what she had meant earlier… The parasite had consumed much of Kai’s flesh, but it would never be able to fully digest the Heretical God’s bloodline and convert it into its own power. The main center it was tied to was Kai’s Heart of Flesh! And the more of the bloodline that flowed into Kai, the more clearly he felt his control over the blood within the parasite.

“As soon as my power is strong enough, I’ll activate the blood to start devouring this parasite from the inside! Soon, you’ll pay, you bastard!” Kai thought, feeling a fierce hatred in his heart.

At that moment, his eyes slightly opened, and he cast a gaze full of murderous intent at the skeleton. Kai’s red eyes and hair had now blended with the color of his body, which was entirely covered in dried blood.

Seeing this, the skeleton suddenly brightened and, laughing, shouted:

“Amazing! You’re still holding on! What a wonderful toy!” as soon as these words were spoken, the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger struck with fury, driving his bony fingers into Kai’s chest.

“Crack! Crunch!” the sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh echoed as the skeleton literally ripped one of Kai’s ribs from his body.

“Gah!” blood instantly spurted from Kai’s mouth, and his head hung lifelessly again, as if the recent gaze had been nothing more than a fleeting moment of clarity in a muddled mind.

“Kai, I’m not sure what to do… I can’t stop the blood infusion process, and at some point, it will undoubtedly lead to your breakthrough. I think you understand that you need to kill this scum before then,” Kessia suddenly said, also noting the changes in Kai’s body.

It was a very reasonable observation because if the skeleton noticed the breakthrough and forcibly interrupted it, Kai’s cultivation could suffer irreparable damage. Thus, Kai faced a challenging task—he needed to sense the exact moment when he could activate the bloodline remotely and begin devouring the parasite in the skeleton’s chest. And most importantly, he had to defeat the enemy before the breakthrough started; otherwise, they could both die simultaneously!

“I understand… Let’s wait a few more days, and then we’ll deal with this bastard!” Kai responded fiercely, feeling a burning thirst for blood in his chest.

The situation with the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had become the most dangerous and torturous challenge on his martial path. Kai had never been in such a terrifying condition. In truth, other practitioners in the Region of Energy Domination could never end up in such a predicament because their bodies would simply have perished. But Kai’s Heart of Flesh continuously regenerated new flesh, allowing him to survive.

“I wonder… Was I this strong when I fought the Hùndùns?” Kai thought, for some reason, recalling the vision when he fought alongside the asura army.

Kai tried to remember if everyone in the Region of Flesh Domination possessed such terrifying regeneration and how to deal with it. How could one fight a being that simply wouldn’t die?

But after thinking for a moment, he realized that physical strength eventually depletes, and then regeneration ceases. Moreover, if your blood is stronger, or you control it better, you can invade your opponent’s body, blocking part of their power. Or simply destroy the Heart of Flesh...

Day after day passed in harsh trials and endless torture, but Kai didn’t lose hope and patiently waited for his moment, while pondering many things…

The transfusion of the Heretical God’s bloodline continued, and each new day brought new torments. The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had an insatiable appetite for Kai’s suffering and seemed to take perverse pleasure in it. But Kai wouldn’t let him break him... He knew that in due time, there would be a moment when he could use the accumulated power of the bloodline against his tormentor.

And one day, a voice rang out in his mind, filled with both irritation and anticipation:

“Kai… I think we’re ready!” Kessia said with fury in her voice, beginning to emanate an aura of such murderous intent that Kai had never seen from the queen before.

It seemed that all these tortures and Kai’s suffering had awakened Kessia’s terrifying Asura nature… It looked as though if she had her former strength, she would have already stormed the entire Flesh Seekers Sect to avenge Kai.

Kai also felt that enough power had accumulated in his body and that the Heretical God’s bloodline had reached its peak.

“We have to act! Waiting any longer is too dangerous!” Kai mentally replied, feeling the events unfolding in his Heart of Flesh.

The stream of black blood continued to flow into Kai’s body, and Kessia couldn’t stop the process. If they delayed any longer, the breakthrough was inevitable… Fortunately, over this time, Kai’s body had become stronger, and now he wouldn’t explode.

The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, too absorbed in increasing his own power, hadn’t noticed the significant change. He continued his feast... The skeleton had no idea that with each piece of flesh he tore from Kai’s body, he was bringing himself closer and closer to disaster…

Kai focused all his power and the fury that had accumulated during his captivity in his heart. He recalled Kessia’s words that the Heretical God’s bloodline would give him the power to devour his enemy from the inside.

And then, as the skeleton took another bite of his flesh and laughed, Kai’s cold-blooded words escaped his lips, accompanied by a self-satisfied, bloody smile:

“Had your fill?” he asked, with suffocating murderous intent and a gleam in his eyes.

This turn of events slightly surprised the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, for Kai now seemed vastly different from the broken, lifeless state he had been in throughout his captivity. At the very least, it was strange…

“Oh? So you’re still in your right mind, pup? Heh-heh…” the skeleton laughed smugly and viciously grabbed Kai by the hair, yanking his head back. “Maybe I should rip off your lower jaw so you can’t talk anymore?” he threatened.

“Heh-heh…” Kai laughed eerily. “You’ve been devouring me all these days, not even giving your parasite time to properly digest my flesh. Don’t you know that greed is a bad thing?” he taunted.

“I am the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger; do you even understand who you’re talking to?” the skeleton hissed through gritted teeth, driving his clawed fingers under Kai’s ribs, causing sharp pain.

But at that moment, a pulse filled with ancient aura erupted from Kai’s body!

“Doom-doom!” Kai activated the hidden power of the bloodline! A powerful explosion of bloody aura burst from his body! But simultaneously, a similar explosion occurred in the skeleton’s chest, instantly sending him staggering back several steps from Kai!

“Bam! Gah! Gah!” the skeleton suddenly coughed up a thick gulp of blood, choking.

The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, consumed by his feast, hadn’t expected such a turn of events and was caught off guard! The powerful blood, surpassing anything he could imagine, began tearing him apart from within! It seemed to be devouring even the parasite, which was the source of all the skeleton’s power!

“What have you done?! What is this?!” the skeleton shouted in rage and horror, already wanting to lunge at Kai. He panicked from this extraordinary situation and decided it would be better to destroy Kai to stop the storm raging inside his chest.

But just as he tried to move, a terrifying pulse echoed through the ancient palace corridor, resembling the beating of a heart!

“Thumb-doom!” the sound reverberated once more, and the skeleton collapsed to his knees, suddenly vomiting blood and flesh, the remnants of all he had devoured over these past days!

“What have you done, you bastard?! Bleugh!” the skeleton screamed, crawling toward Kai, smearing himself in his own vomit.

“I'm doing exactly what you did. I'm devouring you!” Kai shouted furiously, still hanging from the chains.

But at that moment, everything looked entirely different... The situation had flipped upside down!

Even though Kai couldn’t move and looked pitiful, his eyes, full of confidence and superiority, gazed down at the skeleton as it crawled toward him, covered in blood and vomit.

The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger tried to resist, summoning his energy and the power of the parasite, but it was too late... The parasite let out terrifying screams and squeals that could have frightened anyone. With each passing second, its strength diminished, and it began to realize that its' end was near.

“Before, I would have sealed my hearing to block out these disgusting sounds... But now, I’ll gladly relish every bit of your suffering as you die,” Kai spat through gritted teeth, his rage palpable.

“How! What have you… Bleugh!” the skeleton mumbled, trying to speak as he felt his strength inexplicably fading, and an unbearable pain spreading through his chest.

At that moment, something clicked in Kai’s mind, and all the pent-up rage he had been storing burst forth at once! He summoned his energy, channeling it into the key points of the natural formation, instantly shattering the chains.

“Whoosh!” his body shot toward the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, who was now barely conscious. In the next moment, Kai grabbed the skeleton’s skull with both hands and savagely bit into its crown! This was an outpouring of all the emotions and desires Kai had accumulated, making the enemy feel his own methods!

Kai’s chest boiled with such intense hatred that it could easily be mistaken for madness!

“Crunch! Crack!” part of the skeleton’s skull immediately shattered, and Kai’s teeth clamped down! The turn of events stunned even Kessia, while the Overlord let out a scream of pain, utterly confused by the situation.

“Spit! You wanted to devour me, you bastard?!” Kai shouted, spitting out the broken bone, filling his entire being with power. “Now let’s see how your regeneration works!” he added, and immediately began delivering crushing blows with his bare hands!

Due to the storm within the spiritual parasite, the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had become helpless, but he was still difficult to kill! And at this moment, that fact became a curse for the skeleton, just as the terrifying regeneration had once seemed a curse to Kai!

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” the sound of blows echoed through the corridors of the ancient palace as the skeleton’s bones gradually began to crack and shatter into tiny pieces. All of Kai’s rage was now being unleashed in a single, overwhelming surge of vengeance! This surge was so fierce that even Kessia took a step back in awe!

V.9 Chapter 725: The Appearance of the Sphere

Kai didn’t realize how the rage clouding his mind began to dissipate… Beneath him lay the half-shattered skeleton of the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, whose right eye remained intact, staring at Kai in terror.

It was something beyond belief—a master of the Law Transformation Sphere had managed to bring a master of the Law Overlord Sphere to such a horrifying state!

The turmoil in the skeleton’s chest had nearly subsided, and the flow of black blood began pouring into Kai’s body, destroying his enemy’s cultivation. The Overlord’s eye trembled as if he wanted to say something, but his lower jaw was gone. His energy was also sealed, making it impossible even to send a mental message.

“How do you like this turn of events, you freak?” Kai coldly said, gripping the skeleton’s neck with one hand and its shattered skull with the other.

Before the skeleton could react, there was a gruesome crack as Kai tore the neck from its body!

“Crack! Bam!” in that instant, the head flew off, striking the nearby wall. This brief, pitiful moment marked the death of the master of the Law Overlord Sphere!

Feeling as if he had just been freed from the guillotine, Kai suddenly collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily and coughing up blood:

“Gah-gah! Damn it!” Kai cursed, feeling an incredible tension in his body. The Heretical God’s bloodline was still pouring into him, so his suffering was far from over!

“Kai, take everything from that bastard’s ring and start cultivating. You need to absorb the excess power!” Kessia shouted immediately, not allowing Kai to savor the moment. Truth be told, Kai understood that there was no time to waste.

“K... Kessia... Do you think it’s better to enter the ring and break through there?” Kai gritted out.

“Yes. Heading toward the passage to the Ancient Battlefield is too dangerous right now. You’ll definitely break through to the next transformation, maybe even several. Fortunately, the environment here will fill the world ring with the laws of all three systems. Combined with the flowing bloodline, you’ll certainly gain immense benefits!” Kessia urged, pushing Kai forward.

Kai didn’t hesitate; he quickly swept everything from the skeleton’s ring onto the ground and, without even assessing it all, transported himself into the world ring. He moved all the belongings of the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger into the hall of his house, and then transported himself to its top floor.

Sitting in a lotus position, he began actively processing all the power flowing into his Heart of Flesh, as well as the energy and spirit being transformed. This was one of the key reasons why Kessia had even thought that transferring the full Heretical God’s bloodline could work—the division of its power into three streams.

Kai was an entirely unique and unconventional master, but this also meant he needed more resources for his breakthrough. This had tempered the tyrannical force pouring into his body. Moreover, both he and Kessia were, in a way, grateful to the skeleton; if not for his relentless devouring of Kai’s body, Kai would have surely died. On the other hand, if the skeleton hadn’t attacked, there would have been no need to transfer the bloodline in the first place…

“Kai, use the Asura Progenitor Technique, it’s the most suitable right now!” Kessia suddenly shouted, giving instructions to Kai, who still hadn’t fully regained his composure.

Immediately, the mantra resounded in Kai’s heart, and the black blood began to process with doubled strength. He started circulating the blood using a special method, infusing it with the Asura Reaper Law.

Kai felt that the atmosphere in the world ring had indeed changed, feeding off the chaotic energies, spirit, and aura. To his surprise, he sensed something similar to energy cultivation within his spirit system. He could now absorb spirit directly from the surrounding environment, something almost impossible in the Region of Energy Domination.

“Doom-doom!” but at that moment, his heart pulsed, interrupting all his thoughts.

Kai felt his cultivation centers beginning to transform! He realized he was ascending to the seventh law transformation! This was equivalent to the high stage of the Law Transformation Sphere. Every three transformations brought a qualitative leap in power, so Kai was breaking through a critical threshold!

At this moment, the space within the world ring filled with power, and all the plants inside began to sway from the sudden storm triggered by Kai’s breakthrough. Around him, something resembling a cocoon began to form once again, looking like a black egg with red veins and purple flecks. It was as if not just the laws were being reborn, but Kai himself!

The breakthrough was happening much faster than before, and the reasons were clear… While Kai was deep in meditation, Kessia continued to pour streams of black blood into him. Kai didn’t notice, but the girl’s face had turned deathly pale, and she was barely conscious…

“Just a little more… Let him absorb it all, and then…” Kessia muttered, anxiously glancing first at the book and then back at Kai. It seemed she wasn’t in the best mental state.

Time flew by, and after several days, there was a loud crack! Kai’s cocoon shattered into tiny fragments, which then turned to dust and rushed back into his body!

“Gahhh!” rising to his feet and gasping for air, Kai shouted. At that moment, he felt that something had definitely changed within him. All the wounds that had burdened him seemed to have healed, and he felt reborn.

After the horrors he had recently endured, this contrast was all the more striking!

“Kessia… My laws feel as if they’ve gained some kind of consciousness…” Kai murmured in astonishment, feeling his chest. He couldn’t quite put into words what he was experiencing.

“Congratulations… But it’s not over yet…” Kessia said weakly, her tone tender but very faint…

As soon as Kai heard this, he instantly transported himself into the Spiritual Sea, where he saw the pale girl, clutching the book, still pouring blood into him. It seemed her condition wasn’t just exhausted but life-threatening!

“Kessia, what’s happening?!” Kai shouted in fear, flying to her side. A flood of grim possibilities rushed through his mind, which he tried to push away.

“Don’t worry… Just help me…” she said heavily.

“Tell me how! How can I help you?” Kai immediately yelled, desperate for the queen’s well-being.

“Start rotating your cultivation techniques… We need to absorb the Heretical God’s bloodline as quickly as possible. If we succeed, I’ll fall into a restorative sleep. If not, I might die…” she replied with a strained smile.

Hearing this, Kai finally realized that Kessia had not only given up her most important heritage, breaking the rules of the Region of Flesh Domination… But she had also unhesitatingly decided to stake her life on it!

Kai’s mouth involuntarily opened as he wanted to protest, but then he simply nodded and gently kissed her on the cheek. Then, with the utmost seriousness, he nodded again and said:

“Let’s do everything we can! I’ve been wanting to try something out!” Kai declared resolutely, quickly returning to reality.

When he had broken through a moment earlier, he felt as if he could give his laws something like a command, or a mental directive… This led to a strange idea in Kai’s mind—to activate all three cultivation techniques simultaneously!

“Previously, I had to fully immerse myself in the circulation of one cultivation technique, unable to rotate them simultaneously. But what if I remain calm and command the laws to follow their cultivation techniques on their own?” Kai thought as he sat in the lotus position. “I could then focus on the mantra of the Sphere of Essence…” he added thoughtfully and closed his eyes.

In that instant, Kai felt as if his consciousness spread throughout his entire being. It flowed smoothly to each of his power centers: the Energy Center, the Heart of Flesh, and the Spiritual Sea.

As soon as Kai’s consciousness touched them, it was as if they understood what their master wanted! Kai had continuously practiced each of the three cultivation techniques. Because of this, it seemed that the power centers had developed something akin to muscle memory in mortals. However, in the past, it was impossible to activate them simultaneously because they lacked consciousness. But now, Kai felt as if this problem had disappeared on its own!

“Damn! Kessia, it worked!” Kai shouted in surprise, not even explaining to her what he had managed to do.

But Kessia wasn’t foolish; she immediately realized what Kai had accomplished. Energy, spirit, and blood began circulating in strict order, independently of one another! At this moment, the absorption and assimilation of power reached an entirely new level!

“Kai, you… How did you learn this so quickly? It usually takes a lot of time to master commanding the law to cultivate a technique, but three at once…” Kessia muttered in shock before quickly returning to controlling the blood flow from the book.

At this moment, the Asura Reaper Law controlled the Asura Progenitor Technique, the Law of Inevitable Destruction controlled the Divine Dual Entropy Technique, and the Oblivion Law controlled the Ninth Oblivion Technique! Each law precisely mimicked the actions Kai had performed thousands of times. Even with only rudimentary instincts, his laws seemed to have been watching and learning all along.

“I don’t know. I just thought it might work! Hold on, Kessia, we’re going to absorb this Heretical God’s blood with triple the strength!” Kai shouted, inspired, as he closed his eyes and began reciting the mantra of the Sphere of Essence.

At that moment, under the influence of the mantra of the Sphere of Essence, Kai began to feel a colossal change in his self-awareness. Suddenly, it was as if a breakthrough occurred in his consciousness, and a whirlwind of emotions exploded in his chest, creating an incredible melody of life.

It was similar to what he had heard during his first encounter with the Sphere of Essence, but for some reason, the melody was different… Kai truly felt this kaleidoscope of emotions and strange sounds. The sensation was so powerful and all-encompassing that for a moment, Kai forgot about his problems, feeling himself part of something grand and eternal. He sensed how his flesh, spirit, and energy began to interact harmoniously, creating something akin to a perfect musical chord within his body, resonating in unison with the mantra of the Sphere of Essence. This chord penetrated the very depths of his being, bringing purity and liberation from all the chains of his past.

Kai felt how his three systems—flesh, spirit, and energy—not only merged but also reached a new level of harmony and understanding. It was like merging with the universe itself, feeling his place in it, understanding how vast the world was and how small Kai was, but at the same time—how significant.

Each breath brought new knowledge, and each exhale revealed unseen horizons…

He could feel every one of his laws, every particle of energy, as if they were a part of himself. And at that moment, Kai realized that he stood on the brink of a new discovery, on the verge of a new path in his cultivation, one that would lead him to even greater achievements…

And as soon as this thought echoed in Kai’s mind—a loud cry came from Kessia!

“Kai! The Sphere! It’s manifesting again!” she shouted, her voice filled with reverence and fear.

Kai didn’t even realize when a strange, translucent mirage appeared above him in the shape of a black sphere, which with its mere presence and aura instilled awe, seeming like something otherworldly! It was the silhouette of the Sphere of Essence!

V.9 Chapter 726: Farewell

Kai merged the three cultivation techniques, with each law taking control of a portion. As soon as Kai’s consciousness began reciting the mantra of the Sphere of Essence, he experienced an indescribable sensation!

The Heretical God's bloodline that was pouring into him stopped putting such immense pressure on his body. It immediately split into three separate streams and was absorbed by Kai’s power centers.

Kessia’s shout brought him slightly back to consciousness, and his perception swept around him. In that instant, he truly sensed the silhouette of a black sphere above him, something he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Can you see this, Kai?!” Kessia shouted in shock.

“Y-yes… It’s very strange…” Kai replied, stumbling over his words, realizing he still wasn’t ready to reveal the truth about the Sphere of Essence.

Despite everything that had happened in recent weeks and Kessia’s sacrifice, there were secrets that simply didn’t need to be shared. Sometimes such things could harm those who learned about them. Moreover, Kai himself didn’t fully understand it, and apparently, Kessia knew nothing about any sphere either…

“Could it be something left behind by your parents? Some strange artifact within you?” Kessia suggested, trying to grasp the nature of this phenomenon.

Hearing this, Kai only smiled and calmly said:

“The only thing we can say for sure is that there’s some secret hidden within me. Thanks to it, I’m able to cultivate three systems simultaneously, defying the nature of the universe. Perhaps this sphere is that secret… But I don’t feel that it’s within me, nor does anyone else seem able to sense it,” Kai hinted, maintaining some mystery while giving a slight clue.

In that brief moment of exchanging words, Kessia’s control wavered slightly, and more blood began pouring into Kai’s body.

“Gah! Kh-he!” Kai suddenly coughed, spitting out a small mouthful of blood.

Realizing she had lost concentration, Kessia panicked a bit and shouted:

“Sorry! Let’s continue absorbing the bloodline. We’ll leave the conversations for later!”

Kai didn’t respond, only nodding in agreement before returning to the mantra of the Sphere of Essence. He could feel his power growing by leaps and bounds, pushing him toward another breakthrough. Naturally, this wouldn’t happen instantly…

Previously, Kai had cultivated and absorbed Spiritual Flames gifted by the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, allowing him to break through quickly. But to advance to the next stage would require much more time…

As the Heretical God’s blood flowed into Kai, it subtly altered him, seemingly accumulating in the reserve of every cell. This alone was enough to understand that it would take a lot of time to process these reserves. Moreover, Kai’s Heart of Flesh now contained the blood of the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, and the world ring space was being filled with incredibly dense power from all three cultivation systems.

“I might be stuck here for several decades…” Kai thought, mentally assessing the upcoming work ahead.

With these thoughts, Kai fully immersed himself in cultivation, forgetting that he was close to the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield. It was now vital to focus on absorbing the bloodline and surviving. Only then could he continue toward the passage to another world.

Kai knew that his Spiritual Sea was still intact, meaning the contract with the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen hadn’t been broken. He understood that the old man would surely realize that Kai was still alive, just lost somewhere. But as long as the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield was at stake, the Pantheon was unlikely to invest many resources in searching for Kai. The old man might even consider this a test for Kai, believing that he needed to find his way out of this predicament on his own…

Thus, day turned into day, and a new cycle of Kai’s secluded cultivation began. Slowly, this turned into months, and then years...

Throughout this time, Kai cultivated the three techniques ceaselessly, eventually breaking through to the eighth law transformation. This period was a test not only for his body, spirit, and energy but also for his determination and will to triumph. With each transformation, with every drop of the Heretical God’s blood that flowed into his veins, Kai grew stronger.

As the years passed in meditation and struggle, Kai began to feel not only the depth of his strength but also the vibration of the universe itself, sensing his place in its infinite flow of energy. The understanding didn’t come immediately, but with each passing day, with each moment of focus, he merged more and more with the laws he was cultivating.

When Kai broke through, the absorption of the blood continued for some time. But today, the flow from the book finally ceased…

Kai now stood in his Spiritual Sea, watching the pale and weakened Kessia, who was breathing heavily and hoarsely. Her lips were dry, and she looked quite terrible…

“Kessia, how are you?” Kai asked with a heavy heart, gently lifting her.

“To be honest—not great… But I’ll live,” she rasped with a forced smile.

“Thank you… If it weren’t for you…” Kai murmured, frowning as a sense of guilt crept into him for what had happened.

“If I hadn’t done it, you would have eventually died from endless torture. And without you, I would have died too…” she said, drawing closer to Kai.

“You need to rest…” Kai said tenderly, gently stroking Kessia’s head as if she might crumble into pieces at any moment.

“You’re right… To be frank, I’m holding on by a thread. Once I return to the book, I’ll probably fall into a deep sleep, like I did once before,” she warned, as the crimson book hovered beside her.

“Then rest. Maybe when you wake up, you’ll be surprised to find yourself in the lands of the asura,” Kai said confidently, trying to cheer her up with a smile.

“Kai… There’s something you need to understand. When you enter the Region of Flesh Domination, first observe the body cultivators and understand their patterns. You can’t absorb the bloodline of all beings; this is a unique ability belonging only to the Heretical God. If someone similar to him appears, all the strongest masters will hunt them down. You need to be extremely cautious,” Kessia warned with utmost seriousness.

“I stole the Heretical God’s bloodline and took it from my world, which is an unforgivable sin. Moreover, I’m an asura… And you possess part of the asura bloodline. Believe me, if you reveal the Heretical God’s abilities, you’ll die a death far more horrible than being devoured by that skeleton,” the queen continued.

Hearing this, Kai’s pride faltered slightly… He realized that even possessing the power of an Overlord wouldn’t make it easy in the Region of Flesh Domination. And if he needed to restore Kessia’s body, he would need to gather many resources. Without joining a large organization, this would be impossible…

“If I end up in the Region of Flesh Domination before you’re restored… Should I go to the land of the asura?” Kai asked, frowning.

“I’m not sure… Your existence will raise too many questions, especially possessing the Asura Progenitor Technique without the scroll. If they somehow link you to me, not even the asura will protect you. On the other hand, you could claim to be a lost descendant raised on the edge of the universe… In any case, you’ll need to assess the situation carefully…” Kessia warned immediately.

“In short, I shouldn’t expect an easy journey…” Kai muttered, clenching his fists.

“That’s putting it mildly… Ideally, you should stay in the Ancient Battlefield until you break through to the Law Overlord Sphere, and only then think about the Region of Flesh Domination. Fortunately, there’s much to discover there…” Kessia advised, still worried about Kai’s fate.

But after these words, she suddenly began coughing, and her figure started to become transparent!

“I have to go… Stay alive, Kai,” she said softly, reaching out to him.

Kai nodded in return and leaned in closer to her. Looking into her eyes, he said with a smile:

“I’ll do everything I can so that the next time I kiss you, it’ll be in person.”

With these words, they sealed their promise with a kiss, and then Kessia closed her eyes and flew into the crimson book, falling completely silent. At that moment, Kai realized that the companion he had conversed with for hundreds of years had vanished once more, just as she had in his youth…

This event stirred a mix of strange feelings and thoughts in his heart. The situation seemed similar, yet fundamentally different...

Standing still for a moment longer, Kai sighed heavily and murmured:

“Alright… I need to continue cultivating since there’s still much of the bloodline left to process,” saying this, Kai calmly sat in the lotus position and closed his eyes. “I’ll do everything possible to surprise Kessia with my progress,” he murmured, still feeling the weight on his heart. In the next instant, the three cultivation techniques began their work again.

Time sped forward once more. Kai’s gaze was fixed on the future—toward the ninth transformation, a milestone that only a few could reach. This path was as arduous as all the previous ones, as each subsequent transformation required even more effort and a deeper understanding of the laws of the universe.

Over the years, focusing on the three cultivation techniques, Kai steadily approached the threshold of the ninth transformation. Incredible forces were gathering in his Heart of Flesh, Spiritual Sea, and Energy Center, ready to explode at any moment, like a star reaching the end of its life.

And finally, after decades of solitary cultivation, Kai felt ready to take the final step. Within the world ring, where the space was saturated with the energy of ancient laws, all the conditions for his epic breakthrough had gathered!

“Doom-doom!” the moment Kai began the final stage of his breakthrough, the entire pocket world was shaken by a storm. This was more than just a physical phenomenon; it was a storm of the very essence of the universe, a response to the impending great event. Energy raged around Kai, forming vortices and bloody streams.

At the center of this chaos, above his head, the silhouette of the Sphere of Essence suddenly manifested. It became almost tangible, as if inviting Kai to touch its deepest secrets. At this moment, Kai felt as if he were in a deep trance, his hand slowly reaching upward.

And as soon as his fingers touched the cold light of the Sphere, his consciousness was abruptly overwhelmed. Visions, knowledge, and the mysteries of the universe flooded into him with such force that his mind couldn’t contain them. In that critical moment, teetering between enlightenment and madness, unable to grasp what he was seeing, Kai lost consciousness.

“Doom-doom!” the storm within the world ring reached its peak the moment Kai lost control of the cultivation process. The energies of the three techniques interacted with each other, unconsciously controlled by the laws, causing a cataclysm within the space of the world ring. Seth was even forced to summon a shield of energy to protect himself.

“The master’s breakthrough is insane…” Seth muttered, watching the chaos inside the ring.

The storm didn’t subside but only intensified, yet the unconscious Kai was unaware of it... He wasn’t even sitting in the lotus position anymore, having collapsed shapelessly to the floor...

After an indeterminate amount of time, Kai suddenly came to, springing up from the floor and leaping to his feet! He immediately felt significant changes in his body, spirit, and energy, sensing that his understanding of the laws had reached a new depth. The aura of the breakthrough still lingered around him, making the moment even more surreal...

“What the…” Kai began to realize what had happened, still not fully comprehending the situation.

But at that moment, without his command, a large black-and-red dragon materialized before him, seeming to celebrate and greet its master!

“Roar!” a terrifying roar echoed, and then the dragon fell to the ground, bowing to Kai. It seemed that its consciousness had fully formed!

Only then did Kai realize that he had finally reached the ninth transformation! In this way, Kai had become one of the few who could stand among the most powerful beings in the universe!

V.9 Chapter 727: Dragon Devours Self Technique

In a daze, Kai focused his gaze on the dragon, whose eyes now shone with intelligence. It seemed as if the dragon was woven from pure destruction and tyrannical blood…

“You…,” Kai began, observing the dragon as he sensed something new and mysterious manifesting within it.

At that moment, Kai’s consciousness seemed to fully return to him, and in shock, he exclaimed:

“Of course! I’ve obtained the Heretical God’s bloodline, and you’ve received a part of it too!” Kai was utterly unsure how to react to everything that had just happened. Memories of the events from the past years flooded back to him, causing a sharp headache.

Even when he broke through to the Law Transformation Sphere, this dragon had been an anomaly, displaying strange characteristics that combined all the systems. Naturally, the Law of Inevitable Destruction and energy had taken up the most significant portion.

But now, the dragon appeared to be a fully living being, born from Kai’s very essence. It was a rather eerie feeling, as one could say it was akin to a descendant… or an extension of Kai himself…

Approaching the dragon, which now stood several meters taller than Kai, he placed his hand on its chest. As he ran his hand over the black scales, with red streaks resembling veins of blood in between, Kai felt a sense of awe.

“Are you a living being?” Kai suddenly asked.

The dragon turned its gaze toward Kai but did not react in any way, as if it didn’t understand the concepts Kai was asking about…

“Do you understand me?” Kai quickly tried a different approach.

To his surprise, the dragon immediately nodded, signaling its understanding. This defied all logic, causing Kai to unconsciously open his mouth and say:

“Kessia, do you understand what’s happening here?” but as soon as these words left his mouth, something seemed to sting in Kai’s chest. He had become so accustomed to the queen’s presence that it had become an inseparable part of him.

“Damn… She was literally willing to sacrifice her life…” Kai said, clenching his fists and feeling a pang of guilt. “I’d like to blame that damn Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, but on the martial path, a warrior is responsible for his own fate. Just like the deaths of my comrades,” he said, accepting responsibility.

In the world of martial arts, where everyone pursued power and their own selfish goals, it was foolish to blame anyone else for your failures or catastrophes. If you chose this path, you had, by definition, accepted the inevitability of such events in your life. The responsibility lay solely with the one who walked the path of martial arts!

Kai understood this perfectly, so he only sighed heavily and said:

“Rest, Kessia. I’ll have to handle everything on my own, just like in the old days,” he said with a wry smile, unconsciously touching his forehead, as if touching the Spiritual Sea where the queen now slept.

Sensing his master’s emotions, the dragon suddenly stepped forward, as if wanting to be closer to Kai and support him. It even lowered its head, gazing at him intently, trying to understand why its master was in turmoil.

“Hm? You really do seem to be in tune with my desires,” Kai said with a smile, mentally giving the dragon a command.

Immediately, the dragon turned its head to the sky, and a ball of black lightning formed in its mouth, sparks dancing across its teeth and then spreading throughout its body.

“Zzz! Raar!” a thunderous roar erupted, and the black lightning shot toward the sky with terrifying speed, followed by an explosive crash that unleashed a storm within the pocket world.

“Holy…,” Kai muttered in amazement, not expecting such a powerful strike.

For some reason, his mind recalled the creatures from the underground jungle world that also spat lightning. If, back then, they had attacked him with lightning like the one his dragon just unleashed—he would have died instantly!

“You’re strong… Forceful…” Kai muttered with a sinister grin. “I need to check how my other abilities have changed… I think I can already start formulating some battle strategies…” he murmured, beginning to understand how best to use his powers.

Previously, it had been more advantageous for him to merge with his dragon, summoning armor and weapons. But now, the dragon had become strong enough that Kai could use it as a separate combat entity. Of course, merging remained a viable option…

“If I recall what Kessia said… Perhaps in the Region of Flesh Domination, I could pass it off as my familiar, especially when I break through to the Law Overlord Sphere,” Kai thought, making some initial assumptions. “In that case, merging with the dragon could become my trump card, something no one in the Region of Flesh Domination would expect…” Kai mentally theorized with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Although he hadn’t even reached the Ancient Battlefield yet, he was already contemplating the Region of Flesh Domination. Kai understood that it was always necessary to have at least some long-term plans. Even if, as usual, things didn’t go as planned, he would still be able to maintain some semblance of stability. Without a plan, you have no control over your fate!

“Since you’re going to be my pretend familiar, maybe I should give you a name?” Kai asked, narrowing his eyes.

The dragon ignored these words, slowly leaning down to sniff Kai’s hand. After this strange action, it looked up at its master and, slightly opening its mouth, gently bit his hand with its sharp teeth, as if hinting at something…

Kai stared at the dragon, whose teeth were gradually sinking deeper, seemingly trying to pierce his flesh. This behavior was very strange, as it was obvious that the dragon harbored no hostility toward Kai.

After contemplating the dragon’s nature and how it had come into existence, a wild idea formed in Kai’s mind… Looking into the dragon’s large red eye, he said:

“Do you want to taste my flesh?” Kai asked cautiously, watching as the dragon’s head slightly bobbed, and its eyes seemed to glow with excitement.

Kai didn’t fully understand where this was leading, but for some reason, an insatiable curiosity arose within him. Like an obsessive thought that wouldn’t go away, no matter how much he tried. Staring at his familiar, Kai pulled his hand free from its grasp and then grabbed one of his fingers.

“We might as well test the strength of my body,” Kai said coldly and yanked on his finger.

“Crack!” there was a snap, and Kai’s face twisted slightly. In an instant, his finger was torn off!

Surprisingly, the process wasn’t as difficult as he had expected, as if Kai’s body understood his intention and didn’t resist, relaxing its tissues and not protecting itself.

“What the hell…” Kai muttered in surprise, having anticipated far sharper pain from such an action. At the same moment, he noticed that a new bone was already beginning to grow, with thin muscle fibers wrapping around it.

“Just absurd… The ninth transformation and the full Heretical God’s bloodline, huh?” Kai muttered, drawing in a breath of cold air, realizing that his power had taken a massive leap forward.

For some reason, Kai thought that in this state, not even a Law Overlord could stop him. Even if he couldn’t kill such an opponent, he could at least escape with ease!

Turning his gaze to the dragon, Kai nonchalantly tossed his severed finger into the air, as if throwing a treat to a dog. From the outside, this scene looked grotesque, but it seemed that after the experience he’d been through, Kai had become more indifferent to such things. After all, he had been literally eaten alive before his own eyes…

Seeing this, the dragon’s jaws snapped forward, swallowing Kai’s finger in one swift motion!

“Doom-doom!” instantly, the sound of a heartbeat echoed from the dragon’s body, and all the red veins began to pulse with crimson light. Moreover, this pulsation was synchronized with Kai’s own heartbeat!

“Raar!” a contented roar echoed, and a new black lightning began to form in the dragon’s mouth, but this time, it had faint red streaks, as if surrounded by a bloody mist!

In that brief moment, Kai roughly understood what was happening next… The dragon wanted to demonstrate its full power, and to do so, it needed to feed on Kai’s flesh!

The whole world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation…

“Do it! Show me your true power!” Kai shouted, eagerly awaiting the impending attack.

The dragon gathered an immense amount of energy in its mouth, blending the Law of Inevitable Destruction with the Asura Reaper Law. With the Eyes of Essence, Kai saw the runes of both laws swirling around the dragon, creating a scene unlike anything he had seen before. They intertwined, forming a new formula of power that the world had never witnessed. And at that moment…

“Raar!” the dragon roared, and from its mouth burst a stream of pure energy that instantly transformed into a massive black lightning bolt, surrounded by a red aura that symbolized the bloody thirst for destruction.

“Whoosh!” the bolt shot straight into the sky, triggering a series of explosions unlike anything else!

“Boom! Bang! Baang!” each explosion spawned a new wave of energy that set off the next detonation, creating an endless cascade of destruction. Around this stream of energy, a storm of lightning unfolded, intertwining like serpents and tearing apart, creating new and more powerful vortices of energy.

The entire world seemed to be enveloped by this storm. The ground trembled under the onslaught of destructive power, and the sky became the stage for an unprecedented display of might and strength. The waves of energy radiating from the explosions spread throughout the pocket world, forcing Seth to retreat once more.

“What have we just done?” Seth whispered to himself, surveying the surrounding destruction.

This attack was not just a demonstration of power; it was the embodiment of destruction, woven from the deepest fears and desires to annihilate everything in its path. The parallel laws had truly intertwined into a terrifying force!

Kai, standing at the epicenter of this storm, felt a deep sense of awe at the power he had unleashed. At that moment, he realized that he had essentially created a new technique, based solely on his own strength! This was a significant milestone, marking his ascension to a true master of the higher world! Now, he was crafting his own combat techniques, founded entirely on his laws and understanding!

“I'm certain that when I merge with the dragon, it will also be able to devour my flesh, granting me even more power!” Kai shouted with eyes ablaze, understanding that from this moment on, he had several aces up his sleeve.

“Devouring oneself during battle is dangerous, but with my regeneration and the strength of my flesh, I can control the process! What if I sacrifice an entire arm? Just incredible!” Kai exclaimed in admiration, feeling that the bone of his finger had almost fully regrown.

“That's it! The Dragon Devours Self Technique!” Kai spontaneously named his new technique, shouting with a wicked smile.

It seemed he couldn't wait to test his theory in practice!

V.9 Chapter 728: Destragore

After the remarkable discovery, Kai decided to try the same trick again, allowing the dragon to bite off more of his flesh. As expected, the power of the dragon's attack became even more formidable!

“Incredible… It feels as though he’s gathering and concentrating the strength of my flesh, releasing it all at once in the attack…” Kai murmured, watching as the residual explosions gradually dissipated.

Turning his gaze to the dragon, Kai pondered deeply on its nature, trying to think of a suitable name. Obviously, it would be foolish to continue calling it just a dragon. In reality, the creature’s form was somewhat ambiguous; it only seemed dragon-like to Kai, which is why he called it that.

“You are the embodiment of pure destruction and my blood… You destroy and devour flesh to become stronger… What name would suit you?” Kai muttered thoughtfully, feeling a slight pain in his hand as it slowly regenerated.

At that moment, the dragon watched its master intently, as if understanding that it was about to receive a name. Its large red eyes fixed on Kai’s figure, and the dragon’s head inclined toward him.

“Destruction, flesh and gore…” Kai murmured, and then his eyes lit up. “Destragore! That fits perfectly! From now on, you’ll be called Destragore, little one!” Kai shouted with laughter.

At that very instant, the dragon threw its head back and let out a thunderous roar, expressing its pride and approval! It seemed more than satisfied with the name.

At that moment, Seth cautiously approached Kai from behind, eyeing the strange creature with uncharacteristic wariness. It was clear that Seth felt a strong pressure from everything that had occurred in this pocket world.

“Master… Have you really reached the ninth transformation?” Seth asked reverently.

“I see you haven’t been idle either,” Kai replied with a smile, noting that his servant had broken through to the fourth transformation and was confidently moving toward the fifth.

During the decades spent in the craftsmen’s sect, Kai had brought various ingredients and pills from the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen into the world ring. Since all the inhabitants there cultivated their spirit, Kai finally had the opportunity to help Seth with his cultivation. After all, this peculiar being had always quietly served him within the ring. In return, Kai decided to repay him by offering his help.

“Is that your familiar? What kind of creature is it?” Seth asked suspiciously, clearly puzzled by the situation.

“It’s the manifestation of my Law of Inevitable Destruction,” Kai paused. “But for some reason, my other laws have also intertwined within it, creating something greater. Akin to artificial life, оr perhaps real life. Honestly, I’m not sure…” Kai explained as he examined the dragon.

As soon as these words were spoken, Kai suddenly realized a terrifying fact—Destragore could potentially use all three cultivation systems as well! It wasn’t an independent and separate being; it belonged to Kai, being a part of him. Therefore, Destragore had inherited the most distinctive feature of Kai’s existence!

“There are so many wonders in this world…” Seth muttered, shaking his head.

“Indeed…” Kai agreed with a smile. “By the way, we’re very close to the passage to your homeworld. Would you like to return to your sect?” Kai asked suddenly, a thought he had been pondering for a while.

In fact, Seth was a servant of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction and now served Kai voluntarily. But to Kai, it still felt strange, as if he were holding Seth captive.

As soon as the question was asked, Seth fell silent for a few seconds, contemplating his response. After a moment, he nodded and said:

“Our race has certain oaths of loyalty. If I swore to serve Overlord Corvus and his successors, I will do so until the end of my life. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to see my homeland and my father again,” he admitted sincerely.

“Tell me, Seth… Do you know where the passage to the Region of Flesh Domination is located?” Kai asked suddenly.

“Personally, I do not, but the elders of my clan should know. We’ve lived in the border world for ages, so we’re well-versed in navigating the chaotic space there. In fact, it was with the help of my clan that the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction found his way into the Region of Energy Domination,” Seth explained honestly.

“That must be when you met him,” Kai speculated with a smile.

“Exactly. The Overlord saved my life, so I swore to serve him and became his guide,” Seth replied without hesitation.

Hearing all of this, Kai’s mind was already forming obvious ideas… Previously, he had no idea how he would reach Kessia’s homeworld, but now everything was becoming clearer.

“I understand, Seth. Then we definitely need to visit your clan to learn the coordinates of the passage to the Region of Flesh Domination. And you’ll get to see your homeland. What do you say?” Kai suggested with a smile.

“That would be wonderful,” Seth replied with a bow. “But forgive me, Master, why do you want to go to the Region of Flesh Domination? It’s a completely foreign world to you,” Seth inquired immediately after.

Hearing this, Kai simply smiled and, after a short pause, replied:

“I have a certain promise to fulfill, and my body cultivation system can develop greatly in those lands. Moreover, in the Region of Energy Domination, there are certain obstacles that prevent me from traveling and cultivating freely. Ideally, I’d escape to a place where I won’t be found. And considering that the masters of the Region of Energy Domination will soon invade your border world, I won’t be able to live there peacefully either,” Kai explained in one breath.

“I understand, Master... By the way, when do you plan to enter my world? I’d like to finish some cultivation practices before then. Will I have the time?” Seth asked, trying to gauge whether he could enter another cycle of closed cultivation.

“I’m not sure… We’re very close to the passage now, but I’ve spent the last few decades in the ring. I’m not certain what’s happening outside,” Kai admitted honestly, pondering the same question. “By the way, how long have I been in the world ring?”

When a master breaks through, time seems to change its flow, but in reality, it’s the master’s perception that shifts. Kai was sure he had spent several decades here, but he didn’t know the exact number. He hadn’t had a chance to ask Kessia, so he could only rely on Seth.

“By the reckoning of the higher world, you’ve been here for about sixty years,” Seth replied with a nod.

“Damn… That means I’m already over six hundred years old… To be precise, I’m about six hundred and twenty…” Kai muttered with a wry smile, but then quickly realized that this was not something he needed to worry about right now.

“I need to test the fusion with Destragore and assess my combat potential. Afterward, I should head toward the passage to the Ancient Battlefield. If everything is as the Craftsman's Heart Devourer predicted, all the Devourers and Supreme Monarchs should have already gone searching for the third writing system,” Kai thought, hoping to pass through a certain window of opportunity.

“Destragore! Let’s merge!” Kai suddenly shouted, startling Seth.

In an instant, the dragon soared into the sky and then plummeted straight toward Kai’s body. As it fell, it began to shrink rapidly, concentrating all its power into a single point.

The moment it entered Kai’s back, he felt a surge of incredible power! From the point where the dragon entered, a wave of black energy spread, covering Kai’s entire body in spiked armor! Compared to the original Entropy Armor and even the first transformation, everything had drastically changed…

Now, Kai was instantly clad in a dense, form-fitting black armor with red veins running through it. It wasn’t bulky or restrictive, but rather it perfectly conformed to Kai’s figure. The most surprising part was that Kai’s face and head were also covered by a mask that transitioned into a helmet, resembling a dragon’s maw, and two wings sprouted from his back.

“What the…” Kai unconsciously muttered, astonished by these changes. The last time he had merged with the dragon was back during the sixth transformation. It was no wonder everything seemed so different now!

Seeing Kai’s strange reaction, Seth spoke with a mixture of surprise and calmness:

“So, this is what your Law Weapon will look like… It inspires fear and awe,” Seth said with praise.

“Won’t it change again when I reach the Law Overlord Sphere?” Kai asked, feeling somewhat conflicted.

“Typically, yes, since almost no one reaches nine transformations. But those who do reach this level have almost completed their Law Weapon. Upon breaking through, you’ll only experience the baptism of the weapon, making it stronger,” Seth immediately explained.

“Masters with fewer transformations use up a vast amount of the universe’s power during their breakthrough to complete their weapon. The ninth transformation, however, is different in that all that universal power goes into tempering the weapon, making it stronger and allowing it to withstand the Cataclysm of the Universe when breaking through to the Supreme Monarch Sphere. Those with weapons that aren’t durable enough due to fewer transformations simply die in the process,” Seth added, explaining all these nuances in one breath.

When Kai heard all this, his eyes suddenly lit up with admiration! Without even realizing it, by reaching the ninth transformation, he had obtained a weapon in each of his cultivation systems!

The energy system manifested in Destragore or the armor and weapon when merging with it.

The body system was embodied in Kai’s own flesh and bloodline, which had only grown stronger after he absorbed all the blood of the Heretical God.

The spirit system was represented by the nine-story Fortress of Oblivion, which protected his Spiritual Sea and provided other useful functions.

“Does this mean I can fight against masters in the Law Overlord Sphere?” Kai muttered, pondering the possibility.

Naturally, these were just idle thoughts, and Kai understood that such assumptions were absurd. The gap in power between the cultivation spheres was vast.

But Seth’s next words shocked Kai! He simply nodded and calmly said:

“I believe your strength is now equivalent to that of a master who has recently broken through to the Law Overlord Sphere. And considering the peculiar nature of your power… I think you could indeed fight such masters. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could even kill one,” Seth said with utmost seriousness.

As soon as these words were spoken, Kai’s jaw practically dropped. If what Seth said was true, then Kai would be able to act much more freely! Finally, he could fight against the masters who had always suppressed him!

“Dragon Devouring Self Technique!” Kai suddenly exclaimed, feeling his skin begin to tear in some areas, being devoured by the armor.

As soon as this happened, all the veins on the armor pulsed with red light. And Kai’s overall combat power began to increase! Unconsciously, a spear began to materialize in Kai’s hand, woven from the Law of Inevitable Destruction and the Asura Reaper Law.

“By sacrificing flesh, I can wield both weapon and armor simultaneously without sacrificing any protection, unlike when I fled from the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger! Even if I can’t maintain this form indefinitely due to the constant self-devouring, in battle, this is an unparalleled advantage!” Kai thought, instantly realizing his newfound powers.

At that moment, he felt a clear thirst for battle, and perhaps, he already knew where he could quench it!

V.9 Chapter 729: Statues and Writings

Feeling the rush of newfound abilities, Kai was filled with enthusiasm and an even stronger desire to test them in battle. Naturally, he wouldn’t seek out trouble without reason, but he sensed that a fight was inevitable.

“With the Dragon Devours Self Technique, I can ignore the balance between defense and attack. Of course, using it inflicts damage on myself, and I can’t fight indefinitely in this mode… But at last, I have a trump card again,” Kai thought with a cunning grin as he dispersed the energy and returned to his usual appearance.

When Kai broke through to the Law Transformation Sphere, many of his earlier abilities became integrated into his very essence. In the past, in critical moments, Kai could unleash an overwhelming power using the Asura God Possession, but after the breakthrough, that deadly step had disappeared.

It seemed that the Dragon Devours Self Technique had provided Kai with a similar move, but even more savage and brutal. He was literally sacrificing his own flesh, transforming it into combat power. The more he sacrificed, the more power he would gain!

“In a critical moment, I can sacrifice much, but then I’ll have to hope the enemy dies… Otherwise, I’ll be in an even worse state than after using the Asura God Possession,” Kai thought, watching as his finger almost fully regenerated.

“Master, what are your plans?” Seth suddenly asked, interrupting Kai’s thoughts.

“I’ll exit the ring and search for the passage to the Ancient Battlefield. What happens next will depend on the situation. It’s hard to say right now…” Kai murmured thoughtfully.

At that moment, he had no idea what was happening in the ancient temple or who had been left to guard it. Before entering the dense space of the world’s border, the Craftsman's Heart Devourer had mentioned that they would head off to search for the third type of script. Logically, a few Law Overlords should have been left behind to guard this place.

“Then I wish you luck,” Seth said with a bow, and after a brief pause, added. “I must admit, your strength is astounding. If you break through to the Law Overlord Sphere… You’ll undoubtedly be stronger than the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction…” Seth admitted bluntly before turning and heading to his secluded spot.

Seth had long ago used his spirit and some materials to create a small stone dwelling for himself. That was where he spent all his time, like a hermit in a cave. This reclusive lifestyle suited him perfectly.

“Did you hear that, Kessia? Heh-heh,” Kai thought to himself, once again forgetting that the queen was no longer with him.

As soon as those words left his lips, he froze, realizing that it would take him a long time to get used to Kessia’s absence. After a few moments of reflection, Kai shook his head and immediately vanished from the space of the world ring…

In a vast corridor of the ancient palace, Kai suddenly appeared, dressed in black robes. The Overlord of Ravenous Hunger had destroyed his form from the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, so he decided to wear something simple for now.

Looking around, Kai still felt a sense of confusion in this turbulent and chaotic space. There were no clear landmarks, so, as before, he had to rely on luck.

“Well then… I’ll move forward and map the area in my mind. Hopefully, that way, I won’t end up wandering in circles,” Kai said with a wry smile as he peered into the pitch-black darkness ahead.

Navigating through the maze-like corridors, avoiding natural formations and traps, Kai continued to observe the sculptures adorning the walls. These depictions held a hidden meaning, symbolizing the unification of three armies in a battle against the Five Evil Gods. Kai began to wonder who had built these passages to the Ancient Battlefield.

But as Kai took a closer look at the scenes and paintings, he realized they weren’t depicting a war. Instead, they showed that all life was governed by the Five Gods, and life was content with this… Clearly, such an image could not have been created by past masters; only the Evil Gods themselves could have done this!

But why would they create a passage and the means to connect the three worlds themselves? After all, they were the ones who originally divided all life into separate domains.

Days turned into weeks as Kai ventured deeper into the labyrinth, constantly contemplating what he saw and trying to connect the dots between the facts he knew. Kai began to notice that in some halls, the energy pressure was so intense that his inner essence responded to it. These places seemed to call out to him...

One day, after turning another corner, Kai discovered a hall that was different from all the others. In its center stood an altar, and above it hovered figures of five beings, each radiating a menacing energy, even though they were merely stone statues.

Focusing, Kai approached the altar, trying to decipher the ancient symbols carved on its surface. The symbols shimmered before his eyes, as if coming to life and telling a story from ancient times, but their meaning was unclear. Kai stopped, carefully examining the figures, which were made from different types of stone, giving them various colors.

Their facial features were eroded, and their outlines were blurred, but one of the figures had remained much better preserved than the others. It seemed as though it hadn’t changed at all, allowing every element and even the different colors to be clearly seen. It gave the impression of being a living creature...

Approaching the sculpture, Kai gazed at the figure, which filled him with an overwhelming sense of both terror and admiration. The being depicted was of an astonishing appearance: with a high forehead, majestic, upward-curving horns that seemed to reach toward the heavens. Its face was pale, the cheekbones protruding sharply under taut skin, giving the appearance of sternness and determination. The being’s hair was snowy white and wild, like a frosty wind, contrasting with the blood-red tones framing its figure.

Its eyes, shining like two burning coals, filled the hall with an aura of power and silent rage. Its clothing seemed less like clothing and more like some archaic semblance of a robe, woven from who knows what...

Kai felt something deeper than just the appearance of these figures. It was as if the very spirit of the Evil Gods, their indomitable will, and their desire to dominate all realms of existence, were sealed within them.

Standing before the sculpture, awed by its grandeur and terrifying beauty, Kai’s attention was suddenly drawn to unusual vibrations emanating from the figures. In that instant, Kai activated his Eyes of Essence, and a wave of shock washed over him!

“This… This can’t be!” Kai shouted, his eyes burning with intensity.

In that brief moment, Kai saw five different types of scripts, each distinct from the known systems of body, energy, and spirit writing, making it impossible for his mind to decipher them. Yet, it seemed to him that each type of script distorted the surrounding laws in its own way, as if it held the roots of all existence.

He noticed the statue of an old man, whose silhouette was still discernible. This figure seemed to warp the surrounding space, forming intricate patterns in the air. Kai could feel the hairs on his arms stand up from the power vibrating within these symbols.

“What knowledge has been lost in these halls? What force can so alter the fabric of the world?” Kai thought, as guesses and theories began to form in his mind. “And why, out of all the sculptures, has this old man remained the best preserved?”

As soon as this thought flashed through Kai’s mind, he immediately shouted:

“That’s the God of Time-Space! Even a small part of his law allowed this sculpture to survive far better than the others!”

“Damn, I can’t miss this opportunity! I’ve never seen these laws in such concentration and proximity before!” Kai exclaimed in awe, stepping closer to the figure of the God of Time-Space and touching it.

Kai, as if gripped by an intuitive understanding, began to scrutinize the script of the laws, which became visible through his Eyes of Essence. The first symbols he saw resembled droplets of dew, gliding along spiral trajectories, sometimes changing direction or disappearing altogether. It was difficult to follow them, except for those moments when the symbols’ movements were linear rather than chaotic.

“And this must be the Law of Eternal Will…” Kai muttered, shifting his gaze to a larger sculpture, whose features were no longer discernible.

The second system of script vibrated with unyielding power. The lines were firm and decisive, like strokes made by a resolute hand. They formed beautiful geometric shapes, with each element supporting the others, making the overall structure unbreakable...

The third was the Causelessness of Luck Law... In Kai’s view, it played with an ever-changing light, the symbols resembling loops and knots that altered their forms, unpredictably twisting and dissipating, leaving behind traces of fortuitous circumstances. It could be said that these scripts were the most chaotic, yet at times, they spontaneously formed beautiful, orderly patterns.

The figure emitting this law was noticeably different from the others, as it sat on the ground, lounging carelessly, as if worldly concerns had no bearing on it...

“And this must be…” Kai muttered, moving to the next figure.

From its outline, Kai could confidently say that it was not male. It was the only one among the five sculptures that resembled a woman...

And as soon as Kai looked at the script surrounding her, he immediately understood:

“The Law of Life! That’s obvious!” Kai shouted unconsciously.

The script embodying the Law of Life seemed to pulse in rhythm with the heartbeat of the universe, radiating warmth. They were constantly in motion, creating beautiful circular silhouettes, seemingly endless. And within each circle, new circles emerged, as if continuing infinitely.

Beside it stood a slender figure of a man, clearly symbolizing the God of Death. The Law of Death revealed itself in symbols where each line had an end. The symbols closely resembled those of the Law of Life, except that each circle was broken at some point. This break could be at the very beginning or near the end. But there wasn’t a single one that completed a full circle!

As Kai pondered each law, he felt a deep attraction to the wisdom embedded in these symbols. Kai had never seen these laws before, and now he could even classify them! Perhaps no one had ever done this before!

“Each of these laws represents a thread in the fabric of the Universe, and understanding each one opens the way to controlling the very foundation of existence…” Kai concluded mentally. He felt the knowledge of the laws vibrating in his mind, offering him new ideas.

“And how did some masters manage to begin cultivating one of these laws, let alone reach the Law Overlord Sphere?” Kai muttered in astonishment, realizing how abnormal such cases were, requiring incredible circumstances.

Kai deliberately stayed in this hall for several days, carefully studying each of the five systems of script. He did so until he felt that he lacked the understanding to see anything new. Only then did he decide it was time to continue his journey.

V.9 Chapter 730: Main Hall

Kai continued his journey through the labyrinthine corridors of the ancient palace, constantly noticing the various oddities that set this space apart from the Region of Energy Domination.

One day, Kai felt the concentration of various laws suddenly surge to a new level.

“Hmm... Could it be that I’m finally on the right path?” Kai said hopefully, and began moving even faster.

He wasn’t wrong! An hour later, he finally felt a sense of relief, as he heard the voices of masters in the distance! They were discussing something about three spheres, which aligned with the description of the passage in the writings of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction.

“I’ve found it! I hope I can handle this without unnecessary trouble!” Kai thought, preparing himself for a potential battle.

In a vast, dark hall resembling an ancient cavern, two masters of the Law Overlord Sphere stood. The hall was softly illuminated by the light emanating from three giant spheres floating in the center. The spheres moved slowly, constantly in motion, as if revolving around something invisible in the center between them. Beneath it all was a massive platform glowing with various symbols, as if it were a natural formation visible to anyone.

One of the masters, his face hidden under a hood, spoke in a deep, resonant voice:

“How much longer do you think we’ll have to wait before the others find a way to open the portal? I can’t wait to see that strange sealed world.”

The second master, standing nearby, was half the height of the first but exuded an equally imposing aura. He responded thoughtfully:

“It’s hard to say... But I’m sure that when they do, our world will face its greatest trial. We must be ready.”

This shorter master had green skin, and the upper part of his face was covered with dozens of small black eyes, making his appearance somewhat unsettling…

“I agree… But don’t forget that every trial is an opportunity for growth and new power. I must say, I already feel the benefits for my cultivation. I wonder what wonders await us on the Ancient Battlefield?” the first master remarked softly, allowing the light of the spheres to reflect in his eyes, hidden by the shadow of his hood.

The second master nodded, and both turned to the spheres, as if seeking answers within them. At that moment, their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and they immediately prepared for a possible threat. They had a specific goal—to protect the portal and the secrets it held. No one could be allowed to interfere!

As the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, a young man in black clothes appeared in the doorway. But the most striking thing was the color of his hair—blood-red, like fresh blood.

Both masters were instantly surprised, recognizing him as the young man who once stood beside the Craftsman's Heart Devourer. But now, he had reached the legendary ninth transformation, which was an astonishing revelation!

The first master, with a hint of amazement and admiration in his voice, spoke:

“The apprentice of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer? I can’t believe my eyes. You… You’ve reached the Ninth Transformation? How is that possible?”

The second master was calmer and spoke with a strange tone:

“It’s no wonder you survived, unlike the other masters of the Law Transformation Sphere. Your potential was always higher… Fortunately, some managed to hide their apprentices in rings.”

Hearing these words, Kai roughly understood the situation... When each master was thrown into random parts of this ancient palace, many of the Law Transformation Sphere masters were left without the protection of their seniors. If not for the world ring, Kai wouldn’t have survived the pressure either.

Maintaining his calm and confidence, Kai stepped into the hall, his blood-red hair glimmering slightly under the light of the spheres. He glanced at the masters and spoke respectfully:

“Greetings, esteemed Overlords. My journey through this palace has been incredibly challenging… Only now have I finally found the main hall. To be honest, I don’t even know how long I’ve been wandering,” Kai said with a wry smile. “Could you bring me up to speed? What’s happening here? Where is everyone else?” he immediately asked.

The two masters didn’t seem surprised by these words. They understood well the danger and complexity of this place. It was easy to imagine someone from the Law Transformation Sphere getting lost in the corridors for decades.

“Unlucky for you, kid…” the man in the hood muttered with a chuckle. “As far as I know, some apprentices are still wandering in this pocket space. Others have long since died,” he said, shaking his head.

“Really?” Kai responded, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

“The spirit contracts of some apprentices are still intact, which means they’re alive. But the elders decided there were more important tasks at hand, so the search for the masters of the Law Transformation Sphere has been postponed,” the short man with the many eyes explained immediately.

“That makes sense. I don’t think the potential rewards from opening the Ancient Battlefield compare to the value of the apprentices’ lives,” Kai said understandingly. “But why are there only two masters left here?” he immediately followed up.

As soon as he asked, the two masters exchanged glances, and the taller man answered:

“You could say we’re on duty. Every ten years, new Overlords arrive to relieve each other. The rest are currently busy searching for the third type of script. The archives of each sect are endless and boundless. To sift through even one of them is a feat. The Devourers and Monarchs, in turn, have been actively exploring the starry space and pocket worlds.”

Everything was just as Kai had predicted earlier. Moreover, these two showed no hostility toward him, which eased the situation as well. When Kai considered this, he thought to himself:

“No wonder… To them, I’m the apprentice of the Craftsman's Heart Devourer. Moreover, they must know that the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen can see the last moment of any slain member. Killing me would be signing their own death warrant. After all, they don’t need my flesh, like the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger.”

Naturally, the skeleton also understood this well, which is why he didn’t allow Kai to use the “suicidal technique,” moreover, he wanted to imprison Kai, turning him into an eternal source of good blood and flesh. The situation with these two was drastically different…

“That makes sense…” Kai murmured, looking up at the spheres. “Would you mind if I kept you company? I don’t think I could leave this place. And if I leave this hall, I might get lost for decades again. Heh-heh,” he added awkwardly, scratching his head.

“Of course, it’s not a problem. It’s quite dull here anyway,” the tall man said with a nod, removing his hood. He bore a resemblance to the Devourer of the Abyssal Tempest, with the same metallic skin and carefree demeanor.

The shorter man also nodded, expressing no objection.

“Surprisingly, they’re treating me quite well… It seems my status and cultivation level have greatly influenced them,” Kai thought.

It was clear that if Kai continued to progress, he might enter realms far above their own. Establishing good relations with him now would certainly pay off in the future. There was simply no point in antagonizing Kai.

“Esteemed Overlords…” Kai muttered with a sly smile. “Do you enjoy drinking?” he asked, glancing from one to the other.

“Naturally! What else is there to do here? Ha-ha-ha!” the short man laughed, understanding where Kai was going with this. “Cultivating here is great too, but sometimes you just want to relax,” he added, stepping forward.

“We’ve already exchanged our collections a few times. So now it’s your turn as the newcomer,” the tall man chimed in, implying that Kai would be the one providing the alcohol today.

“Mmm… It seems we’re going to get along just fine! Heh-heh,” Kai said with a wave of his hand, pulling out several barrels of top-tier alcohol. “By the way, did you know that my nickname is the Immortal Drunkard? Moreover, these barrels were purchased in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. I don’t mean to offend, but I’d bet my alcohol is far better than yours!” Kai said with a friendly jest.

“Well then, let’s drink first and decide afterward! Words mean nothing—only the taste and how drunk we get matter!” the short man shouted with a laugh, adding. “By the way, my name is Zaramir. I’m from the Thundering Heavens Region.”

“Mufinar. Storm Wasteland Region,” the tall man introduced himself, smiling at Kai.

Hearing this, Kai simply uncorked the first barrel, and its aroma instantly filled the entire hall. Kai wasn’t joking when he said he had bought some of the best alcohol in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. He had enough money and status to fill his reserves to the brim. Now, he could truly impress even the masters of the Law Overlord Sphere.

“Damn! You weren’t kidding, kid!” Zaramir exclaimed even before tasting it. The scent alone was enough to gauge the quality of the drink.

Exchanging a few words, Mufinar pulled out a whole pavilion from his spatial ring, with glowing crystals integrated into it. Zaramir immediately brought out various delicacies, many of which Kai was seeing for the first time.

When Kai filled three large cups and made a toast, they all downed them in one go! As soon as the drink hit their systems, smiles spread across their faces, and their eyes began to gleam slightly. It was clear that each of them was feeling the intoxicating effects, getting more and more inebriated.

“Khaa! Thank you, Immortal Drunkard!” Mufinar shouted, finishing another cup and slamming it down on the table.

“No problem. I have plenty more of this, but next time, it’s your turn to treat!” Kai replied with a laugh.

“Tasting your drink makes me want to stretch this feast out for several months with some trickery! Ha-ha-ha,” Zaramir joked, patting Kai on the back.

Seeing the cheerful atmosphere, Kai was finally able to relax after everything that had happened to him in this ancient temple. However, as he noticed his companions getting more and more drunk, a plan began to form in Kai’s mind…

“You’re good guys… But unfortunately, you’ll have to fall under my hand. However, perhaps this will benefit you as well…” Kai thought, discreetly commanding his body to rapidly purge the alcohol and restore his clarity of mind.

Kai understood that he couldn’t stay here for long. The sooner he reached the Ancient Battlefield, the better. He definitely didn’t want to fight or kill these two, and it wasn’t clear if he could even pull that off. But for everything to look natural, he needed to draw them into his plan. He couldn’t act recklessly!

V.9 Chapter 731: Three Spheres

The trio had been drinking for several days straight, completely unconcerned with what was happening around them. They had been stuck there for years, and nothing strange or dangerous had ever occurred. Given the top-notch alcohol Kai provided, they had no desire to end the drinking spree.

During these days, Kai asked a lot about the Storm Wasteland Region and the Thundering Heavens Region. After all, he was about to leave the Region of Energy Domination but had yet to visit all its regions.

Overall, the stories didn’t differ much from what Kai had already read in books, but hearing them from the locals added a certain liveliness.

Kai was particularly amused by Zaramir's stories, who absolutely hated the Evil Realm Region because his sect was located on its border. They were constantly at war, killing each other for tens of thousands of years. Whenever he got the chance, the short man would curse the Flesh Seekers Sect, as they were closest to his home guild’s territory.

Naturally, Kai quickly found common ground with Zaramir, since he himself had recently become a victim of an elder from that sect… It was hard not to notice that Kai also harbored a deep resentment toward the semi-living race.

“So, what’s the deal with these spheres?” Kai asked with half-closed eyes and a flushed face. He looked as if he could barely get the words out due to his intoxication.

But his companions were no better...

“Huh? What are you even talking about?” Mufinar responded, swaying as he tried to focus his gaze on Kai.

“About these… what are they called… Ah! The symbols!” Kai shouted, raising a finger as if he’d just remembered.

“And what about them?” Zaramir asked in surprise.

“Well… Have you tried activating these spheres? Maybe we could do it by chance and get a reward? Heh-heh,” Kai laughed carelessly, as if joking.

“Yeah, right! You think we haven’t tried? It’s all useless…” Zaramir replied, leaning back in his chair and lazily shaking his head.

As these words were spoken, Kai's eyes lit up with interest. It all seemed as if they had turned into ordinary mortals, looking for trouble under the influence of alcohol…

“Mind if I give it a shot? Some even call me a genius! Maybe the heavens will bless me with enlightenment? Heh-heh,” Kai said, rising from the table and challenging his drinking companions with a look.

“Be my guest, go wherever you want! I’d rather keep drinking your alcohol! More for me! Ha-ha-ha!” Zaramir laughed loudly, pouring himself another glass of the golden-colored aromatic drink.

“Dream on! If you don’t help me light up the first two spheres, I won’t share any more of my stash with you! So, think twice…” Kai said with a sly laugh, patting the nearby Mufinar on the shoulder.

When these words were spoken, the two men exchanged disgruntled glances, and after a few moments of grumbling, they finally stood up. They had already tried to study the spheres several times, but it had never led to anything. Now it seemed as if they had to humor the whim of the young lad, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Zaramir and Mufinar grumbled as they followed the cheerful Kai toward the three spheres floating in the center of the hall. Their footsteps were uneven, perfectly revealing their heavy intoxication. Zaramir cast an annoyed glance at Kai, who, despite everything, remained optimistic.

“This is a waste of time, Kai…” Zaramir grumbled, not bothering to hide his desire to return to the table.

“Well, we’ve got plenty of time! You look young, but you grumble like an old mortal grandpa. Heh-heh!” Kai joked, teasing as he led the way.

Mufinar, though he accompanied them in silence, couldn’t help but smirk skeptically, suspecting that this strange experiment would once again come to nothing. However, his curiosity about the spheres was just as strong as Kai's. After all, when Kai first arrived, both Overlords were standing near the spheres, studying them.

Kai, ignoring their grumbling, continued to move forward. His eyes gleamed at the sight of the spheres, which were a critical variable in his future. He had learned about the Ancient Battlefield more than five hundred years ago and had been striving to reach it ever since. Once he did, he would be able to find more answers to the mysteries surrounding him!

“See this sphere?” Zaramir began, pointing to the first sphere. “To activate this sphere, you just need to inscribe the symbols etched on my core, or on yours, or on the core of any master above the Core Sphere. This will awaken it…”

Kai listened carefully, as if he wasn’t very familiar with what was happening. He admired the giant spheres floating above them with awe.

Pointing to the second sphere, Zaramir continued:

“And for this one, you need symbols found in the cache of a master named the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. He discovered them in some ancient pocket world, so even we can activate it now.”

“Oh… You’re familiar with these writings too? Didn’t the Devourers and Monarchs try to keep their secrets hidden?” Kai asked, intrigued.

“Well… We weren’t given any instructions, of course…” Mufinar mumbled, hedging a bit. “But on our first visit to this hall, we saw the elders activate this sphere. Naturally, we managed to memorize the basics… And over the years, we’ve been able to replicate them well enough to light up the second sphere,” he explained, as if revealing a secret, but with a hint of pride.

“But for the third sphere, we still haven’t found the right key. Who knows if we ever will... This whole story about the ancient war, the Evil Gods, and cultivators of the three types…” Zaramir muttered, interrupting Mufinar and pointing to the third sphere.

Hearing this, Kai could only sigh heavily and say:

“Let’s hope the elders find this third type of writing... Because if everything we’ve learned is true, then we need to be on guard.”

“I don’t know, to me, all this sounds rather strange. If the Evil Gods sealed and divided the Universe, shouldn’t they destroy us for violating their prohibitions? Won’t opening this portal bring even more wrath upon us?” Zaramir said, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Maybe you’re right, or maybe you’re not…” Mufinar suddenly interjected. “We could be like frogs at the bottom of a well, simply not understanding the motives of these Gods. Or perhaps these Gods have gone into seclusion, which would seem like an eternity to us. But when they come out of it... We’d better be ready!” he added with all seriousness.

Sensing the atmosphere growing tense and dramatic, Kai burst into loud laughter and shouted:

“Come on, now! In any case, we’re not the ones making the decisions!” saying this, he walked up to his companions, throwing his arms around their shoulders. “Show me how these two spheres light up, and then we can go back to drinking! Heh-heh!” he added carefree.

Kai’s unexpected optimism made Zaramir and Mufinar forget their grim musings. Smiles lit up their faces, and leaving all caution behind, they soared toward the two spheres that floated, waiting for their moment. The Overlords, filled with a sense of ease, began skillfully drawing ancient symbols on the surface of the spheres, symbols that reflected the deep knowledge embedded in the very foundations of the laws.

“Watch closely, Kai,” Zaramir said with an uncommon lightness in his voice. His hands moved confidently and precisely, as if each gesture had been practiced thousands of times. “These are the symbols inscribed on my core.”

Mufinar, not to be outdone, focused intently on the second sphere, his fingers gliding over its surface, leaving behind a faint light that gradually grew brighter. As his fingers traced the symbols, they didn’t glow but instead left red streaks, as if he were painting with blood.

Gradually, as the final symbol was completed, both spheres began to emit a soft light that quickly grew into a dazzling radiance.

“Thud!” a pulse echoed through the hall, and the light from the spheres began to shift. The colors ranged from warm golds to deep blues, creating the impression that the very heart of the Universe was being revealed to Kai and the Overlords. The spheres began to exude a deep, all-encompassing aura that evoked awe, even in Kai.

“See, Kai? Incredible aura, isn’t it?” Zaramir asked in admiration as he watched the spectacle. He had seen this many times before, but never ceased to be amazed.

Standing beside him, Kai couldn’t tear his eyes away from the magnificent sight. From Kai's perspective, everything appeared even more terrifying. With the Eyes of Essence, he saw the spheres pulsating with a kaleidoscope of various laws belonging to their respective systems. They seemed to act as lenses, through which the laws of a specific type—flesh or energy—were focused and concentrated.

“Incredible…” Kai muttered, as he too took to the air, slowly approaching the third sphere, which still floated lifelessly beside the other two.

Zaramir and Mufinar watched calmly, understanding Kai's curiosity. They didn’t mind letting him examine the spheres and try to unravel their mysteries.

When Kai reached out to the third, still dormant sphere, his fingers barely brushed its surface when suddenly, a strange resonance echoed within his Spiritual Sea.

It wasn’t pain or discomfort, but more like a deep echo caused by a light touch on an ancient artifact. At that moment, Kai clearly felt just how ancient and mysterious this place was...

“Do you feel that too?” Kai asked Zaramir and Mufinar, his eyes still fixed on the sphere. “It’s like it’s trying to tell me something…”

“You felt a response?” Mufinar asked, raising an eyebrow. “Funny… We only feel a response from the sphere linked to the energy system…”

Hearing this, Kai narrowed his eyes and thought to himself:

“I need to act as mysterious and vague as possible... I can’t just tell them to back off. Everything needs to seem natural, and they need to be drawn into the portal with me. Otherwise, not even the Divine Craftsmen Region will be able to protect me…”

Kai knew that to open the Ancient Battlefield, he literally needed to inscribe the runes of the Oblivion Law. But if he did so and ventured there alone, the arrival of the Devourers would expose everything. And it was unlikely anyone would believe it was a mere coincidence, especially not the Craftsman's Heart Devourer, who knew that most of the information had been provided by Kai. Everything would look exactly as it was—Kai had used them all for his own benefit!

“I think we’re on the verge of something great,” Kai said quietly, taking a step back and feigning shock. “This sphere... It’s older than anything we can imagine. And, perhaps, it’s waiting for the right moment to reveal its secrets.”

“What are you…” Zaramir muttered, puzzled by Kai's strange behavior.

But before they could say anything else, purple mist flared on Kai’s fingers, and he began to slowly inscribe runes on the third sphere!

V.9 Chapter 732: Powers of the Border World

Zaramir and Mufinar didn’t quite understand what was happening as Kai, seemingly in a trance, began inscribing symbols on the third sphere. Of course, they didn’t believe he would succeed, but the spectacle was amusing... Moreover, both of them were heavily intoxicated, which further distorted their perception of the situation.

Kai continued to draw the symbols of the spiritual system’s script. He did it slowly but with utmost concentration.

“Come on, light up!” Kai mentally urged, fearing that the two Overlords might decide to return to the pavilion and leave him there. If that happened, his plan could fall apart...

Kai’s fingers, carefully and precisely tracing the surface of the third sphere, completed the final element of his Oblivion Law—a symbol that seemed to be the key to the mystery held within the sphere. At that moment, to the surprise of everyone present, the third sphere ignited with an ethereal aura, emitting a soft yet blinding radiance. It seemed familiar and, at the same time, something unknown and mysterious.

“Get away from there, Kai! This could be dangerous!” Zaramir shouted, his expression shifting from surprise to concern.

“Hurry, get back!” Mufinar echoed, already poised to rush toward Kai and pull him away from the sphere.

It seemed as if both Overlords had immediately harnessed all their energy to dispel their intoxication and regain their clarity of mind. They each understood that the situation had somehow spiraled out of control!

“Shuuw!” but before anyone could react, a black-and-white vortex formed in the center between the three spheres, freezing time and space around it, preventing anyone from moving!

It was something like a terrifying portal, through which one could sense another, wild world, full of mysteries and secrets. The vortex spun faster and faster, sucking the air from the room, and suddenly, from its center, as if out of nowhere, a small sphere appeared. It expanded until the portal itself became spherical!

“What the hell is that?! We need to get out of here!” Zaramir shouted, his voice a mix of awe and terror.

In that brief moment, a thought raced through Kai’s mind that filled him with wonder. He grasped the incredible symbolism of what was happening...

“This isn’t just a teleportation activation point; it’s a miniature of the Universe! The three spheres: the Region of Energy Domination, the Region of Flesh Domination, and the Region of Spirit Domination! And in the middle, between them, is a smaller border world that seems to connect them all! This black-and-white sphere—it's the Ancient Battlefield!” Kai mentally exclaimed, feeling the overall picture of the Universe completing in his mind.

But the next moment, something unimaginable began—the suction force of the small sphere became simply overwhelming. It captured all three of them in its vortex-like dance, slowly but inexorably pulling them toward its center.

“Damn it, is this a trap?!” Zaramir tried to resist the force, but his efforts were futile.

“We need to use formations to…” Mufinar began, but his words were drowned out by the roar of the vortex.

At that moment, they all realized they were utterly powerless to resist the pull! It was too grand and unfathomable, ignoring any attempts by the Overlords to fight it.

Kai wanted to shout something, but he saw that each of the Overlords was now fully focused on survival. They were already enveloping their bodies in energy to protect themselves from the spatial distortion.

“Sorry, guys, but I had no other choice. You’ll have to wait for the Devourers and Monarchs inside the Ancient Battlefield. If you survive, that is…” Kai thought, feeling the immense pressure returning. He began to feel something similar to what he had experienced when entering this palace.

According to the records of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction, the portal would eject you at a random location within the Ancient Battlefield. This was why Corvus had to spend a long time searching for a way back to the Region of Energy Domination, as he didn’t know where the equivalent palace with a teleportation array was located.

Realizing that time was running out, Kai instantly entered his world ring. In the chaos of laws swirling around, no one even noticed that Kai’s figure had vanished, and a lone ring flew toward the black-and-white sphere...

Zaramir and Mufinar were sucked into the vortex almost simultaneously. Their minds were in as much turmoil as the situation itself, as they had never imagined something like this could happen. They had literally been drinking and, by some miracle, opened the portal to the Ancient Battlefield! It was absurdly ridiculous!

Inside the world ring, Kai felt the immense pressure, which had been crushing his consciousness, begin to recede...

He noticed how the laws of the three types—energy, flesh, and spirit—started swirling around him. These laws seemed like endless rivers of knowledge, continuously flowing into the space of the ring.

“Damn... Incredible... Could the entire Ancient Battlefield be like this?” Kai muttered in awe.

Wanting to assess what was happening outside and how this terrifying spatial tunnel felt, Kai attempted to extend his perception beyond the world ring. But as soon as his consciousness touched the boundary of the world ring’s space, his perception began to shatter into tiny fragments, like glass under a hammer! It was something unbelievable: inside the ring, he felt omnipotent, but as soon as he tried to peer outside, all his knowledge and power turned to dust!

At that moment, Seth appeared beside him. Clearly, he too had noticed what was happening inside the world ring and realized they were on their way to the border world.

“You did it, Master!” Seth said with respect and a hint of awe in his voice as he looked at Kai.

“First, we need to reach your home world, and only then can we talk about success. But if I’m not being modest, then yes... We’re on our way to the Ancient Battlefield. Heh-heh,” Kai laughed, as if he himself couldn’t quite believe what was happening. “By the way, what’s with your voice?” he asked with a smile.

“It’s just that I’m thrilled that the final will of Overlord Corvus will soon be fulfilled. His residual consciousness has waited thirty thousand years, and if you add the time in my border world... He has waited too long to reunite with his beloved in eternity,” Seth muttered, shaking his head.

It seemed that at that moment, he was more concerned with Overlord of Inevitable Destruction than with himself. Such loyalty was simply incredible and, in a way, tragic...

“I understand... Although I never knew Corvus, I have gained much from him. You could say he became one of my mentors on the path of martial arts. If I once thought that fulfilling his posthumous request would be nearly impossible, now I’m literally standing at the goal,” Kai said, taking a deep breath.

But after a few moments of silence, he shook his head and decisively changed the subject. Kai looked at Seth and said:

“It’s time for you to tell me more about your world. As far as I know, we’ll be thrown into a random point, and we need to get our bearings quickly,” he spoke with all seriousness, his words sounding more like a command than a request.

Seth, sensing the seriousness in Kai’s tone, nodded and began his story, his voice soft but filled with unwavering confidence:

“The Ancient Battlefield... That’s not quite the correct name, or rather... My universe is known by many names: the Realm of Death, the Sphere of Cascading Energies, the World of Soul Chaos, and so on. It depends on the world and the beings who discovered it.

“My world is filled with chaos from all types of laws. It’s not as vast as your world, and most of it is starry wastelands where death reigns. These territories can swallow even the highest masters, lost in the endless expanses between the scattered areas of stability. In my world, one must be very cautious when traveling...

Seth paused, as if choosing his words carefully before continuing:

“As for the relatively safe areas, they are roughly comparable in size to the Evil Realm Region, or slightly larger. But they are far more dangerous than any territories in the worlds of spirit, energy, or flesh. These ‘islands of stability’ are home to various sects and clans, each of which has adapted to the harsh conditions of the Ancient Battlefield.

“First and foremost, it’s worth mentioning the Abyss Clan,” Seth continued. “These masters study the laws of spirit, using them to navigate through chaotic space and hunt other cultivators. Their strength lies in their unpredictability and their ability to use chaos itself for their purposes.

“Next is the Order of Eternal Radiance, residing in one of the few bright regions of the Ancient Battlefield. They worship the Goddess of Life, creating sanctuaries for the weak and seekers of knowledge. Despite their good intentions, they are steadfast in defending their territories from invasion. And they are quite fanatical…” he added thoughtfully, with a hint of caution.

“Another significant force is the Sect of Death’s Keepers, a sect that draws its power from the darkest aspects of its lineage. Their territories are hidden in the darkest corners of the Ancient Battlefield, and few return from there capable of telling of an encounter with them. They worship the God of Death, unlike the previous organization.

“Among the less powerful but useful forces, the Rift Guild stands out, a group of craftsmen studying the laws of space and time. They create corridors and paths through the chaos, connecting scattered stable zones and pocket worlds. Their services are indispensable, but the price for them can be very high.

“Finally, there is the great Infinite Path Sect, which seeks to understand all the laws of the Universe. They see the chaos of the Ancient Battlefield not as a danger but as endless opportunities for growth and development. Their masters are known for their ability to adapt to any conditions, using any laws for their purposes.

Seth sighed as he concluded his tale:

“These forces are constantly fighting for resources, knowledge, and territories. The Ancient Battlefield is an arena of eternal struggle, where only the strongest and wisest can survive and thrive. It’s important to remember that in all this chaos, there are also some masters who have come from the three worlds, especially from the Region of Spirit Domination... This turns my world into one great spindle of Life and Death.

“There are also smaller clans and organizations, usually under the protection of one of the aforementioned powers.”

Kai nodded thoughtfully, as he had expected, something like this. After all, Seth also came from a specific clan, so it made sense to assume there were other, smaller forces...

And as soon as Kai thought of this, two questions immediately formed in his mind. He looked at his servant and asked:

“You didn’t name your clan because it’s small? And more importantly... Why don’t these sects and clans invade the Regions of Domination? I think it would be much easier for you to gather the scripts of the three systems,” Kai said suspiciously.

“It’s simple. As for the first question—my clan isn’t strong enough to be mentioned separately. As for the second... There are many reasons, but one of the main ones is an unspoken rule that forbids doing so... The masters living in the Ancient Battlefield can enter one of the three regions privately and with minimal impact on the local inhabitants. But if someone tries to start an expansion or interfere with the events of the three worlds, they will be punished by higher beings, who, according to legend, watch over the Ancient Battlefield,” Seth explained with utmost seriousness.

As soon as Kai heard these words, a whole chain of questions arose in his mind, once again plunging him into deep thought...

V.9 Chapter 733: Lovers' Bodies

Everything Seth spoke about regarding the prohibitions sounded rather strange, but such rumors and bans don't arise from nowhere…

“Supreme beings watching over your border world? What does that mean? Are you talking about the Law Devourers?” Kai muttered, not fully understanding.

“No. I mentioned earlier that some organizations in my world worship the Goddess of Life and the God of Death,” Seth began, speaking slowly. “According to legend, they are the guardians and rulers of the Ancient Battlefield. If anyone violates these unspoken rules, they will face immediate retribution,” Seth added.

As soon as Kai heard this, his mind trembled. He couldn't believe that something like this could actually happen!

“The Gods of Life and Death? But aren’t they part of the Evil Gods that seek to destroy life?” Kai exclaimed in shock.

“The mysteries of ancient times are too obscure… But even aside from the legends of the Gods of Life and Death, the power of my world alone is comparable to an entire region of one of the Regions of Domination. With such power, you can't resist an entire world. Moreover, not all inhabitants of the border world know about the Regions of Domination or where the passages to them are. This knowledge belongs to higher-order masters who are not keen on disturbing the relative peace in our world,” Seth quickly added.

At that moment, Kai plunged into deep thought, trying to piece together all the facts in his mind. He recalled all the literature he had read about the Evil Gods, his visions, and the statues he had recently seen…

“The Evil Gods divided the Universe and sealed it within three regions… It's unclear why they created the border world and the ability to travel between them. But if the Ancient Battlefield is controlled by the Evil Gods…” Kai began to ponder, noticing a certain logic and malevolent design behind it all.

“Martial artists always strive for the pinnacle and the next levels. The Law Devourers also continue to cultivate, exploring pocket worlds and seeking mysteries. Perhaps the Ancient Battlefield was created as a kind of trap for monsters? The strongest masters, who could become potential threats, are led to the border world by their thirst for power. And once they arrive, they are destroyed by the Evil Gods! Meanwhile, masters at the level of the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction are simply ignored, and the local inhabitants are always under control!” Kai suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Although this was just a theory, it sounded quite plausible. If so, Kai's actions would lead to many of the strongest masters in the Region of Energy Domination being destroyed!

“Maybe we were very wrong, and the Evil Gods need life for reasons unknown to us. They just don't want the power of life to exceed certain limits!” Kai mentally exclaimed, coming to yet another realization.

If things were indeed this way, then the three Regions of Domination were a kind of cattle pens, and the Ancient Battlefield was a slaughterhouse for those who had grown strong and left the herd. Of course, in reality, everything was much more complicated, but there was a certain sense to it all…

“Perhaps the ancient war began because the herd began to slip out of control and became too powerful… That's why the Evil Gods decided to limit our development without wiping out life entirely. But what do they want from us?” Kai muttered thoughtfully, speaking aloud.

“That is a difficult question,” Seth suddenly said. “Perhaps they desired worship, or maybe the development of life brings something to the Universe that we do not understand. And perhaps this 'something' is vital to the Gods themselves…” he said, shrugging.

“Flesh, Energy, and Spirit… The three components of the Universe outside the control of the Evil Gods… The tiniest particles I saw when understanding the Oblivion Law… There are still too many mysteries on my path…” Kai murmured, staring down.

“When we arrive at my clan, perhaps the elders or the head can speak with you, master. My race is long-lived, so some of my ancestors have lived for millions of years, becoming like inanimate stone. Who knows, maybe you'll get some answers,” Seth said seriously, trying to encourage Kai.

“Alright. Thank you for your help,” Kai said, bowing slightly, putting off all questions for a better time. “By the way, how long will our journey through this spatial tunnel take?” he asked, returning to more practical concerns.

“I'm not sure… In your time, probably around thirty years,” Seth replied, as if recalling his previous journey with Corvus, not entirely certain of his words.

This number made Kai draw in a sharp breath. Considering that the array formed by the three spheres was of a divine level, thirty years sounded terrifying. One could only imagine the distance that had to be covered for the transfer to take so long under such conditions.

“Then I'll focus on strengthening the ninth transformation… I won’t be able to break through, but maybe I can fully stabilize my power,” Kai said, stretching his neck.

After exchanging a few more words with Seth, they went their separate ways. Walking along the beautiful tiled road, Kai felt the entire world inside the ring filling with the chaos of laws. In such conditions, it would be even more comfortable for him to cultivate.

Kai was a unique being who perceived three cultivation systems at once. For others, these conditions would be challenging, as they would have to separate the unsuitable laws of other systems. Kai, on the other hand, could absorb them and process them with his own laws.

Kai had already fully understood this aspect back in the ancient palace. Under the gaze of the Eyes of Essence, he had closely studied this process. When another law of a suitable system entered one of Kai’s power centers, Kai’s law would pounce on the intruder and break it down into the smallest components of “script,” then reassemble them into the script of Kai’s law. In this way, through the laws of others, Kai could slowly increase his power.

This process was different from the actions of the Law Devourers, who didn’t process the foreign law but literally absorbed it, gaining knowledge and the ability to use it. Here, Kai simply used the foreign “script” to augment his strength.

It was somewhat similar to blood absorption… If it has no master and no one controls it, then you can use it for yourself, provided you have sufficient power.

It seemed that everything in the Universe was interconnected and there were fundamental principles that operated in each of the worlds. And all of it was tied to those tiny scripts and their elements, which Kai could see everywhere.

Moreover, it seemed that Kai was the only being capable of this… At least in the Region of Energy Domination, he hadn’t found a single mention of any script or anyone being able to see something like it. It was as if it was something so secret that it had been hidden in plain sight from the greatest masters for millions of years. The only place where “script” was mentioned was the laws engraved on the core. But the perception and nature of these “scripts” were unclear.

At this moment, Kai stood before the bodies of a man and a woman, who seemed to be peacefully sleeping next to each other. For some reason, he felt compelled to come here and look at them…

“Soon I will fulfill your dream. Your ashes will unite in the starry space of the Ancient Battlefield that you sought for so long. In a way, I will continue your research and aspirations, keeping the memory of you alive. Moreover, your work has become known throughout the Region of Energy Domination, and you will be remembered in other sects as well… Although I’m not sure whether this will be a blessing or a catastrophe for our world,” Kai said with a wry smile, as if addressing the living Lilorin and Corvus.

The air around Kai vibrated with tension, and his thoughts drifted through the fog of uncertainty about the future. It seemed to him that the story of these two had somehow become much closer to him…

“Even in the darkest moments, when the whole world seems against you, and you feel like a lone warrior facing inevitable defeat, it is these quiet moments of closeness and understanding that give you the strength to move forward…” Kai mused, reflecting on all the recent events related to Kessia.

The Queen had made great sacrifices just to give Kai a chance to survive. Moreover, she had done it out of pure love. In truth, this feeling was new to Kai as well.

Furthermore, the love of martial artists—beings capable of living unimaginable amounts of time—seemed to have a strong distinction. It didn’t flare up like a storm, pushing for the continuation of the species while the body was still young—it was a deep feeling that developed slowly, akin to cultivation.

After six hundred years spent together, the feelings between Kai and Kessia had reached a very deep and intimate level. Only by experiencing all of this himself did he come to better understand Corvus and Lilorin.

“The story of these two now seems much more tragic to me…” Kai muttered and placed his hand on Corvus's chest. “I can only imagine how hard it was when you learned that your beloved was tortured to death. The world is indeed cruel, or maybe we are just alien to this world,” Kai said with a certain understanding and walked toward the exit of the room.

Kai was no longer the naive boy who had left the lower world. His wanderings in the higher world had allowed him to face many obstacles and new experiences. From taking responsibility for subordinates in the Poison Mysteries Sect and solving problems without the use of force and cruelty in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen to love, a deep understanding of death, and the consequences of his actions. But one thing remained unchanged—the resilience with which Kai faced all these challenges.

“There are too many mysteries before me that need answers. I cannot break and abandon everything halfway. Perhaps this is selfish, but not all goals have kind-hearted and righteous paths…” Kai thought to himself, heading toward the hot springs.

The next thirty years became a time of uninterrupted strengthening of the ninth transformation for Kai. He absorbed the essence of the laws of the universe with such concentration and intensity that he could hardly have imagined before. Using his unique method of simultaneously cultivating three techniques, Kai was able to achieve harmony between body, spirit, and energy.

Each day spent in meditation and the absorption of laws was a step toward understanding the true essence of existence. Kai felt his inner world becoming ever more vast and diverse, reflecting the infinity of the universe within himself.

He combined his cultivation with the recitation of the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence, which allowed him not only to strengthen his spirit but also to gain a deeper understanding of the laws governing the world. The mantra, like a key, opened access to a deeper comprehension of his own laws.

And on one of those days, Kai suddenly felt a new surge of laws pouring into the space of the ring! And as soon as he extended his perception outward, he realized—they had finally arrived at the Ancient Battlefield! He had finally reached this mysterious border world!

V.9 Chapter 734: Jellyfish

The sensation of his perception leaving the boundaries of the ring filled Kai with excitement! But before he could fully savor the moment, Seth appeared beside him, speaking with unusual urgency:

“Master, we’ve arrived. We must leave the ring immediately!”

Hearing such an uncharacteristically forceful tone, Kai instantly expelled Seth out of the ring and materialized himself in the middle of the starry space. He paused for a moment, overwhelmed by the sight before him. All around, like whirlwinds in the endless darkness, streams of laws swirled, radiating a spectrum of colors and forms. Without the Eyes of Essence, a cultivator might only see strange flashes of different-colored light, but Kai knew well that these were the result of clashes between different streams of laws.

As he took in his surroundings more carefully, Kai realized that there was a kind of deceptive harmony within the chaos—a beauty in the collision of worlds that he was witnessing for the first time. Although it resembled the starry space of his own world, the wildness and unpredictability of this place immediately stood out.

“Be careful, Master. This place is dangerous not only because of the spatial anomalies but also because of other entities that might be hunting here,” Seth warned, his voice calm but laced with tension.

“Is that why you asked me to leave the world ring?” Kai asked, turning to his servant.

“Yes. It’s an extremely valuable artifact, and even the highest-level masters wouldn’t pass up the chance to claim it. If it’s discovered, we’ll be in trouble. It’s better to keep it hidden,” Seth explained without delay.

Scanning his surroundings and extending his perception, Kai confirmed that Zaramir and Mufinar were nowhere to be seen. Clearly, they had all been scattered across entirely different regions.

“If necessary, we can wait for you to acclimate to the local space and environment. After all, it’s noticeably sharper here,” Seth said, flying closer to Kai.

“I see…” Kai whispered, unable to take his eyes off the cosmic landscape. He could feel every particle of his body being infused with the energy of this place, while his perception and the Eyes of Essence tried to comprehend everything around him.

“There are indeed many spatial anomalies… We must be cautious,” Kai thought, noticing invisible cuts that were drawing in streams of laws.

“Seth, do you have any idea where we are right now?” he asked, addressing his servant, his voice steady, though a deep sense of uncertainty lingered within.

“Until we find some landmark, I can’t say for sure. But the brightest part of the starry space in the Ancient Battlefield is at its center. At least we know which direction to move,” Seth said, pointing behind them.

When Kai turned and gazed into the distance, he immediately saw a shining spot that caught his attention. It looked like a celestial river, where colors merged and flowed with an unusual intensity and beauty. These stars didn’t seem like the ordinary ones; they emitted light of all shades, creating the impression of an oasis full of mysteries and secrets.

“So, that’s what it is… Amazing…” Kai whispered, having not noticed this sight earlier. “It seems to be in constant motion, as if every particle of it is unpredictable and dangerous…”

“Exactly, Master. My world is both beautiful and terrifying. The laws of the three worlds intertwine here. And if we aren’t extremely careful, we could easily fall into a trap or encounter something we can’t handle,” Seth said seriously, observing the surrounding space with the same level of attention as Kai.

“Understood. Then let’s head toward that light. Maybe we’ll find some clues along the way about where we are,” Kai said with a nod, adding. “I assume we can’t travel inside the ring?”

“We can, of course, but I strongly advise against it,” Seth replied immediately. “With your level of cultivation, we’re in a good position, but it’s best not to take unnecessary risks…”

Realizing that they shouldn’t delay and should find a safer place quickly, Kai flew forward, enveloping Seth in his energy. After all, his speed now surpassed that of his servant, and besides, Kai’s perception and the Eyes of Essence rendered the various natural anomalies useless.

Their journey began, with Kai constantly monitoring his surroundings. At first, everything seemed quiet and peaceful, but after a few days, Kai suddenly noticed a creature watching them. As soon as it realized Kai had spotted it, it quickly vanished!

Sensing Kai’s puzzlement, Seth realized he had forgotten to explain an important fact that slightly differentiated the Ancient Battlefield from the Region of Energy Domination. Recognizing his oversight, he cleared his throat and said:

“The thing is, the starry space of my world is inhabited. In the Regions of Domination, there’s plenty of space, so masters have the option and prefer to settle only on teralithes. Here, however, it’s different… Moreover, the concentration of laws and energy makes the starry space just as favorable for cultivation…” Seth quickly explained.

“And how powerful are the opponents that live here?” Kai asked warily.

“Not above the Law Overlord Sphere because those at that level can fight for more comfortable places to live, like teralithes. And even then, such beings are rare… The starry spaces are home to solitary cultivators or small families of beings who can’t even contend with opponents at my clan’s level,” Seth said, reassuring Kai somewhat.

“Then there shouldn’t be any problems… I’m confident I can fight a master of the Law Overlord Sphere, or at the very least, escape. Dealing with weaker beings will be easier,” Kai said with a nod, sharpening his perception even further.

As they continued their journey toward the center of the Ancient Battlefield, their surroundings became increasingly mysterious. Until one day, without any warning, strange silhouettes suddenly appeared in front of them from the void…

These creatures resembled red jellyfish, their bodies transparent with bright blood flows pulsing inside, and parts of their bodies shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. Their tentacles, glowing in various shades, twisted through space, creating distortions around them that could instantly consume an unprepared traveler…

“Five opponents at the sixth transformation of the law?” Kai muttered with a frown, preparing for battle. “Seth, get behind me,” he commanded in a firm tone.

But what happened next surprised Kai slightly. Suddenly, one of the creatures began to speak! A sharp, shrill voice echoed, and to his surprise, they used the same common language as in the Region of Energy Domination!

“Give us the servant. We’ll let you go,” one of the jellyfish said, not even resembling a martial arts master.

“Be careful. These creatures cultivate the path of the body. They can be incredibly fast and strong,” Seth warned, quickly moving behind Kai. Naturally, Kai didn’t want to hide Seth in the world ring for the reasons mentioned earlier…

Kai simply stared at the enemies ahead, and after a few moments of silence, he finally spoke:

“You’ve made the wrong choice. Is it wise to make demands of a master who can destroy you with little effort?” he asked, his voice dripping with a dense and suffocating bloodlust.

“We will escape anyway and take the servant. Hand him over and save yourself the trouble,” the shrill, emotionless voice of the jellyfish echoed again. In that same moment, its tentacles began to vibrate, as did the tentacles of the other four.

“Threatening me? Then I’ll meet you halfway… Let’s save some time!” Kai shouted with a smile and laughed maniacally.

At that moment, he felt a surge of joy! He wanted to test his new powers in battle, to slice through his opponents' flesh. Even though they were too weak for him, Kai simply wanted to fight someone.

As soon as these words left his mouth, a thunderous roar echoed, and Kai’s body was instantly covered in black armor! Destragore didn’t even reveal himself and immediately chose to merge with Kai.

“The Dragon Devours Self Technique… Heh…” Kai said slyly, feeling his skin begin to tear as the armor consumed it. Spreading his arms, blood seemed to flow from Kai’s palms, mixing with the black energy and forming the silhouettes of two massive swords, each with a dragon’s face on the hilt.

For some reason, he wanted to create some kind of tyrannical and overwhelming weapon. No, the dragon itself felt Kai’s emotions and interpreted them into this weapon! Glancing at the two large swords, Kai smirked and said with satisfaction:

“Perfect! Just what I need!”

As this scene unfolded, the jellyfish hesitated for a moment, realizing that Kai was indeed a dangerous opponent. It seemed that in that instant, they were exchanging thoughts, trying to decide how to proceed.

But before the jellyfish could reach any decision, Kai, with a radiant smile on his face and a whirlwind of strikes, launched his attack!

“Bam! Shss! Shss!” his swords, surrounded by tendrils of black lightning, radiated a destructive aura, creating an atmosphere of threat and fear around him!

Kai’s body surged forward like the embodiment of a death god, reveling in the carnage! All the desires and bloodlust he had so long suppressed burst out at once!

“Shss! Shss!” with terrifying speed, he sliced through the air, and in that same moment, several jellyfish were cut to pieces. His movements were so fast and decisive that the creatures barely had time to react to his attacks.

Kai sped forward, ready to deal with the remaining opponents, whose fallen comrades, surprisingly, offered no resistance!

However, the severed pieces of the jellyfish behind him suddenly shot toward each other, forming new shapes and immediately directing their attacks at Seth! It happened so quickly and effortlessly that Kai found himself disadvantaged!

“These are body cultivators! Unless you destroy their Heart of Flesh, they can regenerate!” Seth shouted, summoning a wall of sharp stones in front of him to deflect the jellyfish tentacles.

“Bam!” a powerful explosion echoed, and Seth was slammed into Kai’s back. In that same moment, several of the jellyfish’s severed tentacles, detached from the main body, sneaked around to grab Seth by the legs! They had subtly repositioned themselves in the void to capture him!

“Damn it!” Kai cursed in frustration as more of his flesh suddenly disappeared, bringing pain but also creating a protective shield beneath Seth.

“Boom!” a deep thud resounded, and the tentacles were blasted away, struck by Kai’s destructive energy!

As soon as this happened, Kai swiftly grabbed Seth and immediately retreated, pulling back to better assess the battlefield. But before he could get far, the strange jellyfish began spreading out, strategically surrounding him from all sides…

“I apologize, Master. I’m just getting in your way,” Seth said self-critically, realizing that without him, Kai would have dealt with the enemies in no time.

“It’s alright… Now I better understand what to expect from them. The next strikes will be fatal for them!” Kai responded with a bloodthirsty grin, feeling his blood begin to boil. The fight was turning out to be slightly more interesting than he had initially expected, and that was something that thrilled him!

V.9 Chapter 735: Order of Eternal Radiance

Kai literally pressed Seth against his back and shielded him. Although he had to sacrifice a part of his flesh in exchange for creating such protection, his body's regeneration had already begun to take effect.

Holding two large swords, Kai coldly eyed his enemies and immediately launched into an attack! The Eyes of Essence activated, allowing Kai to observe the flows of law within the jellyfish's bodies.

It didn't matter that they were body cultivators; laws circulated through their blood, and the highest concentration was in their Heart of Flesh! Kai could clearly see where he needed to strike!

Appearing behind one of the jellyfish, Kai struck with lightning speed, slicing through space!

“Ssss!” a sharp sound echoed as the jellyfish was cut in half!

“Damn it!” Kai cursed, realizing that the enemy had somehow shifted the position of the Heart of Flesh just before the strike, avoiding a fatal blow.

In the same instant, tentacles coated in a predatory aura struck him from all sides! Kai deliberately chose not to dodge, wanting to feel the impact firsthand.

“Bam! Bam! Bam!” a cascade of dull thuds resounded, sending Kai flying in different directions. The tentacles constantly tried to find an angle to grab Set, but Kai wouldn't let that happen.

“The strikes of body cultivators are terrifying... Besides their incredible physical power, they're also coated in something akin to the aura of asura's bloodline. It seems every species has its unique aura traits,” Kai thought, feeling a numbness in certain parts of his body. “I suppose I'll sacrifice a bit more flesh to study them…” at that moment, he felt a surge of interest in fighting modern body cultivators.

Given that Kai was at the ninth transformation and had already manifested his laws in the form of weapons, there was nothing to worry about.

Kai charged forward again, carefully studying his enemies and allowing himself to enjoy the thrill of the battle. With each movement and strike, he learned more about the jellyfish, their tactics, and their weaknesses.

However, despite this, he quickly began to grow bored. The fight didn't present much of a challenge, and at some point, his interest waned...

“Alright... That's enough…” Kai said nonchalantly, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Thu-thumb!” at that moment, his aura flared up with a bright scarlet hue, with black lightning crackling within it. Suddenly, the jellyfish felt as though their bloodline was trembling, yearning to submit!

“What are you?!” one of the jellyfish squealed, sending a mental command to its companions to retreat.

Unbeknownst to himself, Kai had manifested a fraction of the Heretical God's aura! Naturally, it was just a mirage or a faint hint of that legendary being's aura—but even that was enough to terrify the jellyfish!

Like the embodiment of a war god, Kai surged forward. His movements were so swift and sharp that the very space around him seemed to warp. The jellyfish, seeing such power, froze in terror for a moment. They realized they were now facing the true might of their enemy.

With each swing of Kai's lightning-encased black swords, the air filled with a dense aura of fear and death. The jellyfish, sliced into pieces, couldn't regenerate immediately, for Kai, like death itself, left them no chance. His attacks weren't just fast and precise; they were unpredictable and devastating.

Even if the enemies managed to shift their Heart of Flesh, Kai's next strike would destroy it! And with that, the jellyfish's blue blood would instantly be absorbed into his body, nourishing his bloodline, and instantly converting into strength for Kai.

Kai continued his slaughter without pause. Each strike filled the starry space with echoes of war and power. The jellyfish, trying to fight back, were nothing more than puppets in his hands, as once Kai got serious, they had no chance of escape.

Finally, after a short but intense battle, Kai stopped... His breath was uneven, not from exhaustion, but from excitement! Around him, there were no intact jellyfish left, only their dried remains slowly dispersing into the infinite dark void.

“That... was not bad... Felt like a battle from the lower world…” Kai said with satisfaction, a smirk forming on his face.

As these words echoed, Kai's weapons and armor began to dissipate, revealing his bloodied body. In some places, entire chunks of flesh were missing, with new muscle fibers slowly forming. Kai had deliberately not conserved his strength, stretching the battle to savor the fight and test his new abilities.

“No wonder you enjoyed it. The battle was noticeably different from one with energy cultivators,” Seth calmly remarked. “Body cultivators indeed fight differently... Their regenerative abilities allow them to easily trade blows, without fear of losing limbs or even suffering critical injuries. This, in turn, makes them unpredictable and extremely dangerous in close combat.”

Seth paused briefly, as if reflecting for a moment...

“Their battle strategy relies not only on the power of physical attacks but also on their ability to withstand and recover from injuries. I think this is quite similar to you... Before, you couldn't fully engage in this style of combat because there simply weren't any suitable opponents,” Seth added with a smile.

“Agreed. It’s a refreshing feeling... I didn't expect them to be able to shift the position of their Heart of Flesh,” Kai replied with satisfaction, observing his torso as his skin regenerated.

“I don't know too much, but as far as I'm aware, not all body cultivators can do that. Some creatures protect their Heart of Flesh by shifting its position, others create a fake core as a decoy. Still, others rely on their body's monstrous defenses. As with energy cultivators, the paths of martial arts are countless,” Seth explained in a tone that reminded Kai of a teacher.

“Exactly... As many laws as there are in the Universe, there are just as many approaches to cultivation. Even though all cultivators can be broadly divided into three types—body, energy, and spirit cultivators—each of these paths offers an incredible diversity of techniques and strategies,” Kai thought, acknowledging Seth's wisdom.

Each of the three cultivation paths offers a unique array of techniques and fighting styles. Body cultivators can range from those who use their invulnerability for aggressive attacks without regard for injuries to those who turn their bodies into impenetrable fortresses. Energy cultivators can manipulate natural forces, creating devastating attacks or defending themselves with impenetrable shields of energy. Meanwhile, spirit cultivators may not even need physical contact, defeating their opponent through control over their will or perception.

Thus, despite the broad categorization into three types, the diversity of laws and corresponding cultivation paths makes each cultivator unique. This vast array of different approaches creates endless possibilities for growth and improvement.

As Kai silently pondered the outcomes of the recent battle and the various paths of martial arts, Seth suddenly spoke:

“By the way, Master… I have some good news.”

“Oh? And what might that be?” Kai asked, instantly snapping back to reality.

“The jellyfish race inhabits a specific region of the Ancient Battlefield, so I have a rough idea of where we are. And I must say, this is one of the best places we could have ended up,” Seth explained calmly, drifting slightly away from Kai and assessing their surroundings.

“Then tell me more! Heh-heh,” Kai responded, instantly more cheerful. He was eager to reach the Region of Flesh and begin exploring Kessia's homeland, so he was even urging Seth on a bit.

Though the Ancient Battlefield was an amazing place with numerous opportunities, Kai didn't want to stay there too long. At the very least, it was much more dangerous, and at worst, the masters from the Region of Energy would soon penetrate inside, and it was completely unclear what to expect next… Perhaps it would cause even more chaos in this place, or maybe… The Evil Gods of Life and Death might appear!

Kai wanted to visit Seth's homeland, scatter Corvus and Lilorin's ashes there, and then immediately head to the Region of Flesh.

Seth didn’t delay in his response and, gazing toward the center of the Ancient Battlefield, said:

“We are in the territory of the Order of Eternal Radiance, who worship the Goddess of Life. It’s the safest region of my world because here, we won’t be torn apart just for being weak outsiders. Moreover, my clan's territory also falls within the Order’s domain,” Seth explained, further pleasing Kai.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Kai laughed, looking in the direction Seth pointed.

Following Seth’s guidance, they resumed their flight through the starry expanse. As they traveled through various cosmic landscapes, from fields of sparkling strange stones to nebulae pulsing with a soft glow, they were able to appreciate the extraordinary beauty of this part of the Universe. Seth occasionally pointed out distant objects, telling Kai about their features and the history he knew.

Finally, after several weeks of intense travel, Kai and Seth saw before them a majestic sight—a small teralith with a huge glowing white ring suspended above it!

“What is that disk, Seth? It shines so brightly that I noticed it long before I even saw the teralith itself…” Kai asked curiously, unable to take his eyes off it.

“That is the mark of the Order of Eternal Radiance, signifying teleportation teraliths. Through cooperation with the Rift Guild, they’ve created an entire transport network, similar to what you have in the Region of Energy. These marks allow wandering cultivators to know they can rest here and then continue their journey,” Seth explained with respect and caution in his voice, clearly showing a certain reverence for the Order.

“They seem like good people…” Kai murmured, surprised by such kindness.

“I wouldn’t say that… For their protection and services, they charge quite a hefty price, and they have some peculiarities… But for the Ancient Battlefield, these are still pretty decent conditions,” Seth immediately warned, making sure not to mislead Kai.

As they approached the teralith, Seth headed not toward the ground but towards the strange white disk. Along the way, he said:

“Simply landing is forbidden; we need to pass through the array hidden within the disk. Once we enter it, we’ll instantly find ourselves in the Order’s temple.”

“Alright then... Let’s see what the forces of the Ancient Battlefield are made of,” Kai said with anticipation, following directly behind Seth.

With those words, Kai and Seth flew through the ring, disappearing, leaving behind the vast, silent starry space.

V.9 Chapter 736: Goddess of Life

After the long journey through the starry space, Kai and Seth suddenly found themselves inside a temple, having teleported through the array. The temple's interior was bathed in soft, yet bright light emanating from the small, white suns embedded in the walls and ceiling, each lazily spinning in its place.

The temple walls were adorned with gleaming stones, shimmering with shades of white and silver, as if soothing anyone who entered. The architecture was decorated with numerous arches and columns made of white stone, laced with fine silver flecks that reflected the light, creating the illusion of a starry sky beneath the temple's vaulted ceilings.

In the center of the temple stood a statue made of pure silver, depicting an anthropomorphic woman of extraordinary beauty with closed eyes and gentle facial features. Her hands were raised toward the sky, and above her head floated a massive ring radiating a warm light, evoking an aura of holiness. This ring not only illuminated the statue but also cast intricate shadows on the marble floor, encrusted with precious gems, making the entire temple seem part of a strange, mystical world.

Before Kai could get his bearings, a calm and measured voice echoed nearby:

“Welcome, lost souls. Bow before the Goddess of Life, for you have arrived in the Order of Eternal Radiance,” the voice was serene, yet there was a certain dominance in it, as though it was giving Kai and Seth a command.

When Kai turned his head, he saw a figure standing beside him, dressed in flowing white robes and holding a silver staff. The man himself was bald, with a peculiar gray-blue hue to his skin. His small, pointed ears, sharp fangs, and silver eyes added an element of ambiguity to his appearance.

“A Law Overlord? Moreover, the laws he cultivates…” Kai thought as he assessed the man before him. Through the Eyes of Essence, Kai saw that the man's aura was strange, with symbols predominantly composed of circles.

“Could he be a cultivator of the Law of Life? Do people here willingly study this law, even knowing that breaking through beyond the Law Overlord Sphere will be impossible?” Kai mused, watching the man with interest.

It could be said that he did not belong to any specific cultivation system. As a living being, he undoubtedly had one of the three primary systems, but in his cultivation, he was developing the Law of Life, which stood apart. This was a path that was generally ignored, knowing it led to a dead end. Yet here, it seemed to be a part of their religion…

At that moment, Seth’s voice echoed in Kai’s mind:

“Master, we must bow to the statue. If you delay, it will be seen as disrespect to this place. And that could be deadly…” Seth quickly warned, noticeably anxious about Kai's behavior.

As soon as these words rang in Kai’s mind, he instinctively turned to the statue, knelt, and respectfully bowed his head to the ground. He did it in such a way that his sincerity could not be doubted. Naturally, Seth followed suit, not daring to hesitate.

This gesture seemed to satisfy the strange priest. A broad smile immediately revealed his sharp fangs, and he solemnly declared:

“The Goddess of Life welcomes her servants! Now you are under her domain and protection!”

“Do they realize that the Gods of Life and Death fought on the side of the Evil Gods and are responsible for the oppression of all life in the Universe?” Kai wondered, finding the worship of one of the Evil Gods blasphemous. “On the other hand, if Seth is to be believed, they live in a world controlled by these two Gods... In that case, it might simply be a survival strategy…” Kai continued to ponder as he rose to his feet.

He could understand their fear and desire to survive, but he could not forgive the worship of those who had once caused so much suffering...

“These Gods oppressed and divided because they feared unity among all forms of life. And now, they are revered as protectors... What an irony of fate…” Kai reflected, feeling his heart fill with disdain not only for the despots but also for those who continued to worship them.

Perhaps here, in this temple, the entire ambiguity and tragedy of the Universe were on full display, where its inhabitants had forgotten their past. Culture and beliefs were so distorted that the people no longer saw the difference between tyrants and benefactors.

“The Order of Eternal Radiance... How can they blindly follow these divine tyrants, forgetting the thousands of ruined lives and worlds? On the other hand, they couldn't care less about any of the worlds. Limited to their world, they have no desire for freedom,” this question somehow deeply disturbed Kai, touching the hidden strings of his soul.

Sometimes, Kai did not even realize that one of the highest values for him was freedom. And such glaring cases of its absence stirred a deep rage and resentment within him. It was one thing to subjugate someone and keep them in check, but quite another to turn them into a grateful slave, happy to be under the master's control.

Sensing Kai’s unrest, Seth spoke in his mind:

“Master, even in places like this, you must remain vigilant. Do not let your disgust cloud your judgment. We are here not to judge or criticize their faith, but to ease the way to my clan. I assure you, if we had ended up in the Sect of Death’s Keepers... You would not only be bowing to the statue of the God of Death—you would be begging him for mercy!”

These words seemed to sober Kai. Being in a civilized environment, he had momentarily forgotten that he was no longer in the Region of Energy Domination. Here, the customs and traditions were entirely different. It was possible that the Order of Eternal Radiance knew full well about the war of the past and even supported the Evil Gods. In that case, Kai would be better off keeping his mouth shut and not saying anything unnecessary...

“Are you from the Clan of Eternal Monoliths? It’s rare to see anyone from your race outside your clan’s territories,” the man in white robes suddenly said, smiling at Seth.

“You’re right... We’re currently on our way to my clan’s territory. This is my master, so I’m accompanying him,” Seth replied with a nod, indicating Kai. “Could you tell us if we can reach my home from this teralith? We got a bit lost in the chaos, so we’re not quite sure of our exact location,” he added respectfully.

“Ah, I see… It is a blessing that the Goddess of Life found your unfortunate souls and guided you to us,” the man said devoutly, turning to Kai. “Moreover, a stonite gave you an oath, which means you are a good person. You should be proud of yourself!” he added, smiling at Kai.

“I just got lucky. Heh-heh,” Kai replied politely, laughing awkwardly.

This was the first time he had heard the name of Seth’s clan and the designation of their race. It seemed that they had a good reputation, at least within the domain of the Order of Eternal Radiance.

The man looked at Kai with some interest, evaluating him from head to toe. Then, narrowing his eyes cunningly, he added:

“Lucky? You are at the ninth transformation, and moreover, your body is incredibly strong… A cultivator of two paths, and at such a high level. I’m sure you’re no ordinary master, and the stonite is not with you through luck alone.”

“Oh… Your eyes seem to see the truth. It seems the Goddess of Life has blessed you!” Kai replied politely, neither confirming nor denying the observation.

In reality, he grew slightly wary, as this man immediately realized that Kai possessed both energy and a developed body. Fortunately, thanks to the Fortress of Oblivion, Kai skillfully concealed his spirit. It seemed that it allowed him to hide his Spiritual Sea until he chose to reveal it himself.

But at that moment, Seth intervened, interrupting the conversation:

“Excuse me, but what about the Clan of Eternal Monoliths? Can we reach my home from this teralith?” Seth asked again politely.

“Oh, I got a bit sidetracked… My apologies,” the man said with a smile. “Yes, you can use our space rifts. One of them leads to the area you need.”

Suddenly, there was a flash behind Kai and Seth, and in its place appeared a pair of translucent silhouettes with horns on their heads. They emanated a threatening spiritual aura, and Kai immediately realized which path the newcomers pursued. Moreover, one of them was at the Law Overlord Sphere.

Seeing this, the man smiled again and said:

“You may leave the temple and enter the city. I think your servant knows what to do next. I need to greet our new guests,” after saying these words, he bowed and quickly walked toward the strange pair.

“Let’s leave the temple. It’s better not to linger here,” Seth said telepathically, heading toward the huge white gates that were divided into sectors. It seemed that the massive door consisted of many others. Depending on the size of the guest, they could choose the appropriate exit.

“Why the rush? No one seems to be chasing us,” Kai replied in thought.

“Those beings behind us aren’t from the Ancient Battlefield; their races are not representatives of my world. Obviously, they are inhabitants of the Region of Spirit. It’s better to avoid contact with outsiders altogether,” Seth replied somewhat ambiguously, quickening his pace.

Kai followed Seth, crossing the temple’s threshold and stepping onto the streets of the white city, where the air was filled with the light scent of flowers. The pearly hue of the buildings reflected the light of the daytime stars, making each street sparkle and visually expand the space. The city was peaceful, but it carried a special atmosphere of reverence and seclusion.

Statues of the Goddess of Life stood everywhere in the city, each emitting a soft light, creating the feeling that the city itself lived under her watchful gaze. The statues ranged from small, almost toy-like figures to majestic ones towering several dozen meters high, their expressive faces looking down at the passersby with an almost maternal, caring gaze.

For some reason, Kai felt a wave of nausea at the sight...

The city streets were not crowded, but occasionally, various beings representing different races passed by, each contributing its unique presence to this mosaic-like city. Among them were even races that would be considered giants. Despite their slow and deliberate steps, they wore loose clothing adorned with symbols reflecting their home worlds and cultures.

Also, darting about were small creatures resembling forest dwellers, with bright-green skin and large expressive eyes that curiously observed everything around them. They spoke to each other in high-pitched and whistling voices, occasionally stopping to look at the merchants’ goods.

Occasionally, in the crowd, one could spot more exotic visitors, such as floating beings made of blue flame, surrounded by an aura of coolness and silence, their movements smooth and graceful as if they were swimming through the air.

Kai continued his way through the city, observing the architecture and inhabitants around him, trying to take in every detail of this unique place. Despite its beauty and tranquility, this city still left Kai with a feeling of unease. He recognized this feeling—the sense of unfamiliarity in a new environment and its laws!

V.9 Chapter 737: Chaos Stones

After walking through the city for a bit, Seth and Kai headed to a nearby shop to exchange some items for the local currency. According to Seth, everything here was valued using chaos stones, a material that combined the principles of the three systems. These stones were mostly mined in the wild regions of the Ancient Battlefield and then used as a common currency. They also came in different levels, ranging from lower-grade to pure chaos stones.

Behind the counter sat a massive woman whose body was three times the size of Kai's. Due to her developed musculature, she appeared even larger… She was likely at the third Law Transformation and clearly cultivated her body.

“Welcome to my shop,” the woman calmly said, looking at her guests.

“Hello, I’d like to sell some items. Please take a look and see if anything interests you,” Kai quickly said, placing several spatial rings on the counter.

Over the years, Kai had accumulated many interesting items, especially after killing the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger… He realized that hoarding items he didn’t need was pointless. It was better to sell them and get a good price.

Seth mentioned that chaos stones could also be used for cultivation, but due to the mix of three different principles, they weren’t particularly practical. However, Kai was a unique case… If he could obtain such stones, he would be able to absorb and process all the beneficial elements from them! That’s why Kai decided it was better to exchange all unnecessary items for cultivation resources.

“In the Region of Flesh Domination, there won’t be stones like these, just as there weren’t in the Region of Energy Domination. I need to stock up on them here to aid my cultivation. They’ll be a valuable resource during breakthroughs and for emergency recovery,” Kai thought while the giant woman examined the rings.

After a few minutes, the woman let out a heavy sigh and looked at Kai with suspicion. She shook her head and said. “I don’t know how you managed to get into our world with your cultivation, but I’m impressed,” her words made Kai tense up. “Don’t make that face. Much of what you brought is rare in these parts and clearly pertains only to energy cultivators. I can only buy a portion of it. To sell the rest, you’ll need to visit the Eternal Radiance Teralith. Only the shops there will be wealthy enough to accommodate you,” she offered seriously.

“I understand. Then let’s sell you what you’re interested in,” Kai replied respectfully with a nod.

“I’m interested in many of these items, but I can’t afford to buy them all. Ha-ha,” the woman said with a laugh, pulling out some ingredients, pills, and even weapons from Kai’s rings. “For these, I’ll give you ten higher-grade chaos stones,” she quickly proposed.

As soon as she said this, Kai mentally asked Seth. “Is that a fair price? How much is it really?”

“Yes. Higher-grade chaos stones are only surpassed by exceptional and pure chaos stones. You could say they’re equivalent to pearls. Higher-grade chaos stones are like transformation pearls, exceptional chaos stones are akin to power pearls, and pure chaos stones are comparable to monarch pearls,” Seth explained mentally, giving Kai a deeper understanding of the situation.

Hearing this explanation, things became clearer. A hundred transformation pearls was indeed a decent sum for these items. He probably wouldn’t have been able to sell them for such a price in the Region of Energy Domination. Their uniqueness likely increased their value here.

“Given my cultivation level, I need exceptional chaos stones, which are equivalent to power pearls… Does this mean I’ll have to go to the Eternal Radiance Teralith?” Kai thought with a complicated expression.

“So, do you agree?” the woman asked with a smile, noticing Kai's hesitation.

“Oh, sorry. I got lost in thought. Heh-heh,” Kai replied with a carefree smile. “That works for me. Thanks for the deal,” he quickly added.

At that moment, Seth intervened, respectfully saying. “My master can be a bit absent-minded at times… Sorry, but could you break down one higher-grade chaos stone into smaller denominations? We’ll need lower and medium-grade chaos stones for traveling and trading.”

“Of course, no problem! That’s even better for me! So, nine higher-grade stones, nine hundred medium-grade stones, and a hundred thousand lower-grade stones. Is that acceptable?” the woman immediately offered.

Kai hadn’t considered this and was glad Seth acted quickly. It was better to get the stones directly from the merchant than to go to an exchanger with a worse exchange rate and waste time.

“The currency system here is slightly different… Each level increases by a thousand… So, a pure chaos stone would be worth a hundred billion lower-grade chaos stones!” Kai realized in shock as he calculated the approximate values.

But after thinking about it for a few more seconds, it didn’t seem so wild. A pure chaos stone was equivalent to a monarch pearl… Such items were strategic reserves for sects. Obviously, acquiring something like that was very difficult… Even selling Living Energy of the World couldn’t compare to such a resource.

After completing the transaction, they returned to the city streets. Seth immediately noticed a strange expression on Kai’s face and asked. “Is something bothering you? Or are you dissatisfied with the deal?” although he hadn’t spent much time with Kai, he had already learned his habits.

“I want to hurry to your Clan of Eternal Monoliths, but I also want to get more powerful chaos stones… They could help with my cultivation,” Kai muttered, torn by a dilemma. “And for that, we need to visit the Eternal Radiance Teralith… What do you think?” he asked, turning to Seth.

Recently, Kai had learned to let the laws take control of his cultivation techniques. By staying calm and reciting the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence, he could enter a meditative state and cultivate all three systems simultaneously. If he also had a resource that could provide “building materials” for all three systems evenly, it would be an incredible advantage.

“Even cultivating in this border world is beneficial for me, but we need to leave it quickly. If I want the possibility of bringing this miraculous cultivation a resource to the Region of Flesh Domination. I need to create reserves of chaos stones,” Kai quickly added.

After hearing his master’s explanation, Seth lowered his head for a few seconds and then said. “Let’s find a place to stay for a few days and rest. During that time, you can try cultivating with the chaos stones. If you find it beneficial, we can quickly visit the Eternal Radiance Teralith. After all, selling the items won’t take much time. I don’t think the Monarchs and Devourers from your world will break through here so quickly. Moreover, even the journey through the spatial rift will take time.”

“Sounds logical… Let’s do that, then,” Kai agreed with a nod, and just as he was about to continue walking, he paused for a moment. “By the way, I’d like to try some local alcohol. Let’s explore the city first and buy something interesting,” Kai said, cheering up as he started down the street.

Seth, in turn, simply nodded silently and followed his master…

After a short walk, Kai entered a luxurious shop. After a quick look around, his eyes immediately fell on two unusual drinks. The first was a crimson bottle labeled “Blood of the Laugor,” containing alcohol made from the blood of a mythical beast. The second was a transparent horn with floating liquid inside, called “Spirit of Eternity,” this drink seemed to be made from a weightless ingredient, enclosed in a magical horn to prevent it from dispersing.

“What an interesting collection… Clearly, neither of them is related to energy,” Kai said with a smile, addressing the shopkeeper. “Tell me about these drinks, please.”

“You have a sharp eye for alcohol, dear guest,” the woman began. “This is a blood-based drink, considered top-tier among body cultivators. Laugors are creatures that dwell in the wastelands, and their blood possesses amazing cultivation properties. It’s believed to enhance the physical strength of the drinker and even grant them some of these creatures' resilience to chaotic space.”

“And what about the Spirit of Eternity?” Kai asked, carefully examining the horn.

“Oh, now that’s a truly special drink…” the shopkeeper continued. “It’s made by spirit cultivators for reflection and meditation. The floating liquid in the horn symbolizes the flow of thought, which can be controlled more clearly after drinking it. They say it helps cultivators expand their consciousness and reach new levels of perception.”

“Magnificent,” Kai smiled. “I’ll take both! I hope they taste as wonderful as they look! Heh-heh.”

Kai had always understood that different types of cultivators would have their own unique characteristics. But it turned out that these differences extended even to simple things like alcohol.

After purchasing the drinks, Kai and Seth set out to find a suitable place to stay. The streets were filled with various inns and taverns, but they needed something special and safe. Finally, their attention was drawn to an old building with stained-glass windows and an elegant sign that read “Inn of the Seven Heavens,” the facade was adorned with images of clouds and flying creatures, adding a touch of mysticism to the place.

Approaching the counter, they met a polite receptionist who was happy to offer them one of the best rooms, called the “Air Stream,” where the interior was designed in the style of air symbols.

“This will do,” Kai said, satisfied with the description of the protective arrays.

Once they settled in, Kai brought out the two drinks they had purchased, and they decided to have a small tasting session. Surprisingly, it was the first time they had ever drunk together.

“Let’s start with the ‘Blood of the Laugor,’" Kai suggested, intrigued by the description.

The drink was dark red and thick in consistency. Kai poured the liquid into small cups, and they both took a sip at the same time. The taste was exceptionally rich: complex notes of a mix of wild berries intertwined with subtle hints of earth and wood, with a surprisingly salty aftertaste…

“Do you feel it?” Kai asked, sensing a slight surge of strength.

“Honestly, I don’t feel anything. I guess the effect is only noticeable for those who cultivate the body,” Seth smiled, eyeing the second drink.

Understanding what his servant wanted, Kai took the transparent horn containing the “Spirit of Eternity,” the drink appeared as pure as a tear, with tiny bubbles floating inside.

They tried the drink, and its taste was entirely different: cool and refreshing, with light notes of seaweed and mineral freshness. It seemed to clear the mind and offered an immediate sense of clarity, expanding the boundaries of perception.

“Impressive. It’s like each sip brings more light into my head. We have a similar drink in our clan,” Seth shared, glancing at the horn again.

“By the way, Seth, tell me your story… We’ve known each other for quite some time, but I know nothing about you.”

“There’s nothing much to tell. My story is quite trivial… I spent a long time cultivating in the Clan of Eternal Monoliths, and on one mission, I found myself in a deadly situation. That’s when the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction saved me, and I swore loyalty to him. Such oaths are highly valued by our race, so after that, I followed Overlord Corvus,” Seth calmly replied with a shrug.

In truth, Kai liked this simple answer. In recent years, he had been hearing more and more incredible stories. Hearing something simple and ordinary felt like a breath of fresh air.

V.9 Chapter 738: Another Warning

Kai and Seth's gathering surprisingly lasted longer than expected, to the point where Kai had to pull out some alcohol from his own stash. As it turned out, Seth hadn’t been lying—his story was indeed quite ordinary. Due to the long lifespan of his race, he had spent centuries simply sitting and cultivating.

At one point, Kai even asked Seth if he wanted to stay in his homeland and stop following him. But to his surprise, Seth refused. He explained that he had sworn an oath and would humbly fulfill it until his death.

After the feast, Kai went to a separate room for cultivation to test the chaos stones. He had just cleared his mind and pulled out one higher-grade chaos stone.

“I should also start bringing cultivation resources to Seth. Even though he is devoted to fulfilling his oath, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind advancing in his cultivation…” Kai thought, realizing that he had rarely provided Seth with resources for his development.

In the past, Kai had been too preoccupied with his own survival and cultivation, and Seth had been stronger than him. But now, things had changed… If Kai had the opportunity, he would definitely help his servant.

“All right… Let’s see how useful you are,” Kai said with anticipation, holding a stone in each hand.

At the moment, Kai had only nine such stones, but he didn’t hesitate to use them, knowing he could earn more soon. Now he needed to determine if this resource was worth its cost.

Kai closed his eyes, and each of his laws began to rotate the corresponding cultivation technique independently. In his mind, the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence resounded once more, which, as it now became clear, described the laws of the Gods.

From the stones in his palms, three streams suddenly erupted: energy, spirit, and a bloody aura. Feeling the powerful pulsation of these forces, Kai sensed each stream finding its unique path within his body.

The energy, pure and scorching, started its journey through Kai’s meridians. It slid through his body, illuminating every corner with its radiance, gradually transforming into black energy infused with the Law of Inevitable Destruction.

The spirit, ethereal and light, like a breeze, flowed through the spiritual channels, penetrating the very essence of Kai’s consciousness. This stream filled his inner world with peace and clarity, giving him new strength to comprehend the Oblivion Law and his place in the universe.

The bloody aura, rich and powerful, like a great river in full flood, surged through his veins. It seemed to carry the essence of battles and wars, absorbing a thirst for blood and accumulating fierce strength for the trials ahead.

At that moment, the three cultivation systems, interacting with each other, further enhanced and complemented the power of each stream, creating a unique resonance. Kai felt these energies not just coexisting within him but also communicating, intertwining to form an invisible network that strengthened his cultivation and prepared him for new heights of mastery.

But the most important thing was that each stream wasn’t chaotic or random. They followed clear circulation paths, based on one of Kai’s three techniques!

It took him only a few seconds for a clear thought to flash through his mind:

“I need more of these chaos stones! They are absolutely perfect for me; energy beads don’t even compare!”

Any source of energy, spirit, or bloodline always became simultaneous nourishment for the three systems. When Kai absorbed such, his power split into three streams, with one becoming the priority. When Kai absorbed energy beads, the energy stream was prioritized, when it was blood—his bloodline, and when it was Heavenly Flames—his spirit.

Due to this mechanic, maintaining balance was more difficult, but with chaos stones, it was different…

Kai exhaled calmly, clearing his mind of all unnecessary thoughts, and continued cultivating. Now he wanted to complete one cycle and see how effective the higher-grade chaos stones truly were.

After a few hours, Kai calmly exited the cultivation room. He was immediately met by Seth, who asked the obvious question:

“How did it go? Do they suit your cultivation?” the stone man asked, folding his arms across his chest with interest.

“I’d even say I need them! Trading all my junk for chaos stones would be an excellent deal!” Kai replied with a broad smile. It was clear he was very pleased, so Seth didn’t press further.

“All right, then let’s head to the Eternal Radiance Teralith tomorrow,” Seth said with a nod, humbly adding. “However, we’ll need to purchase appropriate clothing and prepare you a bit.”

“What do you mean?” Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

“At the main teralith of the Order of Eternal Radiance, you can only walk around in their traditional white robes. Furthermore, you must be incredibly polite to avoid offending the Goddess of Life. The followers of their order can sometimes be fanatically focused on their faith,” Seth explained calmly and simply, but it seemed more complicated than it sounded…

“I see… I don’t think that will be a problem. After all, we don’t need to stay on their teralith for long,” Kai responded, not giving Seth’s warning too much weight. He just needed to sell his items and leave—he wasn’t even interested in knowing all the nuances of this Order of Eternal Radiance’s way of life.

At this moment, Kai was more focused on the chaos stones. If he could acquire enough of them, they would be a great asset for him. Obviously, they wouldn’t lead to a dramatic increase in power or a breakthrough, but there are situations when they’re essential. At the very least, they could be used during every cultivation session or for emergency recovery after a battle.

The next morning, under the light of several celestial bodies, Kai and Seth set out for the Temple of the Order of Eternal Radiance. The temple, rising above the morning mist, seemed like a floating island made of marble and silver. Despite the early hour, its gates were open to all seeking blessings or refuge. Inside the temple, silence reigned, broken only by the rustling of robes and the soft footsteps of the Order's followers.

“Since we want to visit the main teralith, we’re no longer just guests. Certain rituals will need to be performed. When I pray to the Goddess of Life, follow my lead precisely. And please, don’t show even a hint of disdain…” Seth warned Kai telepathically as they began to enter the temple.

After passing through the gates, Seth walked peacefully to the massive statue of the Goddess and knelt, pressing his forehead to the floor. Naturally, Kai followed his servant’s lead without hesitation, strictly mimicking his movements. In the next moment, Seth opened his mouth and reverently said:

“Oh, great Goddess of Life, source of eternal radiance and bestower of grace upon the world. We humbly stand before you, earthly wanderers on a journey. We seek your protection in your sacred presence, illuminate us with the light of understanding and wisdom.

“You, who flow through all living things, the water of the world, the breath of the wind. Allow us to feel every moment of life as you feel it. Teach us to cherish every creation of your hands and to love every moment of interaction with them.

“Bless our path so that each step brings us closer to perfection. Help us find joy in the simple and the sublime in the everyday. Purify our thoughts so that a piece of you may live within each of us.

“Oh, great Goddess of Life, bring peace to our souls. Give us the strength to protect and cherish your creations!”

Kai recited all of this almost in unison with his servant. No matter how much it made him feel sick, knowing that this “benevolent” Goddess was also involved in the enslavement of all living beings, he didn’t allow himself to show even a hint of disrespect.

After the brief prayer at the altar, Kai and Seth proceeded to the part of the temple where the clothing shop was located. Here, they chose loose white robes, simple yet exquisitely crafted from high-quality fabric. The only adornment on these robes was a silver ring at chest level, symbolizing their adherence to the faith of the Order of Eternal Radiance and its tenets.

Dressed in their new robes, they felt somewhat different. The fabric glided over their skin, reminding them of the sanctity and purity of the place they were in. Leaving the temple, they headed to the central square where the teleportation arrays were located.

Before stepping onto the teleportation platform, Kai and Seth paused to recite a short prayer once more. The Order of Eternal Radiance had many strange rituals tied to religious traditions. Initially, this wasn’t noticeable, as they had only had to bow to the statue of the Goddess of Life. But now they had to act as though they were followers of their religion.

The first teleportation took them to a smaller teralith—literally a small platform in the starry space with a few buildings nearby. As Seth explained, it was something like a transit point, where even a short stay was not allowed.

After a brief pause and another prayer, they activated the second teleportation array, which took them further to the last stop before the main teralith. At this stage, the environment became more peculiar: Kai began to sense more “runes” of the Law of Life in the air.

Finally, after the third and final teleportation, Kai and Seth arrived at the main teralith of the Order of Eternal Radiance. This world was entirely different: the sky here was bright blue, the air fresh, and the ground covered with green moss and scattered with flowers. The sounds of nature created a soothing melody that filled the soul with peace. It seemed like they had arrived in a garden of incredible beauty.

When Kai turned and looked up, he saw a massive statue of the Goddess of Life, at whose feet many pilgrims were praying. On the other side, he saw a beautiful marble road leading into the distance. And on the horizon, he could see a vast white city, whose scale rivaled the main cities of any sect in the higher world.

“Why did we end up here instead of in the city?” Kai asked telepathically.

“It’s simple—we need to perform a worship ritual. And then walk this entire road while chanting a prayer to the Goddess of Life,” Seth explained seriously.

“What? That’s ridiculous… Does every visitor to their Order have to do this?” Kai frowned slightly, finding all these rituals incredibly absurd.

“Master… As I mentioned, you need to be more tolerant. While we’re here, don’t even allow yourself a single bad thought about the Goddess of Life. The Order of Eternal Radiance is like an island of safety in the middle of the Ancient Battlefield. In exchange for protection, many are willing to play along or even fully convert to their faith. And if you offend them… They’ll be no better than the Sect of Death’s Keepers. Death would be the best outcome for us,” Seth reminded Kai, reiterating the rules.

“Sorry. I’ll be more careful… Let’s offer our prayers to the Goddess of Life and head to the city. I want to get everything done quickly and leave this teralith,” Kai replied mentally with a slight nod.

Immediately after this brief pause, they both went and knelt before the feet of the enormous statue. Then began the long, slow walk toward the city, accompanied by the continuous chanting of prayers, echoing from the stream of other guests and pilgrims. All Kai could think about now was quickly selling his items. The faster they finished with this charade, the sooner they could head to the Clan of Eternal Monoliths.

V.9 Chapter 739: The Hearth of Religion and Faith

The city, shrouded in the obsession of faith, lived and breathed religion, turning into a place where piety bordered on madness. Here, on the streets, the practitioners didn’t so much walk as they floated along in the current of their prayers and rituals. They gathered in groups at every corner, engaging in loud debates about dogmas that might sound like incantations to the uninitiated. Every stone, every corner of this city was marked with symbols of holiness, inscribed with prayers invoking divine favor or warding off evil.

The houses were not adorned with flowers, but with amulets and sacred texts; every window and door seemed like a portal to the divine world. In the markets, they sold not only food and goods but also relics, each claimed by merchants to possess unique properties of protection or healing. There wasn’t a single face here without a sign of faith in the Goddess of Life. Everywhere were necklaces, rings, bracelets—each accessory bore the symbol of the silver ring.

Many gathered at the temple, where the elders conducted lessons on the scriptures, while the children's games nearby always ended with verses from sacred books. Elders at the higher stages of law transformation—revered and respected—led processions through the streets, in which anyone could participate, wearing symbolic garments of suffering and repentance.

As Kai walked through the streets of this city, he felt mixed emotions. In his heart, there raged a storm of amazement and unease at everything he saw around him.

“Their behavior borders on insanity… I never thought that fervent faith could go to such extremes. Now I understand why Seth warned me about proper behavior…” Kai thought as he followed his servant like a guide. It was better to simply follow Seth’s lead and not stand out…

Kai and Seth slowly made their way through the vast city, not daring to disturb its idyllic state. They needed to find an inn or a hotel, which, as it turned out, were located a bit further from the city’s entrance. Kai also asked Seth not to rush, as he wanted to take a closer look at the daily life of the Order of Eternal Radiance.

Hour after hour passed, and darkness began to descend upon the city…

“Dong! Dong!” suddenly, the sound of giant bells began to ring out from everywhere, making Kai’s chest vibrate.

“Hmm? These aren’t just ordinary bells… These are artifacts affecting the mind!” Kai mentally exclaimed, feeling a sense of calm and peace creeping into his consciousness. Naturally, the Fortress of Oblivion instantly nullified the external influence, even if it wasn’t meant to harm.

Within seconds, the sounds of the evening prayer chant filled the air, and in many hands, candles with white flames were lit. The evening city did not dim, but rather flared even brighter—silver rings began to glow, as did the lamps at every doorstep. All of this created a strange, meditative, almost hypnotic atmosphere.

“If an unfortunate traveler stumbles upon this teralith, they will surely be enchanted by this atmosphere… This Order is not as simple as it initially seemed. Their recruitment into the faith appears gentle, but in reality, it is incredibly ruthless,” Kai mentally noted, squinting slightly.

Not everyone can protect their minds like Kai. Especially if their cultivation is quite low… Perhaps if Kai had come here at the level of the Law Sphere, he too would have been ensnared by the sound of the bells, the pleasant-smelling smoke from the candles, and the meditative prayer.

“Master, let’s speed up… We need to find an inn quickly and seal it off. This atmosphere is affecting me,” Seth communicated telepathically, beginning to walk more quickly and assertively.

But just as they had taken a few dozen steps, an old man suddenly appeared before them. He looked like the priest who had greeted them at the teleportation teralith, except this man had a rare but long beard.

“Join the prayer! Praise the Goddess of Life!” he proclaimed solemnly and with a kind smile. Yet, there was an insistence in his eyes, as if this were not a suggestion at all…

As this happened, Kai was about to politely decline, but Seth beat him to it. The stone man bowed and humbly replied:

“We have been traveling for a long time, so we are exhausted. So much so that we dared to offend the Goddess of Life… Forgive us, we will join the prayer right away,” he bowed again as he spoke.

“Prayer is a wonderful form of rest. The Goddess of Life will heal your bodies and souls, relieving you of your fatigue. Here, take this,” the priest smiled as he extended a basket filled with white candles.

Seth immediately took two candles, passing one to Kai. A moment later, those standing nearby offered their candles to share the flame.

“We’ll have to wait… Just please, don’t do anything foolish,” Seth communicated telepathically, beginning to chant the prayer in unison with those around him.

Kai, of course, did not lag behind. As soon as his candle was lit, he thanked his neighbor and began to chant as well. From the outside, it all looked very impressive and even pleasant. There wasn’t even a hint of anything evil or threatening, but Kai instinctively felt that there was a darker side to all of this.

“What a twisted place… We need to wrap up the sale quickly and leave this teralith. At this rate, they’ll try to convert us and have us sign spiritual contracts. While I don’t care about such things, Seth might become a victim…” Kai thought, doing his best to keep his expression as devout as possible.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see some practitioners also showing hints of ambivalence. Clearly, among the crowd that filled the streets of the night city, there were many guests. But even without following the faith in the Goddess of Life, they had to participate in the ritual.

“It seems they, too, didn’t find a place to stay in time…” Kai thought, suddenly noticing that such practitioners were being watched from various points. “Damn… Are they being watched? I need to pretend I’m not one of the doubters…”

As soon as this realization struck Kai’s mind, he became much more focused, and the prayer song flowed more naturally from his lips. He didn’t understand why the “doubters” were being observed, but he certainly didn’t want to find out the answer by using himself as an example.

The music and chanting didn’t stop until dawn, filling the air with prayers and sermons. But beneath all this piety lay darker undertones—whispers of heretics who had burned at the stake for blasphemy and of those who dared to question the dogmas, which were seen as attacks on the very essence of the faith.

This atmosphere made the city a fortress of religious ecstasy, a stronghold where every stone and every inhabitant was imbued with both fear and love for the unknown heights of sacred madness.

By morning, after listening to all sorts of nonsense, Kai noticed that the sun was beginning to rise and the chanting was fading. At that moment, the bells rang again, and the city seemed to wake up, resuming its normal rhythm.

The old man who had offered them the candles had also stood nearby all this time. After the prayer, he turned to Seth and Kai and with a smile asked:

“How are your bodies and souls? Do you feel better?”

“Definitely. I feel the Goddess of Life’s grace filling me. It feels like I’m already ready to set out on another journey!” Kai responded with enthusiasm, not giving Seth a chance to react.

“Excellent… By the way, tomorrow they’ll be burning heretics at the stake. Join us, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it,” the old man offered with a face full of reverence.

“Certainly, we’ll join. I think we should be able to find a place to stay by then,” Kai responded with a nod and a smile.

“There’s a monastery of the Goddess of Life not far from here. You can stay there for free,” the old man unexpectedly suggested, pointing in the direction.

“Is that so? The Goddess of Life truly protects everyone in need!” Kai said joyfully, then, giving Seth a friendly pat on the shoulder, added. “Let’s go, my friend. And thank you again for your help!”

As Seth and Kai bowed to the old man, they headed in the direction of the monastery. Kai could almost feel the old man’s eyes on them, his cult-like smile still on his face.

“Seth, why the hell didn’t you tell me it was this bad here?!” Kai cursed telepathically. If he had known about this madness, he would have thought twice before coming here.

“I must admit, I didn’t expect it to be this steeped in their faith, either. Although the Clan of Eternal Monoliths is technically located on the Order’s territory, I’ve never been to their main teralith. And on the other teraliths, the recruitment isn’t as aggressive. I thought it would be the same here… I’m sorry…” Seth replied mentally, letting out a heavy sigh.

Hearing this response, Kai calmed down a bit. He understood that it was impossible to know everything. Judging by Seth’s words, their race rarely left their clan’s territory, always engaged in secluded cultivation. And though the Ancient Battlefield was smaller than the Region of Energy, it was still far from small.

When Kai had been in the Evil Realm Region, he had also read and learned a lot about other sects, but had he entered them, he would surely have discovered much more. You never truly know how things are until you experience them firsthand.

“I understand… Sorry for snapping. This place just gives me bad vibes. Now I’m even more curious about what’s happening in the other forces of the Ancient Battlefield, considering the Order of Eternal Radiance is supposedly the good one,” Kai shook his head and replied heavily.

“I must say, even I’m surprised. It’s interesting to wonder why they’re so eager to recruit every guest…” Seth responded, equally concerned.

Continuing their journey, Kai and Seth finally found a separate inn where they could settle for the night, avoiding the sinister hospitality of the monastery. The inn was modest, but it offered guarantees of safety and privacy, and most importantly, it was located far from the central temples and street gatherings, which was a relief.

Their room on the second floor overlooked a quiet courtyard, hidden from prying eyes. The walls were shielded by arrays that muted any sounds of prayers and bells from outside. Inside, the room had two beds, a few chairs, and a table, as well as a small fireplace that added to the coziness.

“Finally, some peace and quiet…” Kai thought as he closed the door behind him. Seth, having checked the sealing array, joined him, letting out a sigh of relief.

“We can speak freely here without fear of being overheard,” Kai said, sitting on the bed and looking at Seth. “This city… It’s really unlike any place we’ve seen before. Too many eyes, too many ears—everything is saturated with surveillance and control.”

“True, Master. This place is a test of endurance for anyone who values their independence. We have to be extremely careful. The prayers, the mind-numbing herbs, the bells… My Spiritual Sea began to tremble at one point…”

“That’s why we can’t let our guard down,” Kai continued, his gaze becoming firm and resolute. “We must focus on our tasks, finish our business, and leave before we become part of this web of faith. This city knows how to play on emotions, turning faith into chains.”

They decided that their first priority would be to strengthen the protective arrays on the doors and windows to enhance the barriers against any external influence. Kai took out protective flags with arrays from his ring, which he had purchased back in the Pantheon, and handed them to Seth.

While Seth worked on the protection, Kai began planning their next steps. They needed to visit the market or an appropriate trading post, but every move had to be calculated to avoid attracting unnecessary attention and to steer clear of the evening prayer.

“Seth, once you’re done, let’s discuss our plan for tomorrow. We need to act quickly and quietly,” Kai said as he flipped through the pages of a map he had bought on the way to the inn.

Away from the noise of prayers and the weight of watchful eyes, they could momentarily forget the pressure they felt on the streets and focus on their goals. The Order of Eternal Radiance turned out to be a much more dangerous place than they had initially thought.

V.9 Chapter 740: A Joke of Fate

The next day, as the first rays of the sun pierced through the thick clouds, painting the sky in pale golden hues, Kai and Seth made their way to one of the largest markets on the Eternal Radiance Teralith. The city was already coming to life: vendors were setting up their stalls, and pilgrims were heading in rows toward the temples for morning prayers. The air was filled with the scents of freshly baked goods and aromatic resins used in rituals.

Kai was mentally preparing himself for a productive and challenging day. He knew that every step and every glance here could be interpreted as a sign of blasphemy or disrespect toward the Goddess of Life, so his behavior was impeccable.

“Seth, let’s split up. You go to the southern entrance, and I’ll head to the northern one. We need to assess where it would be best for me to sell my belongings. Ideally, we should finish everything today and leave this teralith. If you find anything, let me know immediately,” Kai commanded telepathically, understanding that he didn’t want to linger here any longer than necessary.

The strength of Seth and Kai was more than enough to communicate telepathically while being in different parts of the market. Even if they were in different stalls, there wouldn’t be any issues...

Seth nodded in agreement and headed in the indicated direction, glancing around with slight unease. Kai, confidently striding over the cobblestones, absorbed the atmosphere of the market. Everything was here, from exquisite jewelry blessed by priests to modest amulets for protecting travelers. Moreover, due to the specificity of the Ancient Battlefield, there were goods focused on body and spirit cultivators, which was new to Kai.

Kai immediately noticed that some merchants were selling blood sealed in strange red crystals. From what he understood, body cultivators could absorb it, just as Kai absorbed the blood of his enemies.

“Amazing... In the Region of Energy, there were no technologies to preserve the potency of blood. After its host’s death, it quickly lost its strength…” Kai thought to himself, analyzing the differences in the craft skills of different worlds.

He deliberately stopped by a stall where an old man was selling silver amulets, each of which, according to the seller, contained a part of the Goddess of Life’s soul.

The vendor, noticing Kai’s arrival, waved his hand, inviting him closer:

“These amulets are not just decorations! They are the key to protecting your spirit from evil forces! Each one has been blessed in our great temple, and I can assure you that its power is real,” he began passionately.

Kai, full of skepticism but understanding the importance of such an acquisition in this place, slowly picked up one of the amulets, examining it. The amulet was simple but elegantly crafted, with fine patterns forming the symbol of the silver ring. After a brief consideration, he nodded, deciding to purchase it to avoid raising any suspicion about his attitude toward the local customs.

Continuing on, he slowly moved past rows of relics, stopping each time to carefully study the goods. By now, the street had begun to fill with a crowd, and the air around was thick with tension and anticipation. Everything was going well until a loud shout suddenly erupted nearby...

“Get away from me!” the cry broke through the market’s bustle, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present. For a moment, it was as if the air froze, and then countless eyes turned toward the source of the sound. Kai, despite his desire to remain unnoticed, instinctively looked in that direction.

“What the hell? Which idiot decided to cause a scene in a city of religious fanatics?” Kai thought, marveling at such a foolish act.

A man dressed in extravagant yet worn clothes stood face to face with a local priest. Judging by his attire, he didn’t understand where he had ended up and hadn’t even bought a white robe from one of the temples. The traveler was heatedly explaining something, gesturing wildly, but the priest seemed less and less satisfied with the explanations. Their voices grew louder and louder.

Kai sharpened his hearing to understand what exactly was happening. And at that moment, a disbelieving smile spread across his face...

“Why the hell should I believe in your Goddess? I’m here to rest from my journey, just as your followers claimed on the other teraliths! Or is this just a common scam?!” the man shouted angrily.

“What an idiot…” Kai muttered sadly, shaking his head.

But just as Kai turned away, the situation escalated! The traveler, apparently losing his patience, made a reckless move, grabbing the priest by the robe. This action sparked outrage among the onlookers, but moments later, the situation worsened even further...

“How dare you?! Heretic!” the priest shouted, his face twisted in fury.

“Go to hell, preacher!” the man retorted irritably and unexpectedly struck with his palm, infused with golden energy.

However, the priest unexpectedly dodged, and the strike missed! But the charged energy didn’t stop—it flew toward the crowd. Most ironically, it was heading straight for Kai!

“Damn! He’s a Law Overlord!” Kai instantly realized, understanding that this attack wouldn’t be easy to deflect.

Not expecting such a turn of events, Kai instinctively waved his hand, summoning a wall of black energy in front of him. He created an energy barrier that deflected the attack, but the impact was so strong that a suffocating explosion of energy erupted in the air!

“Boom!” the blast wave sent onlookers flying, and some even sustained injuries!

“Doom!” before Kai could comprehend what had happened, a terrifying pressure suddenly engulfed the entire square!

It turned out that this brawl had attracted the attention not only of the surrounding crowd but also of ten Law Overlords who had suddenly appeared! As if materializing out of thin air, they floated above the square, their faces expressing indescribable fury. It seemed as though they had been dealt the deepest offense, incompatible with mercy!

“Fighting within the sacred city is an egregious crime! How dare you defile the grace bestowed by the Goddess of Life?!” one of the Masters shouted furiously, his sharp fangs clenched, and veins bulging on his blue forehead.

But what followed alarmed Kai even more—the ten Overlords descended to the ground, surrounding not only the man who had attacked but also Kai! They formed a ring around them, cutting them off from the rest of the onlookers!

“My apologies, esteemed priests. I was not a participant in this blasphemy. I was merely one of the onlookers, but this heretic’s attack flew straight at me,” Kai said seriously, bowing deeply.

“Silence! You, too, used an attack, defiling the sacred city! Unforgivable!” the Master shouted, seemingly in a manic fit.

“But I…” Kai stammered in shock, feeling a wave of dread wash over him.

“You should have taken the blow and borne the punishment for being near the heretic! The Goddess of Life would have protected you! But no, you chose to insult her!” the old man shouted, cutting Kai off.

Only at that moment did Kai glance at the wounded onlookers. Among them were those who could have defended themselves or at least softened the blow... But they had chosen to suffer at the hands of this lunatic instead...

“Oh no... Damn it! What the hell?!” Kai cursed mentally, realizing that he had been dragged into trouble out of nowhere. “What should I do?! Even if I escape from these ten Masters, there are surely stronger practitioners on this teralith, not to mention the religious fanatics everywhere. I have no chance of getting away!” Kai mentally analyzed, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

“Who the hell are you? And why are you preaching to me, trying to convert me to your religion?” the man shouted arrogantly, pointing a finger at the Masters before him.

“What blasphemy... You deserve death. The Goddess will not forgive you,” the Master from a race unlike the other priests coldly replied.

To Kai’s surprise, the Master’s flesh began to move, and horns started to grow from his bald head. It was clear that he was a body cultivator!

Kai, understanding that any attempt at resistance would only worsen his situation, looked as respectfully as possible at the old man who had earlier passed judgment on him. The situation was truly dire, so he respectfully asked:

“My apologies... What punishment awaits me? I do not wish to exacerbate my situation like this foolish heretic.”

At that moment, the old man’s furious gaze swept over Kai from head to toe, evaluating his clothes and pausing for a moment on the silver ring amulet that Kai had bought earlier. He was about to say something when another Master gave him a sidelong glance and said:

“Don’t be hasty. Think about the Cult and Gods... He would be a perfect fit for us, especially considering his cultivation…”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Master who had been speaking to Kai froze. He looked at Kai once more and smirked slightly. After a brief pause, he snorted and replied:

“I see you are religious, like us, but you have committed an unforgivable mistake. As an exception, you will not be executed,” he said, as if delivering a verdict. “The Goddess of Life may forgive you if you dedicate your life to the Order of Eternal Radiance!” he added magnanimously.

Even before the Masters had arrived, Kai had already informed Seth that he had gotten himself into an awful situation. And just at the moment of the verdict, the stone man appeared among the crowd, turning his head toward Kai.

“I will certainly do everything I can. But what exactly can I do for the Order and the Goddess of Life?” Kai asked respectfully and humbly, knowing he could disregard any contract.

But at that moment, something struck Kai in the back of the head! And immediately afterward, there was a click of a silver ring locking around his neck! This sent a strange wave through Kai’s body, as if it was suppressing all his power. And this extended not only to his energy but also to his body and spirit!

“What the?!” Kai mentally cried out, now truly beginning to worry.

But no one cared about his feelings... Several Overlords simultaneously activated strange scrolls, and silver chains flew at Kai, completely binding his body.

“You will be sent to work in the mines for the rest of your days. Only through hard labor can you atone for your sin!” the old man proclaimed triumphantly, immediately turning to the man in tattered clothes. “Offer this heretic’s life to the Goddess of Life!” he coldly ordered, pointing a finger.

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if lightning struck Kai! Work in the mines for the rest of his days?! It was almost laughably absurd! Moreover, this seemed like a setup!

It seemed that if the second Overlord hadn’t seen something special in Kai, they wouldn’t have given him such a punishment!

In the same instant, nine Overlords simultaneously lunged at the man! Resistance was futile, as he had no chance against nine practitioners... While Seth was unsure of what to do next, Kai watched in shock as the madman who had dragged him into this catastrophe was literally torn to pieces, staining the white robes with crimson!

“Master, what should we do? This is terrible! Let me come with you!” Seth said telepathically.

At that moment, Kai’s face became intensely focused. The situation was critical, but in such moments, one couldn’t afford to panic or act rashly. And just as Seth was about to take a step forward, Kai’s voice rang out in his mind:

“Stop. Don’t worry about me; I’ll figure something out. Head to your clan and find out the location of the entrance to the Region of Flesh, and wait for me there. I will definitely find a way to escape captivity and head straight to you. Everything has gone far from according to plan, but there’s no turning back time! We need to make the most of this situation!” Kai ordered sternly.

Hearing these words, Seth only nodded respectfully and turned, quietly disappearing into the crowd. Kai, in turn, continued to watch as the already torn body of the man was consigned to the flames.

“Damn it... How the hell did things turn out this way!? That bastard!” Kai mentally cursed, staring at the mangled body of the man.

He simply couldn’t believe that such a ridiculous accident had dragged him into this mess. It felt like some cruel joke of the Evil Gods...

V.9 Chapter 741: A New Batch of Heretics

Looking around at the grim walls of the dungeon, Kai sat quietly, leaning against the cold stone. Around him were about a hundred others in the same predicament, each clad in gray garments. On the wrists and necks of every prisoner gleamed silver rings—elegant yet cruel in their purpose: they suppressed cultivation to the level of the first law transformation, rendering them helpless before their guards.

“Good thing no one noticed the world ring... After all, my capture and detention were handled by ordinary masters. Overlords and Monarchs wouldn’t waste their precious time on such nonsense…” Kai thought to himself, rubbing the tattoo on his finger.

After being taken into custody, Kai was led straight to one of the dungeons of the holy city. There, they confiscated all his decoy rings, naturally seizing their contents. Although they didn’t hold all of Kai’s valuables, he had prepared much for sale, making the loss quite tangible...

After spending several days in the dungeon, Kai was finally brought out, along with other criminals and prisoners. Now, they were on a special artifact for transportation, flying toward the chaos stone mines. This artifact resembled the mansion of the Poison Mysteries Sect, which Kai had used to travel to the ancient pocket world.

“Good thing I don’t care about the contract... Given the cultivation suppressors, escaping would be impossible anyway…” Kai thought, glancing at the masters surrounding him.

The faces of the prisoners reflected hopelessness and exhaustion. Many had already resigned themselves to their fate, and in their eyes, one could read deep despair. However, Kai’s gaze still sparkled with a quiet rebellion and hope. He skillfully concealed his emotions, and though his mental strength was suppressed, it was not broken.

It was easy to understand the mood of those around him, as they had been forced to sign a slave contract and had their cultivation restricted. Their lives had suddenly become meaningless, as they would now endlessly toil, mining chaos stones. For a martial arts master, this was worse than death.

Through the silence of the dungeon, a strange, monotonous chant suddenly echoed. The narrow passage leading to the prisoners' cells was dimly lit, but in the semi-darkness, one could notice a figure of a priest sitting near the iron bars. He was deep in prayer, fanatically addressing the Goddess of Life. His voice, filled with pathos and ecstasy, created an unusual contrast with the despair reigning in the cell. The priest, dressed in long, softly rustling robes, seemed almost ghostly, his eyes closed, and his hands folded in a prayerful gesture.

“Damn, here we go again…” Kai thought, dropping to his knees along with everyone else around him.

The slave contract also included a clause about daily praise to the Goddess of Life. When the priest began to pray, everyone had to join in. There was no avoiding it, as the contract would inflict excruciating pain if one disobeyed. Naturally, Kai also had to daily play along with this farce.

This spectacle triggered a surge of anger in Kai, momentarily weakening his self-control. A thought flashed through his mind, causing him to slightly clench his fists:

“Damn bastards! You chained me for nothing, made me a slave, took my possessions, and now force me to pray to your cursed Goddess of Life?! Just wait... I’ll make you regret capturing me…” Kai thought with a spark of hatred in his eyes.

But he quickly regained his composure, knowing that any display of emotion could attract unwanted attention from the guards. He looked away, trying to find within himself the strength to remain calm and wait for the right moment to act. For now, his only weapons were patience and cold-bloodedness, which allowed him to maintain clarity of mind even in these horrifying conditions.

In that instant, a melodious and emotional prayer flowed from Kai’s mouth. From the outside, it seemed that the faith came from the deepest parts of his body, heart, and soul, but in reality, only rage burned within Kai!

Kai knew that this was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted to end this quickly and calmly, head to the Clan of Eternal Monoliths. If everything had gone as planned, Kai might have already been on his way to the Region of Flesh Domination! The restoration of Kessia’s body and his own development were his top priorities. But instead of all this, he was turned into a religious slave of one of the Evil Gods!

The journey to the chaos stone mines took several months, each of which Kai spent in agonizing anticipation. Despite his mental strength and the hidden world ring, the cultivation suppressors rendered him almost as powerless as the other prisoners, among whom were both young masters and elders worn out by years of life.

During all this time, Kai didn’t contact anyone or form any friendships. All he did was listen to others’ whispers. There were those who had been imprisoned for a long time and were only now being sent to work in the mines. And it seemed that few were happy about it...

One morning, a priest of the Order of Eternal Radiance opened the gates of their cell. Majestically dressed, with a heavy silver chain around his neck and a prayer book in his hands, he recited a short prayer, after which the prisoners were lined up in a column.

“The Goddess welcomes you to your new home. Rejoice, for you can atone for your sins!” the priest declared graciously.

The guards, stern and unyielding, led them out of the dungeon one by one, guiding them to the place of their future “service,” as the prisoners passed by the priest, he placed his hand on each one’s shoulder and nodded with a kind smile.

“I’m about to vomit…” Kai thought when the priest’s hand touched his shoulder. He forced a strained smile in response and moved on.

Exiting the building, they found themselves on a small patch of land floating in the air. It was on this that they were moving through the starry space... Kai immediately felt the heat on his face and the concentration of chaotic laws. It seemed that everything here was saturated with power! If it weren’t for the circumstances, this mine could have been an incredible place for cultivation!

“Incredible... The concentration of laws is simply mind-blowing!” Kai thought in shock, but his expression quickly turned to one of slight disappointment. “Alas, I can’t cultivate…” he mentally added.

The silver rings not only limited their cultivation, but also seemed to block the circulation of power. It was only enough for a master to slowly recover and work efficiently, but cultivating was nearly impossible...

Beneath Kai’s feet, a vast territory appeared. The mine was an unimaginably enormous quarry, cut so deep into the earth that the bottom was almost invisible. And on the ledges of this quarry, tens of thousands of masters toiled! The entire perimeter was surrounded by high fences of dull metal, creating a sort of pen for the slaves.

The ground here was black and dense, laced with veins of chaotic stones that reflected the dim light of weak lamps placed around the perimeter. To the side of all this loomed a large palace. It seemed that once it had been pure white, but now, under layers of soot, it had taken on the same black color as everything else in the quarry and mines.

Everywhere, masters could be seen, dirty and exhausted, each focused on their piece of work. Their clothes were faded and torn, their faces covered with layers of dust and sweat. The workers breathed heavily as they extracted chaos stones from the earth—some using energy, some tearing out the stones with their bare hands, others using their spirit. All the stones were carefully placed in filthy spatial rings and then thrown into large crates. Only after that were the crates filled with spatial rings lifted and carried into the main palace.

“Your new dwelling is over there,” said one of the stern guards at the third law transformation, pointing to a cliff from which the descent into the quarry began.

Next to the mine were temporary barracks where the workers could rest, but peace here was only fleeting... The overseers vigilantly watched every movement of the prisoners, and the threat of punishment hung in the air for any minor infraction or sign of laziness. The constant noise of hammers breaking stone created an oppressive atmosphere, and it seemed that the place itself was consumed by despair and hopelessness.

“From the depths of this crater, one can feel the heat and the destructive aura. Being in such conditions, with limited cultivation... It seems that the chaotic environment that allows chaos stones to form negatively impacts a master’s health…” Kai thought, activating his Eyes of Essence.

Under their vision, he literally saw a hellish vortex, in which the laws formed a destructive storm that tore into the bodies of the slaves, subtly destroying their essence.

“This is not good. I’ll have to think of a way to neutralize the negative impact... Perhaps I can activate three techniques simultaneously to absorb the excess?” already starting to devise a survival plan in this place, Kai thought.

His ability to cultivate three systems at once was still had an incredible advantage. Any other slave could only absorb the laws of their own cultivation system, but the other two types of laws would continue to destroy them...

“Roo-o-o!” suddenly, a loud sound from the central control tower of the mine drew everyone’s attention.

“That’s the signal for the start of your shift. You’ll find a place to rest later—for now, you can start working immediately!” the overseer said with a haughty smile, pushing a nearby slave in the back.

Kai, along with the others, was forced to leave the floating dungeon and descend into the crater below... They were quickly lined up, and within minutes, a master of the Law Overlord Sphere in a white robe flew over to them. He surveyed them all sternly and said:

“A new batch of heretics? Lost souls in need of the Goddess of Life’s forgiveness…” he said, shaking his head sadly. “Now I’ll tell you the local rules. By following them—after your death, you may receive the Goddess of Life’s forgiveness. Otherwise, you’ll be killed without being allowed to repent,” he said with all seriousness, as if oblivious to the contradictions in his words.

“Your work conditions are simple,” the priest continued, waving his hand toward the incredibly gigantic crater where thousands of slaves were already working. “You’ll work for fifty hours without a break, then receive ten hours for rest and food. You are not allowed to complain or fall short of the norm, or punishment will follow.”

He paused to make sure his words had reached every one of the newly arrived slaves.

“If your work does not meet expectations, you will be sent to work in the deeper and more dangerous levels of the crater, where conditions are significantly harsher. There, among thick vapors and unstable rocks, every step will be a test of survival. However, those who exceed the norm will have the opportunity to work on the upper levels of the crater, which will significantly prolong their lives and reduce their suffering.”

The priest fell silent, allowing his words to sink into the consciousness of each slave, then slowly walked around, studying the faces of the prisoners. His gaze was cold and calculating, and there was not a hint of compassion in his eyes.

“Do not mistake this for cruelty,” he suddenly added, addressing everyone. “This is your chance at redemption. The Goddess of Life is merciful to those who sincerely repent and toil in her name.”

When the priest finished his speech, the guards harshly pushed the first slaves to the edge of the precipice, where the descent into the crater began. One by one, they began to slowly descend the narrow, steep paths leading down into the dark and dusty mines.

V.9 Chapter 742: Deep Mine

Just before the descent, there was a small building where, if desired, one could take a special pickaxe for mining. After a brief stop, the slaves moved further down the narrow corridor. A few minutes later, Kai and the other prisoners were presented with a view of a ten-meter-wide path that led downward.

“This is your new home,” came the dull, monotonous voice of the overseer, interrupting the quiet sound of their footsteps. “This is where you will spend the rest of your days, laboring for the benefit of the Goddess of Life. Try not to waste your life by dying prematurely.”

The massive pit, cutting the earth into multiple levels, seemed enormous even from the sky, but once inside, it was enough to make anyone dizzy. On each of the levels, thousands of masters toiled tirelessly, extracting chaos stones. They were all dressed in tattered and faded robes, wounded and exhausted, each pouring their last bit of strength into the hated work.

“There is no room for weakness here,” the overseer continued, his voice growing stronger with each word. “Each of you must extract no less than ten thousand low-grade stones per shift! If you find a mid-grade chaos stone, it will count as a thousand low-grade ones. Failures will be sent to the lower levels, where the work is even harder and more dangerous. Remember, every action you take, every step you make, will be under strict control!”

At this moment, Kai stopped and respectfully bowed, without saying a word. He wanted to ask a question but understood that it was best to proceed cautiously.

“Hm? What’s with the antics, trash?” the man sneered, extending a long iron rod to lift Kai’s chin. “You have something to say?” he asked with a hint of menace.

Hearing the tone, Kai quickly considered his words and briefly replied:

“Forgive me... But isn’t it possible to find higher-quality chaos stones on the lower levels? After all, the concentration of chaos is much greater there.”

Such words caused many to look at Kai as if he were a madman...

“Hahaha! If you want, I can send you to the deeper levels right away! But don’t be surprised if you live no more than a year!” the overseer shouted with a loud laugh, joined by the laughter of several other guards. “Now shut up!” he added furiously, striking with his staff.

“Whuuush! Bam!” the sound of the staff slicing through the air echoed, and it struck Kai’s face, sending him flying several meters away.

“Get up and keep moving, trash! We’re not waiting for you just because you’re injured! And don’t you dare spit out your filthy heretic blood!” the man arrogantly added with a sneer.

“What irony... My blood truly is heretic... Though it’s from the Heretical God, not just any heretic. Heh-heh…” Kai mentally laughed, getting to his feet and starting to walk behind the column. “I need to see if I can withstand the pressure of this mine... Because if I can, I need to get to the deeper levels…” Kai thought, already forming a preliminary plan in his mind.

The newly arrived slaves moved forward, the air thick with the smell of sweat and dust, while the voice of the overseer echoed through it all:

“Remember, in this place, anything that threatens order is forbidden. Rebels and insurgents will be immediately sent to the depths of the quarry. No exceptions. This is your only chance to atone for your sins through labor and obedience.”

There was something more than just a warning in his words. It was a threat, meant to remind each prisoner of their place in this gigantic and terrifying abyss.

“Take your positions and start mining. Your senior comrades will explain what to do and what not to do,” the man added with a hint of menace and a vicious grin.

When they finally descended to the first ring, the widest in diameter, many with heads bowed moved toward the walls, losing all hope of salvation or escape. But in Kai’s eyes, the spark of rebellion still flickered, a light in this endless darkness, for in the depths of his heart, a quiet voice of hope whispered…

Kai approached one of the high walls, covered in dark veins of minerals. The surrounding masters struck the stones, causing a resonant echo that spread throughout the level. Each strike of a pickaxe or fist against the wall was accompanied by sparks and cries of exertion.

As soon as Kai reached his assigned section, a muscular man with broad shoulders and a hard gaze approached him. His skin was covered in dust and sweat, and his face bore the weariness of many years of hard labor. With a sidelong glance, Kai noticed that something similar was happening to the other newcomers...

“New here, huh?” the man said, standing over Kai. “You know, we’ve got our own rules here. The upper level is more comfortable, but don’t think you’ll work here for free.”

Kai looked up at his face, hiding his irritation. He already understood that every moment in this mine would be a test. What irritated him even more was that he ended up in this mess by sheer chance. Sometimes the Causelessness of Luck Law worked to one’s detriment...

“What rules?” Kai asked calmly, though his body tensed anticipating a conflict.

“Twenty percent of your haul goes to me!” the man declared confidently, crossing his arms over his chest. “That’s the standard for all newcomers. Pay up, and you’ll work in peace. Refuse, and they won’t let you work properly. Got it?”

For a moment, Kai pondered, evaluating his interlocutor and the potential consequences of his decision. Thoughts of rebellion and resistance flashed through his mind, but he knew that an open confrontation could lead to even bigger problems.

“And who made you the collector?” Kai asked calmly, but his eyes already sparked with defiance.

The man’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise at such a question. His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to Kai’s face.

“That’s none of your business, boy. You’ll pay, or you’ll have problems. This isn’t a request; it’s a notification,” his voice grew harsher, and he gestured toward the other workers, who were watching the conversation out of the corner of their eyes.

Kai slowly looked around, feeling every muscle in his body tense. His hand involuntarily clenched into a fist. He took a deep breath, trying to appear indignant, and to probe for more information.

“Listen…” he began, his voice serene but resolute. “I’m not here to bolster your power. I’ll work like everyone else. And no threats will make me give up part of my labor to someone who decides they’re entitled to more.”

The man froze, assessing the determination in Kai’s eyes. A tense silence fell, with the sounds of hammering and rustling ceasing around them, and all attention focused on the two.

“We’re all limited to the strength of the first law transformation here, so it’s the numbers that matter, not individual combat power. If you suddenly die, no one will even blink because you’re just as much a slave as the rest of us. I answer to Dragel, who controls the top five levels of the mine, with hundreds, if not thousands, of followers. Are you sure you want to play the rebel?” the muscular man explained, now directly threatening.

At that moment, the voice of an elderly man standing next to Kai, holding a pickaxe, interrupted them. He had a long red beard braided into a plait, a muscular body, and two horns on his bald head. His skin had a slightly reddish hue.

“Boy, you’d better not get yourself into trouble. Agree to the terms, or you’ll die. Stick close to me, and I’ll explain what’s what around here,” the old man said seriously.

Hearing this, Kai paused for a second, then carelessly smiled, as if suddenly changing his persona. He looked at the brute who had been threatening him and said:

“Sorry, brother! I just have a bad temper. I try to provoke strangers to better understand the situation,” Kai said with a laugh. “Of course, I’ll pay. No problem! Heh-heh!”

“Then it’s settled. But I advise you not to provoke Dragel’s subordinates again,” the muscular man said arrogantly, slapping Kai on the face before heading toward the next newcomer.

As he watched the man’s back, a flicker of bloodlust flashed in Kai’s eyes… He definitely didn’t like that last gesture…

But suddenly, the old man spoke again, pulling Kai out of his thoughts. When he turned around, he saw the old man extending his hand to him and saying:

“My name is Mufidur, body cultivator. I’ve been in the mine for fifty years,” he said briefly.

“Kai, body cultivator. In the mine one day. Heh-heh,” Kai replied with a smile, shaking the old man’s hand in return. He had already decided to present himself as a body cultivator, making it easier to hide some of the cards he had up his sleeve.

“If you work without stopping, then meeting the quota and paying Dragel won’t be too big of a problem. The main thing is not to get into conflicts, or they’ll send you to the deeper levels in no time,” Mufidur explained, clenching his fist and striking the wall with all his strength, which only cracked slightly. “Take an empty spatial ring from that box,” the old man instructed with a glance.

Kai quickly followed the old man’s recommendation, putting on several rings and also began breaking the wall. He deliberately didn’t use energy or spirit, relying only on physical strength.

“Why is everyone so afraid of those deep levels?” Kai suddenly asked.

“The walls there are much tougher, and the environment is unbearable. Spending a day in the deepest parts is like toiling here for a year. The impact on the entire body is too strong. Of course, if you’re lucky, you can find a high-grade chaos stone and buy yourself days of rest, but few are that fortunate…” Mufidur explained, shaking his head.

“Buy days of rest? What do you mean? Thump!” Kai asked, beginning to strike the wall.

“The daily quota is ten thousand low-grade chaos stones. If you manage to find a high-grade stone, it can count as a quota for a hundred days. But to find one, you’d need to spend at least a month on the deeper levels, which in life terms can be equated to thirty years. Would you trade thirty years of life for a hundred days of rest?” the old man asked rhetorically. “There are masters who are willing to gamble on that, but practice shows they die rapidly…” he muttered sadly, as if he personally knew some of those people.

However, this warning sounded entirely different… His eyes flashed with symbols, and he literally saw the structure of the wall before him, instantly determining where the concentrations of chaos stones were!

“If I learn to neutralize the harm of this mine, then I wouldn’t mind descending into its depths! With the world ring, I can rob the Order of Eternal Radiance, and then also earn a reputation as a good miner, securing myself some rest…” Kai thought with a wicked grin.

At that moment, a clear plan of action began to take shape in his mind. If the Order thinks they can imprison someone like Kai—they’re gravely mistaken!

V.9 Chapter 743: Reckless Act

Time passed slowly, and Kai had spent more than a week in the mines, during which the exhausting labor accompanied him daily. The daily routine was strictly regulated: the slaves spent endless hours in painstaking work in conditions of semi-darkness and suffocating heat. There was no rest during the excavations, and returning to the surface brought no relief—exhausted bodies demanded more hours, as the ability to properly cultivate had been taken away.

In their normal state, these masters wouldn’t even have felt fatigue, let alone the need for recovery. But in the mine, there were beings who had it even worse… Not everyone had high cultivation; some were at the Law Sphere or even the Core Sphere. The fate of such people was horrifyingly unenviable…

Kai tried to keep a low profile, studying his surroundings. Most of his time was spent absorbing the chaotic laws of the mine. Even with the restrictions imposed by the strange artifacts, he could still derive some benefit. Kai was confident that after a few more weeks, he would refine this process to the point of automation. Thanks to possessing three cultivation systems, he was even gaining more than he was losing…

“Why are you standing still, sinner?!” a fierce man, who resembled a beast, suddenly shouted, striking a nearby woman with a whip.

“Ghaah!” the poor girl fell to her knees, blue blood pouring from her mouth. Struggling to rise, she continued to strike the wall, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Followers of the merciful Goddess of Life? Sure… Sick religious fanatics…” Kai thought with disgust at everything happening around him.

The overseers never missed an opportunity to remind the slaves of their power, cruelly abusing them. Torment and humiliation had become part of the daily routine. However, even among the slaves, there was an atmosphere of hostility and competition. Clashes over chaos stones flared up regularly, as everyone strove to meet their quota to avoid punishment or, at the very least, survive another day.

At first, this seemed like madness to Kai; better to end one’s existence than to endure such a miserable life. But, as he later learned, there were cases of pardons. Many of the overseers had once been slaves themselves.

Thus, the Order of Eternal Radiance gave the slaves hope for salvation. This was why many strove to work on the higher levels, to preserve their lives and possibly receive a pardon one day. These were very cruel methods of psychological pressure, but as could be seen in practice—they worked exceptionally well!

Against the backdrop of this hopeless existence, Kai, thanks to his Eyes of Essence, found a way to cleverly meet the required quotas, giving him some advantage. However, since he needed to pretend to be an ordinary worker, he deliberately wasted part of his effort, which was extremely exhausting. He and the old man Mufidur, who had become his comrade in misfortune, were giving their all.

“Ruuuuu!” suddenly, the heavens were pierced by a resonant sound, signaling the end of the fifty-hour work shift.

“Everyone stop! Line up and head out of the mine!” the overseers’ shouts rang out as they began beating the slaves with whips and iron rods.

Kai and the old man didn’t hesitate, quickly taking their places. Because Mufidur had taken Kai under his wing from the first day, Kai quickly adapted to the local norms and laws, skillfully avoiding problems. In truth, Kai was sincerely grateful to the old man, for he had learned much from him over this week.

Kai even learned about slight differences in the names of cultivation stages in different systems. When Mufidur discussed his carefree life before, he mentioned how he progressed through cultivation. As it turned out, the stages of Warrior, Cultivator, and Law Sphere and beyond were identical. The stages in between had slight differences: the Blood Mist Sphere, Blood Gathering Sphere, Burning Blood Sphere, Heart Sphere. In fact, the changes at each sphere were almost identical to the energy cultivation system, except they occurred in the Heart of Flesh, not the Energy Center.

“I recently traded a bottle of homemade alcohol with a guy…” Mufidur quietly said. “Come to my barrack after we return to camp…” he added with a satisfied grin.

“Second time this week? You’re spoiling me, old man. Heh-heh.”

The alcohol that could be found in these parts was terrible in taste. But somehow, after a hard work shift and total exhaustion, it held a hidden charm. It was a strange feeling, as if this vile brew contained its own philosophy and depth. The understanding that even in the most difficult situations, one could find a reason for joy.

Although the locals had no possessions, they could trade part of the chaos stones they mined during their shift. This kind of exchange could be considered equivalent to trade. There were even masters who covered most of their quota through side activities. Naturally, all of this was done quietly to avoid punishment.

After the shift ended, all the slaves hurried to exit the mine, eager to leave its suffocating depths as quickly as possible. The air inside was heavy and dusty, and each breath was a reminder of the endless toil. At the mine’s exit was a large array used for controlling and accounting for the mined chaos stones. Slaves would press their bracelets against the array, which would read their data and record the number of stones collected. Then, the array would register this information under each slave’s unique identification number.

Kai did the same, approached the controller, and handed over several filled spatial rings. The man in a white robe quickly pressed the rings against another array and then said:

“Another good result, newcomer. All the others in your group have already fallen deeper into the quarry,” the controller said condescendingly, his eyes briefly scanning the data displayed on the array’s surface. “It seems you’re truly blessed by the Goddess of Life, managing not to descend to the deeper levels like the others.”

“Indeed. The Goddess of Life is merciful to those sinners who seek repentance,” Kai smirked, hiding his real displeasure with the situation. “Maybe one day I’ll receive forgiveness.”

The controller laughed, but his laugh was harsh and unpleasant.

“You know, your attitude toward work is hard to ignore. The Order values such followers. Keep it up, and maybe one day you’ll get a promotion… Or even freedom.”

“Climbing the ladder of slavery isn’t exactly my goal…” Kai thought, but outwardly, he simply bowed and walked toward the slave camp.

The controller watched him for another moment, then continued processing the other slaves. Many of their faces were not as calm as Kai’s, as they realized they hadn’t met their quota today. After a short rest, they would be sent to the deeper levels of the quarry!

Overall, the quarry was incredibly deep, with more than a hundred levels. But no one wanted to descend even one of them, as the environment worsened with each descent. The whole situation seemed as if thousands of slaves were daily trying to climb out of a pit whose walls constantly crumbled under their hands and feet. The faster and harder you worked, the better your chances of not falling into the abyss.

After his meeting with the controller, Kai headed to the barracks, where Mufidur was already waiting with the promised alcohol. For some reason, Kai looked forward to this moment with a certain anticipation.

“Circumstances really do influence how you perceive the world… I never thought I’d be happy about something so trivial,” Kai thought with a smile.

Kai had barely entered the battered barrack when Mufidur had already poured the cloudy white liquid into rough cups. Kai took his and took a sip, grimacing at the taste, which was somewhere between sour and bitter. Mufidur followed his lead, and in a moment, both of them were grimacing. However, soon satisfied smiles appeared on their faces—there was something comforting in this liquid, despite its taste.

“Not the best wine I’ve ever had… But after a shift in the mines, it feels like nectar,” Kai noted with slight irony.

“Ah, that’s the beauty of it!” Mufidur agreed. “You start to appreciate the small things when you’re deprived of the bigger ones.”

But at that moment, their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a group of slaves, led by a tall man with harsh facial features. He stepped into Mufidur’s barrack, immediately pointing at Kai. It was clear that the situation boded no good…

“Leader Dragel has heard of your successes. You work well, but now more is required of you. Consider this an honor,” his voice was threatening, leaving no room for argument.

When Kai and Mufidur heard this, their faces immediately twisted in outrage. Such demands were nothing short of mockery!

“Are you kidding? Do you want me to give you everything?” Kai asked, trying to keep his cool.

“You’re not in a position to ask questions. Leader Dragel demands that you give up the majority of your haul. He believes that people like you should serve as an example to others,” said the second slave, standing next to the first.

Five brutes had deliberately entered the barrack, surrounding Kai on all sides to demonstrate the reality of their threats. They clearly weren’t here to listen to his arguments.

Mufidur tried to intervene, but Kai stopped him with a gesture.

“And how am I supposed to work even harder when every chaos stone is earned with sweat and blood? Do you want my death?” but at that moment, a murderous intent began to emanate from Kai’s body, and through gritted teeth, he added. “Or is your master afraid I might become his competitor someday? Do you want to bury me, you bastards?” Kai fearlessly stepped forward.

When Kai heard such a ridiculous demand, he immediately understood the problem. His results were indeed good. If he continued to work with such efficiency, he might eventually earn a pardon, or the Order might grant him more power. This Dragel was also not an independent character, as it was obvious he was allowed to do what he was doing.

According to Mufidur, the local Order officials were secretly stealing chaos stones this way. Slaves would turn over part of their stones to Dragel, who would then give the bulk to the local Law Overlords. It was all one big scam to quietly appropriate assets. Apparently, this was how the Overlords could bypass some of the Order’s rules…

“Don’t get smart, newcomer. You’re not in a position to choose. Either you follow orders, or the next shift will be your last. This is not a threat; it’s a promise,” the leader of the slaves said threateningly, placing his hand on Kai’s shoulder and beginning to squeeze it.

At that moment, a surge of rage began to build in Kai’s heart… Although he wasn’t proud, he wouldn’t allow any trash to treat him like this. In a normal situation, these lackeys wouldn’t have even been able to withstand his aura.

“Remove your hand, or I’ll tear it off,” Kai said coldly, gently touching the man’s chest and unexpectedly pushing him back several steps. “Who do you think you are, pathetic henchman?” Kai asked fiercely, beginning to channel a bit of his lineage’s power.

Mufidur suddenly felt his heart start to beat faster. In that instant, Kai began to make an indelible impression. He was undoubtedly incredibly powerful! Even with just one level of cultivation, it was obvious these guys couldn’t do anything to him!

But the muscular man arrogantly smirked and confidently replied:

“Do you want to start a fight? Do you know what will happen if you do? Do you want to be sent straight to the middle of the quarry?” he asked, laughing.

“What if I do?” Kai suddenly responded and moved with incredible speed, delivering a blow directly to the brute’s chest.

“Bam!” a resounding explosion echoed, and the man’s body crashed through the barrack wall, flying outside!

At that moment, Mufidur’s face darkened because he realized Kai had made an irreparable mistake! In the instant after the blow, the old man noticed that the brute’s ribcage was destroyed! Kai was definitely going to face severe punishment for such an act!

V.9 Chapter 744: Deathly Punishment

Kai stood in the middle of Mufidur’s room, coldly staring at the remaining men. Understanding Kai’s strength even with his cultivation restricted, they quickly realized that they were no match for him. To kill him, they would need to multiply their numbers tenfold!

At that moment, the slave camp erupted into commotion, with many people rushing out of their barracks to see what was happening. The dust settled, and the brute gasped heavily, struggling to breathe. His chest was caved in—a serious injury.

Whispers and exclamations began to echo everywhere. Verbal disputes were common here, but an actual fight—rarely so!

“A fight? Someone decided to end their quiet life?”

“Look who he threw out... That’s Dragel’s henchman!”

No one wanted to cause a ruckus, as it would lead to severe punishment—being sent to the deeper levels of the quarry!

“What… What have you done?!” one of the henchmen, still standing in Mufidur’s barrack, started to panic.

“Can’t you see? I answered you and your arrogant leader quite eloquently. Pray that I die in the mines because one day, I’ll come to collect my debts. Now—get the hell out of here!” Kai shouted, releasing a terrifying killing aura.

In an instant, a wave of bloodthirsty energy spread from his body, and the four men trembled. They seemed ready to respond, but as soon as Kai took a step forward, they immediately turned and fled from the barrack, not forgetting to drag the half-dead brute away with them.

Behind Kai, Mufidur’s sorrowful and heavy voice could be heard. He sounded as though he had just watched another friend die…

“What have you done, Kai… You should have agreed. I could have helped you get out of this situation. You have no idea how terrible the conditions are on the deeper levels of the mine,” Mufidur said sadly, shaking his head.

Kai was surprised by these words, as the old man was willing to sacrifice part of his haul just to help Kai. Under normal circumstances, this might have been considered a small thing, but in the mines, your haul was your only resource for survival. Sharing it was a significant gesture.

“This provocation wouldn’t have ended so simply. If you had started helping me, they would have wanted to crush you too. This isn’t about the chaos stones, but personal animosity toward me,” Kai said with a smile, shaking his head. “Let’s have another drink before the overseers arrive. Heh-heh.”

Mufidur understood that Kai was absolutely right. If he had agreed to this absurd extortion, the demands would only have grown over time. After all, the old man had been here much longer and had seen such things before…

“Damn…” Mufidur muttered, frowning, and quickly filled two cups. His mood was far from cheerful.

“Don’t worry, old man. If you think I’ve decided to throw my life away, you’re sorely mistaken. I actually believe I can gain something from this situation,” Kai said with a laugh, as if it were Mufidur who needed encouragement.

“And how do you plan to do that? Even if you manage to dig something up, you won’t be able to return to the upper levels. As soon as you come back, they’ll try to destroy you,” Mufidur asked, not believing in Kai’s optimism.

“I’ve got a few aces up my sleeve,” Kai replied nonchalantly, raising the cup with the cloudy liquid inside.

When their eyes met, they both drained their cups in one go. Words weren’t needed for them to understand each other. It seemed they silently toasted each other—Mufidur wishing Kai luck in surviving, and Kai wishing Mufidur a peaceful life on the upper level of the quarry.

In the next instant, a group of armed overseers burst into the barrack, led by a priest in a white robe. To Kai’s surprise, it was the same man who had processed his haul a few hours earlier.

“What a shame… You’ve decided to throw away your opportunities?” the priest asked, frowning.

“Not at all,” Kai replied calmly, shaking his head. “It seems the Goddess of Life wants to test me, placing obstacles in my path. Given the situation with Dragel’s henchmen, whether on the upper level or the lower, my life wouldn’t have been easy…” Kai had become accustomed to spouting all this nonsense about faith and the Goddess, pretending to be a devout believer. His words genuinely sounded like they came from the depths of his heart.

Kai had deliberately mentioned the extortion. Although everyone present understood the situation, no one said anything about it. Dragel brought significant profits to those higher up, so the subject was taboo. But it seemed that such frankness pleased the priest. Kai wasn’t complaining or rebelling, which already showed his submission and repentance.

“For violating the rules of subordination, you will be sent to the sixtieth level of the mine. This is the best I can do for you, considering your faith and hard work. Consider it a personal favor,” the priest said seriously, looking at Kai.

“Thank you. I hope the Goddess of Life protects me,” Kai replied humbly, bowing.

“To access the deeper levels of the quarry, slaves are allowed to fly, but only for the purpose of descent or ascent. The prohibition remains in effect on the levels themselves. Tomorrow, I expect you at the quarry. Don’t even think about trying to escape—or you’ll die even faster,” the priest added sternly, turning and leaving the barrack, followed by the overseers.

After the priest’s departure, the silence in the barrack was broken only by the heavy footsteps and the metallic clang of the staffs in the overseers’ hands. The atmosphere was tense, like the calm before a storm. Suddenly, one of the men sneered and said in a menacing tone:

“Besides sending you down into the mine, we have other mandatory punishments. Rule breakers must learn their lesson and obey in the future,” his voice was cold and cruel.

Several men slowly approached Kai, holding iron rods in their hands, each one gleaming in the dim light of the barrack. Without warning, they began beating him.

“Bam! Bam! Bam!” the rods struck Kai’s body with terrifying force, each blow creating a sickening sound as they hit his flesh. Every strike left new marks on his body—bleeding wounds and broken bones.

Despite the brutal situation, Kai didn’t show any signs of resistance. He took each blow with silent dignity, as if every strike brought him closer to some inevitable outcome. Seeing that Kai wasn’t defending himself, his tormentors only intensified their blows, determined to break his will.

They continued to beat him mercilessly until his body was covered in bruises and his breathing became labored and uneven. Kai lay on the ground, blood oozing from his wounds, forming dark pools on the cold stone floor. His tormentors, satisfied with their cruelty, stepped back, leaving him to suffer.

Kai knew well that defending himself in this situation was out of the question. If he had touched one of the overseers, not other slaves as before, it would have meant instant execution. Now was definitely not the time for such resistance…

As they were leaving the barrack, one of the overseers turned and said harshly:

“Don't try to heal him, old man. Let him suffer for his mistake, or you’ll suffer with him.”

Hearing this, Mufidur only nodded irritably, knowing the local rules all too well. As much as he wanted to help, it would only make Kai’s situation worse. Moreover, it would worsen Mufidur’s own situation.

“How are you, Kai? Can you recover before the next shift? With wounds like these, and on the sixtieth level…” Mufidur muttered, clenching his fists in genuine concern.

But at that moment, a gruesome, bloody grin spread across Kai’s face. There was life in his eyes, and a certain manic excitement! This even slightly frightened Mufidur…

“Old man, believe me… I’ve been through things that make this beating seem like a joke. Heh-heh… Kgh-kha-kha!” Kai said smugly, coughing at the end.

He had indeed been beaten severely, but after the tortures of the Overlord of Ravenous Hunger, Kai couldn’t take this seriously. Considering his lineage and all the other tricks up his sleeve, he was certain he could recover. Even if not by the start of the shift, then at least once in the mines.

“You’re a madman… Ha-ha-ha!” the old man exclaimed in surprise, then burst into loud laughter.

“There should be far fewer slaves on the deeper levels, not to mention overseers. According to Mufidur’s stories, they don’t descend there at all. Which means—no one will be watching me! Let’s see what happens next!” Kai thought, already anticipating dangerous adventures.

He hadn’t attacked Dragel’s henchmen for no reason; he had been considering descending to the deeper levels. But even if he didn’t meet his quota, descending would have taken a lot of time, which Kai didn’t have much of. If he wanted to escape, he needed to act boldly and take risks.

In this way, the conflict had even accelerated Kai’s plan, allowing him to descend immediately.

“I need to learn how to fully absorb the chaotic laws of this mine, and then I can mine higher-quality chaos stones… Maybe I can even gain the trust of the local Overlords…” Kai thought, smiling cunningly as the plan in his mind became clearer and clearer.

At dawn, as the first rays of the sun barely touched the dark corners of the mine, Kai, whose body was still covered in fresh wounds, stood at the edge of the crater. Mufidur approached him, his face showing calmness despite the inner worry he felt.

“A descent to the sixtieth level… You’ll need all the luck you can get. I hope everything goes well for you,” the old man quietly said, as if speaking of the inevitable.

Kai nodded, his eyes surprisingly calm, devoid of fear for the trial ahead.

“Don’t worry about me. This descent is just another danger on my path. I’ve survived worse situations. Who knows, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to find a high-grade chaos stone, and then I can rest plenty.” Kai replied with a laugh, winking at the old man.

At that moment, the overseers began shouting, driving the slaves forward. The signal for the start of the shift had sounded just a few seconds ago, which meant there was no time to delay. A large crowd began descending, and many standing near Kai jumped down.

Even now, it was clear that most of the slaves were on the first ten levels, with a smaller portion on the next ten. Those who jumped deeper were noticeably fewer. Usually, they were either those who had been punished or those who intentionally sought death.

“And yet,” Mufidur continued. “Remember that every step deeper increases the risk. If you truly have some aces up your sleeve, don’t save them for later. Use them right away!” he advised with all seriousness.

“I understand, old man. We’ll meet again,” Kai responded with a wink and a friendly tone.

With those words, Kai turned to look at the crater—a deep, black abyss that awaited him. Taking a deep breath, he lightly jumped off the edge, plunging into the darkness with a sense of anticipation.

Mufidur watched as Kai disappeared into the gloom, then, under the overseers’ shouts, followed the other slaves.

V.9 Chapter 745: Deep Levels

As Kai descended deeper and deeper into the chaotic depths of the quarry, he could feel the pressure rapidly intensifying. Each level of the mine grew darker and more oppressive, with fewer and fewer slaves around him.

Kai's cultivation systems—spiritual, physical, and energetic—were under tremendous strain, as if being tested for their resilience. A massive vortex of chaotic laws swirled around him, each one trying to penetrate his essence.

Kai deliberately slowed his descent to better sense the increasing pressure. Jumping down recklessly, without any control over the situation, would have been foolish even for him.

With his Eyes of Essence, he watched as a kaleidoscope of laws crashed down upon him, attempting to invade each of his energy centers. It felt as though a chaotic storm had ignited around him, bombarding his body. At that moment, he realized the full extent of the danger posed by the mine's deeper levels. The rumors and warnings from the other slaves hadn’t lied: each subsequent level became increasingly unbearable.

“This is tough... But it seems that with some practice, I could actually benefit from this. If only I could get rid of these cultivation suppressors…” Kai thought, his eyes gleaming.

He understood that his main problem was the limitation on his cultivation. If he were in his usual state, this mine would be a paradise for his development. But now, it felt more like a powerful mountain stream trying to squeeze through the narrow neck of a bottle. Kai simply couldn’t absorb all this power. Fortunately, he could at least neutralize the harm...

As he continued to descend, Kai began to actively work on absorbing and processing the laws attacking him. Each of his three energy centers independently captured and destroyed the laws of their respective types. This process was painful and dangerous, but Kai was no stranger to such challenges...

“I need to find high-grade chaos stones and present them to the Overlords on a silver platter. If I play my cards right and pretend to be a religious fanatic, they might start to trust me... If I find a way to remove the restraints, this place could become my personal chaos stone quarry. These bastards won’t even realize that I’m brazenly robbing them, since neither their contract nor religion binds me, and they’re unlikely to discover the world ring,” Kai thought, feeling a surge of anticipation in his heart. Though there was still much to do, Kai was already eager to pay back those who had imprisoned him.

As Kai fell, the numbered level markers passed by, floating in the air as platforms, making it easier to navigate the quarry’s depths...

“Almost at the sixtieth level... Time to stop,” Kai thought, finally slowing his fall and gliding toward the work zone.

As Kai approached the sixtieth level, the surroundings grew darker and more foreboding. The walls of the mine were coated in layers of ancient soot and stone dust, making every inch of the surface look like a black carpet that absorbed light.

The structure of the walls here was less defined, as this area was seldom worked. As a result, the quarry in some places turned into a true mine, with tunnels dug deep into the rock, as if someone had mindlessly excavated without any regard for order, since there were no overseers here either.

Low-hanging stalactites and crumbling supports in these tunnels gave the impression that the mine itself was slowly but inexorably closing in, threatening to engulf anyone who dared remain here.

The scant light that barely penetrated the thick darkness came from rare sources—chaos crystals, glimmering in the distance like the sinister eyes of creatures watching Kai. The air was dense and cold, and each breath filled his lungs with a sense of heaviness.

Looking around, Kai felt as though everything around him had frozen in time. He saw no other slaves nearby, which made him tense. Only after careful observation did he notice a few emaciated slaves at the perimeter, their figures barely visible in the gloom. These slaves were so absorbed in their work that they didn’t even notice one another, let alone Kai.

“There’s no need to hide here to remain unseen... These guys are like the walking dead, seeing nothing but despair ahead of them,” Kai thought, watching the slaves who relentlessly chipped away at the stone walls, twisted under the weight of their fate. Their suffering seemed endless, and none of their faces showed any hope or desire for salvation. They were entirely consumed by their harsh, monotonous labor.

“I’m fortunate that I can function in this environment... But it would have been better if I hadn’t been turned into a slave at all,” Kai mused, feeling a mix of disgust for the Order of Eternal Radiance and gratitude for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. He would have to use this isolation and darkness to continue his cultivation and develop his next steps.

Slipping into one of the deeper caves, hidden from the sight of the other slaves, Kai moved inside, vanishing from view. He deliberately went as deep as he could, settling into a lotus position to begin absorbing the surrounding chaos laws.

“If I can adapt and gather enough chaos stones, I can not only survive but also strengthen my position here. The Overlords won’t suspect that a slave they consider a fanatic is actually gathering strength for a rebellion,” he thought with a smile as alien laws continued to pour into his body.

At that moment, his own laws attacked the intruding chaos, tearing them apart and converting them into elemental “scripts,” which were then rewritten into his own. However, because Kai’s cultivation was restricted, much of the absorbed laws simply dissipated, returning to the space of the mine.

“Considering my goals, I can’t call this a loss. Better this than slowly dying like the others,” Kai decided, resolving to spend several hours honing this process until it became second nature. Only then would he begin mining chaos stones!

Kai spent about ten hours in deep meditation, studying and processing the chaotic laws that bombarded him from every direction. He could feel each law, each energy, exploding within his internal centers, being torn apart and transformed into something that could strengthen him. This process was painful, but with each hour, his body and spirit adapted to the relentless onslaught of laws, learning not only to endure but to utilize them.

After he felt that he had achieved a certain harmony with the surrounding chaos, Kai stood up, his face refreshed, and his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

With his Eyes of Essence activated, he turned his gaze back to the dark, intricate structures of the quarry. Through the walls, across layers of rock and darkness, he could clearly see the networks of chaos stone veins, their concentrations of laws shining within them.

The veins intertwined, creating a complex network that stretched out like a treasure map before his inner sight. One nearby vein stood out in particular—a powerful vein of chaos stones where the laws seemed especially dense and potent.

“There it is! The concentration of laws here is the densest. This is definitely something more powerful than low-grade chaos stones…” Kai said with a wide smile. “Looks like my craft has changed again. Now I’m a miner, not an alchemist or array master!” he joked to himself, laughing.

With determination, he headed to the spot where he calculated it would be most advantageous to start digging. After all, he didn’t want to waste time...

A few minutes later, Kai stopped in front of the rock that concealed the precious stones from his sight. He slowly clenched his fist, channeling the power of all three of his cultivation systems into it!

“Boom! Boom... Boom... Boo…” an explosive sound echoed around him. Before striking, Kai had used a technique essential in these parts—sealing his hearing. Many slaves did the same to avoid making their lives even more difficult.

With the first strike, the wall began to crack, revealing the first layer of rock on the path to the chaos stones. The energy emanating from the fracture was so intense that even Kai felt a sharp pain for a moment.

Although the rock here was much harder than above, Kai was an exception. By combining all three of his cultivation systems, he was undoubtedly stronger than a master at the first law transformation. Even with the restrictions, he could still efficiently mine at the sixtieth level.

For several hours, Kai tirelessly and methodically pounded the wall, driving deeper and deeper toward the coveted vein. Each of his strikes was precise and powerful, the echoes of his blows reaching deeper and deeper, until finally, after one particularly powerful strike, the wall crumbled into pieces, scattering stone debris all around. The sight that greeted Kai was stunning: from the shattered rock, stones stared back at him, shrouded in a gray mist and an incredibly dense concentration of laws.

“This is it…” Kai muttered, gazing at the silvery haze enveloping the stones. “There must be a high-grade chaos stone hidden within!” Kai shouted, immediately realizing he hadn’t made a mistake.

The high-grade chaos stone was surrounded by a vein of low-grade chaos stones, of which there were also thousands. Kai understood that by extracting them all, he could meet his shift’s quota without even handing over the high-grade stone. However, acting in such a manner would be foolish...

His heart raced with excitement and anticipation. In the depths of his consciousness, a plan was already forming on how to use this vast treasure. Kai carefully approached the vein. He knew he had to act cautiously; too aggressive an approach could damage some of the stones or cause a cave-in, which would create unnecessary difficulties for him.

Kai picked up a small, sharply pointed stone that he had found nearby and began to carefully but confidently chip away at the rock around the high-grade chaos stone. Each strike was deliberate and measured. Soon, the accumulated tension in the rock was released, and he saw a bright halo surround the largest of the stones.

“So there you are, my precious chaos stone…” he whispered, gently touching its surface. The stone was cold and smooth, its internal power pulsing like a living being.

With the respect and care required for handling such a valuable artifact, Kai extracted the high-grade stone from its natural niche. To his surprise, Kai didn’t place it in his world ring but in the spatial ring of the Order of Eternal Radiance!

Now, Kai’s task was to collect as many low-grade chaos stones as possible without losing a single one. And this would take some time...

Hour after hour passed, and when the work was done, Kai stepped back, assessing his efforts. There was satisfaction in his gaze.

“I think I’ll skip leaving the mine for a rest and deliberately stay here for several shifts in a row. It’ll look like I was too dedicated to the Order, trying to extract the high-grade chaos stone,” Kai said cheerfully, laughing.

He didn’t plan to return when the signal sounded and decided to stay here for several days, cultivating and further adapting to the local environment. And when he emerged, he would try to present everything in such a way as to secure an audience with the Overlords! Maybe not on the first try, but if he consistently brought in incredible hauls—they would certainly take notice!

V.9 Chapter 746: The Five Overlords

A column of slaves marched quickly towards the overseers to deliver their haul. Among them, one man was particularly disheartened—Mufidur. It had already been three shifts since Kai's punishment, yet he hadn’t returned. The explanation was simple: something had happened on the sixtieth level, and Kai had likely perished.

“Another life lost…” the old man muttered sadly, shaking his head. After handing in his daily quota, he trudged wearily back to the workers' barracks.

But if he had waited just half an hour longer, his mood would have changed, for Kai was finally ascending to the surface! He had deliberately spent more time in the mine than required, skipping three of his breaks. Usually, those who found themselves on the deeper levels tried to escape at the first opportunity.

“By handing in all the stones I’ve collected, I should be able to earn a hundred days of rest,” Kai thought with a satisfied smile as he neared the first level.

As soon as his figure appeared, and he landed on the designated platform, several eyes turned towards him. But their gazes were filled with pity and sympathy, understanding that Kai was a doomed man.

The overseers, however, had a different view. They expressed no emotion as they looked at someone like Kai. For slaves from the depths, there was a separate, much shorter line.

Kai didn’t waste any time and quickly made his way to the overseer. After a brief wait in line, he finally approached a woman with blue skin and sharp teeth. She was also dressed in a white robe, belonging to the primary race of the Order of Eternal Radiance.

Kai pressed his silver bracelets against the array, and the woman quickly scanned the information. At one point, she frowned and spoke seriously:

“You haven’t returned for three shifts in a row. Did something happen? Or were you slacking off?” she asked suspiciously. “Don’t think that because of this, you only need to hand in one work quota. You owe three!” she warned sternly, frowning.

But at that moment, Kai wore a blissful smile and appeared as a humble fanatic. Taking a deep breath, he replied with utmost politeness:

“It was all for the Goddess of Life. She guided me on the right path, and I was certain I would find a valuable chaos stone! That’s why I worked day and night until I finally achieved my goal! The Goddess of Life has truly blessed me!” Kai said, his eyes shining as he quickly handed the ring to the woman.

She seemed pleased with Kai’s words, even smiling. But as soon as she checked the contents of the ring, her eyes widened in shock! Inside were about fifty thousand low-grade chaos stones, equivalent to the quota for five work shifts. But more astonishingly—there was one high-grade chaos stone!

“This can’t be… You found such a stone? The Goddess of Life has indeed blessed you! It seems being a miner is your calling!” she exclaimed sincerely, “praising” Kai.

“Lady Vela, what exactly did this slave find?” the overseer standing nearby asked suspiciously.

“A high-grade chaos stone! This slave has earned himself a hundred days of rest!” she exclaimed, shocking the man. It seemed that other slaves overheard as well, and their pity for Kai quickly turned to envy.

But then came Kai’s words, which shocked everyone who heard them even more! Still speaking fanatically, he said:

“May I reserve this rest? I feel the Goddess of Life wants me to keep working! I just returned to let you know that I’m still alive and working for the Order’s benefit!”

This statement left many in disbelief… It had a particularly strong impact on the slaves, who couldn’t believe it. How devout did one have to be to selflessly trade their life for stones that benefited those who had shackled them? None of the present slaves would have done such a thing!

“You want to return to the depths immediately?” even Lady Vela couldn’t immediately grasp whether Kai was joking or not. In all her years of practice, nothing like this had ever happened, so it was difficult to respond appropriately.

“Forgive me, I would first like to visit my friend, but after that, I’ll head back down. I think I’ll stay there until I find another high-grade chaos stone. I believe the Goddess of Life wants this from me!” Kai explained, his eyes shining with fanaticism.

“Oh? Well… Alright then…” she muttered, still in disbelief. “You may do as you see fit. Your rest will be put on reserve…”

After bidding farewell, Kai walked slowly but confidently towards the slave barracks. It seemed his mind was floating in the clouds, detached from reality. Many onlookers even concluded that he had gone mad from the pressure and realization of his situation. Some knew why he had been sent to the depths of the quarry, so such a transformation appeared quite tragic.

“My calling to be a slave and a miner, you say?” Kai thought to himself, recalling Vela’s absurd praise. At that moment, he could barely contain his laughter, preventing himself from laughing in her face.

Kai headed straight for Mufidur’s barrack, knowing the old man was likely worried about his fate. In the future, Kai didn’t plan to return often, so he wanted to warn the old man. For some reason, Kai had taken a liking to Mufidur, reminding him distantly of Master Mo.

At that very moment, the sad old man was sipping murky alcohol, staring at the floor. But suddenly, the door was flung open, and a young man with blood-red hair stepped inside!

“I’m back, Mufidur! Heh-heh,” Kai said with a laugh, shocking the old man.

“Kai?! So you’re alive? How did your digging go? Why didn’t you show up for three shifts in a row?” Mufidur immediately bombarded him with questions.

“Everything’s fine. Let’s have a drink,” Kai said with a smile, heading towards the table. As soon as he sat down, a piece of paper appeared in his hand, and Kai began writing something on it.

The strange silver bracelets and collar enforced an array that prevented the transmission of thoughts. Here, one could only speak aloud, but Kai preferred to play it safe.

Seeing this, the old man frowned, but still moved closer and began to read Kai’s message. The more Mufidur read, the more surprised he became…

Kai’s message was simple and read:

“I’ve confirmed my theory—I can safely withstand the chaos pressure in the quarry. Even at the sixtieth level, I can exist relatively comfortably. From now on, I will pretend to be a religious fanatic, who selflessly mines chaos stones for the glory of the Order and the Goddess of Life.

I’ve already found one high-grade chaos stone, but I deliberately didn’t use the rest I earned. I’ll try to slowly gain the trust of the local authorities. The slave camp isn’t safe for me, as Dragel’s henchmen might decide to kill me. If I earn the trust of those in power, they won’t be able to touch me. How I’ll use this position later—I’ll decide in time. If possible, I’ll try to get you out as well.”

The note ended there. As soon as Kai saw Mufidur’s eyes skim the last line, black flames ignited on his fingers, instantly incinerating the paper.

“How was your expedition? The sixtieth level must be very dangerous…” Mufidur asked calmly, as if nothing had happened, pouring Kai a drink.

“I believe the Goddess of Life will protect me! For her blessing, I’ll do everything in my power!” Kai replied selflessly with a smile. However, this time, his smile was more sinister than blissful, as it had been earlier.

“My boy… Have you lost your mind?” Mufidur asked sadly, imitating the reaction he would have had if he genuinely believed what Kai was saying.

“No. I’ve found faith!” Kai replied seriously, shaking his head.

After that, they began to drink and talk about neutral topics. Veiled questions slipped between words, and Kai answered them just as subtly. After ten hours of rest, Kai once again leaped off the edge and flew into the quarry’s depths.

At that moment, Kai knew that all the preparatory steps of his plan were complete. All that remained was to prove himself by consistently bringing back high-quality chaos stones!

The next few months caused quite a stir in the mine. Rumors began to spread about a deranged slave who was killing himself at an accelerated pace, bringing incredible benefits to the Order of Eternal Radiance. It was said that he spent entire weeks on the sixtieth level, but always returned with a high-grade chaos stone and a mountain of low- and mid-grade stones.

Some believed that in the last three months, he had earned over a thousand days of rest, yet he continued to toil, professing his love and devotion to the Goddess of Life.

During this time, Kai was busy mining and absorbing the chaos within the quarry. He had finally fully adapted to the environment and developed the right algorithm for his actions. Sometimes Kai even found joy in this, as he could drink good alcohol in peace, knowing that no one was watching him.

At that moment, in a luxurious white hall, five masters of the Law Overlord Sphere sat around a round table. They were carefully discussing the mine’s output over the past months and how well the mine was performing.

“I’ve been informed of a selfless slave who dedicates himself entirely to the Goddess of Life. In a month, he single-handedly brought us as many stones as a regular slave would in five hundred shifts,” said a slender man with four arms and red skin.

He was the only one who didn’t belong to the main race of the Order. Besides him, there were two women and two men.

“I’ve heard about him too… He’s very skilled at finding chaos stones, not to mention his work ethic. Maybe it’s a natural predisposition of his race?” said an attractive woman with a captivating appearance. Even the loose white robes couldn’t hide her imposing figure. Despite her blue skin and fangs, she looked gorgeous.

“If so, we should make use of him for as long as possible…” the gray-haired old man murmured thoughtfully, stroking his beard.

“What do you suggest? We could give him pills to support his body or protective amulets. If he’s so good at finding chaos stones, these measures could extend his life a bit,” said the other, more mature-looking woman.

“That’s a good option… But I’d like to see him and his behavior first. If he proves trustworthy, we could gradually reduce his cultivation suppressors. Better to have a loyal dog, like Dragel. It would benefit us... We might even be able to keep some of the excess profits off the books…” the old man said with a gleam in his eye.

“Reduce the suppressors? But what’s the point? The level of cultivation doesn’t greatly affect protection. Even for us, it’s dangerous to be in the depths of the quarry. You know as well as I do that even Monarchs prefer not to explore such chaos stone deposits,” the four-armed man said skeptically.

“If we can extend his life by a few years this way, it would be great. In that time, we could make a nice profit. After all, serving as mine overseers isn’t what any of us dreamed of. So we need to find some benefit in it. I’d rather be working on the higher goal of the Cult—reestablishing our connection with the Gods, not all this nonsense…” the old man said with a squint, sounding displeased.

As soon as these words were spoken, each of those present looked around, showing a hint of agreement in their eyes. It seemed everyone there was thinking the same thing.

V.9 Chapter 747: Audience

The five Law Overlords visibly perked up when the discussion turned to the Cult. It was clear that this topic was sacred to them, as there was even more reverence in their voices than when they mentioned the Goddess of Life.

“I've heard that in the last thousand years, we've made significant progress in the Region of Flesh Domination… I wonder how long we still have to wait for the Day of Sacred Reunification…” murmured the beautiful woman, clasping her hands as if she were about to start praying.

“I don’t think it’s close… The Region of Spirit Domination is under the control of the current heir to the title of Eternal Spirit Mother, which severely complicates the work of our spies. And as for the Region of Energy Domination, we’re still having trouble gaining access to their world. They say it’s the fault of the Creator of Energy,” the old man muttered sadly, shaking his head.

“In any case, according to our priests' calculations, we can achieve our goal even with these methods. We just need to prepare more sacrifices from the Region of Flesh Domination. Luckily, their patron is dead. Heh-heh…” added the slender man, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

“I don’t know if I’ll live to see that day…” the old man sighed heavily.

At that moment, the mature woman interrupted them. She coughed dryly and said. “Let’s return to our current responsibilities. Let the priests handle the Cult's matters… What shall we do with that slave?” she asked directly.

As soon as her words were spoken, everyone present snapped back to reality. After a brief pause, the slender man suggested. “I propose we invite him for an audience and reward him. We’ll observe him closely, and if he proves truly worthy of the Gods' blessing, we’ll reduce his restraints and give him pills.”

While all this was happening, Kai was carefree, enjoying a drink deep within the quarry. He had already found another high-grade chaos stone and had filled his spatial ring with lower-quality ones. Kai had even managed to find a few stones to stash in his world ring.

“So… I’ve spent a few months in these mines… How much longer will it take me to escape from here?” Kai pondered, watching the chaotic laws swirling around him.

He was probably the only slave in the history of this mine who felt so free within it. It could be said with confidence that the deeper levels were safer for him than the slave camp.

Kai slowly approached the edge and looked curiously into the black abyss. Lately, the idea of descending even deeper had been constantly on his mind. He was very interested in uncovering the nature of this chaos stone deposit, and it was obvious that the secret lay at the very bottom.

According to Mufidur, the mine itself hadn’t been dug to its deepest levels by hand. Instead, when it was discovered, it was already an enormous, deep crater that had simply been excavated along the sides. Kai understood that it was unlikely anyone had attempted to reach its very bottom.

Perhaps some Supreme Monarch could do it, but such beings probably didn’t have time for such pursuits. The world was full of wonders, and spending time exploring chaos stone deposits was a low priority. Besides, there were many similar sites, and this mine was not unique. The Order alone had numerous similar mines…

“If I descended to the very bottom… Could I gain any benefit from it?” Kai muttered thoughtfully. “If I could remove the restraints—definitely…” he added, realizing that beyond just escaping, he could also gain tremendous benefits.

Initially, Kai wanted to find a way to remove the restraints, steal chaos stones, and quickly escape from here. Given his strength at the ninth law transformation and other tricks, he could certainly slip away from the local authorities. But now, Kai began to doubt that this was a good idea…

The sheer amount of chaotic laws here could definitely aid in his cultivation. Kai had been at the Law Transformation Sphere for several hundred years, steadily advancing. In fact, the ninth transformation was the peak of the Law Transformation Sphere, and he was just a step away from the next sphere. However, making that leap would require an enormous amount of power, especially considering Kai’s three cultivation systems.

Typically, masters who haven’t achieved the peak number of transformations can’t break through for thousands of years because they need to overcome this lag in law comprehension. This becomes the main obstacle on the path of cultivation.

“Mufidur said that even Law Overlords didn’t descend to the deepest levels… Could that mean there’s a source of such extreme power down there that it could help me approach a breakthrough?” Kai thought, momentarily stunned.

At that moment, his thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound coming from above. It was the distant notes of a horn, signaling the end of the shift.

“I think I’ll leave the mine this time… I’ve spent about a week down here, so there shouldn’t be any suspicion…” Kai murmured and began to ascend, watching the other slaves, whose numbers increased as he rose.

A few minutes later, Kai’s figure emerged on the surface, landing on a designated platform. He had flown ahead of many others, so there was no line before him, which pleased him.

Even before reaching the surface, Kai had already donned his mask of a religious fanatic and a blissful smile. Though he was covered in dirt and soot, he looked extremely happy.

As soon as the priest saw him, he immediately stood up. He pointed at Kai and said. “You! Come with me!” he commanded seriously. “Replace me for a while,” he added, addressing one of the overseers unexpectedly.

“Forgive me, but I was planning to return to the mine… Do I have a problem?” Kai asked politely and submissively.

“No. You’ve been granted an audience with the Overlords. The Goddess of Life has noticed your efforts, and you will become even more useful to her as a slave!” the priest responded seriously and flew towards the enormous building covered in black soot.

As this happened, Kai immediately realized what was going on—his efforts were finally bearing fruit! This building was unreachable for any slave. No one dared even approach it, as doing so was punishable by death!

“Finally, I’ll be able to get closer to these bastards!” Kai thought, barely restraining a grin. In the next moment, he too took flight and humbly followed the priest.

The palace, built on the border between the quarry and the slave camp, resembled a fortress guarding the secrets of the Order. Towering spires, seemingly touching the heavens, were crowned with pointed battlements, reminding all of the vigilance and power of this place. Tall walls stretched from every side of the building, protected by arrays that monitored every movement outside.

But the strangest thing was that the entire palace was deliberately left uncleansed, stained with soot and the atmosphere of the mine… Everything about it was designed to instill fear and respect, and every stone in its walls seemed to be steeped in the coldness of authority.

However, when the priest led Kai inside, the environment noticeably changed. Kai could see that the interior corridors, lined with white marble, were far more spacious than one might have imagined from the outside. Their gleaming white walls, adorned with gold and silver friezes, depicted the likeness of the Goddess of Life, worshiped by the masters of this place.

As they walked, the priest quickly handed Kai several sheets of paper and said. “Familiarize yourself with these portraits. These are the five Overlords who oversee our humble mine. You must remember each of their names and address them with respect. Don’t make even the slightest mistake!” he warned, giving Kai a stern look.

“Five of them, huh… Interesting…” Kai thought as he carefully examined the drawings.

The corridors sparkled with cleanliness and brilliance, and though they seemed almost endless, the priest led Kai through them with confidence, passing one door after another until they stopped before a massive silver gate. It was a true masterpiece of craftsmanship: the image of the Goddess of Life was engraved in pure silver, her eyes inlaid with rare sapphires, and her hair shimmering with all shades of gold.

The priest paused before it, exchanging a brief glance with Kai before quietly saying. “They’re expecting you. Watch your words and be grateful for this opportunity!” he quickly added, turning to leave.

As soon as his words were spoken, the door, as if by magic, began to slowly open, producing a deep, resonant sound that filled the air with the gravity of the impending audience.

Kai stepped slowly into the spacious hall, adorned with tall silver columns and wide windows, through which, to his surprise, a soft light filtered in, illuminating the massive round table in the center of the room. Around the table, in five chairs, sat the Overlords, all gazing at Kai.

The first was Overlord Arandor—a slender man with four arms and red skin. His eyes were bright red, and his gaze was sharp and penetrating.

Next to him sat Lirielle, a woman with an alluring appearance and an imposing figure. Kai found her rather beautiful.

The third was Overlord Morten, an elderly man with long silver hair and a flowing beard. He stroked it thoughtfully, his dark, deep eyes reflecting centuries of wisdom.

On the other side of Morten was Lady Isandra, a mature woman with a commanding gaze and decisive features.

Last was Overlord Kedrion, while appearing young was a very serious man with a grim expression. His black hair was neatly slicked back, and his eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark glasses.

Kai, upon entering the hall, paused at the threshold, giving each of the Overlords a moment to assess him. After a brief silence, he bowed his head in respect and began:

“Great Overlords, I am honored to stand before you. My name is Kai, and I am a faithful servant of the Goddess of Life. Since she has determined that my fate lies in this mine, I will do everything in my power to glorify her.”

Arandor was the first to respond, his voice deep and resonant:

“We have already heard of you, Kai. Your achievements in mining chaos stones are truly impressive. The Goddess of Life is undoubtedly pleased with you.”

“We hope your accomplishments will continue to bring even greater benefits to the Order of Eternal Radiance. Did you bring another high-grade chaos stone today?” Lirielle added melodiously, smiling.

Hearing this, Kai remembered that he hadn’t handed over all the stones he had collected, as he had come straight here. Realizing this, he simply smiled blissfully and replied:

“Nothing escapes your discerning eyes. It’s no wonder you are closer to the Goddess of Life than I am,” Kai said with an admiring smile as he respectfully extended his hand, offering the ring.

But as soon as he looked at it, he seemed to panic. He immediately began wiping it on the inside of his clothes, fearing that the Overlords might get dirty from the soot.

As he did this, the Overlords' faces showed subtle signs of satisfaction. Kai’s persona was exactly as they had been told. He was a fanatic to his very core!

Considering that Kai had selflessly descended to the deep levels of the mine, literally risking his life, no one doubted his loyalty. Even if someone wanted to gain their trust, such extreme methods were pure suicide. After all, there were other ways, even if they took more time. Right now, Kai truly looked like the perfect tool!

V.9 Chapter 748: Worthy Slave

The Overlords waited patiently while Kai meticulously polished the ring before accepting it. After inspecting its contents, their expressions grew even more cheerful.

At that moment, the quietest of the five, Overlord Kedrion, spoke up:

“A worthy slave. Even the Goddess of Life has taken notice of your selfless efforts. Therefore, we wish to reward you,” he said solemnly. “You’ve earned many days of rest, but I assure you, idling is not an option for you. Your talent must be put to use for the benefit of the Order. To that end, we’ve decided to give you special pills that will nearly eliminate the harmful effects of the mines,” he spoke as if offering an incredibly generous gift, tossing a white spatial ring to Kai.

“Thank you, esteemed Overlords!” Kai exclaimed servilely, immediately dropping to his knees.

Yet, despite his outward display, Kai’s mind was a storm of fury directed at these bastards, their Order, and the entire farce they perpetuated.

“Pills that remove the harmful effects of the mines? If they had such things, they’d be forcing them on all the slaves, making them toil endlessly in the depths of the quarry,” Kai thought as he extended his perception into the ring.

After his time in the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen, it was clear that Kai was no weakling when it came to alchemy. He could instantly assess the quality of these pills, even if they contained ingredients unknown to him.

“Ridiculous… At best, they’ll extend my life by a few years. They just want to squeeze every last drop out of me while making a profit…” as this thought flashed through his mind, a strange smirk crossed Kai’s face. But since he was kneeling, no one noticed. It wasn’t worth using his perception to evaluate their reaction.

Raising his head, Kai looked respectfully at the five Overlords and blissfully said:

“Should I hand over my findings to the controllers or present them directly to you? After all, on this small teralith, you are closer to the Goddess of Life than anyone else!” he deliberately asked this question, intending to play on their greed. Kai knew it would work, as the Overlords had already established Dragel to bring stones directly to them.

But before the Overlords could respond, Kai hit them with a decisive follow-up:

“And I would like to request permission for free movement between the quarry levels. I am confident that if I descend even lower, I will find even more high-grade chaos stones,” Kai spoke fanatically, clasping his hands as if about to pray.

As soon as these words were spoken, the five holy men exchanged glances and smiled oddly. It seemed they couldn’t believe that, even among fanatics, there could be someone this foolish.

In that instant, the four-armed Overlord Arandor stood up and solemnly declared:

“Since you are so devoted to serving the Goddess of Life, we grant you unrestricted travel between the levels! Moreover, from now on, you report only to us!” he added sternly.

At that moment, the attractive Lady Lirielle interjected:

“I think that during your breaks, we can allow you to rest in our castle. You can also help the servants with tasks. How does that sound? I’m sure the conditions in the slave camp are much worse,” she spoke with such a charming smile that it seemed as if the spirit of the Goddess herself had possessed her.

To the others, this proposal didn’t come as a surprise, as if they had already discussed these details beforehand. Although it seemed like they were rewarding Kai, in reality, they were just making him a happier slave…

“They probably want to evaluate me to see if they can grant me even more freedom…” Kai thought, noting the obvious patterns in the Overlords' behavior.

At this point, Kai was willing to accept any terms, as long as he could maintain his façade as a religious fanatic. He knew he had to find a way to completely rid himself of the cultivation restraints; only then could he unleash true chaos here.

These strange bracelets and the collar were no simple artifacts. They were the combined work of many artisans. Even if he wanted to, Kai couldn’t destroy or bypass them on his own. But since there were those who had been freed from slavery and made overseers, it meant that salvation was possible. Most importantly, it could be realized right here in the mine.

Straightening his back, Kai looked intently at Lady Lirielle and gratefully replied:

“It would be a great honor for me! I am ready to serve you and show complete loyalty!” he said, bowing again.

“Excellent, you may rest for a few days. But then return to the mine. We can’t waste your talent on simple castle chores,” Overlord Morten said in a deep voice.

Naturally, they wanted to earn as many chaos stones as possible and certainly didn’t intend to create comfortable conditions for Kai or allow him to rest. He was expected to work in the mine until he died!

“You will report on your findings every thirty days. Therefore, we expect you at an audience exactly thirty days from now at this same time. You will be punished for any delay!” the old man added sternly, raising his hand and signaling Kai to leave.

“I understand, Overlord Morten. I will do everything to ensure that the Goddess of Life is pleased with me!” Kai’s eyes shone as he spoke, and his voice trembled, as if he were about to burst into tears of joy.

After these words, a servant approached Kai. She also wore a collar, but she obviously didn’t work in the mines. Taking Kai by the sleeve, she quickly led him out of the spacious hall. After walking about a hundred steps, she said:

“I was ordered to assign you a room and show you where the bath is. After resting, come to the kitchen, where you’ll be given some tasks. Unfortunately, you won’t be allowed to just lie around,” the girl spoke dryly and emotionlessly. It was clear she was unhappy with her situation, but there was nothing she could do about it.

“When can I go back to the mine?” Kai, covered in dirt and looking disheveled, was eager to return to the mine. His behavior and appearance made him look like a madman.

“The esteemed Overlords ordered that you be assigned work for three days. They believe that will be enough time for you to rest,” the servant replied with a sorrowful look. “By the way, here’s a map of the castle. I think it will help you find your way to the kitchen.”

“She’s a good girl. She even feels sorry for me... She probably thinks I’ve lost my mind…” Kai thought, feeling a slight note of gratitude.

Naturally, Kai didn’t dare show any emotions, especially those that could compromise his cover and persona. He knew full well that over the next three days, he would be scrutinized inside and out. Moreover, some of the staff might be spies sent to test him. One wrong word, and he would never gain the Overlords' trust!

After talking with the girl a bit more, Kai expressed his gratitude to the Overlords and the Goddess of Life before quickly heading to the room that had been assigned to him. The interior was quite modest, but to his surprise, they had left him new gray clothes. It seemed that his filthy and torn rags were spoiling the castle’s décor…

“How generous of you, you fanatic scum… Although the Overlords aren’t shy about stealing… I guess their faith isn’t as unshakable as they claim,” Kai thought, but outwardly he simply clasped his hands and began to pray. He made it look like he was thanking the Goddess of Life for the new clothes.

Even Kai found it funny. He was a master at the ninth transformation, cultivating three systems and possessing the Sphere of Essence. Yet here were these fools telling him to pray to the Goddess of Life at every opportunity and rejoice in the fate of being a slave.

Kai didn’t waste time and quickly visited the baths to clean himself up. Immediately after, he headed to the location the servant had indicated.

Dressed in his new gray attire provided by his “masters,” Kai quietly entered the kitchen. The place was bustling: helpers darted between stoves and tables, preparing the feast for the Overlords' upcoming banquet. He carefully surveyed the room, trying not to draw attention to himself, but a large man with a thick black beard, dressed in a chef’s uniform, noticed him. This man, apparently, was responsible for the kitchen.

“Hey, you!” the man called out loudly. “Your name’s Kai, right? Lady Lirielle said you’d be helping in the kitchen. Take this knife and follow me!”

The man introduced himself as Gorman, the head chef of the castle’s kitchen. He quickly led Kai through the kitchen tables to a corner where the carcasses of beasts were neatly stacked.

“These are third transformation beasts… With the cultivation restraints, they’re tough to butcher, but it’s better than working in the quarry. You must really hate the Order,” he said, glancing sideways at Kai.

“My life belongs to the Goddess of Life. I feel nothing but grace and joy serving her,” Kai replied with a kind smile, not daring to speak ill of the Order.

“You’re an interesting one… Watch how to butcher these beasts. Don’t ruin the meat, or you’ll be punished!” Gorman said sternly, pulling the first carcass closer.

Kai watched his movements carefully, trying to memorize each cut of the knife. After a brief explanation, Gorman let him try it on his own. Focused, Kai carefully began to slice the meat, striving to follow the instructions precisely.

“Not bad for your first time,” Gorman remarked approvingly after a few minutes of observation. “But remember, every cut you make should be with the dish’s flavor in mind. Meat isn’t just food; it’s art.”

“The Overlords are real bastards, so don’t anger them,” the man grumbled.

“Please, don’t speak like that. Otherwise, I’ll have to report your behavior to the Overlords. They are priests of the Order of Eternal Radiance, which means they are servants of the Goddess of Life! By insulting them, you insult the Goddess herself!” Kai retorted furiously, gripping the knife tightly.

Seeing Kai’s reaction, Gorman merely smirked and shook his head.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d pretend you didn’t hear what I said. Now get back to work,” with those words, he quickly moved on to other servants, and the kitchen’s activity doubled.

Watching the man go, Kai grabbed the knife and pulled another beast’s carcass closer. At that moment, a strange thought crossed his mind, making him want to grimace:

“Damn... I’m disgusted with myself. I guess I’ve gotten into this role so well that it’s making me sick…”

With these thoughts, Kai threw himself into his work, already looking forward to returning to the mine. It was becoming increasingly clear that by gaining trust, he could slowly uncover secrets. Moreover, now that he had been allowed into the castle, he could study what was where and what could be used for his future escape.

V.9 Chapter 749: Upcoming Inspection

While working in the kitchen, Kai regularly noticed subtle provocations. Here and there, people would inquire about his opinions of the Overlords and the Order, attempting to draw him into conversation. But Kai fiercely shut down each of these attempts, behaving exactly like a religious fanatic who flew into a rage whenever anyone insulted the sacred symbols of his faith.

At the same time, Kai gradually studied the castle. He discovered that all the important rooms, such as the storage vaults and the Overlords' chambers, were located in the central part of the building. However, slaves were not allowed to enter that territory.

After a few days, Kai headed straight to the quarry. He decided to descend even deeper. He needed to test his capabilities and limitations. Kai wanted to understand how far down he could go with only the first level of transformation. If the pressure became too intense, he might need to adjust some of his plans.

Descending to the seventieth level, Kai continued to fly down several more steps. He wasn’t sure how far he had gone, as there were no markings deeper down. It seemed that these levels were so rarely visited that markings were deemed unnecessary.

“The pressure here is even stronger... I wonder what lies at the very bottom? There must be a source of this chaos down there…” Kai thought, staring into the abyss.

Activating his Eyes of Essence again, Kai quickly surveyed the surroundings. Judging by the concentration of laws and veins of chaos stones, he immediately knew which cave would be the best to explore.

“I need to give it my all and bring back as many high-grade chaos stones as possible within a month. If these bastards make me one of their trusted aides, my chances of escape will increase…” Kai continued to contemplate as he reached a dead end in the mine.

At that moment, all his strength surged into his fists, and he began to break through the walls in front of him. He couldn’t manifest the Law Weapon right now, as his power was too limited. Even though he had the understanding and knowledge, the concentration of energy was insufficient to recreate the fusion with Destragore. The dragon was as restrained in its power as Kai’s body and spirit.

Time flew by as Kai tirelessly worked in the mines, earning the sincere admiration of the Overlords. Although they considered him a madman, they couldn’t deny that he was bringing them incredible profits.

In the first month alone, he brought them a total of seven high-grade chaos stones, not to mention a heap of medium and low-grade stones. After the second month, the Overlords even made a grand gesture, telling Kai that he no longer needed to work in the castle and could simply rest.

At that moment, Kai radiated gratitude and asked for the opportunity to admire the majestic castle more closely. Naturally, no one objected, and Kai spent all three days wandering through the corridors, seemingly awed by the statues of the Goddess of Life and other relics.

But in reality, when no one was watching, Kai skillfully bypassed detection arrays and explored the various restricted parts of the building. Even though it was dangerous, Kai knew when the Overlords went into meditation. During those times, he didn’t have to fear their perception.

In a grand white hall, five Overlords sat with smiles on their faces, looking at each other with anticipation.

“How much longer do we have to wait?” Arandor mused, glancing at the doors to the hall.

“Be patient. Last time, this boy brought nine high-grade chaos stones. He’s truly a monster when it comes to resource extraction. It’s not just persistence and luck; he knows what he’s doing,” the old man in white robes muttered sternly.

At that moment, Lirielle intervened, her alluring smile and velvety voice posing a question:

“By the way, what did you decide about the cultivation restraints? Will we be loosening them?”

“Though he’s managing well enough as is, a higher cultivation level will prolong his usefulness. We’ve decided to raise his cultivation limit to the fifth level,” the old man explained thoughtfully. “By the way, did you know this slave was at the ninth transformation?” he suddenly asked, surprising the beautiful woman.

“What? That can’t be true!” Lirielle exclaimed indignantly. It seemed she hadn’t delved deeply into such matters and was unaware of Kai’s true level of power.

“It’s true… Our people in the Order specifically directed him to us. In fact, he did nothing to deserve such a fate. Khe-khe…” the old man added with a satisfied smirk. “Apparently, the despair of such injustice drove him mad, which is why he became so fanatical. He would have had an incredible future if he hadn’t fallen into our hands. No one could endure such a twist of fate. So he was sent here from the start to…”

But before the old man could finish, Lirielle eagerly continued his sentence:

“To become one of the sacrifices?”

“Yes. But first, we should squeeze every bit of use out of him and earn as many chaos stones as possible. When he’s exhausted, we’ll simply seal him away until the right time. On the day we reconnect with the Gods, such sacrifices will be invaluable. The ninth transformation is too rare to let it go to waste,” the old man replied with a nod.

“Morten... Have you informed the Cult about this boy?” the mature woman who had been silent and listening the entire time asked, frowning.

“No. They have plenty of other concerns. I don’t think we need to bother them with trivial matters. When we seal this boy, and he’s ready for transport, then we’ll inform them,” Morten shook his head, raising his hand as if to signal an end to the conversation.

At that moment, a knock on the door was heard, and Kai slowly entered. Walking to the center of the hall, he immediately knelt and held out several rings.

“Greetings, esteemed Overlords! I bring good news once again!” Kai proclaimed solemnly. “The Goddess of Life blesses me each time! This time, I’ve brought back ten high-grade chaos stones!” he added, his eyes filled with joy.

It was clear that this information delighted the five priests, causing them to straighten up with satisfaction. Kai knew full well that they would divide the stones among themselves, meaning each would receive two high-grade chaos stones.

“Truly a worthy slave!” the old man praised. “Do you have any requests? Is there something you desire as a reward?” he generously asked.

As soon as the words left his mouth, tears nearly welled up in Kai’s eyes. He appeared to be the happiest person in the world at that moment. Clasping his hands near his chest, he sincerely said:

“All I wish for is to serve! If I had a higher cultivation, I could descend to even deeper levels of the mine!”

“What a wonderful coincidence! We were just about to offer you the same!” Arandor laughed.

This turn of events played right into the Overlords’ hands. They wouldn’t have to explain to Kai why he should sacrifice himself even more to enrich them. Kai was so convenient that it was almost hard to believe. But he had passed all the Overlords' tests without giving them even the slightest reason to suspect him of deception.

“I would be deeply grateful if that’s true!” Kai replied, bowing.

Overlord Morten’s face lit up with a mysterious smile as he pulled out a small white box, encircled by thin lines of silver light. The box seemed to pulse with warmth, softly glowing from within as if it contained a sunbeam itself. Morten slowly opened it, revealing a long, thin needle gleaming with a silver sheen.

“Come closer, my slave,” the old man said, his voice calm and authoritative. “This is the tool of your reward.”

Seeing this, Kai immediately rose and walked toward the old man, who stood up from the table and approached him.

“Is this some kind of artifact? I don’t see any sign that the old man is controlling it…” Kai thought, analyzing the situation with his Eyes of Essence.

This was definitely a good sign, as it meant that no special technique was needed to use this needle. If it were, even if Kai got hold of the artifact, he likely wouldn’t be able to free himself.

When they were close enough, Morten took the needle and carefully directed it toward the silver collar around Kai’s neck. To Kai’s surprise, it slowly slid into the collar as if there was an invisible keyhole there.

“Click! Click!” the needle made several quiet clicks as it turned, and in that instant, Kai felt a surge of power flooding into his centers of strength, beginning to restore his cultivation.

“Do you feel it?” Morten asked, his gaze fixed on the collar. “We’ve decided to restore you to the fifth transformation. Are you satisfied?” he asked, squinting.

“Yes, Overlord Morten! I... I don’t know how to thank you…” Kai looked genuinely shocked, as he truly hadn’t expected them to allow him to regain so much strength.

“Damn! With the fifth transformation, I’ll definitely be able to descend much deeper into the quarry! It seems these old fools truly believe I’m a religious fanatic!” Kai mentally exclaimed while outwardly playing the role of a grateful slave.

“No need for thanks,” Morten immediately returned to the table and placed the silver needle back into the box. “Your true gratitude will be shown in how you use this power. Work hard for the Goddess of Life and the Order of Eternal Radiance!”

“Overlord Morten,” Kai began, carefully choosing his words. “Am I allowed to know how this amazing artifact was created? This needle... it’s incredible.”

Morten looked at Kai with a mix of confusion and sternness in his eyes.

“It is the result of the work of many artisans, my slave,” he answered dryly. “The origins of this artifact are irrelevant to you. You should not concern yourself with such details.”

Kai bowed his head, accepting the curt response.

“I understand, Overlord. I apologize for my curiosity. I will continue my work and use the restored power with wisdom and devotion.”

Morten nodded in satisfaction and said:

“Very well. Now leave and continue with your duties. We must ensure that every chaos stone you extract is used to strengthen the Order. You may go.”

Kai slowly backed out of the hall, leaving the Overlords behind, while his mind raced with thoughts about what had just happened.

“The old man pulled the box from under the table… This means there’s hope that it’s not stored in his ring… If I can steal that needle, I’ll be able to remove the restraints. I need to wait for the right moment!” Kai thought as he headed to the baths, as usual, to wash off the soot and grime.

As he walked through the castle corridors, Kai was completely absorbed in his thoughts, ignoring all the slaves he passed along the way. But at one moment, his ears twitched as they caught some very interesting words…

“We need to prepare everything for the inspection by the Order of Eternal Radiance. We must be flawless!” one of the servants said.

“May the Goddess of Life forgive me, but I completely forgot about this! How much time do we have left?” an elderly woman walking beside her cried out in fear.

“Don’t worry, we still have three months. We’ll get everything done,” the servant laughed, reassuring her as they turned the corner.

“An inspection by the Order of Eternal Radiance? Very interesting... During such events, there’s usually a lot of commotion. Could it be that the Causelessness of Luck Law is favoring me once again?” Kai thought with a sly grin. “Although, considering who it belongs to… Such help is the last thing I need,” he immediately frowned, mentally adding.

At the very least, Kai was pleased that he now had more room to maneuver. His cultivation had been enhanced, and in three months, there would be a potential opportunity to explore the castle more thoroughly. Even if he couldn’t steal the silver needle, he could better understand the situation and the mechanism for removing the restraints.

V.9 Chapter 750: Devious Advice

The following months, Kai spent in the depths of the quarry, alone with the darkness and the inexhaustible veins of chaos. Thanks to the Overlords raising his cultivation level, he was finally able to safely descend even deeper. The pressure and chaos grew stronger, but so did the number of chaos stones. Upon reaching approximately the ninetieth level, Kai realized that almost no excavations had ever been conducted there.

With the help of the Eyes of Essence, Kai continued to easily locate deposits of chaos stones, but now he kept some for himself, hiding them in his world ring. His productivity was already astounding, so it was better to work with moderation. Kai deliberately started bringing one or two more high-grade chaos stones to justify the Overlords’ expectations.

On this day, he was supposed to return to the surface once again. Standing near the abyss on the ninetieth level, Kai stared intently into the depths, trying to probe everything with his perception...

“What lies at the very bottom? Even the Overlords don’t know the answer…” Kai muttered discontentedly.

During his last ascent, he had asked the five priests about it, but they only shook their heads. Only Arandor shared a theory that within the depths lay remnants of an ancient Universe, which had become the source of such chaos. The Overlords said that the secrets of such depths were known to very few, and the situation at the bottom of the mines had always remained hidden from the public.

“Remnants of an ancient Universe? And what could that possibly mean?” Kai snorted in frustration, beginning to ascend above the abyss, heading towards the surface.

But as he reached the upper levels, he heard an unusual commotion coming from the surface. And within a minute, what he saw left Kai surprised... The air vibrated with tension, and the workers and controllers were bustling around far more than usual.

“Kai!” called out the priest who had become familiar to him. His face was tense, his eyes darting anxiously around. “You’re just in time; there’s important news.”

“What happened, esteemed Ronek?” Kai asked respectfully, noticing the unusual unease. Over the past months, Kai had become quite famous in these parts, so he had managed to establish “friendly” relations with some of the workers.

“There’s an inspection expected here from the Order of Eternal Radiance in a few hours or days,” the priest whispered as he approached. “Although everyone has been preparing for this, the tension has ramped up as their arrival approaches. You should hurry to the castle and deliver your haul to the Overlords,” he added quickly, without going into detail.

At that moment, Kai wanted to smile but held back. It was obvious that the priests were aware of the Overlords’ dirty dealings, and perhaps even received a cut themselves. Kai, being seen as a fanatic, could have boasted to the Order’s inspectors about how many chaos stones he had extracted. But in that case, the Overlords' reports would reveal discrepancies...

It seemed Ronek understood this perfectly, which is why he wanted Kai to quickly turn in his haul and hide somewhere.

“An inspection? Here?” Kai feigned surprise, displaying a blissful smile. “Are they coming to reward us for our service to the Goddess of Life? Will I be able to meet them?” Kai asked joyfully.

“Absolutely not! You’re just a slave and would only pollute the surrounding air! Hurry to the castle before I beat you!” the man shouted, beginning to lose his temper.

The moment Kai heard this, he jumped as if frightened and immediately bowed. Without saying another word, he quickly flew towards the castle. Kai’s obedience raised no questions.

“I’d love to expose these bastards, but it wouldn’t do me any good…” Kai thought with a malicious grin as he flew through the castle’s main gates.

If he had revealed the haul that the Overlords personally took from him, the Order of Eternal Radiance’s inspection would have undoubtedly been furious. But Kai’s goal was escape. He had spent too long gaining the trust of the priests to sabotage it all now.

“If I stay in the castle, I might be able to sniff out something…” Kai thought as he sped through the corridors.

Just as he was about to approach the doors to the main hall where the Overlords usually convened, Kai heard a loud shout from behind:

“Stop!” as soon as these words were spoken, a dense white aura enveloped Kai, completely immobilizing him. This turn of events startled him slightly, but as soon as he turned around, he immediately relaxed.

Emerging from the side were Overlord Morten and Overlord Arandor, followed by several rows of servants dressed in elegant white robes. It was clear they were heading to the main hall. But before Kai could say anything, the old man spoke first.

“Today is an important day, and our monthly audience is canceled. Fortunately, I was informed of your return and managed to stop you. There’s a lot of preparation going on in the main hall, and your presence would only spoil the atmosphere,” Overlord Morten said sternly.

“Greetings, esteemed Overlords! I’ve already heard about the arrival of the honored guests. How should I conduct myself?” Kai asked respectfully, inquiring about his behavior as a slave should.

At that moment, the old man’s energy finally released Kai, allowing him to land on his feet. Immediately afterward, he extended his hands forward, handing over the spatial rings.

“Well done. We’ll discuss the haul later,” Morten said dryly, quickly taking the rings without even looking at their contents. “By the way, I’ve prepared something for you.”

In the next moment, the old man pulled out a silver box from his robes, from which a long silver needle then flew out.

“Again, not from a spatial ring?” Kai noticed this peculiar detail once more, thinking. “Perhaps there are specialized arrays on the needle that restrict pocket space? Or maybe our collars would weaken if it’s stored incorrectly? There must be some reason for carrying it separately…” Kai mused, making some assumptions.

“I need to temporarily restrict your cultivation to the first transformation. While the guests are here, stay quiet and don’t speak to them. You’ll help the servants in the kitchen; there will certainly be work for you there. Once our guests depart, your cultivation will be restored,” Overlord Morten quickly explained and inserted the needle into Kai’s silver collar. In an instant, there were several clicks, and Kai felt a wave of overwhelming pressure wash over him, binding him.

After getting accustomed to the fifth transformation, the sudden restriction of power felt stark and uncomfortable...

And just as the old man was about to add something, a loud bell rang, and a servant came running around the corner, shouting:

“The honored guests have arrived! They’re descending to the gates!” the servant trembled with tension and responsibility. As soon as he saw the Overlords, he was overjoyed and fell to his knees, repeating his message.

Upon hearing the bells signaling the arrival of the Order of Eternal Radiance’s inspection, the Overlords’ faces immediately tensed, and the surrounding auras grew denser and heavier. Without a moment’s hesitation, Overlords Morten and Arandor rushed to the entrance to greet the guests personally, eager to leave an impression of perfect order.

In their haste, Overlord Morten, turning to the nearest servant in fine robes, threw him the silver box with the needle. This was done so carelessly that he didn’t even bother to put the needle back into the box. Such an action could only have been done in the chaos when Morten had lost his composure. He acted instinctively, knowing that all the slaves had signed a slave contract, and even with the box and needle in hand, they were powerless.

Kai, watching everything from the sidelines, felt his head spin!

“It seems he’s afraid of any suspicion! So much so that he doesn’t even want to keep this needle with him! After all, it could raise questions—why would he need it now?” Kai thought in that instant, not letting his reaction show.

The needle, the key to his freedom, had suddenly come so close. His eyes narrowed, and his heart raced at the prospect of breaking free from his chains. He knew he had to act quickly and discreetly while the Overlords were distracted with the inspectors.

The servant, who had nervously caught the box, looked after the old man in confusion and called out:

“Where should I put this, esteemed Overlord Morten?!” his eyes reflected the weight of the responsibility placed upon him. He wasn’t quite sure how to proceed.

But the old man didn’t bother to answer, already disappearing from sight. The speed of a master at the Law Overlord Sphere was incomparable to that of weak servants.

The surrounding servants glanced at their colleague with some sympathy. None of them would have wanted to be in his situation...

“What should I do?! We still need to greet the guests!” the young man began to panic, shouting.

But at that moment, Kai’s calm and measured voice sounded… He straightened his back and, with a blissful smile, said:

“Don’t worry, brother. The Goddess of Life protects us all, so everything will be fine. Just put the needle back in the box and take it to Overlord Morten’s chambers. I think that will be sufficient. You’ve been given this honor, so don’t delay,” Kai spoke like a true benefactor, and very reasonably at that.

He immediately understood that these servants had a higher status than others. They had been specially trained to attend to guests, meaning the Overlords had considerable trust in them. Or perhaps their slave contracts were much stricter...

Seeing the brief hesitation on the young man’s face, the woman standing next to him gave him a push and shouted:

“What are you waiting for! Quickly take the box and come back before the guests reach the hall!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the young man quickly turned and rushed down the corridors toward the deeper parts of the castle. Although he was only at the Law Sphere, his speed should have been enough to get everything done in time.

Kai, meanwhile, simply bowed to the servants and calmly headed toward his room. He appeared serene, but his eyes were glowing! Due to the fortunate turn of events, not only had he arrived on the day of the inspection, but he had also learned where the needle would be hidden!

“Going after it right now would be very unwise… The guests might want to tour the castle. If I’m caught in such a moment, it’s the end for me. I need to wait until the feast begins; then, it’s unlikely anyone will leave the hall, as that would be considered rude. That’s when an opportunity will arise!” Kai thought, clenching his fists and already anticipating the upcoming events.

Finally, he saw a real chance to escape this slavery! If everything goes according to plan, this farce will soon be over!

V.9 Chapter 751: Cult and Evil Gods

As Kai prepared himself after his subterranean excavations, the castle seemed to come alive with the anticipation of an important event. Music, at times solemn and at others filled with ominous undertones, echoed through the corridors, emphasizing the gravity of the moment. Servants, dressed in festive attire, bustled throughout the castle, carrying heavy trays laden with delicacies and decorations. They moved swiftly between the kitchen and the main hall, where the main event was unfolding, leaving behind the aromas of exotic dishes and fresh flowers.

The castle floor beneath Kai's feet gleamed with cleanliness, each tile polished to a mirror-like shine, reflecting the fleeting silhouettes of passing servants. Their tense faces occasionally brightened with smiles when they encountered Kai, only to quickly return to focused masks, reflecting the collective busyness and concern.

Flower petals and the gentle glow of lanterns created an atmosphere of magic and festivity, while every new command from the senior servant was a reminder of the strict discipline required for the event. The illusion of celebration masked the tense whispers and worried glances of the servants, who were full of anxiety and unease.

Kai, careful not to interfere, walked through the secondary corridors, where only the servants passed. He had been ordered to go to the kitchen, but he was in no hurry to return to the drudgery of servitude...

“I ran so quickly to the Overlords that I didn’t even notice the transformation of the castle…” Kai mused to himself, but then he shook his head, refocusing on what mattered. “I need to find out if the banquet has started and what the Overlords are planning…”

Just then, as he passed by one of the archways, Kai noticed a servant carrying a massive silver vase filled with fragrant fruits, shimmering with all shades of gold and amber. The servant, dressed in white robes with silver embroidery, paused for a moment, balancing the heavy tray.

Kai waved at him and quickly approached, doing so as if he was afraid of interrupting his work. The servant initially looked alarmed, fearing he might be reprimanded for stopping, but when he saw Kai's face, he relaxed a little.

“How can I help? Is something wrong, Kai?” the servant asked politely, addressing him by name. After all, Kai was something of an oddity, someone whom many had come to know over the past few months. His status was higher than that of the other slaves, as he regularly met with the Overlords personally.

“How are the emissaries of the Goddess of Life faring? Has the banquet begun? Are they pleased with everything?” Kai asked politely, his voice calm and measured, betraying no inner anxiety.

“Ah... For the slaves in the hall, it’s like being in a living hell. We’re working tirelessly, but it seems to be paying off. In my humble opinion, the guests are satisfied, but I wouldn’t dare to judge for sure…” the servant explained with a crooked smile.

“Don’t worry, the Goddess of Life favors us all. I’m sure the banquet will go well,” Kai reassured him blissfully and adjusted the vase on the tray a little. “By the way, how long will the welcome banquet last?” he asked casually.

“As far as I know—about three days. After that, there will be an inspection of the storage and the quarry itself. The guests will be with us for about seven days, so we won’t be getting any rest,” the servant replied with a touch of irony, then laughed.

“Alright, I won’t keep you. I’m already late for the kitchen myself,” Kai responded politely with a bow.

The servant nodded in response and quickly continued on his way to the main hall, leaving Kai standing in the corridor. At that moment, Kai's eyes gleamed, and he seemed to be deep in thought...

“Judging by all the information, the Overlords won’t be leaving the main hall for three more days. Anything could happen, but right now is the perfect moment to sneak into Overlord Morten’s quarters! Forget the chaos stones, the most important thing is to escape while the old men enjoy their feast!” Kai thought, feeling that a true opportunity had finally presented itself.

“I’d like to explore the quarry and gather chaos stones, but I can’t afford to wait! A chance like this might not come again! It’s a pity I can’t save old Mufidur…” Kai thought, as he resolutely headed deeper into the castle, not hiding his movements, as if he were on some errand.

Even as he bypassed each array, Kai quickly navigated the corridors he knew well. The castle now seemed like a vast labyrinth, but after months of servitude, Kai had learned its layout thoroughly. He knew exactly where he needed to go.

As he passed through the main corridors, the noise and clamor of the banquet grew faint. The deeper he went into the castle, the quieter the corridors became, until there wasn’t a servant in sight, as they were all occupied with the festivities, attending to the honored guests.

“Just a little further, and I’ll be there…” Kai thought as he rounded another corner.

Reaching the end of his route, Kai stopped before a large set of silver doors. Crafted from solid silver, the doors were adorned with intricate patterns and symbols of power, representing the strength and wisdom of Overlord Morten. Here, at the end of a long, secluded corridor, he felt the coolness emanating from the metal—a stark contrast to the warmth of the crowd near the banquet hall.

“Thank goodness, the Overlords don’t worry about slaves, thanks to the contracts and restrictions…” Kai whispered, glancing around to ensure no one was watching.

The doors weren’t locked or secured by any array. On this tiny teralith, there was only the quarry and the castle. Everyone around was a slave with suppressed cultivation and bound by spiritual contracts. The Overlords had no need to worry about anyone daring to enter their quarters.

Once Kai was certain that no one was around, he slowly opened the doors, holding his breath. Inside, he was met by a white hall covered in carpets and large stained-glass windows. But Kai wasn’t here to admire the decor; he quickly stepped inside and closed the doors behind him.

The interior of Overlord Morten’s quarters exuded sanctity and strict seclusion. The walls were adorned with delicate reliefs, surprisingly depicting not only the Goddess of Life but four other figures as well... These images were crafted from marble and silver, their shimmering facets reflecting light from the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The floor was covered with large, plush carpets that absorbed the sound of Kai’s footsteps.

“What the hell... Why are all the Evil Gods’ visages here?” Kai muttered, narrowing his eyes. Although they were faceless, as if no one knew how to depict their true appearance, from the scenes portrayed, Kai immediately recognized who they were.

Tapestries adorned the walls, woven with gold and silver thread, adding warmth and grandeur to the room. Despite its magnificence, the space was devoid of excess and clutter; every piece of furniture harmonized perfectly, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and seclusion.

Kai froze for a moment, letting the sight sink in. He had a lot of questions, but there were more pressing matters at hand!

“To hell with this Order and the Evil Gods! I need to get out of here!” Kai hissed through gritted teeth and began frantically searching the hall for the tool that would secure his freedom.

He quickly scanned the room, examining every corner in search of where the servant might have left the box with the needle. Finally, his eyes fell on a large writing desk against the far wall. The desk was cluttered with piles of papers, scrolls, and ancient books, and at the very center of the chaos lay a small silver box. Kai hurried to the desk, carefully moving aside the stacks of papers to reach the box. His heart pounded as he slowly lifted the lid. Inside, on a velvet cushion, lay the long silver needle, sparkling even in the dim light.

“There it is! Finally, it’s mine!” Kai exclaimed with joy, quickly checking the box for traps or detection arrays. Once he was sure everything was functioning properly, he immediately tucked it into his clothes.

Kai felt a sharp surge of joy and relief—the item that could help him achieve his quest for freedom was finally in his hands!

Using it right now was risky, as he didn’t know if the Overlords would sense it. He wanted to maintain his cover until he was sure it was safe to flee!

“Creak!” suddenly, the sound of a door opening made him spin around, gripping the needle and preparing to rip off his collar for battle.

But thankfully, it was just the creak of another door in the nearby corridors, not the entrance to Overlord Morten’s quarters!

“Damn it! You scared the hell out of me, you bastard!” Kai cursed, exhaling and placing a hand on the desk to steady himself.

As Kai exhaled in relief, his gaze fell on a thin book beneath his hand. The cover was made of dark leather with gold embossing, and the title stood out prominently: “The Postulate of the Gods’ Resurrection Cult.”

Kai’s heart skipped a beat—his attention was completely consumed by this unexpected discovery...

With suspicion, he instinctively opened the book to the first page, where he found a lofty glorification of the five gods and an oath to reconnect with them. The text was written in an ancient, complex script, and every letter seemed imbued with mystical power:

“The greatest resurrection of the Five Gods, who dwell in the sacred silence of chaos. In the legend and mysticism of our days, we, the adepts of the Gods’ Resurrection Cult, vow to reunite the ancient bonds that bind us.”

“We shall connect with you, the Supreme Triad! The Elder of Time-Space, whose gaze pierces the ages, the master of moments and epochs. The Wanderer of Fortune, the drifter of starry paths, who shapes destinies with a mere wave of his hands. The Great Monk of Will, whose steadfastness and resolve sculpt mountains and shape souls.”

“Together with them, and with their children—the Twins of Life and Death, eternal companions in the dance of creation and destruction. She, Life, weaves the threads of beginnings in every breath of a newborn being. He, Death, gently severs the bonds of existence, bringing peace and release.”

“We, adherents of the eternal design, bind our flesh, energy, and spirit to their unfathomable grandeur. We pledge unwavering loyalty in oaths that know no bounds of time. In our hearts burns the flame of hope, in our veins flows unshakable resolve. Let these words stand as a testament to our pursuit, let every word form the foundation of a new era, where the Gods shall once again walk among us, filling the world with wonders of mutual understanding and limitless possibilities.”

At that moment, Kai’s heart skipped a beat! This book was not just a religious text; it was a declaration of a mission, perhaps even a conspiracy, that could alter the very fabric of existence.

“A cult that seeks to restore the connection with the Evil Gods? What the hell is going on here…” Kai muttered, feeling a growing sense of unease in his chest.

What if in the ancient war, they had managed to carve out a small victory, cutting off or limiting the influence of the Evil Gods on life? And if so, what kind of cult would want to restore that connection? But a more pressing question loomed in Kai's mind—how close had they come to their mission, and what could it lead to?

“Just when I think things can't get more complicated, fate throws a new puzzle at me!” Kai muttered tensely, quickly sweeping all the documents from the old man’s desk into his world ring. “First, I need to escape from here. I’ll deal with the records later!” he declared decisively and quietly headed toward the exit of Overlord Morten's quarters.

At that moment, a storm of emotions and questions raged within Kai’s heart and mind, but he deliberately suppressed them so they wouldn’t become an obstacle. The most important thing now was to escape!

V.9 Chapter 752: Fatal Obstacle

As soon as Kai glanced around one more time, he cracked open the door and extended his perception down the corridor. Only after ensuring that no one was nearby did he swiftly leave Overlord Morten's room and head toward the castle exit, feigning the appearance of someone going about their usual tasks to avoid suspicion.

“I need to take a route as far away from the main hall as possible…” Kai thought, turning at the next intersection.

He wanted to cautiously avoid everyone and make his way out of the castle. As soon as he was outside the walls, he planned to remove the collar that suppressed his cultivation and fly into the starry sky!

“One day, I’ll return... Your damned Order will pay dearly for my imprisonment…” Kai seethed inwardly as his anger began to build.

During his time in the mines, he had suppressed his emotions to ensure they didn’t cloud his judgment. But that didn’t mean he didn’t want to repay the holy ones for exploiting him.

Within minutes, Kai started hearing the music again and saw the bustling activity of the slaves. They were constantly rushing toward the main hall, their faces showing clear signs of exhaustion and strain.

Kai tried to move unnoticed, mentally sympathizing with these overworked servants. The music flowed through the corridors, seemingly guiding him toward an invisible goal, while the smells of festive dishes filled the air, making it almost tangible.

“The exit isn’t far now…” Kai thought, following his planned route. He only had a few more turns to make before he could finally leave this cursed castle.

But just as he rounded another corner, a familiar voice stopped him.

“Kai! Where have you been? We need help in the kitchen immediately!” shouted a tall, blue-haired old man. He was one of the main overseers in the castle, managing many of the servants.

Since Kai always came at the same time each month, the man knew he could count on his help during these difficult days. After all, they needed to engage everyone to assist with the inspection at the highest level.

As soon as Kai heard these words, curses flashed through his mind:

“Of all the times, you had to run into me now, you damned old man?!” Kai's frustration peaked instantly. He couldn’t disobey this man without raising suspicions. Killing him wasn’t an option either, as there were too many witnesses nearby.

“Yes, sir, I’m on my way! I can’t let the Goddess of Life be angry with me!” Kai responded humbly, knowing that any disobedience could lead to unnecessary questions.

“They say one of the inspectors is very strange... Either he belongs to a peculiar race that loves to eat, or his Law requires a lot of food. No matter how much we prepare, he devours everything without even chewing. The Overlords keep asking for more delicacies…” the old man said, rubbing his hands nervously, his face tense.

“What can we do? Feeding the emissaries of the Goddess of Life is our duty as obedient slaves!” Kai replied with a shining smile, which elicited a slight irritation on the old man’s face.

“No time for talking! Get to the kitchen—now! Come with me; it’s on my way,” the old man barked, tugging Kai by the sleeve.

“Damn it! Looks like I’ll actually have to work! I hope this doesn’t ruin my plans…” Kai thought anxiously.

There were five Overlords in this castle, and now it seemed there was at least one more. Even if Kai managed to tear off the collar quickly after being discovered, there was no guarantee he could escape from so many Overlords. If things went south, Kai would find himself in a deadly trap!

Kai followed the old man to the kitchen, squeezing through the crowd of servants, each engrossed in their tasks. The old man kept turning around as if to make sure Kai was indeed heading to his assigned duty.

“Let’s hope we don’t mess this up... Everyone’s working at their limit, so you’d better give it your all,” the old man warned as he reached the kitchen entrance and saw more servants, immediately rushing to give them orders.

Taking precautionary measures, Kai entered the kitchen, where chaos reigned. Cooks and their assistants scurried back and forth, trying to prepare everything for the next food request. Kai quickly immersed himself in the whirlwind of activity, temporarily setting aside his own plans and objectives.

“I need to wait for a break and slip away at the first opportunity…” Kai thought as he followed the head chef's instructions.

The kitchen was filled with an indescribable atmosphere of tense work. The heat from the fire cast flickering shadows on the walls, dancing in rhythm with the movements of the servants and cooks, who seemed to be in an endless dance around huge pots and pans.

“Donk! Thud-thud-thud! Sizzle!” the sounds of knives, the bubbling of oil, and the clatter of metal against metal mingled with the shouts and commands coming from all directions.

Kai, along with the others, got caught up in this rhythm, moving from one table to another, from one task to the next. His hands automatically performed the necessary actions—chopping vegetables, stirring sauces, bringing ingredients. Despite his desire to escape, he couldn’t help but acknowledge that working in the kitchen required full dedication and concentration.

The ingredients themselves were not from the mortal world. Some of them required Heavenly Flame for cooking. Only martial arts masters could work in this kitchen; otherwise, enduring such an environment would be impossible.

The heat from the open stoves and the steam rising from the boiling pots made the air almost unbearably heavy. Drops of sweat rolled down Kai’s face, mixing with the steam that made his eyes water. He constantly glanced at the kitchen exit, looking for a chance to escape, but the stream of work never slowed down—new demands came one after another, and every time Kai thought he’d find a moment to rest, he was pulled back into the whirlpool of tasks.

This constant hustle in the kitchen mirrored Kai’s own inner state. Anxiety and fear for his life, should he be caught with the silver needle, became more palpable. Every moment spent here increased the risk of being caught, and Kai felt the pressure of this possibility squeezing him from within, like the hot kitchen steam.

The atmosphere in the kitchen grew more tense as time pressed on. The servants and cooks feared disappointing the Overlords, and Kai feared for his life. This double threat made the air around him even thicker and heavier.

“If I don’t find a way to slip away now, I might lose my chance to escape! Should I just throw away the needle and wait for another opportunity? But if I do that, they might strengthen the security around the needle, and I could be stuck here for decades!” these thoughts raced through his mind as he handed over another bowl of prepared ingredients. With every passing moment, Kai felt his chances of freedom melting away, like ice thrown onto a scorching pan.

And in this frantic pace, amidst the noise, heat, and steam, Kai continued searching for his chance to escape, knowing that each passing minute could be his last within these walls.

Hours passed in a relentless grind, and Kai still couldn’t figure out how to break free from this hellish kitchen! But then, at that moment, Kai noticed one of the cooks, nearly exhausted, accidentally bump into a strange bottle of liquid, sending it tumbling toward one of the pots!

“Oh no!” the chef shouted in shock, his eyes filled with horror.

“Ba-a-ang!” suddenly, amidst the rhythmic clamor of kitchen sounds and the shouts of the cooks, a loud explosion echoed, freezing everyone in place!

One of the huge pots, containing an exotic mixture made with highly dangerous ingredients that could only be prepared under the supervision of high-level masters, unexpectedly exploded. A sudden wave of heat and steam engulfed the kitchen, scorching everything in its path and sending the cooks and servants flying in all directions.

Kai, who was close to the epicenter of the disaster, instinctively summoned his Spiritual Fire. His black-and-purple flames surged up, forming a protective barrier around the pot, absorbing and dampening the flying sparks and flames. He controlled the element with such masterful precision that the fire seemed like a living being, obeying his every command.

Everyone froze, watching Kai’s actions. The cooks and servants, frightened and injured, couldn’t take their eyes off the spectacle. Fear and amazement were etched on their faces—they couldn’t comprehend how Kai had managed to so quickly and effectively handle the fire, but they were grateful!

“This is my chance!” Kai realized instantly. This moment of chaos and collective shock was the perfect opportunity to escape. Everyone was too scared and stunned to think clearly.

“I’ll get help!” Kai shouted, his voice firm and loud enough to cut through the gradually resuming noise in the kitchen.

Without waiting for the head chef's response, Kai spun around and bolted for the exit. His steps were quick and determined, every muscle in his body tensed, ready for action. He knew that moments like this were rare, and every second was precious.

Racing past the stunned servants and cooks, Kai felt his concentration reach its peak.

“This is my chance to escape! I must take it, no matter the risks. It’s now or never!” he repeated in his mind as he dashed through the castle corridors.

As he ran, his heart pounded wildly in his chest, and his breath came faster and faster. He knew that if he was caught now, he would face not just punishment, but a horrible death! But the freedom that beckoned him beyond these doors was worth any risk!

Kai burst out of the castle, gasping in the fresh air, which felt almost sweet after the stifling heat of the kitchen. His legs carried him swiftly across the stone pavement leading away from the castle gates. He wanted to get as far away from the castle as possible and immediately leave this tiny tesseract.

But just at that moment, when he was ready to take off into the sky, his gaze lifted upward and instantly froze him in place. There, among the twinkling stars, were two figures flying over the quarry. It was Elder Morten and another old man in a white robe, whom Kai had never seen before. Their faces were impassive and focused, and their eyes glowed in the night like stars.

In that instant, Kai froze, and his heart sank to his stomach. At that moment, he didn’t know how to get out of this situation! Why had he encountered these old men? Weren’t they supposed to be in the banquet hall?!

“This is the end!” flashed through his mind for a second, but immediately after, he mentally shouted. “No way! I still have too much to do! I must find a way out of this situation!”

The tension in the air was palpable, like a physical force pressing down on him from all sides. Kai frantically weighed his options, knowing that every second of hesitation brought him closer to an inevitable fight or capture.

And in that moment, Kai clenched his fists, plastered a blissful smile on his face, and sprinted full speed toward the quarry! He understood that the Overlord had already noticed him, as the old man briefly turned in his direction. His only chance of survival was to play the fool! He would keep up the act of a religious fanatic to the very end!

V.9 Chapter 753: Trickery and Self-Sacrifice

Kai's mind was in turmoil as he frantically sprinted toward the quarry. To an observer, it might have looked like he was in the throes of some fit. But his face radiated a crazed ecstasy, and he was drenched in sweat from his time in the kitchen.

As Kai approached the edge of the quarry, a harsh and slightly irritated voice rang out through the air:

“Stop! How dare you disrupt the order and peace of this beautiful evening! Don’t you know we are hosting esteemed guests? Wretched slave!” boomed the voice, unmistakably belonging to Overlord Morten.

Kai had anticipated such a reaction and immediately dropped to his knees, striking his forehead against the stone ground.

“Forgive me for not noticing you, honored Overlords! I deserve death!” Kai cried out in terror, displaying utter submission.

“Who is this slave, Morten? Why is he rushing to the mines during a break?” the other elder suddenly asked. While there was no aggression in his words, they seemed to make Morten tense up slightly.

It was clear that Overlord Morten was furious. Their peaceful conversation under the starry sky had been interrupted by a slave! And not just any slave, but the one who was secretly earning them chaos stones behind the Order's back!

“I’d like to know that myself... This one is deeply religious, nearly to the point of madness... Usually, he’s extremely diligent in his work and voluntarily descends to the deepest levels, so we allow him occasional rest in the castle,” Morten muttered, squinting his eyes.

Before the elders could ask any further questions, Kai shouted:

“The Goddess of Life granted me a revelation! I heard her voice commanding me to go deep into the quarry and find a pure chaos stone! I must do this to present it to our guests!” Kai's voice trembled with fervor, as if he were on the brink of insanity, and it was evident to anyone watching. “I ran with all my might, so much so that I forgot to ask for permission! Forgive me! I was merely following the Goddess of Life's orders!” he pleaded, almost on the verge of tears.

Upon hearing these words, both elders exchanged furtive glances. Though they appeared to be devout practitioners themselves, especially the second elder, what Kai was displaying was unprecedented.

“As I said, he’s deeply religious…” Morten grumbled, still irritated.

But suddenly, the elder floating beside him burst into loud laughter and said cheerfully:

“You’ve trained your slaves well... This is the seventh mine we’ve inspected recently, but I’ve never seen such devout followers anywhere else,” as soon as these words were spoken, Overlord Morten seemed visibly pleased. It was as if he hadn’t expected that Kai's foolish act would actually raise the mine’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Kai continued to bow his head, not uttering a single unnecessary word... His concentration had reached its peak! He was ready to pull out the needle and rip off the collar at any moment. But as soon as he did, the ensuing chain of events would become unpredictable!

“Damn... If they manage to delay me for even a few minutes, the other Overlords from the castle will catch up. With that kind of power arrayed against me, my chances of survival will be slim…” Kai thought, realizing that he wouldn’t be able to defeat his opponents.

“Even if he’s good, he still needs to be punished for such misconduct!” Morten muttered, beginning to summon his energy. Clearly, he didn’t want to show weakness in front of the inspector. Slaves had to be kept in strict discipline!

“That old bastard... Just let me descend into the depths of the quarry!” Kai mentally shouted, clenching his fists.

The moment he had exited the castle and seen the elders, Kai knew that his only chance of survival was to jump to the lower levels of the quarry! But he couldn’t do it right then, as the elders would simply catch him. Even if he tore off the collar and dove down, they might still be able to stop him. Kai considered this option only as a last resort.

“Let me go into the mines and continue drinking!” Kai kept thinking, as if reciting some mantra.

If he could descend quietly and only remove the collar once he was deep underground, everything would be relatively fine. With his true cultivation, Kai could descend much further and even begin cultivating by absorbing the chaos of the mine. In that case, even if they suspected that he had stolen the needle, they wouldn’t be able to find him. Kai would descend so deep that even the Overlords wouldn’t want to check! No one would believe he could survive!

“I’ll accept any punishment! But please allow me to fulfill the will of the Goddess of Life! It’s more important to me than life itself!” Kai shouted once again, desperately trying to sway Overlord Morten.

But it seemed the elder couldn’t care less about his pleas...

A whip began to form in Morten’s hand, and he was boiling with rage... The blow he was preparing would certainly leave Kai in a half-dead state. He wouldn’t kill him, as Kai was too valuable, but he needed to demonstrate his authority in front of the guest.

Just as Morten’s hand swung back, it was suddenly stopped by the inspector. The elder smiled and kindly said:

“Wait... If he is truly driven by the will of the Goddess of Life, he might actually find a pure chaos stone... The Order certainly wouldn’t refuse such an offering from your mine,” he added with a sly grin.

Although the situation seemed straightforward, everyone here had their own hidden motives. Morten was more concerned that in his religious frenzy, Kai might simply die in the depths of the mine. If that happened, they would lose a substantial source of chaos stones.

Seeing that Morten remained silent, the inspector placed a hand on Morten’s back and politely, yet firmly, asked:

“So, will you allow this slave to fulfill the will of the Goddess of Life?”

It was hard to say whether the inspector suspected something or genuinely believed that Kai had received a revelation... But it was clear that he wanted to push the situation towards a resolution that was favorable to him.

Even after these words, Morten still hesitated. He slowly lowered his displeased eyes to Kai and let out a heavy sigh, as if fate itself was trying to prevent him from making a rash decision.

“Are you sure you heard the voice of the Goddess of Life? Do you understand all the risks?” his voice was deep and sharp, like the scrape of a sword against stone.

Kai, feeling the elder’s pressure in the air, nodded, trying to maintain his role as a fanatic. He had already figured out that Morten, despite his harshness, wouldn’t go against the inspector if everything was framed correctly.

“I will return and bring glory to our mine, Overlord Morten! I promise!”

Morten slowly crossed his arms over his chest and sighed thoughtfully. His gaze was heavy, and he stared at Kai for a few seconds, as if weighing his words.

“Fine, go. But you must return with a good haul! However, even so, you will still be punished for your disobedience afterward!” he gruffly said, turning away to hide his dissatisfaction.

Kai felt the tension in his chest suddenly dissipate. As soon as the elder’s words were spoken, Kai realized he had bought himself a little more time!

“I will definitely follow your orders! May the Goddess of Life bless us all!” these words flew from Kai’s lips just as quickly as he rose and jumped straight into the quarry.

The sky was left with only the two elders, each now lost in their own thoughts... But within seconds, their faces were once again covered with masks of warmth and friendliness. They resumed their conversation as if nothing had happened.

Naturally, Overlord Morten was still furious. Even if Kai did indeed find and bring back a pure chaos stone, it could lead to a whole chain of problems!

Kai was plummeting into the abyss, swallowed by the darkness, as if falling into the depths of the underworld. His heart was pounding, each beat echoing in his ears like thunder, and his thoughts were spinning in a chaotic whirlwind.

“I’ve bought some time... I need to change the plan!” his mind raced for answers. He hadn’t escaped as he had planned, but he hadn’t died either—this was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless!

Kai’s thoughts circled back to the moment he saw Overlord Morten upon leaving the castle. He could hardly believe that such a ridiculous excuse had worked.

“I walked the razor’s edge, and every misstep could have been my last,” he thought, mentally reviewing each day since his enslavement. “Luck is also a skill,” he mentally added with a sudden smile.

Kai took a deep breath, trying to fill his lungs with the cold air of the mine, and focused on his perception. He was still checking to see if the Overlords were following him and whether he could safely continue descending. Only after reaching the seventieth level and stopping to catch his breath did Kai confirm that he wasn’t being pursued.

Falling near a wall and pulling a bottle of strong alcohol from his spatial ring, Kai took several gulps without hesitation. He drank so carelessly that some of the liquid spilled down his chin, staining his slave clothes. Breathing heavily, he muttered with a crooked smile:

“Well... At least I’ve solved one of my problems. Heh-heh.”

Kai calmly continued drinking, listening intently to the situation on the surface. He didn’t want to use the needle immediately, lest he inadvertently reveal himself. Only after waiting for about a week did Kai retrieve the silver needle and promptly inserted it into his collar. Having seen the Overlords use it several times, he began to turn it counterclockwise.

“Click... Click... Click…” the clicks echoed through the cave, resonating not far from where Kai was.

Then, at one point, there was a final click, and the silver collar clattered to the stone floor... At that moment, Kai felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders! A tremendous amount of surrounding chaos immediately surged into him!

Kai’s three techniques and the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence finally activated at full capacity, bringing a sensation akin to cultivating with multiple chaos stones simultaneously. Everything entering his body was divided into three streams, evenly nourishing each of his power centers!

“An amazing feeling!” Kai suddenly shouted, leaping from the ground. “Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t escape... Heh-heh…” he laughed eerily and looked straight into the abyss.

Previously, Kai had never ventured to the very bottom of the quarry. But now, with his power unrestricted, he wanted to test whether he could accomplish such a feat. In any case, if he lingered here, he could definitely use it to his advantage!

“Looks like Seth will have to wait a bit longer for me... But that’s fine; he’ll get to enjoy some time with his kin…”

As these words echoed in the darkness, Kai quickly hid the needle in his clothes and immediately dove downward! Since everything had turned out this way, he wasn’t going to miss his chance for quality cultivation!

“Just wait for me, you bastards... I’ll definitely return from the depths of this abyss to take everything from you! Damn Order of Eternal Radiance... Just give me some time…” Kai muttered, clenching his fists with a devilish smile, as he disappeared into the dark void.

V.9 Chapter 754: Bottom of the Abyss

Chaos surged around Kai as he plummeted deeper, the concentration of laws growing increasingly intense. At some point, around the hundredth floor, the chaos of the laws reached a new level, but Kai continued to fall.

“The pressure at this depth has noticeably increased... Meditating here would be akin to constant cultivation with mid-tier chaos stones…” Kai mentally analyzed, a smile lingering on his face.

Now that Kai had removed his shackles, he could finally cultivate at full power, and this place was perfect for it. Since returning to the surface wasn't an option for now, it made sense to penetrate as deeply as possible and enter seclusion for cultivation.

“The theft of the needle will definitely be discovered... Obviously, during the inspection visit, they won't raise a fuss. But what happens afterward?” Kai knew that in about a week, the Overlords would certainly come after him, aiming to capture and interrogate him. In that case, he needed to descend so far that even they would find it unsafe to pursue him further.

Kai had deliberately brought the removed collar and the needle with him, hoping they would think he had simply disappeared somewhere in the mine. He counted on the Overlords assuming that, in a fit of religious fervor, Kai had ventured too deep and fallen into the abyss.

The quarry had been narrowing for some time, as if Kai was approaching the bottom... The jagged, chaos-hardened walls resembled the maw of some ancient monster. And the most absurd part was that Kai was willingly flying into its belly!

Each of his cultivation systems worked autonomously, absorbing the surrounding chaos and converting it into internal power. This allowed Kai to neutralize the harmful effects even while moving, but it wasn't enough for true cultivation. To gain significant benefits, he needed to stop and focus. Only in stillness could he effectively rotate his cultivation techniques.

As he descended further, at some point, Kai felt a dragon's roar emanate from his essence. It seemed that Destragore was thrilled by the environment! The same was true of Kai's body, whose tattoos began pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. Naturally, his Spiritual Sea was also reacting...

“Even my laws like this place... Heh-heh…” Kai muttered contentedly, suddenly noticing something through the impenetrable darkness.

As he plunged deeper into the abyss, Kai felt the darkness growing denser and heavier. His ears rang from sudden gusts of wind that seemed to arise from nowhere, like the very breath of the abyss. Just as Kai thought he was nearing the bottom and would finally uncover its secrets, a new depth opened before him.

Below, through the gloom, another hole yawned at the heart of this abyss. Its edges were twisted and eroded, as if time and chaos itself had claimed them, devouring the surrounding matter. From this new chasm emanated an overwhelming cold and darkness so dense that Kai felt the air around him grow heavy, like liquid metal.

The hole itself was only a few dozen meters in diameter, but it instilled in Kai an instinctual fear... It exuded something sinister and suffocating.

Kai accelerated, heading toward this new mystery. With each passing moment as he approached the additional abyss, the surrounding sounds grew fainter, and the pressure increased, squeezing his body and soul. The chaos emanating from this new hole was different—older and more dangerous. It resembled an ancient chorus, whispering secrets.

“What the hell is this? I'm sure even the Overlords wouldn't dare descend into it…” Kai pondered as his body was engulfed by another layer of darkness.

Through the Eyes of Essence, he saw not just a storm of laws but their frenzy! Even if a master of the Overlord Sphere could withstand such chaos, over time, it would cause irreparable damage to their essence. No sane master would risk their cultivation and life for something like this.

As he neared the center of this second hole, Kai noticed strange figures beginning to appear around him—shadows that floated like fish in a sea of ink. They were translucent and almost invisible, but Kai could sense their presence. These shadows seemed to be the remnants of those who had previously attempted to explore this abyss, or perhaps something else entirely.

Fortunately, they didn't seem conscious or aware of Kai. They appeared more like phantoms from the past...

“This place feels like... a graveyard, of sorts... I need to get closer…” Kai thought, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement battling in his heart.

Kai continued his descent, though he noticeably slowed down. He moved toward the side of the hole, intending to land nearby. Proceeding further into the abyss without additional investigation would be foolish.

When he landed, the phantoms continued to float around, paying no attention to him. Kai slowly walked forward until he stood at the edge of the hole, and the air around him suddenly became charged with energy. It was a moment when the chaos didn't just surround him but seemed to speak to him—through pressure, sounds, and even fleeting scenes flickering before his eyes.

“What the…” Kai staggered slightly. “What did I just…” he took a few steps back, muttering to himself.

During a burst of chaos, Kai briefly glimpsed a blurred vision... a vision of a colossal war raging in the starry space. And the most alarming part—Kai had seen something like this before! These were definitely scenes from the ancient war against the Evil Gods!

This energy wasn't something that could be easily understood or explained; it was something ancient, powerful, and utterly alien. Kai realized that the depths of the chaos stone quarry were far from ordinary...

Stepping back to a safe distance, the influence of the chaos ceased. The visions only flared up near the very edge of this strange hole. However, it was utterly impossible to see what lay within...

“If there are many chaos stone quarries, then they all likely share a similar nature... And it's obvious that this nature is connected to the events of the ancient war... Should I try to descend further?” Kai muttered thoughtfully, glancing around.

At that moment, Kai thought of Kessia... If she were conscious, it would be much easier for him to make a decision. The Queen knew a great deal, and in moments like these, her insights had always helped him.

The air around Kai thickened, and each breath he took was filled with the taste of ancient secrets. Nevertheless, his innate thirst for knowledge ignored all anxiety. The idea of continuing his exploration beckoned him...

“Damn... After seeing something like this, I can't just walk away…” he whispered, as if addressing Kessia, who seemed to support him in this endeavor.

As soon as Kai turned to face the edge of the hole, the force emanating from its depths began to act again, this time more insistently. The visions became brighter and clearer. For a moment, scenes of an ancient battle flashed before his eyes: mighty beings clad in armor that absorbed starlight fought against something resembling streams of energy. But these streams were all-encompassing, even forming a semblance of living creatures...

“This is definitely the war with the Evil Gods…” Kai spoke calmly, as the visions didn't greatly affect his consciousness. They were more like rare bursts of emotions and sensations.

He tried activating the Oblivion Law, deliberately shielding his Spiritual Sea from the visions—luckily, Kai discovered that he could easily block these ancient scenes.

Suddenly, among the shadows floating around the hole, one began to slowly move toward Kai. This shadow was larger than the others, and its presence radiated strong energy. It drifted closer and paused, as if examining Kai.

Sensing the attention of this shadow, Kai slowly extended his hand, careful not to disturb the fragile peace between him and this entity. The shadow seemed focused on him, then peacefully retreated.

“Screw it! I can definitely withstand this pressure! I need to find out what's below!” Kai shouted decisively, sharpening all his senses and fully activating his power. In the same instant, he stepped forward and leaped into the hole.

At that very moment, the surrounding chaos intensified even more! Cultivating here would already be equivalent to cultivating with high-tier chaos stones!

Kai's plunge into the impenetrable darkness was immediate and shocking. He was instantly enveloped by the darkness!

Using his perception and the Eyes of Essence, Kai realized that the environment resembled a vast underground cavern, where every sound and movement resonated, creating echoes that faded into oblivion. The darkness felt alive, and the air was thick with chaos, squeezing his chest and making his heart race.

“Not too deep!” Kai mentally exclaimed, sensing something akin to a bottom a few hundred meters below.

“Damn... Where did all these phantoms come from?! There are thousands of them!” he thought, noticing the second peculiarity of this place.

Silhouettes of various sizes flickered in the darkness, creating the illusion of a starry sky, only instead of stars, there were faces filled with suffering and terror. These ghosts, lost in time, floated around him, and their presence grew increasingly palpable.

Suddenly, through the gloom, Kai noticed something unusual—below, where the bottom should have been, lay a massive mound of multicolored sand. But upon closer inspection, he realized with horror that it wasn't a sand dune but a giant pile of bone dust! The colors came from the decomposition of bones and bodies of entirely different creatures!

“So many bones?! How is that even possible?!” Kai exclaimed, trying to suppress a surge of anxiety. Every glance at this underground cavern reminded him of the torturous death of tens of thousands of beings, whose remains now formed the foundation of this place.

Thankfully, through the Eyes of Essence, Kai could confirm that there were no deadly formations around and that he was not in immediate danger. Kai cautiously landed on the bone dust, and under his feet came the ominous crunch and creak of bones. The surrounding air grew thick with a heavy, decayed stench that instantly assaulted his senses. Beyond the bone dust, there were fragments of bones that, surprisingly, remained relatively intact...

The phantoms continued to flicker in the darkness around him, but now they were drawing closer, and Kai could see the suffering etched on their tormented faces. They didn't seem hostile, but rather full of despair and pain, as if they had witnessed and participated in the horrifying events that occurred here long ago.

“What is this place? What tragedy happened here?” Kai loudly asked, his voice echoing off the unseen walls of this deep cavern. His words were carried deeper into the darkness by the echo, and in response, he heard only the multi-voiced whisper of the phantoms filling the surrounding space.

And just as Kai asked this question, he suddenly recalled the ancient war... At that moment, everything became clear to him!

“Damn it... This is a crypt!” he said through gritted teeth, clenching his fists. “No... This place is even worse... It's the site where tens of thousands of ancient masters lost their lives in an instant!”

The horrifying realization instantly revealed the nature of chaos stone deposits!

During the ancient war, myriads of masters of flesh, energy, and spirit fought... And in that battle, they faced an insurmountable enemy—the Evil Gods. In such carnage, thousands and hundreds of thousands of masters perished in the blink of an eye...

Kai didn't know the exact process of how such mines formed, but it was obvious that the massive accumulation of ancient masters' bodies had eventually become the source and core of the chaos stone mine! This entire place was one gigantic crypt!

V.9 Chapter 755: Phantoms of the Past

As Kai grasped the true nature of the chaos stone mines, a chill ran down his spine. Despite all his experience, the realization was eerie. Images began to flash in Kai’s mind—visions of thousands of masters being obliterated in a single strike, their remains forming a vast collection of debris. Of course, these were just his imagination, but Kai felt that he was not far from the truth.

“If you consider that they all reached incredible heights in cultivation and possessed the most powerful artifacts, it’s no surprise that their convergence yielded such a result…” Kai mused as he looked around, still seeing the faint outlines of phantoms. They seemed like imprints of ancient masters, preserved in this place over time.

“Maybe I should weaken the defenses of my Spiritual Sea? Perhaps I’ll learn something interesting…” Kai murmured thoughtfully and cautiously sat in a lotus position.

Searching for artifacts or anything useful here was foolish. Too much time had passed for even the strongest artifacts to remain intact. So, with a clear mind, Kai decided to test some of his hypotheses.

As soon as Kai deliberately lowered his mental defenses, chaotic scenes from ancient times burst into his consciousness! In each one, it felt as though Kai became a different being, an ancient master, observing the events through their eyes!

Kai felt the air around him vibrate under the pressure of invisible energies. The outpouring of the Evil Gods' power created entire armies of undead beings. The process resembled the physical manifestation of a Law.

Moments before the enemy silhouettes took shape, the starry space cracked as if it couldn’t withstand the scale of the war. Space trembled as two armies relentlessly charged at each other.

Each vision was like a fragment of shattered dreams, each depicting the death of its owner. It was as if Kai was witnessing the final moments of one of the phantoms floating around him.

Rays of energy pierced through the starlight, clashing with mighty defenders—cultivators wielding the power of spirit, energy, or flesh. Every strike of their swords and spears was infused with the power of annihilation, reverberating through the starry space. Over and over, battle scenes flared and faded before Kai’s eyes, leaving no time to reflect.

Each scene began the same way—Kai flying among countless warrior silhouettes, surrounded by an aura of combat power. The starry space bore witness to a storm of light and energy, with each flash marking a deadly clash.

On the opposite side stood five barely discernible figures. Their first strike seemed to instantly combine and create an entire army of adversaries. And then the battle began...

But none of the scenes lasted long. With each clash, the end drew nearer—stars flared and dimmed, and the warriors, whether cultivators of flesh or spirit, dissolved into nothingness. The space around each skirmish slowly filled with darkness, symbolizing the death of the participants. These were the final moments of their existence, captured in the eternal memory of the Universe.

Kai, feeling the weight of each conclusion, struggled to tear his gaze away from these battles. Scenes of death flashed before him one after another, like the pages of a book, each telling its own tragic story.

Kai realized that each of these visions actually occurred simultaneously. They captured the moment when all the masters, whose bones had now turned to dust, saw their final moments.

After spending about an hour in this state, Kai finally blocked access to his Spiritual Sea, returning to consciousness.

“This war still defies belief... Unfortunately, I didn’t learn anything useful…” Kai murmured, his mind adrift.

The fragmented memories of the phantoms showed only one part of the battlefield. From there, he couldn’t see the leaders of the Army of Life Rebellion or the clear outlines of the Evil Gods. Understanding what was happening between them was impossible. Thus, Kai could only glimpse the final minutes of the lives of the masters buried here.

“At least now I’m even more confident in my hypothesis about the nature of this mine…” Kai said, looking around.

Thinking about all this, Kai was about to begin cultivating when he suddenly remembered Overlord Morten’s writings! He had instinctively taken them, and in the rush of emotions from his escape, had even forgotten they existed!

“Damn! That’s right!” after exclaiming, he quickly waved his hand, pulling out several thin books. “I have all the time in the world, there’s no need to rush... I need to understand what this Cult is all about…” Kai decided to start with the book whose first page he had already read. It was the one that spoke of restoring the connection with the Evil Gods.

Kai slowly flipped through the pages he had already read, each revealing the depths of ancient teachings and beliefs that lived in the hearts of the devoted followers of the Gods’ Resurrection Cult. The subsequent text in the book was also written in a rich, almost ritualistic language, reflecting the mystical essence of their mission. It stated:

“Legends tell us that the world was not always as we know it now. There was a time when living beings and Gods coexisted side by side, in harmony and understanding. But there came a moment when pride and ambition awakened in the hearts of the living, leading to a desire for power, which inevitably brought about the great war—a rupture between the divine and the mortal.”

“We, the followers of the Gods’ Resurrection Cult, believe that our ancestors committed an unforgivable sin by rebelling against the divine order. This act of defiance led to the loss of the sacred connection with the Gods, the distortion of truth, and the division of the world into three parts. But even then, the Gods granted us a borderland where old friends could meet!”

“Since then, every tragedy, every war in our world has been nothing more than an echo of the lost harmony. The earth suffers without divine inspiration, and the heavens yearn for souls that could heal their loneliness.”

“Our teachings and rituals are not merely symbols or ceremonies. They are the crystallization of our faith and our striving to reunite with the Gods, to restore the broken connection and return the world to its original state, where Gods and mortals can live together once more. A world where we can continue to be the obedient flock of wise Gods, worshiping them until the end of time!”

“We study ancient texts, explore forgotten artifacts, and follow a path that, we believe, will lead us to the resurrection of our connection with the Gods. Every adept of the Cult, every master and disciple takes an oath to serve this goal, investing their soul, flesh, and energy into this path.”

“And when the moment comes, and the Gods step into our world once again, we, the faithful servants of the Cult, will be the first to greet them with open arms and pure hearts. The resurrection of the connection with the Gods will not happen in silence and invisibility—it will be a moment when the entire Universe trembles in anticipation of a new era.”

“Let our path be difficult and full of trials, but our resolve is unshakable. We do not fear death, for we know—it is not the end, but merely the beginning of a new journey into immortality alongside the Gods we serve!”

Kai continued to read one book after another, inhaling the cold air deeply and frowning. Everything he read filled him with mixed emotions. The cultists firmly believed in the necessity of being obedient slaves to the Evil Gods, while on the other hand, every living being strove for constant progress. From what Kai knew, it was this very drive that sparked the war.

“Life became a threat to the Evil Gods, so they decided to suppress it... But even so, we managed to quietly grow in strength and rise against them. I don’t know what exactly happened in the past, but it seems the Evil Gods truly lost their influence over the Universe. But they managed to divide it into three realms... And these bastards want to give them a way back?!” Kai mentally cursed, continuing to read the cult's writings.

He slowly turned the pages, scrutinizing every word, every symbol, trying to decipher what exactly the cultists wanted to achieve and how strong they were. And the more Kai read, the worse his mood became...

Delving into the ancient texts opened up new horizons of understanding for Kai regarding the history and structure of the Universe, which had previously seemed unreachable. The texts of the Gods’ Resurrection Cult contained references to a long preparation for the resurrection of the connection with the Gods, describing how the cultists meticulously and slowly spread their teachings among secret followers. They infiltrated the highest echelons of power, cultural, and religious institutions, spreading their beliefs and slowly but surely strengthening their positions for the future resurrection of the gods.

According to the writings, the main stronghold of the Cult was located precisely on the Ancient Battlefield. As Kai understood, the Gods’ Resurrection Cult had long infiltrated the highest ranks of every force, whether it was the Order of Eternal Radiance, the Sect of Death’s Keepers, or even the Rift Guild.

But the most shocking revelation was that they were extending their influence even into the three Regions of Domination. However, there seemed to be serious problems with the Region of Energy and the Region of Spirit, while the Region of Flesh Domination was noted as being incredibly promising, especially in the last few tens of thousands of years.

“The Cult has managed to survive through the millennia, avoiding direct conflict but manipulating events from the shadows. They believe that the conflict between the Evil Gods and living beings was merely the sinfulness of the latter. Their goal is not just to restore the old order, but to create a new world where the Gods will have total control over life to prevent another war!” Kai pondered, reflecting on the madness he had read in the cultists' books.

These ideas seemed extremely dangerous to him. Kai felt a growing sense of unease and worry about the potential threat. Although the Cult’s power was weak in the three Regions of Domination, they had been preparing for the resurrection of the connection for millions of years!

Even if, after the war with the Evil Gods, the cult had been reduced to just a handful of like-minded individuals, over such a vast amount of time, they had indeed grown into something terrifying. The Gods’ Resurrection Cult was like a shadowy cardinal, manipulating many processes from behind the scenes...

“If these texts are accurate, then the Cult has spread its roots deep into numerous civilizations. Their influence can be seen everywhere, from behind-the-scenes power plays to the foundations of religious teachings. This explains why no one could ever fully eradicate them or even identify all their cells. They’ve only started taking active measures in the last tens of thousands of years…” Kai reasoned, realizing that opposing such an organization would not be easy.

Thinking about all this, Kai felt a certain helplessness. Currently, he was utterly powerless against such challenges.

“Damn... What if the cultists have infiltrated our allies too? What if the masters of the Region of Energy Domination, who are so eager to get to the Ancient Battlefield, are partly made up of traitors?” Kai suddenly exclaimed, feeling as if he could no longer trust anyone.

After sitting like this for about an hour, Kai finally exhaled heavily and frowned as he spoke:

“Right now, I can’t dwell on this. If there’s anyone I can trust, it’s Kessia. I need to escape from slavery and make my way to the Region of Flesh Domination! Only there can I revive Kessia and tell her everything. When I have at least one strong ally, we can figure out what to do next!” with these words, Kai set aside all his musings, clearing his mind.

In the next moment, all his centers of power pulsed, and the three cultivation techniques began to work! An enormous amount of chaos poured into Kai, and he felt an incredible surge of strength!

“The environment for cultivation here is simply endless! I will stay here as long as necessary, even if it takes decades!” Kai shouted, feeling as though something inside him had changed.

The feeling was akin to discovering his true mission! Kai felt that he had to grow stronger and prevent the Evil Gods from returning to the Universe! Whatever it took, he needed to find allies who could help thwart the Gods’ Resurrection Cult' plans!

“I am the heir of the Sphere of Essence—the weapon that was used against the Evil Gods! Whether it’s fate or not, I feel that I must continue the work of our ancestors, who at least managed to close off the Evil Gods' access to the three worlds! I need power; that’s what matters most right now!” Kai mentally exclaimed and immediately closed his eyes.

V.9 Chapter 756: Anomaly in the Mine

Kai's body seemed to become the core of the abyss, and even the phantoms began to circle around him. He sat atop the bones of thousands of ancient cultivators who had sacrificed their lives to overthrow the tyranny of the Evil Gods. This created a strange state in his mind, akin to a sudden enlightenment...

“Too many coincidences and symbols... I ended up in the slavery of the Order of Eternal Radiance as if reliving the same experience that the ancient masters faced against the Evil Gods…” various scenes from Kai's journey flashed through his mind, pushing him further toward the thought that there was a pattern, a certain destiny behind everything.

As one thought replaced another, Kai completely failed to notice that he was slipping into a natural trance... Each of the three laws instinctively activated its cultivation technique, and a strange and ancient aura began to emanate from Kai himself. An aura that even frightened the phantoms, who shouldn’t have been able to feel any pressure...

At that moment, Kai's mind was filled with the sound of heavenly bells, accompanied by a symphony that seemed to contain all the sounds of the Universe. Some sounds were exhilarating, while others were terrifying!

Kai's mind trembled, and he began to recite the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence, as if detached from his very being—whether it was his flesh, spirit, or energy:

“The Uncertainty of Time-Space is the first law. Imperceptible and unperceived, it seems to have existed before everything and will persist after.”

“The Causelessness of Luck is the second law. One cannot fathom the causes and effects of the universe's manifestations, as if everything is decided by the roll of dice with infinite sides, giving birth to the most incredible regularities.”

“The Eternity of Will is the third law. Will exists in all that is living and non-living, an immaterial essence that sets all laws of existence in motion.”

“Life and Death are the fourth law. The result of the creation of the supreme triad of laws – time-space, luck, and will. Luck and the will to evolve within infinite time give rise to entities and lead them to non-existence.”

“The Law of Flesh is the fifth law. Everything begins with flesh, the flesh of the living and non-living, material and spiritual flesh; even natural phenomena have a form of flesh.”

“The Law of Energy is the sixth law. Development and activity of everything generate myriad variations of energy, its combinations, and forms.”

“The Law of Spirit is the seventh law. With sufficient time, everything gains its spirit and its consciousness, manifesting the highest form of being.”

Lost to reality, Kai did not notice the strange events occurring around him. In the air, gray, smoky inscriptions began to appear, as if covering an invisible sphere. It was as if Kai was creating a cocoon for metamorphosis.

And as soon as the cocoon was completed, a pulse occurred, causing the entire surrounding cavern to tremble!

“Thud!” a wave spread out from Kai's body, slowly transforming into a vortex.

This event instantly engulfed some of the phantoms, pulling them directly toward Kai’s body. Once they touched this vortex, they were powerless to resist.

The pulse was so formidable that it seemed as if the tremor could be felt even on the surface...

Naturally, Kai was oblivious to all of this, completely immersed in the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence. A terrifying chaos composed of three types of laws surged rapidly into Kai’s body! Unconsciously, he became the conductor of everything around him, commanding the chaos to penetrate inside him!

If Kessia were conscious, even she would not have remained calm. What Kai was doing was utterly unnatural for other cultivators...

In this sudden moment of enlightenment, Kai unconsciously entered a cycle of closed cultivation. Initially, he just wanted to spend time here, reinforce his strength, and wait for the right moment to escape. But now, it was as if he had completely lost touch with the world...

Time around him seemed to lose its significance, slowing to an indefinite pace, creating an aura of strange energy around him. Before this aura, everything felt meaningless and unnaturally detached, as if this aura itself was something fundamental.

Absorbing all the power that had accumulated and concentrated here incredible amounts of chaos poured into Kai’s body. But there was so much of it that it turned into an endless stream.

Kai's entire being began to change, as if each law was being realized separately, transforming Kai himself. They underwent natural metamorphoses, with Kai evolving alongside them. The cocoon of inscriptions provided an environment conducive to their development.

The Law of Inevitable Destruction was the first to reveal itself to Kai. Around him, energy vortices began to form, each symbolizing destruction and renewal. In his visions, he saw forests dying to become fertile soil for new trees, stars exploding and leaving behind nebulae that would be cradles for new worlds. In his body, every cell resonated with this process, feeling the old dying away and the new being born. This understanding freed him from the fear of his own end, as each end was nothing more than the beginning of something great.

Delving deeper into the essence of the second law, the Asura Reaper Law, Kai felt his blood begin to boil with a surge of power. Every second he spent in this place made him stronger. The surrounding air filled with the energy of Life and Death, reminding him of the eternal battle where only the strongest survive and thrive. Beneath his feet, a strange phenomenon occurred, as if rivers of blood were flowing over the bone sand. The aura of the Asura Lineage was so dense that it manifested as bloody streams.

The Oblivion Law created complete silence and tranquility around him. Through this silence, Kai felt his own memories begin to release him, freeing him from the unnecessary baggage of the past. This was a process of liberation not only of his soul but also of his body, with every part becoming lighter and freer. The energy around him became purer, as if nature itself was responding to his new state. The air around him sparkled, filled with lost ideas and forgotten lessons that were now becoming part of the universal memory, accessible to those who could reach the same level of understanding.

With each new realization, Kai sank deeper into a state of unity with the Universe, his body, spirit, and energy becoming vessels of eternal wisdom. He was like a beacon, attracting streams of chaos and transforming them into part of an ordered dance of laws within his own Universe, where he now played a key role.

Under the relentless flow of chaos, time flowed uncontrollably. Kai had no sense of how long he remained in this state because he wasn’t even aware of what he was doing. Minutes turned into hours, days could have turned into years, and years into centuries, or perhaps time simply warped, and only a few months had passed... The perception of time was completely blurred, like grains of sand in an endless desert, where each grain was a moment of eternity.

The laws that Kai was absorbing were so numerous that they began to affect everything around him. Complex geometric patterns of light and darkness formed around his body, reflecting the duality of existence and destruction. These patterns pulsed and shifted, synchronizing with each of his breaths, each beat of his heart.

With every new breath, Kai grew more powerful, his strength seeming limitless. The ground around him trembled, and the air vibrated with the power radiating from his body. Whirlwinds of dust and energy swirled around him like satellites drawn to his all-consuming vortex.

Kai unconsciously felt his internal Laws growing even more potent, deeper, and how they influenced not just him but everything around him. Each Law intertwined with the others, creating an entirely new structure of existence that would be incomprehensible to an ordinary mortal.

In this cycle of closed cultivation, where each realization led to the next, Kai could remain forever, exploring the depths of his nature and the power of the Universe. Meanwhile, the external world continued in its rhythm, completely unaware of the events in the depths of the mine…

On the surface, in the majestic castle, the five Overlords were discussing the current state of affairs. It seemed that each of them was in a rather foul mood.

“Something strange is happening with the mine... The pressure of chaos from the depths seems to have lessened,” Morten began, his voice quiet, but each word carried immense weight.

“Who cares? It’s to our advantage... Now the slaves can descend deeper and extract more high-quality chaos stones,” grumbled Overlord Kedrion, glancing at the others with a frown.

It seemed that their mood was tied not so much to events in the mine but to something else...

“Why are you all so gloomy? Did something happen? Or are you still worried about the inspection visit from the Order of Eternal Radiance?” Lirielle suddenly asked, seemingly the only one not sharing the general mood.

Upon hearing her question, Overlord Morten exhaled heavily and said:

“Although the inspection is quite a headache, as we’ll have to listen again about how we lost the silver needle and disgraced ourselves... There are far more significant problems…”

“Hmm? And what are those?” the beautiful woman asked cautiously, unaccustomed to hearing such a tone from Morten.

“The masters of the Region of Energy Domination have finally found the key to opening the passage to our border world. Although our Cult has destroyed any records and tried to prevent this event—it still happened… Once they penetrate here, it could greatly complicate our plans,” the old man explained with utter seriousness.

Hearing these words, Lirielle also instantly frowned...

“That’s bad... This is the first time one of the worlds has learned about the border world so publicly. Could it be that our Cult was not cautious enough?” she muttered, clenching her fists.

“Nonsense! For millions of years, we have been destroying all mentions of the ancient war to prevent the birth of new sinners! Most heretics have forgotten the events of ancient times and don’t even know about the existence of the true Gods! We did everything right, but somehow, the masters of the Region of Energy Domination learned too much... Damn it…” Overlord Arandor grumbled, crossing his four arms over his chest in displeasure.

“Maybe they were somehow aided by the Heir of the Eternal Spirit Mother? After all, since the disappearance of the Heretical God’s legacy, she is the only one who carries knowledge of the ancient times... Don’t forget, it’s because of her that we can’t act freely in the Region of Spirit!” Lirielle practically shouted, her eyes reflecting hatred.

“Impossible... That creature hasn’t left the confines of her domain for a long time and is plotting something. This is the main problem... If she finds out that the old allies have finally broken through the Gods' prohibitions and entered the border world, she will start acting as well. Soon, even this world may become very dangerous…” Overlord Morten muttered thoughtfully, shaking his head.

And just as they were about to continue the conversation, a terrifying rumble suddenly erupted, followed by an explosion of chaos echoing from the depths of the mine!

“Thoom!” a strike of such force resounded, as if divine thunder had struck, and immediately afterward, the entire ground shook as if the entire teralith was beginning to collapse!

As soon as this happened, all five Overlords were shocked to their feet and immediately flew toward the exit of the castle! It felt as if a terrifying enemy had attacked them!

V.9 Chapter 757: Remembering Oneself

The Overlords rushed outside, disbelief and anxiety flickering in their eyes, as an unseen storm of emotions raged around them. Morten, usually calm and rational, was the first to notice the strange spectacle before him.

“What in the hell is this?” the old man's normally deep and confident voice now trembled with tension.

“This doesn't look like a good sign…” muttered the mature woman, brushing off the sudden wave of chaos emanating from the mine.

As the Overlords exited the castle, they were hit by a fierce wind, lifting dust and small stones into a whirlwind around them. From the depths of the mine, a beam of black chaotic energy shot up into the sky, tearing through the clouds and illuminating the surroundings with an unnatural light. The dark glow, shimmering in the thick morning air, cast long shadows across the entire area.

Lirielle was the first to snap out of her stupor and look down...

“Look! The slaves!” she exclaimed, pointing at the crowd rushing to the surface, fleeing the mine in terror.

In the distance, echoed the sounds of groaning and screaming slaves, who, overwhelmed with horror, scrambled toward the surface. Their frantic escape left dusty trails in their wake, as they desperately sought refuge from the unknown threat emerging from the depths of the mine. The throngs of emaciated figures, dressed in rags, transformed their fear into the energy of flight, filling the air with tension and despair.

The miners, frightened and exhausted, ran, glancing over their shoulders as if expecting to be pursued by the very chaos they had been extracting.

The Overlords stood, watching this chaos unfold, their figures silhouetted against the raging energy, appearing almost helpless, as if they didn't know what to do. The air was thick with the scent of an impending storm, mingling with the dust and fragments of chaos stones.

“If all the slaves die, the mine will shut down. I don't know what's happening, but let's start by helping the slaves escape. Then we'll keep a close watch on the situation,” Arandor said resolutely, immediately taking to the air.

Morten, crossing his arms over his chest, nodded and added. “We must act! We need to activate the protective array and rescue the slaves. I will handle the negotiations with the Order of Eternal Radiance and inform them of the unexpected disaster. We cannot afford another scandal!”

Following Morten's instructions, the Overlords quickly divided their tasks. But before they dispersed, Morten stopped them with a piercing gaze.

“Remember, the Cult will punish us if we allow this catastrophe. Our elder brothers, embedded in the Order of Eternal Radiance, cannot protect us indefinitely. Stay vigilant and act decisively!” he said, his eyes full of resolve as he looked at each of them.

The Overlords nodded in agreement and swiftly flew off. Lirielle and Arandor headed towards the entrance of the mine to coordinate the evacuation of the slaves and organize their protection. Isandra and Kedrion quickly flew to the castle's storage to retrieve artifacts to strengthen the protective barriers. Morten, in turn, flew to another part of the castle to report the strange events to the Order of Eternal Radiance.

Meanwhile, the beam of black energy began to change. It grew not only denser but also thicker, as if it was absorbing the very essence of chaos from the mine. With each passing minute, it expanded like a sinister tree, its branches reaching to encompass the sky itself. The energy emanating from the beam was so powerful that even the stones at the base of the mine began to crack and crumble, creating a disturbing rumble that added to the apocalyptic scene.

The Overlords quickly completed their tasks and surrounded the mine. They felt their anxiety growing with each passing hour. The invisible threat lurking in the heart of this phenomenon filled the air with tension. They exchanged glances full of questions and concerns, finding no answers. None of them had ever encountered anything like this before, and with every moment, the unknown drew nearer.

Morten, standing at the main entrance, raised his hands, invoking his technique. Streams of bright energy rose from his palms towards the sky, attempting to neutralize the expanding darkness. The protective barrier around the massive mine also activated, creating a protective halo that slowly spread out like a dome, trying to contain the catastrophe.

The Overlords even showed an unprecedented act of mercy, as earlier Lirielle had personally organized the retreat of the slaves to the castle, trying to save their lives. Of course, this was no different from preserving livestock that would eventually be slaughtered. They simply didn't want the livestock to die before serving their purpose.

In the descending darkness, illuminated only by the barriers, the figures of the Overlords looked almost mythical. They stood as guardians on the border between chaos and order, between threat and salvation. But even their power and determination seemed insufficient in the face of the growing danger...

“I've never heard of anything like this happening before... How can a mine produce such an anomaly?” Morten muttered, frowning.

“Honestly, it looks more like a monster's breakthrough…” Arandor mused. “But life is impossible within the chaos stone deposits. Everything inside them is doomed to die,” he added, contradicting his own words.

“Hmm... A breakthrough, you say? Even a breakthrough to the Law Overlord Sphere wouldn't cause such fluctuations, let alone ones composed of chaos from three types of laws... And for a breakthrough to the Supreme Monarch Sphere, this is too weak. I hope the Order can respond quickly enough…” Morten muttered thoughtfully.

“How long will it take them?” Arandor asked warily.

“Considering, we're still out of favor after losing the needle... We'll be lucky if they send anyone at all. Most likely, they'll order us to handle the situation ourselves. After all, we are masters of the Law Overlord Sphere. There's no chance a Supreme Monarch will come here,” the old man replied with a grim expression.

“Stubborn bastards... It's been hundreds of years since that incident, and they still remember our mistake,” Arandor grumbled, realizing they were in a dire situation where help might not come.

While anxiety and chaos reigned on the surface, completely different events were unfolding in the depths of the mine...

Kai's entire being had seemingly turned to stone, his consciousness long dissolved. Kai was completely unaware that he was cultivating or even that he existed. It was as if, since the moment he felt sudden enlightenment, it had never ended!

Decades, even centuries, spent in the abyss filled with chaos meant nothing to him. Each of the three laws continuously absorbed the surrounding chaos, growing stronger and stronger.

Kai floated in a lotus position, with inscriptions swirling around him, forming a pulsating cocoon. And around this cocoon raged a terrifying vortex that had long torn all the phantoms and even the bone dust to shreds! All of them had become part of this vortex, which was steadily being absorbed by Kai's Laws!

“Shoo! Shoo! Thumb!” streams of chaos constantly struck the walls of the cavern, while a massive beam of energy rose from Kai's body, intertwining hints of each of his three laws!

Because they were intertwined with the chaos of the mine, the Overlords couldn't discern anything foreign in them. It all appeared as if the problem was with the mine itself. But in reality, Kai was the catalyst for the catastrophe!

At this moment, Kai felt something very strange... It seemed as if he had dissolved and merged with the entire Universe. And he was not just a part of it, but as if he had become the Universe itself...

“Why do I feel so strange? And what is this voice in my head that speaks my thoughts? And what are these thoughts, anyway? Should I even be thinking about anything? I am everything, and everything is me, so why do I need thoughts?” he pondered, as if floating in an infinite space filled with gray mist.

He wasn't hallucinating; rather, he was clearly aware of everything happening. It was just that the experience of it was different...

“Right... Thoughts are the fruit of these strange substances... Living beings... But were they supposed to exist? If so, then why? Isn't complete emptiness and tranquility better?” Kai felt as if any life experience completely unburdened his consciousness. It even seemed to him that life itself was meaningless and only disrupted the harmony of the Universe.

But as soon as this thought flashed by, the image of a cheerful old man suddenly appeared... He was laughing mischievously and constantly teasing a boy...

“A living being? Why do I feel warmth when I look at him? At the same time, I sense myriads of other beings, but I am indifferent to them…” the voice in his mind continued.

Then another flash occurred, first showing a chubby boy, then a stern man who laughed as he poured wine into a glass. Next to him sat a man with blue hair and horns, along with seven others. One of them was a sickly-looking girl, and there was also a fox and a perpetually laughing man...

“Who are they... Why do I enjoy watching them?” he continued to wonder. “An Immortal Drunkard... What kind of drunkard? What does that mean?” he tried to piece together the fragmented words of these beings, attempting to remember something important.

And at that moment, the figure of a beautiful woman with blood-red hair appeared, looking at him strangely. It seemed as if warm and tender waves were emanating from her, penetrating deep inside him. The feeling she conveyed in her gaze was completely unique... All the previous figures brought warmth, but the warmth of this woman was special...

Her tender and passionate lips drew near, and another wave of feelings washed over him, this time more daring and intense, followed by the sensation of her hand caressing something...

As this happened, the consciousness talking to itself suddenly realized it had a form! The woman's hand was stroking his face! She was touching and kissing him, which was why he felt such incredible emotions!

This realization was like the final drop that would provoke a storm!

“Kessia... It's Kessia!” the thought suddenly echoed, and the voice that voiced it became very familiar. “Grandpa Mo... Diso... I... I'm the Immortal Drunkard! I am Kai!”

In that instant, a wild cry of realization echoed in his mind, and a terrifying wave surged through Kai's entire being!

“Doom!” at that moment, Kai's eyes snapped open! They glowed with strange inscriptions, and all his power centers blazed, illuminating even his flesh! Veins, meridians, and spiritual channels also shone, revealing the paths through which Kai's power flowed! They pulsed rhythmically, as if displaying the pathways of the laws and their transformation.

“Khaaaah!” Kai immediately gasped for air, feeling as if he had been struck by divine lightning! He instantly realized that he had fallen into a trance, experiencing a sudden enlightenment that had only just ended!

But before he could even react, an explosion erupted from his body!

“Doom! Raaaar!” the explosive wave slammed into the cavern walls, and the vortex of chaos began to draw into his body with even greater force!

At that moment, Destragore materialized behind Kai! But it didn't end there... Around Kai, a violet, nine-tiered fortress began to form, with streams of blood flowing from every crevice! The aura of Kai's body also reached such a height that it enveloped everything around it!

In a split second, the fortress was completed, Destragore finally landed on its summit, and beneath it all, a lake of blood spread out. Each of Kai's laws decided to manifest itself in reality! They were all preparing to reveal themselves to the world under the leadership of their master! They were preparing for a breakthrough!

V.9 Chapter 758: Breakthrough!

At this critical moment, Kai finally realized himself on a much deeper level. Even as a formless consciousness, he managed to remember that he was still a living being, with his own emotions and personal experiences. All the awareness and knowledge he had accumulated over the years surged into him in an instant!

The whirlwinds of chaos swirled around him, and the inscriptions of the Sphere of Essence sparkled in his eyes. Kai felt an indescribable power flowing into him without limit. Having already achieved the ninth transformation, he had been able to manifest all his laws into reality, but now it seemed that they would undergo a final baptism!

“The universe is cold and distant... Only life itself can understand the meaning of life…” Kai quietly pronounced, his voice sounding solemn and powerful, like thunder.

Kai became the center of a dazzling vortex of energy, his figure etched at the very heart of the storm. His arms were outstretched, and his gaze was directed upward. The violet fortress swirling around him began to radiate even more intense light, while the streams of blood transformed into glowing arteries, racing through the entire cavern.

With each passing moment, the wave of chaos grew stronger, and Kai, gathering all the strength of the three laws, prepared for the final decisive act. He was on the brink of his greatest achievement—the breakthrough to the Law Overlord Sphere! He didn't know how long he had spent in secluded cultivation, or how long his sudden enlightenment had lasted—but the feeling of breakthrough was unmistakable!

“Now you will become my servants! I am your Overlord, and one day I will claim full dominion over you from the universe itself!” he exclaimed, addressing his three laws.

As soon as these words were spoken, a terrifying dragon's roar was heard, and Kai's heart began to pound like a celestial drum! All this was accompanied by the glow and hum of the rotating fortress. Each of the three laws responded to Kai with reciprocity, preparing to finally ascend to a new level.

Because Kai had achieved nine transformations, the laws were already ready. All they lacked was a massive amount of “building material” and Kai's enlightenment. And all of this, Kai found at the bottom of the chaos stone quarry!

“There is something symbolic in the fact that the power of ancient masters, who died at the hands of the Evil Gods, has become a source of strength for me... I will definitely get to the bottom of the truth and avenge all life in the universe! No Cult or other fanatics will be able to bring tyranny back into our world!” Kai roared, feeling every fiber of his being begin to vibrate.

It was at this moment, when Kai's words filled the air with powerful resonant energy, that an unprecedented transformation began. Three bright cores of power simultaneously ignited in his body: the Energy Center, the Heart of Flesh, and the Spiritual Sea, each radiating light corresponding to one of his primary laws.

Kai's very flesh seemed to become transparent, revealing only the three cultivation systems and the channels of their circulation! From the outside, it looked as though Kai himself was dissolving into the air!

At the moment when his Energy Center began to burn with black energy, a tremendous force began to spread through Kai's meridians, like rivers of pure destruction. It was like a tyrannical river that would sweep away anyone who tried to go against its current.

The Heart of Flesh glowed with a powerful crimson light, shimmering with the depth of a bloody ocean. Kai's veins became channels through which this incredible force flowed, giving him a sense of unbelievable vitality and life-giving energy that filled every cell of his body.

And his Spiritual Sea emitted a calm violet light, which flowed quietly and confidently through his spiritual channels. They spread throughout Kai's head and down his spine to his lower back. This glow resembled the twilight sky, when night is almost upon us, but the last glimmers of sunset are still visible on the horizon.

At this moment, the Mantra of the Sphere of Essence echoed in Kai's mind, and he seemed paralyzed, unable to influence the processes that had begun within him. All he could do now was watch in awe and feel the changes!

But what happened next made Kai alert... One could even say it frightened him!

Suddenly, new, coarse channels began to grow from the three power centers, rapidly extending toward his solar plexus. It looked as if each of the systems had sent out roots, intertwining in one place. And these roots were separate from the other circulation systems!

Black roots stretched from his lower abdomen, red ones from his heart, and violet ones from his head, passing through his neck and moving downward. Previously, Kai's systems were connected, but more ephemerally; now he could see firsthand how the anatomy of his unique body worked!

This process was not just a physical change; it was a deep spiritual transformation. Kai felt his inner strength growing, as he became not just the guardian of his laws but their true Overlord. He began to understand that his new power carried the potential for change not only within himself but in the entire surrounding world. Growing stronger, he would finally be able to influence events on a grander scale!

“I am ready! I do not fully understand the nature of my being, but I know exactly what I must do!” Kai proclaimed in a powerful voice, and in response, the space around him pulsed, resonating with his newfound power. He felt every particle of his being saturated with new strength, preparing him for the trials ahead.

The surrounding air vibrated with power, and even the fortress swirling around him began to emit a new light, emphasizing the importance of the moment. Everything seemed to stand still, waiting for what would happen next.

“It’s time to meet my fate,” Kai said, and with these words, he waved his hands, and the vortices of chaos around him began to take on new forms, reflecting his new understanding and control over his own laws.

The glow of his body finally ceased, and the roots of the three systems intertwined into a single knot. Kai felt that he had reached a ceiling—the ceiling he was about to break through in an instant!

In the same moment, all the miracles that had manifested in reality were instantly drawn into Kai's body! The dragon, the streams of blood, the fortress—they all merged into Kai, as if returning to a new, more perfect abode!

The next moment became a catalyst for terrifying events... On the surface, an incident occurred that caused horror and awe in all who witnessed it!

“Thu-Thuuumb!” a terrifying beam, emanating from the bottomless depths of the quarry, exploded with such force that the protective array of the Overlords, created to contain the chaotic forces from the earth's depths, began to crack and crumble under the onslaught of unstoppable power. It seemed that the entire protective system built around the quarry was doomed to fail!

The Overlords standing on the cliff had not expected such a turn of events! Although the flow had appeared suddenly, it had at least been stable, but now it exploded with incredible force!

“What the hell is happening?!” Overlord Morten shouted, while the others cast bewildered glances around. The enormous pillar of black energy, piercing the clouds and causing lightning strikes in the night sky, made them forget all their differences.

“We must unite to contain this!” Overlord Arandor shouted cautiously, realizing that everything was spiraling out of control.

The Overlords did not understand that this was Kai's breakthrough, not a natural disaster. They thought they were dealing with a natural anomaly that could lead to the destruction of the entire mine.

“Our protective spells won't hold this storm, we need more power! Call upon your laws!” Lady Isandra exclaimed, raising her hands high. Her forehead glowed with a purple light, and a massive wave of spirit flew toward the barrier.

From Overlord Arandor's side came a bluish aura, as if he was summoning his own blood. The other Overlords manipulated energy, immediately calling upon their forces.

However, the efforts of the five Overlords were in vain. The pillar of black energy exploded with renewed force, and a powerful shockwave spread across the area, lifting clouds of dust and debris. The air was filled with the sounds of destruction, and the ground trembled underfoot from the mighty earthquake.

All five Overlords, horrified by the rampage of the force they viewed as a curse or a divine trial, summoned all their power. They created a united force field, a protective shield, whose light struggled to resist the black energy erupting from the quarry.

“We must succeed! We cannot allow this catastrophe to destroy this teralith! We cannot bear the burden of this responsibility!” Lirielle shouted, her eyes sparkling with determination as she poured more and more of her energy into the effort.

The Overlords' power merged into a single stream, clashing with the waves of chaos. For a moment, it seemed their efforts were bearing fruit—the magical barrier began to push back the destructive column. But in the next moment, the wave of chaos gained strength again and with devastating force broke through the defense, exploding in the air with a blinding flash of light.

In the surrounding darkness caused by the destruction of the protective array, the figures of the Overlords looked almost mythical, illuminated by the light of their spells, each fiercely resisting the advancing chaos.

At this critical moment, when it seemed that all the Overlords' efforts were in vain, blood-red streams began to penetrate through the terrifying pillar of black energy, twisting and intertwining as if they were living beings. These streams surged violently upward, creating the impression that the energy column itself was bleeding, releasing its ancient aura in response to Kai's awakening.

At the same time, violet stars flared up in the sky, tearing through the darkness with powerful bursts. Each of these stars was an explosion of spiritual energy, adding a mystical spectacle to the scene. These stars seemed to illuminate Kai's path in his breakthrough, attesting to the magnitude of his achievements.

The power of the catastrophe continued to grow, and along with it, all five Overlords felt a new, rising threat. At the moment when the tension reached its peak, a being rose from the depths, its body floating as if drawn to the heavens. The creature, shrouded in swift streams of energy, was framed by the light of lightning striking directly into the vortex, filling it with new power and directing the energy straight into Kai's essence.

The Overlords watched in horror and confusion at this spectacular phenomenon, not understanding what they were seeing...

“This... This can't be! This is a breakthrough of a master to the Law Overlord Sphere, not some kind of cataclysm!” Overlord Morten exclaimed, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.

“No, this is something else... It can't be just a breakthrough... It's too strange and powerful!” Lirielle argued, trying to gather her thoughts.

At that very moment, the magical barrier finally collapsed under the unprecedented pressure of the energies. The Overlords, realizing the inevitability of the disaster, retreated, allowing the wave of chaos to unfold freely in all its destructive glory. All five Overlords were forced to retreat to the castle and use the full force of their powers to protect themselves and the main building from the consequences.

And as Kai reached the heavens...

“Whoosh!” all the terrifying power of the cataclysm was absorbed into him, as if time had accelerated a thousandfold!

Silence... Silence engulfed the surroundings, a stark contrast to the events that had taken place just a moment ago... It seemed as if everything had suddenly ended, and the column of energy, like the storm, had vanished...

But before the Overlords could do anything, a terrifying flash burst from Kai's body! A flash followed by a mind-shattering explosion that swept everything in its path!

“Ba-Bang! Kraaagh!” the horrifying crash shook the entire small teralith with the mine! All the Overlords could do was unleash the full extent of their power, watching as it was engulfed by the flash!

After the sudden flash, the sounds of numerous explosions echoed, creating an unending series of detonations that tore the earth apart! A storm so fierce arose that the Overlords could hardly believe their eyes.

V.9 Chapter 759: Apocalyptic Battle

In the final moments before the explosion, the Overlords lined up, erecting protective barriers around the castle designed to contain the relentless surge of chaos. The explosions continued, and each new blast tested the strength of their defense. It seemed as if the entire teralith was engulfed in black flames of destruction, with the acrid smell of blood hanging heavy in the air.

“How long can we hold the barrier?” Overlord Kedrion shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of destruction.

“There are five of us, so we’ll surely stand firm!” Overlord Morten responded confidently, maintaining his part of the barrier as the air around them crackled with bursts of black lightning.

The ground continued to crumble around them like glass under the blows of a hammer, while the air filled with thick smoke and ash. The faces of the Overlords were tense, but the determination in their eyes remained unshaken.

“Why is this happening? How can a breakthrough be like this?” Lirielle exclaimed, trying to suppress her fear and doubts.

“Doesn’t it seem like that bastard deceived us?” Overlord Arandor grimly suggested, his voice barely audible through the raging storm.

“What do you mean?” Lirielle shouted, frowning. The other Overlords also turned their heads, eager to hear his explanation.

“He was a little too eager to venture into the depths of the mine... What if he has a technique that nullifies the chaos? But even more terrifying, he somehow bypassed the effects of the contracts! I don’t know how that’s even possible, but if we assume so…” Arandor muttered thoughtfully.

At that moment, he was immediately interrupted by Overlord Morten, whose face contorted with rage:

“He stole the needle! That’s why he was so desperate to get into the mine, and then left the kitchen after the explosion! How did he circumvent the spiritual contract?!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of all present twisted in shock. All the facts were right before them, yet they seemed impossible. Every slave had a spiritual contract and dared not violate its prohibitions. That’s why they never considered that the problem might lie with a slave. They thought they had been betrayed by a spy or infiltrator.

“If the assumptions are correct... Damn, that bastard was at the ninth transformation!” Lady Isandra suddenly exclaimed, recalling Kai’s true strength. It seemed that she felt a slight twinge of fear about what lay ahead.

Understanding what Isandra was hinting at, a murderous intent began to boil within the other Overlords. Before them was a terrifying enemy, whom they had previously used as a slave!

“After the breakthrough, he won’t be able to control his new power well! We must kill him! That bastard must not survive!” Overlord Morten shouted in a commanding tone, straining to see through the chaos storm.

They exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. In every explosion, every crack opening in the earth, they saw the power of their future enemy. It was obvious that even after the breakthrough, he would not be a simple opponent.

“Right now, we need to focus on defense!” Kedrion yelled. “Let’s alternate our efforts so that everyone stays in optimal condition. We need to be at our best and attack this monster together!”

The Overlords moved closer to each other, their hands extended forward. Streams of light burst from their palms, merging and forming a monolithic shield. The energy around them crackled and pulsed, creating a protective dome that gradually shifted in color depending on who was pouring the most power into it.

The barrier flickered under the onslaught of new waves, but the Overlords stood firm, their faces filled with determination and a readiness to kill Kai. At this moment, they cared nothing for the Order or punishment—they wanted only one thing: the immediate death of their enemy!

This chaos continued for several days, and each new explosion was accompanied by bursts of energy, aura, and spirit, covering the sky with a dense shroud. Columns of smoke and black fire shot up like volcanic eruptions, while the Overlords’ barriers bent and cracked under the onslaught of explosive waves, struggling to contain the destruction.

The surrounding land turned into a ravaged battlefield: cracks split the ground, creating massive pits and fissures from which plumes of steam and gas erupted. Chunks of stone and earth flew into the air, creating a apocalyptic scene. The wind, intensified by the energy of the explosions, lashed the surrounding area, flattening everything in its path. Everything around them had turned into a scorched, burning desert...

“Boom!” at some point, the last explosion sounded, and the storm finally subsided...

The air still vibrated with residual energy, and the ground smoldered, scarred and depleted. The sun, breaking through the dissipating clouds of ash, illuminated the devastated landscape where the Overlords’ magical barriers slowly dissipated into the air.

In the center of this chaos, above the charred earth, floated Kai’s naked body, covered in red tattoos. Kai’s scarlet hair fluttered in the wind, giving the scene an unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere. Around him, sparks and small debris still hovered, seemingly sustained by Kai’s energy. It looked as though a new divine being had been born under the sky...

“We must attack! Immediately!” Overlord Morten screamed in fury, his body sparking with white energy. It instantly solidified, forming two white horns on his head that stretched backward, while a thin, glowing sword appeared in his hand. The old man was the first to react.

Next was Arandor, who wielded four clubs, his body pulsing and taking on a dark blue hue, emitting a blood-red aura of the same color. He was a body cultivator, so his methods resembled more of an Asura’s Possession.

But before they could rush at Kai, a quiet and peaceful sigh echoed, its sound seeming to fill the entire teralith...

“Khaaa…” Kai’s mouth slightly opened, slowly releasing air as if he had just sunk into the warm waters of hot springs. The next moment, his eyes opened, and his body flared with a terrifying aura! In that instant, his three Laws ignited within him, flooding Kai with their power!

“Boom!” a shockwave burst from Kai’s body, sweeping across the entire tiny teralith! The force made the Overlords recoil for a moment, sensing something otherworldly in their enemy.

The moment Kai unleashed his new power, the Overlords clearly felt they would not be allowed to launch a surprise attack!

“We act now!” Lady Isandra shouted loudly. Her figure was shrouded in a purple light, emitting waves of spiritual energy that seemed to charge the air with electricity. Glowing spheres formed around her hands, pulsing and shimmering like small stars, ready to be hurled at the enemy at any moment.

Kedrion also wasted no time, glowing with a shimmering green light. His aura pulsed, releasing waves of green energy that swirled around his body, forming nine jade spheres poised to strike at the enemy.

Lirielle was last, bursting into orange flames, and behind her, the silhouette of a strange six-winged bird took shape!

Morten’s words, full of determination and a call for immediate action, momentarily united the Overlords, giving them one last chance for a coordinated attack. At that moment, each of them manifested their weapon in the form of a Law!

At that moment, Kai’s eyes were filled with clarity and sobriety. He coldly watched the five Overlords rushing toward him.

“This will be the first time I fight Overlords on an equal footing. Funny how each Law Weapon resembles techniques of the lower world. But I mustn’t underestimate these five. I don’t yet know my limits, nor do I know the essence of their laws!” several intertwined thoughts flashed through Kai’s mind, but in the next moment, inscriptions flared in his eyes, and he erupted with a suppressive aura!

Kai’s naked body was instantly clad in black armor, and a long spear crackling with black lightning appeared in his hands! The tattoos pulsed, syncing with the red veins on the armor. Kai was fully prepared to face his enemies! At that moment, a wicked grin spread across his face, eager for the upcoming battle!

“Kill him!” Morten commanded, and all five Overlords, each with their unique aura and abilities, launched their attack.

Isandra was the first to unleash the purple spirit spheres from her hands, which shot toward Kai, aiming to immobilize him. Kedrion immediately released nine spheres that split as if conscious, to strike Kai from different sides. Following this, the fiery bird soared toward Kai, its cry echoing throughout the teralith!

Sensing the incoming attacks, Kai decided to act cautiously, instantly retreating. But somehow, the purple sphere seemed to teleport, instantly reaching him. With the first strike of the purple sphere, his Spiritual Sea trembled, but the Oblivion Law immediately responded, annihilating the intruder without Kai even having to think about it.

“Perfect! He-he,” Kai shouted in ecstasy, seeing the green spheres of Kedrion already closing in on him. “Shall we sacrifice a bit of flesh?” Kai shouted with a maniacal gaze, using the Dragon Devours Self Technique.

In that same instant, a piece of his flesh was consumed by the armor, and from it burst nine black-red lightning bolts that immediately struck the spheres and knocked them away!

“Bam-bam! Boom!” only after the flash of lightning made a terrifying sound of thunder fill the area!

“And here comes the bird!” Kai sneered, immediately summoning the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, which had long since reached the Spiritual Level. Although it couldn’t destroy the Weapon of Law, it did disrupt the tempo of the attack.

As soon as the bird was halted for a second, Kai instantly teleported to it and struck with all his might using the black spear, attempting to crush the head of the ethereal creature!

“Bam! Graaa!” the thunderous blow echoed, and the bird was immediately hurled away, crashing into the ground and creating a crater. Cracks from such a blow spread for hundreds of meters around!

The attacks of the three Overlords were immediately blocked! Earlier, Kai felt the strong influence of the Overlords' laws and their impact on the surroundings. But now, after he himself had broken through to a similar level, the nature of his opponents' laws was not as strongly felt.

“I can confidently say that Overlord Kedrion’s law is related to something willful and indomitable. My lightning may have repelled the spheres, but their attacking force seemed to be instantly extinguished. And that bird contains a strong melting force…” Kai mentally noted, observing the tip of his spear recover after slight deformation.

When he reached the Law Overlord Sphere, battling equal opponents began to feel different. For some reason, Kai recalled the Overlord of Poison Transmutation, who once seemed like a transcendent being capable of turning anything into poison. But if Kai were to fight him now, that poison likely wouldn’t kill him instantly. Something similar had happened with the laws of these five Overlords.

Seeing Overlord Morten and Overlord Arandor preparing for close combat, Kai shouted triumphantly:

“Excellent! Attack! Let me test my new power on you! Hahaha!” his laughter was so chilling that even his opponents felt a shiver down their spines. What was happening was pure delight for Kai, especially after his breakthrough into a new sphere! He wanted to experience the battle of legendary masters that could destroy this teralith to ashes!

V.9 Chapter 760: Too Strong

Kai's explosive laughter and challenge didn’t cause the Overlords to hesitate. In the blink of an eye, Overlords Morten and Arandor appeared beside him, literally tearing through space! From different angles, five strikes simultaneously targeted Kai: the old man’s white sword and four clubs, each moving at seemingly different speeds.

In that instant, Kai sacrificed another small piece of flesh, reinforcing his armor and making a sweeping strike with his spear!

“Whoosh! Bam!” the spear cut through the air, causing an explosion! Black lightning arced outward, scattering in all directions!

The old man swiftly pushed off the air with his foot, dodging the attack, while Kai's strike flew off into the distance, triggering explosions of immense magnitude. But to Kai's surprise, Arandor acted differently—he immediately crossed his clubs, intercepting and even stopping the flight of Kai's spear!

“Bam!” Arandor’s blue aura was swept away like a cloud of smoke, yet he was only pushed back a few steps.

“Impossible! You cultivate the body as well?!” Arandor shouted in shock, drawing everyone's attention.

At that very moment, the old man reappeared behind Kai, delivering an almost ghostly strike. Kai instinctively tried to pull his spear back to strike the old man with its shaft and evade the attack, but at that instant, one of Arandor’s hands freed itself, and he immediately grabbed hold of Kai’s spear! Though destructive energy surged into his palm, the man's physical strength was immense!

“Kill him, Morten!” Arandor roared in fury, and in the next moment, the other three Overlords attacked Kai again.

Time seemed to freeze... Kai’s mind cleared completely as he observed how he was being surrounded from all sides. The situation was dire, and he needed to brace himself for the impact and retreat.

But just as he decided to take this step, something astonishing happened! His laws reacted faster than he did! He felt his flesh willingly sacrifice a part of itself, instantly beginning to regenerate, while Destragore created a shield behind him!

“What the…” Kai was still unaccustomed to this type of battle, so he was slightly bewildered by what was happening.

But the tricks of his laws didn’t end there. Kai’s spear ignited with incredible energy, concentrating black-red lightning at the tip. Moreover, chains shot out from the shaft, instantly wrapping around one of Arandor’s arms, preventing him from releasing the spear!

“This could get interesting!” a thought of eager anticipation flashed through Kai’s mind. Attacks were coming at him from all sides, but his Laws shielded him from the most dangerous ones!

“Clang!” at that very moment, the sound of the sword striking the shield echoed, followed by a tyrannical flash of lightning!

From other directions, several attacks hit Kai simultaneously, and the entire sky lit up with a chaotic mix of energies!

“Bam!” an explosion rang out, and Kai’s body was thrown from the chaos of energies. The trajectory suggested that he had failed to defend against all the attacks and was merely thrown aside. But within a moment, he stabilized himself and looked down.

“Cut off your hand to avoid the attack? Interesting…” Kai muttered with a smile, watching as a charred hand dangled from the chains near the spear’s tip.

Recalling the moment before the clash, Kai distinctly remembered how Overlord Arandor, without a hint of hesitation, severed his own arm and moved out of the path of the black-red lightning. In the same instant, a fiery attack struck Kai’s side, corroding his armor, and several jade spheres penetrated his now-exposed body. The purple sphere also momentarily intruded into his Spiritual Sea, but only managed to slow Kai’s reaction.

“They broke a few ribs and slightly damaged my lungs... Fighting the Overlords isn’t easy. But I’m not on the brink of death. I can fight all five of them at once!” Kai thought with a grin on his face.

He could feel his ribs quickly setting back into place and fusing, while his armor closed up again, restoring the protection to his body. The flesh Kai had sacrificed to Destragore was also rapidly regenerating.

“Having reached the Law Overlord Sphere, I can use the Dragon Devours Self Technique much more frequently and safely. I need to push myself to the limits to test my boundaries!” Kai thought to himself, gripping the spear in his hand and looking into the distance.

At that moment, the chaotic energies dispersed, revealing five figures standing within. Their faces clearly did not show any satisfaction from striking Kai. They realized all too well that they hadn’t inflicted critical damage. Moreover, Overlord Arandor was now hovering in the air, missing an arm...

“A body cultivator... No wonder he could so easily hold my spear,” Kai watched closely as Arandor’s severed arm slowly began to regrow. Although the regeneration speed was incomparable to Kai's, given a few minutes, his opponent would surely fully regrow the limb.

“Who the hell is he? He’s blocked my spiritual attack twice now! And he did it in the Spiritual Sea!” Lady Isandra shouted in horror.

“Are you implying that I’m a cultivator of all three systems, old hag?” Kai mockingly shouted back. “It seems I’ve scared you so much that your mind is slowly slipping away. He-he.”

“Isandra, he’s probably using some kind of artifact... Don’t fall for his provocations. This guy is very dangerous!” Overlord Arandor said, clutching his severed arm.

“Mmm... It seems at least one of you has some sense,” Kai laughed. “All this time, you’ve looked at me like a mad fanatic. I must say, I’m grateful for your stupidity. If it weren’t for these circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to break through to the Law Overlord Sphere so quickly,” Kai added, playing along with Arandor’s theory, deliberately showing the tattoo on his finger.

“A world ring! Those idiots didn’t check it properly!” Arandor shouted in fury, realizing where Kai had hidden all his possessions. It was now obvious that the damage to the mine, as well as evading the spiritual contract’s effects, was also due to some kind of artifact.

Of course, this was not true, but it was beneficial for Kai to keep them guessing. Who knows how information about him might spread...

But then Kai spoke words that made all the Overlords tense. With a sly smile, he said menacingly:

“By the way, how does your Gods’ Resurrection Cult plan to restore the connection with those bastards who enslaved all life in the past?” Kai's voice was cold, laced with an unmistakable provocation.

Kai knew these five would never tell him anything; he just wanted to see their reaction...

Overlord Morten’s face instantly twisted. He now looked like a criminal caught red-handed. He tensed up completely, then began to tremble with rage.

“You bastard... That knowledge already condemns you to death!” he shouted furiously, raising his white sword.

Kai immediately noticed that the shock on the other Overlords' faces was even greater than on the old man's. And there was only one explanation for that. Kai laughed and tauntingly said:

“Oh... So you didn’t tell your allies that I stole a bunch of your records? Isn’t that treason against the Cult? I think you deserve the death penalty for that. He-he,” saying this, Kai casually tossed his spear and looked at the old man with arrogance.

It seemed the other Overlords were momentarily stunned by this revelation, but Overlord Morten narrowed his eyes and in a commanding tone said:

“We’ll discuss this after the battle. Right now, we need to kill this guy. He has earned death through too many sins!” the old man shouted fiercely, bringing his allies back to focus.

Without saying another word, he rushed at Kai, appearing beside him like a phantom! Masterfully wielding his sword, Morten delivered a lightning-fast strike. Every movement of his weapon seemed to tear through space itself, defying all logic. Although Kai raised his spear to block, the sword seemed to ignore it, passing through and immediately slicing through Kai’s armor!

“Shsssst!” another swift strike passed through the spear, slashing Kai’s abdomen.

If Kai had hesitated, the old man would have cut through not only the armor but also his flesh! Jumping back, Kai felt the next strike from the old man explode the air around him, creating a vortex effect that tried to suck Kai in.

“He’s using something like spatial manipulation?” Kai quickly realized, seeing strange inscriptions woven into the old man’s energy. “Maybe, like the followers of the Evil Gods, they still possess some secret techniques related to forbidden laws?” Kai speculated, but in the next moment, he felt part of his flesh being devoured, and a shield reappeared behind him!

Overlord Arandor was already closing in from behind, ready to strike with his three clubs!

“Bam!” the thunderous blow nearly shattered Kai’s shield, sending him flying again!

But by then, Kai was already prepared for the attacks from the other three Overlords! He quickly stabilized himself and made several thrusts with his spear, unleashing black-red lightning!

“Bang! Bang! Bam!” waves of destructive energy immediately repelled the enemy attacks, simultaneously wreaking havoc on the landscape, triggering explosions that consumed kilometers of territory.

“Alright, now it’s my turn to exchange blows!” Kai shouted fiercely, and in that instant, he unleashed his power to the fullest! His three power centers roared to life, and his laws practically trembled with anticipation!

“Show me what you’re made of, old man!” Kai shouted, meeting Morten head-on in the midst of his attack.

Kai no longer dodged; he decided to take the old man’s blows head-on, to deliver his own in return. With each step forward, he became more aggressive and resolute. Morten’s sword whirled again slicing through the air, aiming for Kai, but Kai, gathered all his fury and power into his spear, met the old man’s strike head-on.

The clash of weapons sounded like a thunderous explosion. The old man’s sword once again surged forward in a strange, relentless manner, cutting through. But despite the armor being sliced open and Kai’s flesh already gashed, he didn’t stop. His blood flowed down his armor, dripping and evaporating from the heat of the battle. He felt every tear in his body, but the Asura Reaper Law instantly reacted, healing each wound as he continued his advance.

Arandor swung his clubs again, but Kai, using the charge of his laws, created a protective whirlwind of lightning around himself, which deflected the blow and forced Arandor back several steps.

“You thought I would keep dodging? He-he!” Kai shouted with a wild grin, and his spear, infused with the energy of three laws, unleashed a massive discharge. Black and red lightning streaked straight toward the old man’s heart, with a thunderous impact sending him flying hundreds of meters away!

“Bam!” the explosion echoed, but Kai didn’t stop and charged directly at Arandor, aiming to tear off more of his arms.

Isandra and Kedrion, unwilling to be left out, coordinated their efforts and directed their energy attacks straight at Kai. They attempted to overwhelm him with jade spheres, which had noticeably grown in size, and purple spheres that targeted his Spiritual Sea directly.

But it was as if Kai didn’t care about the injuries; he simply took the hits and kept moving forward!

“Now it’s my turn!” Kai shouted, and his spear, like a bolt of lightning, pierced through the smoke and fire, targeting Arandor.

Arandor, who had just gathered himself for a new attack, was caught off guard. He barely managed to raise his clubs for a block, but the power of Kai’s spear was so immense that the clubs only briefly deflected part of the energy before shattering into pieces. The strike shook the ground beneath Arandor, and the powerful wave of energy sent him flying, slamming him into the earth.

From the moment Kai stopped holding back, the battle took on an entirely different tone! It was clear that this tiny teralith would be reduced to ruins today!

V.9 Chapter 761: Payback for “Kindness”

The battle between the Overlords and Kai raged with such ferocity that even the castle, fortified with powerful arrays, began to crumble slowly. The slaves hidden in the dungeons had no idea what was happening above them. But if they had seen the events unfolding outside, they would have been utterly terrified!

Blood sprayed like rain during a hurricane, and weapons pierced through bodies or shattered bones, staining the earth with dark crimson hues. The brutality of the battle intensified with each passing moment.

On the ground lay several desiccated remains. Every time Arandor lost a limb, Kai instantly absorbed the blood from it. The same happened with Kedrion’s hand when he couldn’t keep up with Kai’s counterattack.

For his part, whenever Kai sustained severe injuries, he simply used the Dragon Devours Self Technique, transforming the loss into strength. Recently, Morten had managed to sever half of Kai’s hand, but Kai immediately offered it to Destragore, converting the flesh into energy and delivering a ferocious counterattack.

Morten and Arandor, using their skill and strength, tried to stop Kai, but his fury and savagery only grew. Amid the battle, sensing a perfect opportunity, Kai hurled his spear, impaling Kedrion, whose scream echoed throughout the area. It was at that moment that he severed the man’s arm. But since Kedrion was an energy cultivator and not a body cultivator, regenerating the arm was no simple task, especially considering that Kai immediately absorbed all the blood from it. Kai spared no one—his eyes burned with bloodlust, ready to devour everyone in his path.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to Isandra. Her purple spheres constantly threw him off balance. A moment’s hesitation was enough for one of the enemies to inflict another wound on him.

“You’re finished, old hag!” Kai roared furiously, transforming his spear into two long swords and making a sweeping strike.

“Bam!” the explosion sent Morten and Arandor flying, who hadn’t given Kai even a second to breathe.

In the same instant, Kai rushed toward Isandra, who couldn’t defend herself against him in close combat, and whose spiritual attacks, for couldn’t inflict serious harm on Kai some reason. The defense of his Spiritual Sea was simply unassailable.

“Morten, we need to stop him!” Arandor screamed in horror, imbuing his clubs with a bloody aura and hurling them with all his might at Kai’s back! The clubs themselves seemed to be made of Arandor’s blood, as Kai had shattered them multiple times, yet the opponent constantly created new ones.

The old man also sensed the gravity of the situation. His horns glowed, and he made several lightning-fast slashes with his sword. At the same moment, several glowing arcs shot towards Kai’s back, crossing the distance almost instantly.

Of course, Kai had already sacrificed some flesh to create a shield behind him, but even that couldn’t withstand the combined onslaught of the Overlords!

“Shssst! Shssst! Shssst! Bam!” several white arcs sliced through the shield and armor, wounding Kai’s back, and then four clubs struck him, crushing the ribs at their base!

“Graah!” Kai spat out blood, using the momentum from the blow to close the distance with Isandra, who was already focusing a massive sphere of purple spirit energy in front of her.

“Damn it! Defend yourself!” Morten shouted furiously, seeing how close Kai was getting to Isandra!

And immediately, the massive sphere shot straight at Kai! Everyone understood that in the next moment, Isandra would sustain a serious injury but would also manage to delay Kai. In that fleeting second of hesitation, Lirielle and Kedrion would be able to attack, followed by Morten and Arandor. One of them might get hurt, but Kai would pay dearly for his recklessness! They already felt that victory in this brutal battle was near!

The sphere shot forward, and Kai’s sword slashed with all his might, as if cutting through space! Due to the enemies’ blood and his own, the tip of the sword traced a beautiful red arc of blood, ready to collide with the enemy’s attack...

But at the moment when everyone expected the clash, Kai’s face twisted into a sinister grin!

“Meet the Fortress of Oblivion, you old witch!” he roared, and from his body burst a translucent silhouette of a nine-story pagoda! It seemed to seal Kai’s body within, absorbing the full impact of the attack!

“Bam! Shuuu!” the sphere and the pagoda collided, beginning a spiritual battle between two weapons of law, each protecting its master.

However, unlike Isandra, Kai had other weapons... Seeing the jade spheres flying towards him and the flaming bird descending from above, Kai instantly leaped out of the pagoda, appearing behind Isandra.

“Even if the Oblivion Law takes some damage, it will recover soon. And besides this hag, there are no other spirit cultivators here, so I have nothing to worry about!” the thought flashed through Kai’s mind as he simultaneously attacked with both swords!

It seemed as if time stood still... The violet pagoda was attacked from all sides, being torn apart and inflicting spiritual damage on Kai... But at the same moment, Kai’s swords sliced Isandra into three parts!

She tried to defend herself, but for some reason, she couldn’t...

“Shssst!” the swords cut through space without meeting any resistance.

The Overlords watched in horror as Kai’s face contorted in a grimace of cruel satisfaction. Blood poured from Isandra’s three severed parts, which were quickly absorbed by Kai! They had lost one of their allies!

Their battle had already been brutal and bloody, reminiscent of ancient sacrificial rituals where every thrust of a spear and every swing of a sword brought devastating injuries. But finally, the first life had been taken. Morten and Arandor, though powerful, understood that from this moment on, stopping Kai would become even more difficult!

“No! Damn it!” Morten shouted through gritted teeth. “Everyone, to me! Stay together!” he commanded in a commanding tone, sending several more white arcs at Kai with his sword.

As Kai absorbed Isandra’s blood, he felt a surge of new strength. Now he was even more certain that there was no need to retreat. With each passing moment, his spirit and power grew stronger, and he became more accustomed to the new limits of his combat prowess. He focused his gaze on Morten, whose white energy arcs were hurtling toward him, destroying everything in their path.

“Ha!” Kai instantly transformed the swords back into a spear and made a sweeping strike, sending a wave of destruction that obliterated the old man’s attacks. Immediately after, Kai sacrificed another piece of flesh to unleash a strike infused with black-red lightning!

“Bam!” the thunderous bolt shot toward Arandor.

Arandor, whose clubs hadn’t fully regenerated yet, could only raise his hands in a futile attempt to defend himself. Destragore’s lightning crashed down on him, enveloping his body in flames and lightning. The force of the impact sent Arandor flying backward, once again slamming him into the ground and splattering blood.

But Lirielle and Kedrion had enough time to quickly reach Morten and erect their laws before them. Arandor also slowly rose and flew back to his allies.

Kai, meanwhile, chose not to continue his attack. This brief respite was to his advantage. He had recently absorbed Isandra’s blood, and his regeneration was terrifying. While the Overlords caught their breath, Kai would only grow stronger.

“Don’t think you’ve won…” Morten rasped, concentrating the remnants of his energy. “We’ll fight you to our last breath. A monster like you shouldn’t live!”

“Sounds good, but reality will sober you up, old man,” Kai replied with a wicked smile. “For daring to enslave me, I will take your lives without hesitation. And then I’ll deal with the information about your Cult!” he added, deliberately provoking his opponents.

Kai had finally rediscovered the taste for brutal combat and blood. His true nature was beginning to resurface, and he was becoming fully immersed in the battle. Now all his suppressed and restrained emotions burst forth!

The surrounding air crackled with tension as the Overlords, gathered, exchanged determined glances. Each of them knew that the next round of battle could be the last.

Morten raised his sword high above his head and began chanting a strange mantra, as if charging his weapon. Lirielle and Kedrion, began forming intricate symbols in the air, each from their side, weaving a network of magical lines, seemingly combining their attack. Arandor, in turn, ignited with blue flames, the core of which glowed from within his Heart of Flesh. It appeared that each of them was using their full power, resorting to forbidden techniques!

“Kill him!” Morten shouted, and all four charged at Kai simultaneously.

“Let’s see if you can!” Kai roared fiercely, throwing some pills into his mouth. At that moment, he realized there was no room for half-measures—he had to use everything he had.

Kai’s body blazed with destructive energy, and the Astral Flame of Sacrifice intertwined with black-red lightning! Half of Kai’s skin was sacrificed to Destragore, while the Asura Reaper Law held the blood in, preventing the exposed muscles from bleeding!

An apocalyptic battle erupted with inhuman savagery. The sky roared, and the earth trembled beneath their feet. When the energies clashed, the explosions were like divine thunder. Lirielle and Kedrion attacked with fiery jade spheres that tore through the air and earth around them. Arandor, engulfed in blue flames, charged at Kai with overwhelming speed, but his attacks only fueled the destructive power Kai used when he counterattacked, tearing Arandor apart.

With each passing hour, the battle became increasingly sinister and chaotic. The sheer power of their strikes ignited new fires, sending sparks and creating massive craters in the earth and sky, consuming everything in their path. Storms brewed and dissipated in the sky, each a manifestation of the raging passions and energies wielded by these formidable Overlords.

The fight lasted all night, with neither side showing any signs of exhaustion nor mercy. One by one, the Overlords fell to Kai’s relentless onslaught, unable to withstand his ruthless power and determination. When the first rays of dawn illuminated the battlefield, littered with scattered debris and scorched earth, it became clear that only two remained standing: Kai and the old man Morten.

With each of Kai’s strikes, Morten lost more of his strength. In the end, he found himself on his knees... His arms had been lost in one of the last clashes, and now he couldn’t even hold his sword. The old man looked exhausted, his clothes torn to shreds, and his face covered in blood and dirt.

Despite his victory, Kai also looked dreadful. The armor that once served as his protection had long since disintegrated. One arm and one leg were lost in the fight, and large chunks of his flesh were missing.

He slowly approached Morten, who was kneeling, and raised his spear. The air grew still in anticipation of the final blow...

Morten lifted his head, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain, weariness, and unyielding resolve.

“Finish it. My death means nothing, for one day the Gods will punish you for your sins. My brothers will restore the connection with them, and then creatures like you will perish,” he said, preparing to accept the final blow with a smile.

“I won’t argue with you,” Kai coldly replied, delivering a swift, sweeping strike.

“Shuuu! Crack!” a sickening splatter echoed as the old man’s head shattered into pieces.

As soon as it happened, Kai felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue. He could barely stand after the deadly battle that had raged on for days.

Looking around, he saw only the partially destroyed teralith, now riddled with deep cracks, as if it were about to break apart.

“Damn... I need to recover…” Kai muttered through clenched teeth, glancing at the abyss nearby.

Without hesitation, Kai quickly gathered the bodies of all the Overlords and then jumped into the quarry. If he was going to rest somewhere, it would be best to rest where no one could find him!

V.9 Chapter 762: Shocked Slaves

Kai lay on the now-familiar white bone sand, or rather on what little remained of it, covering the bottom of the quarry. At that moment, the concentration of chaos within was much lower than before, and the phantoms were no longer visible.

Kai's breakthrough had lasted an unknown amount of time, but he could clearly see the results of his actions. The entire mine had become one giant chaos stone that supported his breakthrough. Moreover, the phantoms and new knowledge about the past and the impending future had pushed him toward sudden enlightenment.

“I never could have imagined that I would possess such power,” Kai thought to himself, feeling his arm and leg almost fully regrown. “The ninth transformation already gave me access to Law Weapons, but after the breakthrough, each of my laws truly ascended to a new level. They practically have their own consciousness and sense exactly what I need. Feeling such assistance directly in battle is simply incredible!”

Kai recalled the recent battle and the moments when his laws acted on their own. Such a fight was extraordinary, as it felt like having reliable allies constantly by your side.

“The strongest of the five was Overlord Morten, but I didn’t sense such monstrous autonomy from his law… Is it because they haven’t reached the maximum number of law transformations, as I have?” Kai pondered, recalling the actions of each of his recent opponents.

The truth was that some of the Overlords controlled their laws much worse than Kai did. This was immediately noticeable, especially during exchanges of cunning strikes.

“It seems the strength of an Overlord depends on the path they’ve taken… Well, that makes sense…” Kai thought, sighing heavily.

More than a day had passed since the end of the battle, yet Kai still hadn’t fully recovered. During the fight, his regeneration was terrifying because his body was full of energy. But now he was severely exhausted, and his flesh needed time to accumulate strength to restore his usual regeneration rate. The same was true for his other two laws...

“With the breakthrough to the Law Overlord Sphere, I finally understand why Overlords don’t use other people’s combat techniques, like those popular in the lower worlds. Now, true power lies entirely in the law and the master’s resourcefulness. Using something like the Dragon Devours Self Technique is unique to me, which is why it’s so terrifying in its manifestation. Using something like the Dance of Shadow Seals or other techniques would be pointless…” Kai continued to analyze his new power with keen interest.

As he mentally reviewed his abilities, he nodded slightly and murmured:

“So, I have three cultivation techniques: the Divine Dual Entropy Technique, which develops the Law of Inevitable Destruction; the Asura Progenitor Technique, which develops the Asura Reaper Law; and my own Ninth Oblivion Technique, which simulates the Oblivion Law.”

“Besides that, I have the Spiritual Fire, the Dragon Devours Self Technique, and the Tomb of Oblivion Technique. And among my strangest powers: the Heretical God’s Lineage and the Eyes of Essence…”

“Additionally, I can summon Destragore without entering full combat mode, which could also be useful… I think I need to experiment more and explore what else I can come up with. But for now, I’m truly extraordinarily powerful,” Kai muttered with a satisfied grin.

After thinking a bit more, Kai coughed and grumbled:

“Alright, time to check the rings…” with these words, he summoned energy to help him stand, as his two limbs were still not fully functional.

Naturally, after killing the Overlords, he didn’t leave their rings behind. Kai had regularly brought them chaos stones, and they had also earned from other sources. Clearly, there was much to be gained from them.

“I came to the Order of Eternal Radiance to sell things and get some chaos stones… But I ended up earning them in a completely different way. He-he,” Kai said contentedly, a cunning smile spreading across his face.

He was about to examine the spatial rings of the five defeated Overlords to extract treasures, weapons, and distribute them.

He started with the chaos stones, piling them up separately. As Kai had expected, the old men had accumulated a decent wealth and reserve for cultivation. Besides the chaos stones, Kai found something resembling energy beads and bleeding stones in Arandor’s ring. It seemed they used these for cultivation, as chaos stones weren’t entirely suitable for ordinary masters.

Next were the crafting ingredients scattered throughout the rings. Here, Kai found rare herbs and parts of powerful beasts’ bodies, which could serve as excellent raw materials for alchemy. Large scales of venomous dragons, predator bones, and feathers from strange birds concealed priceless secrets.

Kai then began forming a third pile of useful items. There he placed pills and potions, bright and colorful vials containing substances that radiated an aura of power. Many were designed for healing and instant energy restoration, while others were meant to enhance combat abilities and boost physical and spiritual skills.

“I’ve accumulated so much that I could start a new sect…” Kai remarked with a hint of self-irony and laughed.

At that moment, he seriously considered leaving part of the loot with the Clan of Eternal Monoliths. He had more than enough to sell, and Kai wasn’t particularly interested in amassing meaningless wealth. He would keep only the most valuable items to have resources for Kessia’s body in the future. After all, no one would create a strong body for free.

As Kai sorted through the weapons and armor, he found an array of tools with unique properties. Swords, spears, shields, and armor varied in quality and energy content. Naturally, the Overlords hadn’t used these, as they had their Weapons of Law.

Techniques recorded on jade tablets and scrolls also formed a separate pile. There were not only techniques for physical combat, but also various methods for controlling spiritual energy and even crafting treatises. One tablet made of black jade contained a hidden technique for spatial manipulation, which had likely been used by Overlord Morten.

“Hmm... This is more of a treatise on general concepts rather than a technique,” Kai murmured, pouring energy into the tablet and reading its contents. “I’ll need to study this; it might help deepen my understanding of the Divine Dual Entropy Technique…” Kai speculated and set the tablet aside.

Finally, Kai pulled out scrolls and books of uncertain value. Many of them were diaries and general information on topics that didn’t interest Kai, while others contained scattered notes about the Gods’ Resurrection Cult.

It was the latter that piqued Kai’s interest, but after reading a bit, he realized he wouldn’t learn anything new. The only thing Kai confirmed was that the Cult had firmly established itself in the Region of Flesh Domination. Over the past tens of thousands of years, they had become particularly active.

The scrolls described some rituals for merging bloodlines and preparing quality sacrifices for a certain event, but nothing specific was clear...

“I should gather all the loot into my world ring and leave this teralith. The Order of Eternal Radiance might arrive soon to investigate the catastrophe. It’s better not to linger…” Kai murmured, with a wave of his hand, sending the sorted piles of treasures into his ring.

Kai was about to take off but hesitated for a moment.

“Damn, I almost forgot…” he muttered with a smile, spreading his perception across the quarry floor.

During his breakthrough, his clothes had been torn into tiny particles, scattering the silver needle somewhere in the bone dust. Kai hoped that old Mufidur was still alive, so he could free him.

With his current strength, Kai quickly located the needle buried deep beneath the remaining white sand and retrieved it. Now, with a clear mind, he flew to the surface. It took him only a moment to soar back under the open sky.

Even during the battle, Kai had noticed that there was little left alive on the surface of the tiny teralith. Everything around was destroyed and covered with craters and cracks. Some parts of the land were still ablaze, and the sky was shrouded in clouds, pouring down a heavy storm on this apocalyptic landscape.

“I hope the old man is still alive…” Kai muttered, looking at the half-ruined castle.

Kai had already assessed it with his perception and sensed that thousands of slaves were now trapped in the underground chambers. It seemed that the dungeon beneath the castle was more like a small city. However, given the castle’s enormous size, it wasn’t surprising that something like this was hidden beneath it...

“First, I’ll visit the treasury. He-he,” Kai said with a sinister grin and rushed toward the castle ruins.

After all, this mine had constantly prepared chaos stones for further transfer to the Order of Eternal Radiance. That meant there had to be a place where all this was stored in spatial rings. During his time as a slave, Kai had managed to find out exactly where it was…

Clearing the rubble with a wave of his hand, Kai flew into the half-destroyed corridors until he reached a massive silver door. He didn’t even need to break it down, as all the keys were in the Overlords’ rings. He calmly opened the doors, revealing an entire room filled with spatial rings.

“This will last me a long time…” Kai said with a wicked grin, picking up one of the rings. Inside were neatly stacked chaos stones of the same level.

Kai noticed that there were different rings indicating the value of the chaos stones inside. But now wasn’t the time to sort through all this mess. It was better to hurry and not worry about the value of the loot.

In the next instant, hundreds of rings began to rise into the air, pouring out streams of chaos stones that flew straight into Kai’s outstretched hand! He was taking everything that the slaves had gathered over the course of a month! Now Kai was sure he had gained even more from the Order than he had originally planned!

Once he was finished with the treasury, Kai immediately headed for the dungeon. After passing through a series of stairs and corridors, he finally entered a vast space. The strangest thing was that it seemed as if Kai had arrived through a hole in the ceiling. Below his feet was a crowd of slaves and servants!

In that instant, thousands of eyes stared at him! Obviously, the slaves had expected to see someone else, but certainly not Kai! Many didn’t even know who he was. After all, Kai had been gone for a very long time…

But there was one old man who stared at Kai in disbelief. He simply couldn’t believe what he was seeing. But most importantly—he noticed that there was no silver collar around Kai’s neck!

“It can’t be… Is that really Kai?” the old man muttered in shock, shaking his head in disbelief.

V.9 Chapter 763: Mufidur's Disbelief

Under the watchful eyes of the entire army of slaves, Kai focused his gaze on Mufidur. To Kai's pleasant surprise, the old man was still alive, though he looked much worse for wear. It seemed that during Kai's absence, Mufidur had noticeably aged…

Everyone remained silent, not daring to speak, as they didn’t fully understand the situation. Before them stood a strange man with blood-red hair and an astonishing aura. It was clear that he was no ordinary figure.

In the next moment, Kai waved his hand, using energy to pull Mufidur toward him. The old man, though taken aback, did not resist. He was so shocked that he couldn’t even think of a greeting.

All attention was on Kai and the old man. Everyone waited to see what would happen next, hoping to better understand their fate.

“Hello, old man. It's been a while,” Kai said with a smile.

But before Mufidur could respond, a silver needle pierced his collar, emitting a few clicks. It took only a moment before the collar snapped open and fell to the ground!

This act was like a miracle for the slaves… Freedom! The old man had gained freedom, something that had been taken from everyone here long ago! The symbol of their captivity was falling before their eyes!

“Clang!” the collar hit the floor of the dungeon with a resonant sound that echoed through the paradoxical silence enveloping the thousands of slaves.

With trembling hands, Mufidur touched his neck, unable to believe what had just happened. He had spent so much time on this teralith that he had forgotten what it was like to experience the full extent of his cultivation. He had been a master of the third transformation, restricted for centuries.

“Kai… What the hell is going on here?” the old man muttered, as if thinking that everything around him was just a hallucination.

But Kai didn’t have time to respond, as he was interrupted by the shout of one of the men dressed in white robes! Aside from the slaves, the platform above was occupied by all the overseers and guards! Naturally, they had also taken refuge in the dungeon, but Kai had initially been focused on finding Mufidur, so he had paid them no mind.

“How dare you! Who do you think you are to remove the shackles from the slaves of the Order of Eternal Radiance?! You will face the wrath of the Goddess of Life! You’d better fall to your knees and beg for forgiveness right now!” the zealot shouted with all seriousness, and in the next moment, others began to support him.

“When the Overlords return, you won’t survive! Who are you, anyway?!” the zealots continued to shout, and the noise grew louder.

“How dare you steal the key to the shackles! This is unforgivable! Heretic!”

But with this growing noise, Kai’s irritation also grew… He had spent a long time pretending to be a religious fanatic and was exhausted by such conversations. These bastards had slandered Kai, imprisoned him without any trial, and then sent him to his death to mine more stones! Moreover, they claimed he should be grateful for it. The whole situation couldn’t help but provoke rejection and anger in Kai. The Order of Eternal Radiance was steeped in hypocrisy!

While the priests and overseers shouted, Kai turned to the slaves and, with a sinister grin, shouted:

“I killed all five of the Overlords. The bodies of those bastards now lie at the bottom of the quarry, where you and countless of your predecessors have died! Today, I’m doing you a favor, as I was once a prisoner of these bastards myself…”

As soon as these words were spoken, the priests suddenly fell silent. They began to realize that their hasty accusations had signed their death warrants! Kai had hidden his cultivation level too well, so they hadn’t realized he was in the Law Overlord Sphere. They were confident that the Overlords would return soon and that the slave who had stolen the key to the shackles would meet his end.

Many were already preparing to flee, but in that instant, Kai raised his hand, and a terrifying pressure enveloped all the priests and overseers!

“Boom!” a pulse of energy swept through the dungeon, and all the priests and overseers immediately froze, then fell to their knees under the tyrannical pressure! They couldn’t even move the muscles in their faces, let alone escape!

And in the next moment, words were spoken that plunged them into a pit of despair and terror! With a carefree grin, Kai threw the silver needle to the ground and said:

“I’m giving you the chance to quickly free yourselves from your shackles and personally pay back your tormentors. But do it quickly and without delay because the Order might arrive soon to investigate, so you’ll need time to escape,” after a chilling pause, Kai added. “By the way, you’re free not to release those who served the Overlords and helped turn your lives into hell. For example, someone named Dragel and his followers. He-he.”

“Clang!” the sound of the needle hitting the stone floor, resonating with Kai’s words, should have sparked a storm among the slaves, but it didn’t.

A slave standing closest to the needle frowned, looked up, and said:

“We would gladly take advantage of such an opportunity… But we’re bound by spiritual contracts. We can’t willingly go against the Order. Even the old man next to you won’t be able to leave this teralith, even though you’ve removed his collar. Our chains go far deeper than the actions of an artifact that restricts our cultivation level.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Kai realized he had miscalculated. He had immediately sealed his own contract and then destroyed it while at the bottom of the quarry. For the other slaves, it was far more complicated.

Hesitating for a moment, Kai looked at Mufidur and said:

“Old man, don’t resist. I’m going to try to break your contract,” Kai’s voice was confident, and a spark of hope appeared according to some slaves.

“What? Break a contract? Is that even possible?” voices began to murmur among the slaves, who still couldn’t believe such tales.

Hearing Kai’s words, the old man just smirked and replied:

“If there’s a chance I can regain my true freedom, I’m willing to take the risk. Even if it’s a deadly one!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful,” Kai smiled, and a violet cloud of spirit began to form in front of him, rushing toward the old man’s forehead.

Mufidur flinched for a moment and then froze, as if going through a painful process. Kai commanded the Oblivion Law to penetrate the old man’s Spiritual Sea and destroy the contract’s seal. He quickly located the foreign energy within and, using the Tomb of Oblivion Technique, encased it in a cocoon, slowly drawing out all its power.

In just a few seconds, the old man exhaled, and the pain subsided. When his eyes opened, they reflected the emotions of a being who had regained freedom and the zest for life!

“It worked! Kai, your method actually worked!” the old man shouted, clenching his fists as his eyes welled up with tears. He couldn’t hold back the emotion, feeling as if he had been pulled from a hopeless nightmare!

Even if a being didn’t develop their spirit or know how to control it, they still possessed a Spiritual Sea, albeit a hidden one. All spiritual contracts were embedded in it, and with his newfound power, Kai could easily break them!

“Not bad… If the contract wasn’t imposed by someone at the level of a Supreme Monarch, it’s nothing to me!” Kai thought, pleased with this outcome.

He had sealed his own contracts immediately, not giving them a chance to integrate into his Spiritual Sea, so his situation had been simpler. But removing an already established contract was much more difficult, especially if it had been imposed by someone very powerful.

Surveying the slaves once more, he announced loudly:

“Those who want freedom, don’t resist my spirit! I will break your chains, and you will be free! Your fate will be in your hands! Those who doubt should step aside and remain obedient slaves, for if you resist, my spirit will harm you!” Kai understood that some had accepted their status as slaves and even begun to believe it was the right way. There was no point in trying to convince such people…

While some slaves hesitated, Kai spread his arms wide, and behind him, an enormous violet nine-story pagoda began to form! It slowly rotated on its axis, emitting a violet mist that descended.

This mist began to envelop the slaves, entering their bodies and performing the same trick Kai had used on Mufidur. At that moment, voices of condemnation began to rise from the crowd of slaves who had chosen to step aside. Clearly, they didn’t believe in the death of the Overlords and thought that the rebels would soon face punishment. Among those stepping aside were those who had served the Overlords all this time. It seemed that obedience had been ingrained deep into their bones and consciousness.

The Oblivion Law followed Kai’s desires, cleansing one Spiritual Sea after another. Kai freed the slaves, giving them a second chance, and he didn’t care whether they had been imprisoned justly or not. All Kai wanted now was to spite the Order of Eternal Radiance. Since they dared to imprison him, they would reap a small catastrophe.

As the first slaves regained consciousness, they immediately began removing their collars and passing the key to freedom to one another. The silver needle practically flew between them, bringing the continuous clanging of collars falling to the ground.

Watching this, Kai coldly smiled and turned to Mufidur:

“Old man, let’s get out of here. I think they can handle the rest on their own. Moreover, as soon as the Order finds out that thousands of slave contracts were broken almost simultaneously, they’ll send a squad here immediately. We’d better be far away by then,” Kai said with a smile, and, lifting the old man with his energy, he quickly headed for the exit from the castle.

Before they even reached the exit, the distant sounds of blood-curdling screams from the slaughter could be heard… Clearly, the dungeon would be flooded with the blood of the followers of the Order of Eternal Radiance today…

Kai didn’t hesitate and immediately flew out into the starry space. Once they were far enough from the teralith, he brought the old man into his world ring and then entered it himself.

With his current power, he could finally control the entire space of the ring on his own. Kai directed the ring’s flight trajectory and invited the old man to sit in a beautiful pavilion. Naturally, Kai brought out the best of his wines, along with various snacks.

“Old man, you treated me to alcohol before. Now it’s my turn… He-he,” Kai said casually, filling Mufidur’s glass with a liquid whose scent alone brought bliss.

Mufidur unconsciously swallowed, adjusting his ginger beard. He still felt as if everything happening was just an illusion.

“Kai… Who are you, really?” the old man asked cautiously, raising his gaze.

“The one the Order of Eternal Radiance should never have imprisoned,” Kai replied with a wink. “By the way, how long was I gone? I went into cultivation at the bottom of the quarry, so I completely lost track of time,” besides his respect for the old man, this was one of the main reasons Kai had brought him along. He wanted to know how much time had passed!

Hearing this question, Mufidur frowned, as if trying to remember… After several seconds of calculation, he finally answered:

“I suspect you’ve been gone for about five hundred years… No, maybe a little more!” he said seriously, slightly startling Kai.

“Even though that’s incredibly fast, I’m still surprised… If I count it all, the breakthrough from the Law Transformation Sphere to the Law Overlord Sphere took me almost a thousand years!” Kai thought, realizing that he was now about twelve hundred years old. His sudden enlightenment had lasted for half a millennium!

Thinking about it a bit more, Kai shook his head and raised his glass, with the old man immediately following suit. And so, setting aside unnecessary thoughts and emotions, they began to drink with pleasure, celebrating their newfound freedom, as if living in some incredible illusion. Mufidur felt this, especially keenly.

V.9 Chapter 764: Clan of Eternal Monoliths

Kai and Mufidur had been steadily moving away from the slave teralith for several days. Now that Kai was in the Law Overlord Sphere, he wasn’t overly concerned about potential obstacles. If enemies appeared, he could fend them off. The chance of encountering someone of higher cultivation was nearly zero.

While drinking, he talked a lot with the old man, as if unwinding from all the events he had endured since arriving on the Ancient Battlefield. Kai was also deeply troubled by the fact that Kessia had not regained consciousness. Over five hundred years had passed, and despite the abundance of energy and laws of flesh at the bottom of the mine, Kessia had not awoken. If things had been the same as during her previous periods of hibernation, the queen would have absorbed some of the beneficial energy and recovered.

“It seems that transferring the Heretical God’s Lineage has shattered the very foundation of Kessia’s power… I’ve finally escaped from slavery, and now I must urgently head to the Region of Flesh Domination. At this point, I don’t even care about the Evil Gods—I need to create a body for Kessia!” Kai was sitting in one of the pavilions, carefully considering his next steps.

Mufidur had just decided to visit the hot springs, so they had separated. This moment of solitude brought Kai back to pondering his important tasks.

“As soon as I arrive at the Clan of Eternal Monoliths, I’ll head straight for the Region of Flesh Domination. Although I know almost nothing about it, with my current strength, I’ll definitely be able to find information. I won’t need to join another sect or clan, and I have plenty of artifacts and assets to ensure my safety. My only fear is that most of my belongings will be useless in a world focused on flesh cultivation. I could try to trade them, but I don’t want to go through unforeseen circumstances again,” Kai thought, realizing that most of his possessions would be useless to flesh cultivators. They might sell as exotic artifacts instead.

“Luckily, there was Arandor among the fanatics. His ring has enough good items for body cultivators. The question is, will it be enough to create a strong body?” Kai muttered thoughtfully, realizing he had no idea how to actually create this body.

Beyond these considerations, Kai’s thoughts were constantly bombarded by the issue of the Gods’ Resurrection Cult. No matter how much he tried to push it away or set it aside for later, it kept coming back.

“I think I should leave Seth here… In the Region of Flesh Domination, he’ll only be a hindrance. Let him stay with his clan and keep an eye on the situation in this world. I’ll return here after I’ve restored Kessia’s body, and by then, I’ll need a better understanding of the situation. The masters from my world could bring about significant changes…” Kai understood that, given the Heretical God’s Lineage he had received, it was best not to linger in Kessia’s native world for too long.

The best plan would be to take care of business and then flee. And if he were to return to fight Kessia’s enemies, it would only be after becoming a supreme master. Right now, there was simply no point in it.

“What if there are Cult spies in Seth’s clan as well? I’ll have to be extremely cautious…” Kai thought, pondering yet another problem.

After a bit more contemplation, he suddenly stood up, sensing that the world ring was approaching a small teralith used for teleportations. He and Mufidur had agreed that Kai would drop the old man off at one of these, and from there, their paths would diverge. Mufidur planned to make a series of teleports and leave the territory of the Order of Eternal Radiance, returning to the Rift Guild, where his home teralith was located. After all the hardships and centuries of slavery, the old man had decided to live a peaceful and quiet life.

Naturally, Kai immediately offered him a good sum of chaos stones. Kai wouldn’t even feel such a small loss, and the old man would be able to live comfortably without needing anything. The old man readily accepted such a friendly gift.

Kai didn’t delay and informed Mufidur that they would arrive soon. Within half an hour, they left the ring, dressed in the white robes of the Order. Even though it was a small auxiliary teralith, they didn’t want to take any risks. Mufidur was particularly tense. Obviously, centuries of slavery had left a lasting mark on him.

Descending into the temple, they quickly made their way to the nearest artifact shop and purchased several spatial rings. Only then was Kai able to hand over a large pile of lower chaos stones and even a few higher ones to the old man. Although it might seem like a small amount, it was actually enough for Mufidur to live for a very long time, especially if he stayed on his home teralith.

“Thank you, Kai. I never could have imagined that something like this would happen in my life. From slavery to freedom… Now it all feels like a bad dream that I couldn’t wake up from for centuries…” the old man’s words came from the depths of his soul, and Kai could feel it.

“If it weren’t for your perseverance, which allowed you to keep working on the upper levels of the mine, you wouldn’t have been saved. So thank yourself as well. He-he,” Kai replied with a smile, patting the old man on the shoulder.

“I don’t know what you’ll do next… But I wish you only the best of luck! I’ll even set up an altar in my courtyard and pray for you! I’ll especially fervently pray to the Goddess of Life to support your endeavors!” the old man shouted, as if hoping the zealots would hear him. Naturally, only Kai, who knew the old man’s story, could sense the sarcasm and anger in his words.

Hearing these words, Kai laughed loudly and said with satisfaction:

“If that’s the case, then everything will definitely be fine with me! Live in peace and happiness, Mufidur. You’ve earned it!”

The two men embraced each other in friendship, bowed to each other, and finally parted ways. Their paths had crossed unexpectedly and separated just as effortlessly, but they had undoubtedly left a mark on each other’s lives. Perhaps for Kai, it was a subtle one, but the old man would remember Kai for the rest of his life!

After saying goodbye, Kai visited several shops, buying a variety of items related to body cultivators. While it wouldn’t help him much, it would at least give him some bargaining capital initially.

Once he had finished all his business, Kai learned the route to the Clan of Eternal Monoliths and made several jumps through space. He was extremely cautious, avoiding any trouble. Then he flew into the starry space and headed toward a distant teralith. The map he had purchased in one of the shops clearly indicated how to get there.

After only a month Kai finally saw a surprisingly green teralith in the distance. It was quite extensive, even slightly larger than Kai’s home teralith.

“It looks like I’m headed to that mountain…” Kai thought, even from the starry space, he could see a mountain of incredible height. It was located at the center of the teralith, its slopes extending to the very edge.

It was obvious that the main buildings of the Clan of Eternal Monoliths were located there, and it would be best to start his search from that point. Kai still had the communication artifact that he and Seth had used before parting ways on the main teralith of the Order of Eternal Radiance. If he signaled, Seth should hear him.

“If I can’t contact him from the central territories, I’ll have to fly around and search for him. I hope he’s doing well and has already gathered the information I need. I don’t want to be delayed here any longer…” Kai thought as he began to descend into the teralith’s ecosystem.

As he descended, the landscapes and terrain of the teralith unfolded before him. It turned out that the slopes of the giant mountain were covered with smaller mountains and were riddled with gorges that emitted a pleasant green light. Extending his perception, Kai immediately realized that entire cities inhabited by living beings were nestled within the walls of these gorges.

On the surface, there were many temples made of vertically placed monolithic stones. They were arranged in circular structures under the open sky, and inside, one could see motionless beings, likely the stonites, sitting in meditation.

The entire scene was beautiful and harmonious. If Kai hadn’t known they were living beings, he might have thought they were just statues…

Kai knew he was completely safe here, as there was no one stronger than an Overlord, but he still tried not to draw attention to himself and didn’t display his power. He landed in a forest, closer to the center of the mountain. Looking into the distance, he saw a massive stone temple with very strict and restrained lines. It was clear that Seth’s race didn’t care for excess or luxury, much like the monks from Kai’s home teralith.

“All right, I need to find Seth…” Kai thought, pulling a round artifact from his ring.

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he infused the artifact with energy and spoke with all seriousness:

“Seth, don’t be alarmed. I finally managed to escape from slavery. I hope you can hear me,” he tried to speak in a way that would allow Seth to respond appropriately. After all, hearing something like this after five hundred years would be shocking news.

Although Seth’s race perceived time a bit differently, given that he had spent many more years with the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction, Kai still decided to approach this delicately.

Meanwhile, in the nearby mountains, two stonites sat together, looking very much alike. One was at the fifth transformation of the law, while the other was an Overlord. They had been engaged in a deep philosophical discussion when one of them suddenly froze…

“Is something wrong, Seth?” the Overlord asked with a frown.

“Father… My master has finally returned!” Seth replied seriously, immediately rising to his feet.

Upon hearing these words, the Overlord also stood up, his aura growing more serious. He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder and said solemnly:

“Then let’s go to him! You took an oath of service—you must not keep him waiting!”

Retrieving a similar round artifact, Seth immediately responded:

“Master, I’m glad you’ve returned! Where are you? I’ll come to you right away!” Seth replied with some trepidation. It seemed that Kai’s absence had caused him great concern. He had been the one to lead Kai to the main teralith of the Order of Eternal Radiance. If he had been the cause of his master’s death, it would have been an indelible shame.

As soon as Kai heard Seth’s response, he sighed in relief and smiled. Stretching his shoulders, he muttered tiredly:

“Thank goodness, at least something went smoothly here… I couldn’t handle any more problems. He-he,” he said with self-irony, and sat down on the ground.

Kai immediately pulled out a bottle of wine from his ring and uncorked it. Then, his power flared, sending a signal to all the powerful masters around for a moment. Instead of explaining his location to Seth, it was easier to just let himself be found.

And Kai wasn’t wrong… Within twenty minutes, he saw two stonites descending toward him, both expressing undisguised amazement and admiration.

“Son, didn’t you say your master was at the legendary ninth transformation of the law? So why is he now in the Law Overlord Sphere?” the stonite Overlord asked cautiously, transmitting his thoughts.

“Father, I’m as surprised as you are… It seems a lot has happened over these five hundred years…” Seth replied, shaking his head.

Before they could say anything aloud, Kai spoke first! He stood up and, with a smile, said:

“Greetings, esteemed Overlord of the Clan of Eternal Monoliths,” Kai bowed symbolically, not wanting to seem rude, and then added. “Long time no see, Seth! He-he.”

There was a moment of silence in the air, but then Seth also smiled and replied:

“Greetings, Master! I haven’t been idle, so your request has already been fulfilled. Let’s rest, and my father and I will tell you everything!”

As soon as these words were spoken, Kai’s smile widened with satisfaction. Now he was sure that he would soon finally head to the Region of Flesh Domination!

V.9 Chapter 765: Testing the Opponent

After a brief greeting, Kai ascended to the clouds, following Seth as they headed toward one of the central temples of the Clan of Eternal Monoliths. Once again, a breathtaking landscape unfolded before him—numerous gorges covered in vibrant green forests intersected the mountain slopes.

At one point, the stonite beside Seth took another look at Kai, barely containing his surprise. After a moment’s hesitation, he finally decided to introduce himself. It seemed that Seth’s race was quite peculiar, as if they were never in a hurry to do anything.

“I never thought anyone could escape the Order's slavery... By the way, I am the Overlord of Jade Origin and, incidentally, Seth's father. My worldly name is Rutor, so please call me that,” he began. “We didn’t expect to see you in the Law Overlord Sphere. We thought you were still at the level of the legendary ninth transformation.”

Such words slightly surprised Kai... Of course, he had noticed the resemblance between the two but assumed it was a characteristic of their race. Family ties for high-level masters were a somewhat strange concept for Kai since he had long left all his relatives far behind. But after thinking about it a bit more, it all made sense. If you were born in a sect, especially as a descendant of powerful masters, it wasn’t surprising that your relatives would also be long-lived.

Kai straightened his shoulders and smiled warmly before replying:

“Some things have changed over the centuries. During my escape, I had a sudden enlightenment and found myself in a place with an incredible density of laws. Somehow, all of that helped me break through.”

“And how do you feel?” Rutor asked with a smile.

“Well... After the breakthrough, I managed to kill five Overlords, so I feel great!” Kai laughed, showing a slight hint of his bloodthirsty nature.

As soon as these words were spoken, Rutor froze for a moment and then nodded thoughtfully.

“Seth warned me that you’re a headstrong master, but I didn’t think it was to this extent. It’s best not to talk about such things openly, as it could cause you trouble. After all, the Clan of Eternal Monoliths is located within the territory of the Order of Eternal Radiance, even though we don’t answer to them,” he cautioned seriously.

“I understand, my apologies,” Kai replied with a slight nod. “If Seth has indeed managed to gather the necessary information, I won’t stay here long. I need to get to the Region of Flesh Domination as soon as possible. And by the way, feel free to drop the formalities,” Kai added with a smile, winking at Rutor.

At this moment, Seth spoke, pointing to the temple they were approaching:

“Let’s go inside and discuss everything there. This is our home, so even if someone tries to eavesdrop, they won’t succeed. It’s surrounded by a spiritual barrier.”

“A spiritual barrier? Is that something like an array?” Kai asked, intrigued.

“Not exactly... Creating spiritual barriers and traps is a separate craft. The principle is somewhat similar to arrays, but there are differences. A spiritual barrier is woven directly into the air and space, but because of this, it can’t be moved like an array integrated into flags or artifacts,” Seth explained immediately as he flew into the temple grounds.

Kai also landed without any resistance, feeling as if he had passed through slightly thickened air. It was clear that the hosts had simply allowed him to enter...

“A spiritual barrier, huh? It’s no wonder there are separate crafts for this... After all, the Clan of Eternal Monoliths represents spiritual cultivators,” Kai thought to himself as he followed them in the silence of the majestic temple, anticipating the next steps toward his main goal.

As they entered, Kai felt the atmosphere of enlightenment growing with each step. The high stone walls and columns created a sense of ancient grandeur, echoing in the souls of all who entered. The impressively high ceilings were barely visible in the dim light, illuminated by a soft glow. Windows carved into the stone allowed muted rays of sunlight to filter into the temple.

A faint aroma of incense filled the air inside. Aromatic sticks placed in the corners and niches of the hall emitted a sweet scent, lightly intoxicating the mind and helping to relax. The wind, entering through intricately carved openings in the roof, created a strange, mesmerizing hum. It seemed to guide Kai’s thoughts and emotions, pushing him toward clarity and focus on his immediate goals.

Rutor and Seth led Kai down a long corridor paved with smooth stone to a spacious hall with a giant monolith in the center, surrounded by modest stone benches. Silence reigned here, broken only by the barely perceptible echo of their footsteps.

“This is my council hall,” Rutor explained, pointing to the benches. “This is where we, along with our subordinates, make important decisions and discuss key issues. As one of the clan's chief elders, I’m responsible for many tasks. But today, no one will disturb us. Please—have a seat, Kai,” he indicated a bench and adopted a more informal tone in his speech.

They slowly sat down on the benches in the center of the hall. The incense’s aroma heightened their concentration and sense of calm.

Kai settled on a simple stone bench across from Overlord Rutor and Seth, fully immersed in the strange, mesmerizing hum that penetrated through the special openings in the roof. The hum echoed through the spacious hall, making it seem as if the temple was whispering ancient secrets.

Rutor folded his hands across his chest, preparing to begin the conversation.

“The Clan of Eternal Monoliths traces its origins back to the time of the ancient war. Our knowledge of the world of cultivators dates back to antiquity, when the Universe was first divided, and our clan's territory was sealed in a border world. Moreover, we are long-lived by nature... So it wasn’t difficult to track changes in the space between our worlds.

“As one of the elders, I possess much knowledge. And when Seth returned home and told me about you and your problem, I immediately realized that I could help. The oath of loyalty is significant in our culture. Since my son serves you, I cannot ignore your need.”

These words didn’t surprise Kai much, as he already knew about the peculiar nature of the Clan of Eternal Monoliths. What surprised him more was the warm relationship between Seth and Rutor.

“I am very grateful for your help. It is vital for me to visit the world of flesh cultivators,” Kai said respectfully, nodding in gratitude.

“The passage to the Region of Flesh Domination that you’re asking about is located at the edge of our border world, where chaos takes on a unique strength, and impassable chaos reigns due to unstable spatial rifts. That’s why almost no one ventures there, fearing that death will find them amid the chaotic energy and monstrous creatures lurking in that place.”

At this moment, Seth joined the conversation, nodding in agreement.

“That’s right. Only a few venture into the accursed lands, those with a compelling reason to risk their lives. Even the most reckless adventurers avoid it, knowing that death is almost certain. But that’s not the most dangerous thing right now…” Seth said, his tone becoming more serious.

“Father says that in recent millennia, strange masters have been observed in that area, frequently visiting the Region of Flesh Domination. We don’t know what they’re searching for or what their goals are... But it’s definitely a bad sign, as they do not fear the wrath of the Gods of Life and Death. It’s well known that uncontrolled travel to one of the three major worlds is considered a sin.”

“I’d even say it started earlier…” Rutor murmured. “Perhaps this has been going on for tens of thousands of years, but it’s only in the last millennia that they’ve become particularly active. Or maybe we just didn’t notice this trend before…” he suggested cautiously.

As soon as Kai heard these words, he immediately made some obvious assumptions... The only question was whether he could trust Rutor. After all, there was no slave contract, so Rutor could easily lie.

After thinking for a moment, Kai sighed heavily and asked seriously:

“Overlord Rutor… What is your view on the Gods? I’m trying to understand the events of the past, but it’s all so confusing that I don’t know what to believe anymore,” Kai didn’t fear sounding strange, as there was some truth in his words. But mainly, he wanted to determine whether he could trust Rutor on matters concerning the Cult.

Hearing this, Overlord Rutor simply shook his head and replied:

“To be honest—I’m just continuing the traditions of the Clan of Eternal Monoliths. Personally, I regard the Gods more as ancient legends, although I do know that the ancient war really happened. It’s a very strange feeling.”

“And what are the traditions of your Clan?” Kai asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“We were one of the clans that fought under the leadership of the Eternal Spirit Mother. Once, our ancestors lived in the Region of Spirit Domination and also stood against the tyranny of the Evil Gods. In fact, our clan, and I in particular, still uphold the position of our ancestors—life should exist in freedom.”

These words reassured Kai, as he realized that he could trust not only Seth but also his father. However, one more question troubled him...

“And how did the war end, Overlord Rutor?” Kai asked with utmost seriousness.

“The Divine Weapon of the Rebellion Army of Life was neutralized, and our leaders suffered incredible losses, giving the order to retreat. While the three leaders managed to escape, countless generals and soldiers did not,” Rutor began, with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

“But it wasn’t all bad. During the battle, the Evil Gods were also severely weakened. It’s said that they used their last strength to perform some kind of joint ritual… It was after this that the Universe began to crack and split into three worlds. And the remnants of the Rebellion Army of Life were sealed in this border world… Of course, almost all the powerful masters were destroyed, and only a few managed to escape. Interestingly, the passages to the three Regions of Domination were discovered much later. According to our records, this happened after the ancestors of the Clan of Eternal Monoliths settled in the border world, and many generations had already passed.

“After the horrific war that nearly led to the destruction of the entire Universe, the Evil Gods also disappeared. It’s as if by sealing the world, they closed off access to it even for themselves. So, in a way, we did achieve something…” Rutor added, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Upon hearing this explanation, Kai’s eyes lit up! The legends of Seth’s father were definitely trustworthy, as they had been passed down from generation to generation. And most importantly, Rutor’s story closely aligned with Kai’s own knowledge and assumptions! But what intrigued him the most were some other words…

“A Divine Weapon? What do you mean?” Kai asked, furrowing his brow.

“It’s said that our leaders decided to go to war only because they found a weapon of incredible power. It wasn’t man-made; rather, it was created by the Universe itself, which is why it could limit the power of the Evil Gods. In our chronicles, it was described as a black sphere. But we don’t know anything specific because only the Creator of Energy, the Heretical God, and the Eternal Spirit Mother wielded it,” Rutor explained calmly, not thinking it was of much importance now.

But after his words, Kai nearly jumped out of his seat, his eyes filled with confusion! At that moment, he was absolutely certain that the Divine Weapon was the Sphere of Essence, which had been hidden inside him almost since the day he was born!

V.9 Chapter 766: Promise Fulfilled

In the silence of the spacious hall, where only the pleasant hum of the wind echoed, Kai stood frozen, deeply contemplating what he had just learned. His face was cast in shadow, and his eyes gleamed with a somber light. The information about the Divine Weapon seemed crucial in his quest to understand how his own abilities were connected to the mysterious Sphere of Essence.

“It can't be a coincidence that the Sphere of Essence just happened to cross my path. It must be the very weapon Rutor spoke of,” Kai pondered, not responding immediately.

He had always sensed that the Sphere of Essence was tied to events in the ancient universe, but now he finally knew more.

“The Eyes of Essence, granting me the ability to see the very essence of all types of laws... And the ability to develop three systems simultaneously…” Kai muttered to himself, gradually recovering from the shock as he slowly sat back down. “These abilities defy the nature of ordinary living beings. But if the Sphere of Essence was created by the Universe itself, it makes sense where these powers come from…”

At that moment, Kai remembered that he could sense not only the Laws of Flesh, Spirit, and Energy—he had also discerned the laws of the Evil Gods near the statues. Everything was beginning to fall into place... It was thanks to the Sphere of Essence that the Gods of the Rebellion Army of Life were able to perceive the essence of the Evil Gods' laws and stand against them!

“Master... Are you all right?” Seth asked worriedly, noticing Kai's strange behavior.

But Kai ignored his words and, with utmost seriousness, asked a question directed at Seth’s father:

“Rutor, if possible, could you tell me more about how this weapon was used? How did they manage to wield it?” he asked, trying to gather as much information as possible.

Overlord Rutor looked at Kai with considerable respect, recognizing the seriousness in his tone. From Kai's reactions, he realized that this was driven by more than mere curiosity...

“As I mentioned earlier, I don’t know the details. The Divine Weapon was wielded by three supreme masters who were on par with the Gods. The chronicles stated that, thanks to it, they significantly limited the Gods' abilities, preventing them from unleashing their full combat power. I can only assume that the weapon somehow restrained the Gods' power.”

Hearing this, Kai only furrowed his brow... He had possessed the Sphere of Essence almost since infancy. He had even seen visions showing the moment this mysterious sphere was implanted in him. But in over a thousand years, he had never figured out how to touch it or use it. The Sphere of Essence had simply endowed Kai with unique abilities and then vanished somewhere inside him.

“Could it be that after the ancient war, the Sphere of Essence lost its power and faded into obscurity? If so, can I restore its former power and use it in battle like the Creator of Energy, the Heretical God, and the Eternal Spirit Mother did?” Kai thought, trying to come up with the most logical explanation.

Noticing the confusion on Kai’s face, Rutor cleared his throat and cautiously asked:

“May I ask why you reacted this way?” he rephrased his son’s earlier question.

It seemed that these words brought Kai back to reality. He flinched slightly and raised his eyes to the stonite. Kai was still debating whether to tell Rutor about the Cult, so he wasn’t sure how to respond.

“The thing is, in one of the ancient pocket worlds, I saw the legacy of the Creator of Energy. In one of the arrays, I witnessed events from the ancient past that at the time seemed like a mere illusion…” Kai began, speaking cautiously. “I clearly remember a figure holding a black sphere, as if it were absorbing the surrounding space. And now I’m certain that it was the very Divine Weapon you’re talking about!” he said with all seriousness.

As soon as these words were spoken, Rutor's mouth opened slightly. It was clear that such events were simply unbelievable. What were the chances of witnessing something like that?

“If this is true, then your fate is indeed great... I might have dismissed it as a coincidence if my son hadn’t told me about your adventures. At your age, reaching the Law Overlord Sphere is almost laughable. Moreover, you completed all nine transformations of the law, fully realizing the benefits of its cycle. I’m certain that an extraordinary fate awaits you, and I must admit I do not envy you,” Rutor's voice conveyed deep respect, but there was also a note of sympathy.

“Fate?” Kai replied, looking up. “I must say, I’ve struggled with that concept my whole life. No matter how much I think about fate, I can’t reach a final conclusion—does it exist or not? Heh…” he added with a sad shake of his head.

“There are things that are predetermined, but there are also those that we can change. There is no definitive answer. Fate is a symbiosis of predestined coincidences and the choices we make between them. For me, one thing is certain—when you see a truly great person, you can immediately tell what fate awaits them,” Rutor philosophized in response.

“If such a great fate awaits me, then why do I sense compassion in your voice?” Kai asked with a smile, looking directly at his interlocutor.

“Great fate always comes with great trials and catastrophes. I doubt I could endure such challenges, which is why I feel for you,” Rutor replied with complete honesty.

For some reason, these words touched Kai, and he felt a certain closeness to Rutor. It was as if he were talking to an elder whose wisdom was guiding him. At that moment, Kai decided to take a risk and gauge Rutor’s reaction.

“If he really isn’t one of the Cult’s followers, then I need to secure his support…” Kai thought and instantly changed his expression. Without hesitation, he asked:

“Overlord Rutor... Do you know anything about the Gods’ Resurrection Cult?” Kai asked with utmost seriousness, expressing either suspicion or goodwill.

He intentionally showed such emotions to suggest that if things went wrong, Rutor might believe that Kai was also a member of the Cult. This way, he could potentially gain his trust.

After hearing this question, Overlord Rutor only lifted his head, as if trying to recall something. But then he shook his head and replied:

“To be honest, I don’t know anything specific about this Gods’ Resurrection Cult, but such fanatics have existed throughout history. Many have forgotten or never knew about the events of ancient times. Such scoundrels take advantage of this to rewrite history and recruit followers,” the stonite’s voice sounded casual, as if he were discussing mundane matters.

“I have suspicions that there are some fanatics worth fearing…” Kai cautiously continued.

“Don’t bother yourself with nonsense,” Rutor replied with a smile. “The events of the ancient war happened tens of millions of years ago. During all that time, cults like these have risen and fallen. It’s a typical cycle of events in our Universe.”

“Cults like these have risen before?” Kai asked with interest, slightly leaning forward on the bench.

“I don’t know the history of all the Regions of Domination, nor even our border world. But yes, cults seeking to revive the connection with the Evil Gods have emerged periodically every few hundred thousand years. But as you can see, none of them have ever succeeded,” Rutor replied with a nod, still sounding carefree.

However, after these words, Kai’s expression grew even more serious. He felt that the Gods’ Resurrection Cult wasn’t as simple as it seemed. And if he truly possessed a great fate, then the catastrophes that would accompany it would be just as grand. After a few moments of hesitation, Kai finally spoke:

“You see, I came into possession of some records that I stole while in slavery…” Kai said unexpectedly, pulling out a stack of tattered papers and books from his ring. “The Cult I’m talking about does exist, and from what I’ve gathered, it has infiltrated not only the Order of Eternal Radiance but also the Regions of Domination. Who knows, there may even be its followers in your Clan of Eternal Monoliths…”

It seemed that such words offended Rutor, but understanding who was sitting before him, he nevertheless reached out for the documents. He began to review them, initially with a skeptical look that slowly turned serious. Each page, each word, seemed to deepen his concerns...

“I found this in the private chambers of Overlord Morten. And when I fought the others, they all turned out to be Cult members. I suspect not the entire Order of Eternal Radiance is involved, but there are definitely many spies among them,” Kai quickly added to ensure his companion understood the scale of the problem.

The records Rutor had already read were then passed to Seth, who also delved into the issue.

“This is very troubling news, Kai. If the Cult has indeed infiltrated so deeply... This could signal the beginning of something very undesirable,” Rutor said, lowering the last book. “I don’t believe they will succeed, but a catastrophe is definitely brewing…”

Kai nodded, understanding that the conversation was taking a new turn.

“I think their goals are far more ambitious than they appear at first glance,” he continued. “These records mention rituals aimed at reviving the Evil Gods and the preparations they have been making across various regions.”

Rutor sighed, beginning to take Kai's suspicions seriously. He then spoke with full seriousness:

“Why did you decide to tell me this? Do you need help?”

“I’m afraid I just can’t trust anyone. Soon, many masters from the Region of Energy Domination will arrive in the border world. Amid this chaos, the Cult will have free rein. This chaos could serve as the opportunity to start a disaster…” Kai warned cautiously. “I must leave for the Region of Flesh Domination... But I want Seth to stay here and investigate the Cult’s activities. If you could assist with this, the effectiveness would increase significantly,” Kai said frankly, hiding nothing from Rutor and Seth.

As soon as these words were spoken, father and son exchanged glances before turning back to Kai. Although the stonites didn’t have eyes, Kai could almost feel them looking at him. It was as if their spirits were ignited with determination!

“I don’t know what will come of this, but we will do our best!” Rutor said, placing his hand on his forehead in a symbolic gesture. Seth immediately followed suit.

“Good, I’m counting on you! Remember—trust no one! And prepare for the upcoming chaos! I’ll try to return as soon as possible to join the fight!” Kai said with full confidence, mirroring the stonites' gesture, expressing a kind of promise.

After this, the trio discussed numerous details before Kai was invited to rest and drink before his departure. Not wanting to delay, Kai immediately took the maps and route to the passage to the Region of Flesh Domination.

One final task remained... That evening, he and Seth flew into the starry space to finally bid farewell and lay to rest the bodies of Corvus and Lilorin.

Taking the two bodies from his world ring, Kai respectfully bowed to both of them. It seemed as if the two ancient masters were simply floating nearby, peacefully sleeping. Using his energy, he gently placed their hands together, as if they had chosen to clasp hands themselves. Seth, in turn, stood in a bow, paying respects to his former master.

“Forgive me for making you wait, honorable Corvus and Lilorin. The ceremony for your final rest was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances,” Kai said warmly, for at that moment he couldn’t help but think of Kessia. “Though I never knew you in life, I know your story. And I owe a great deal to both of you,” Kai said, as if he wanted to apologize before beginning the ceremony.

After these words, Kai fell silent, standing in silence for a few moments to create a solemn atmosphere for his words. His voice was ceremonious, and he spoke clearly and deliberately.

“Corvus, Lilorin... I understand that this journey was long and full of suffering for you both. You have earned the peace and rest that you have finally found. Your sacrifice and strength will be remembered and honored by all who knew of your love and determination. This world loses great warriors but gains in love and loyalty. May your souls find peace in eternity, where there is no more pain, suffering, or struggle,” he said with reverence.

Feeling a wave of sadness, Seth continued:

“Master Corvus, Lady Lilorin... Your souls will accompany me on my path, and I will remember your lessons and kindness. Thank you for everything. And yes, Master... I’m glad to report that your last wish has finally been fulfilled!” Seth spoke with respect and warmth.

When they finished, Kai extended his hand, and a black-purple Spiritual Flame ignited on his palm. The flame slowly rose into the air, moving towards the couple's bodies. In the next moment, the fire surrounded them, and their bodies began to slowly turn to ash, which scattered into the starry space.

Seth and Kai stood in silence, watching this touching ceremony. There was a sense of completion at this moment, a feeling that the lovers had finally found peace. The stars shone brightly, as if welcoming Corvus and Lilorin into a new world where they could be together forever.

“May their spirits find peace,” Kai said quietly, feeling both sadness and joy fill his heart.

Seth silently nodded, sharing this sentiment. They both understood that this farewell was tragic, but it was a moment long awaited by each of them.

V.9 Chapter 767: Onward into the Unknown!

Only a few days had passed since Kai's arrival at the Clan of Eternal Monoliths and his farewell to the Overlord of Inevitable Destruction. During this time, Kai had been deeply engaged in discussions with Rutor and Seth about the history of ancient civilizations and theories regarding the fate of the Evil Gods. After hearing Rutor's accounts, Kai became even more convinced that the Evil Gods were still alive, though for some reason, they had lost their dominion over the Universe.

At this moment, Kai stood before the two stonites. His crimson hair was tied in a tight knot at the back of his head, and he was dressed in black clothing he had purchased back at the Pantheon of Divine Craftsmen. After all, the Tialis Family offered the finest garments one could find.

“I can’t say when I’ll return. My stay in the Region of Flesh might extend for many centuries. I hope that during this time, you can learn more about the Cult and that the chaos in the border world won’t affect you,” Kai said with a bow.

“I await your return, master,” Seth replied respectfully, bowing deeply.

“As soon as you’ve distanced yourself enough from our teralith, I’ll convene the Clan Council. If we’re prepared in advance for the onset of chaos, we’ll be able to withstand it,” Rutor added with a nod.

Kai did not want to wait for the masters of the Region of Energy Domination to begin their mass influx onto the Ancient Battlefield. Predicting what this might lead to was impossible. Moreover, he had already lingered here far too long.

“According to the records, the Gods’ Resurrection Cult has been particularly active in the Region of Flesh Domination. I’ll also try to gather some information. Farewell,” Kai said, and with those words, his figure vanished instantly.

Bursting into the starry space, he decided not to enter his world ring. Instead, Kai checked the map of the Ancient Battlefield and flew toward the point Rutor had indicated. The map itself was similar to those of the scout Mikaela from the Pantheon, but with one major difference—the map's projection moved. It seemed as if the Ancient Battlefield was in constant motion, as if floating in chaos. This made navigation more challenging.

Rutor had also warned him that Kai would have to search for the exact location himself. He could only provide a rough estimate. But Kai was undeterred by this challenge, for he possessed the Eyes of Essence. Clearly, there should be a concentration of the Laws of Flesh near the passage.

“Now it’s just like at the beginning of my journey… No Kessia, no Seth… I’m completely on my own,” Kai thought with a wry smile, accelerating to the limit of his abilities. As an Overlord, his speed reached incredible heights, sometimes distorting even the dense space of the Ancient Battlefield.

Amid the starry expanses, among the warped edges of space, Kai pressed forward relentlessly, carving a path through spatial storms and vortices. His journey through the chaotic starry space lasted several months, but it left no room for doubt in his resolve. Using the Eyes of Essence, he deftly avoided all cosmic anomalies, as if dancing on the edge of a knife without losing momentum.

Every time he noticed something unusual and potentially useful, his interest flickered brightly but briefly, for no adventure could distract him from his primary mission—reaching the Region of Flesh Domination. The Ancient Battlefield teemed with various opportunities; sometimes, Kai even glimpsed strange fragments of ancient teralithes, where some ruins had been preserved.

Spatial anomalies resembling entrances to pocket worlds, promising hidden treasures, flashed by. But Kai, despite the temptations, remained steadfast. His goal was clear and unwavering, and nothing could divert him from this path.

With each day spent on this journey, Kai felt the Laws of Flesh increasingly displacing the other Laws. It was clear that he was nearing his destination...

And finally, after several months of travel, Kai saw his goal on the horizon—a faint outline of a world seething with chaos. Its nature was similar to that of the barrier that sealed off the entire Region of Energy Domination. If one persisted and continued flying deeper, the pressure would crush you!

“The portal to the Region of Flesh Domination should be somewhere around here... It seems to have shifted due to the constant movement of space,” Kai muttered as he came to a stop and began observing the currents of laws.

In the past few months, Kai had never stopped using the Eyes of Essence. Now, he scanned the swirling eddies and currents around him, discerning the subtlest nuances of their flows. Among the many Laws flickering before his gaze like stars in the night sky, he began to notice one particularly bright current—the current of the Laws of Flesh. Every particle in this current was inscribed with the same runes as his Asura Reaper Law.

“So, it’s just like last time... The passage is inside the chaotic barrier…” Kai murmured, recalling how he had entered the Ancient Battlefield.

Kai immediately followed this current, feeling the pressure of the chaotic space increase with every passing second. He sensed how invisible forces tried to compress him, while others sought to tear him apart.

“At least now I can withstand this pressure…” Kai thought with a smile, carefully avoiding sudden movements and continuing to glide forward.

After flying far enough through the currents of laws and space vortices, Kai suddenly struck forward as if shattering the space before him, opening a gaping portal. This portal emitted a grim, bloody glow, and through its misty contours, blood-red walls were visible, resembling the walls of an ancient castle or fortress, where every stone was soaked in blood and power.

Kai didn’t hesitate. Focusing his will and all his strength, he made the final push and crossed the portal.

“Thumb!” in that instant, an overwhelming pressure crashed down on him. But a moment later, he found himself in another world—a world where the air was thick with the scent of blood and the aura of battle.

The inner walls of the castle loomed before him, monumental and menacing, as if frozen in time. The castle was built of blood-red stone, which appeared black without sufficient light.

“It looks almost identical to the passage to the Region of Energy Domination. But the difference in the types of laws is immediately apparent. Here, everything screams of the Law of Flesh,” Kai muttered thoughtfully, feeling as if his body was reveling in the surroundings.

It was as if his flesh and the Asura Reaper Law had returned to their natural environment. It couldn’t be said that they had grown stronger, but Kai felt a certain ease. It was a very strange sensation, as he had always been in the Region of Energy Domination. The Ancient Battlefield had limited each type of law equally.

After stretching a bit and checking his body, Kai began to examine his surroundings more closely. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a painted arrow on the ground...

“What the… Someone’s laid out a path inside this castle?” Kai muttered, feeling uneasy. It was obvious that this couldn’t have appeared here by chance, especially after hearing that some group of masters was regularly spotted near the passage to the Region of Flesh Domination.

“Could it be the work of the Cult’s followers?” Kai thought, immediately extending his perception to scan the vast areas of the castle, which resembled a labyrinth.

But after exploring as far as his abilities allowed, Kai found no one. In fact, this only pleased him...

“Alright… I’ll just follow the arrows and see for myself. If they’re pointing to anything, it must be the main hall with the teleport to the Region of Flesh Domination,” Kai murmured and instantly dashed forward.

With each step, Kai increased his speed, transforming into a blur as he raced through the long, dark corridors of the castle. The ability to see and avoid traps granted by the Eyes of Essence saved him from numerous dangers lurking in the shadows. Traps triggered by touch and spatial anomalies distorting reality formed and vanished like ghosts, but Kai bypassed them easily, like a dancer on stage, knowing every move in advance.

As he passed through one corridor after another, strange objects caught his attention. Empty cages that seemed overly fortified, as if they were meant to contain something very dangerous, now stood vacant. They broke the gloomy monotony of the stone walls and stood as a testament to recent events or experiments that might have taken place here.

Near the cages were tables cluttered with strange instruments… Flasks filled with indeterminate liquids and massive needles that could pierce not just the body but seemingly the soul itself stood out among the other items. These instruments bore signs of use—many were stained with blood.

Finally, crossing the last threshold, Kai burst into the main hall. The room was astonishing in its size and grandeur. In the center of the hall floated three giant spheres, emitting a soft, pulsating light. Each sphere vibrated in harmony with its own laws, creating a strange symphony of sound and light.

Around the spheres stood numerous cages and strange devices. The cages were filled with the remnants of something horrifying—bones, scraps of clothing, and dried blood. It seemed that these cages weren’t used for containment but for executions, sacrifices, or something else entirely. Scattered flasks and tools also didn’t bode well, creating an impression of a place of terrifying experiments and secret rituals.

Kai paused for a moment, trying to grasp the essence of what had happened here. Questions began to form in his mind about the purpose of these devices, the events that had taken place here, and who might have been behind it all.

“I can’t say this place is abandoned… It feels like it’s used regularly…” Kai muttered, glancing around. Though the hall was empty now, unsettling thoughts continued to plague him.

“Alright, no time to dwell on it,” Kai said decisively and flew towards the three spheres. “I’d better not linger, or I’ll find more trouble on my hands,” he muttered, no longer even attempting to smile. He fully understood the gravity of the situation.

First, he flew up to one sphere and drew the symbol of the energy system, then moved on to the sphere of the spirit system… And finally, he stopped near the last sphere—the sphere of the flesh system!

“Even after traveling through the border world, I still can’t believe I’m about to enter another Region… Enough with the philosophy! I must create a body for Kessia and resurrect her!” Kai shouted decisively, cutting off his train of thought.

In that brief moment, his fingers traced the final symbol, igniting the third sphere!

“Thu-thumb!” the entire hall flared with a terrifying aura, and directly beside Kai, a blood-red portal erupted. Kai didn’t even try to resist, feeling the terrifying pull as it sucked him in!

“Just hold on, Kessia… Soon I’ll bring you home, where we’ll revive you! As long as no one discovers my Heretical God lineage, we’ll be able to return home quickly!” Kai thought as he disappeared from the hall.

A few moments later, the spheres dimmed once more, restoring silence and order to the giant hall. After more than a thousand years, Kai had finally set out for the world of flesh cultivators! What awaited him there was a mystery, even to him!

AUTHOR'S AFTERWORD:

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