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Chapter 1,307.
🕑 Added 2024-11-22 20:53:48 +0000 UTC‘So we failed,’ Pervata sighed. ‘The tides of Fate…’
The desolate tone dug at Zac’s heart, and he didn’t know how to respond. The ancient Autarch had seen through some of his secrets but arrived at the wrong conclusion. Pervata believed Zac was a distant descendant who’d traveled back in time to change his clan’s Fate. While the misunderstanding worked in Zac’s favor, it brought up certain questions.
Were Autarchs strong enough to overcome the trial’s safeguards? If so, what’d happen when they reached the Outer Courts, let alone the Left Imperial Palace? B-grade cultivators were by no means common, but Primal Heavens were the utmost cultivation grounds in the Multiverse. Even the citadels in more flourishing regions were bound to have at least one or two.
Then again, Pervata’s deduction could stem from special circumstances. Dipper Seven was more or less a C-grade memory domain, not meant to house beings at his level. The restrictions could very well be stronger in domains meant to simulate Autarchs and greater existences. It could also be due to the token. It held genuine Imperial Fate, which could potentially influence the trial’s fundamental rules.
‘Child, you shouldn’t have come here. Interfering with causality comes at a great cost, one not only paid by you. Your act might become a spear aimed at the Empire, harming the citizens we’ve sworn to protect. It’s too late to undo your actions, but removing you here will keep the damage at a minimum.’
‘Wait! I’m not acting on my own. Coming here is far beyond my abilities. I was sent here on orders of the Imperial Tutor,’ Zac said when the Hidden Earth Abode began quaking again. ‘I’m not just here to save our clan. We’re here to protect the flame of hope by correcting our mistakes.’
Zac wasn’t sure if a general at Pervata’s level would know about the System this far from its activation, but ‘the flame of hope’ was a well-established term. It stood at the core of the Empire’s doctrine. They weren’t waging war with the universe because of greed or megalomania. The Empire fought to protect the flame of hope and raise the Heavens, at least from their point of view.
Whatever it was, something Zac said struck home. The pressure relented, and Pervata’s next sentence lacked the steely intent of slaughter. ‘What is your objective?’
‘I cannot say. As Senior said, causality is unpredictable. You weren’t supposed to be part of this thread of Karma. Our mission might have gone awry because of the Void’s influence or the interference of outsiders.’
‘Then what would you have me do, child of the future? Can you prove your claims?’
‘Prove myself? I can’t. My only request is that Senior forget I appeared and let history run its course until I’m gone. If necessary, save the descendant of the Whitecrest Clan. He’s not like me, and… he’ll become important,’ Zac said.
‘I’ll trust you, child. For now,’ Pervata said, hesitation evident in his tone. ‘The Family—‘
Zac gave it some thought before sending a final message. ‘Senior, you’re wrong on one point. The clan’s strength may have faded, but not our glory. Until the end, we never lost our way.’
‘…That’s all we can ask,’ Pervata sighed. ‘Safe journey, Clan Head.’
Zac bowed toward the ceiling before putting the seal away. For a moment, Zac felt like he could peer through the miles of bedrock to see Perata Wendimar floating above Dipper Seven. The image superimposed over the memory of Kristvan Wendimar sending his daughter away. Terea had said the same thing back then, and the meaning was the same. Pervata believed Zac had taken on a suicide mission.
There was no going back after meddling with the past. If the situation had been real, Zac would become a temporal paradox upon finishing his mission. The timeline would diverge, destroying ‘his’ future. Naturally, he wouldn’t be spared by the backlash.
‘Everything dealt with?’ Ogras asked, keeping an eye on the ceiling.
‘For now.’
Lying to high-grade cultivators had never worked out. Not daring to take the gamble, Zac chose to tell the truth this time—barring certain details. They had been sent here by the System, and his mission was exactly as Zac said. He was correcting the mistake that destroyed the Dipper Mountains. Doing so, he was also bringing the Margrave important information, in extension protecting the Limitless Empire’s flame of hope.
While his human side had prepared for the mission, his Draugr half had continued to analyze the trial and its hidden goals. He and Esmeralda had already deduced that it was possible to strengthen the Imperial Fate by rewriting the world’s memory, and the ritual spanning the whole Left Imperial Expanse was possibly designed to weaken the Empire’s sin of creating the System and overturning the natural order.
By that logic, the Empire wouldn’t create lanterns and domains at random. Changing some parts of history would do more harm than good, weakening the Imperial Fate. Each memory was a blemish in history, representing missed potential. And willingly or not, the trial takers became instruments of change—butterflies flapping their wings, creating hurricanes on the other side of the world.
Zac’s actions in Black Zenith might seem isolated and irrelevant, but they allowed Mayor Truga to pull off his scam earlier and without involving his contacts from the road project. That could have set in motion something or thwarted a disaster. Zac was simply unable to see the whole picture and too weak to understand the complex weave of Karma.
Stumbling onto one Void-related after another was part of a plot, just not one necessarily aimed at him. The creators behind the trial had picked the memories with the greatest odds of rekindling Fate, and some deeper issues probably couldn’t be solved in one go. There were probably dozens, even hundreds, of important threads arranged across the continent.
That theory only got stronger after learning of Hidden Earth and the Lowest Plane. Zac would have to be blind not to notice the similarities to the [Fuxi Mountain Gate]. The gate on Ivar’s hand spewing Void Energy should have led to the ‘Lowest Plane’ the Guild Master mentioned— a realm sitting on the border between Void and Dao.
The [Fuxi Mountain Gate] had accomplished the same thing by relying on Imperial Faith to burn away all foreign Dao. Meanwhile, the Lowest Plane actually held a chaotic mix of Void and Inverse Dao. Instead of erasing itself from existence as it should, it had created a chaotic environment like the Calamity inside the Perennial Vastness.
Studying such a unique Lower Plane along with the Hidden Earth Abode’s techniques, one could very well improve the gate’s design—not Zac, but the gate’s original creator. The inheritance went up in smoke in the original timeline, harming an important part of the Pillar’s construction. Bringing out the inheritance would no doubt generate more Imperial Fate than thousands of normal memory lanterns.
Except, not just anyone could solve the issue. One needed the right skillset and motivation to get involved with the events in Dipper Seven. That was why Fate had been the deciding factor in becoming a Sealbearer, not strength or background.
The sealbearers should all have Fate with the important threads of untapped potential. It couldn’t even be considered a plot; it was a win-win situation. There’d only be Fate if both parties saw to benefit. Most of the chosen were likely traveling along threads matching their nature, following a hidden quest chain.
Leyara had nudged him toward the most suitable plot thread by sending Terea Wendimar’s memory lantern his way. With that memory’s starting position, he was bound to run into the [Fuxi Mountain Gate]. Zac would probably have found it himself if he’d entered the trial the normal way, though his Void Road and natural resistance against Karmic entanglement might have interfered. How Leyara possibly could have known remained a mystery, though it was undoubtedly related to The Vigil.
‘I know, I won’t get wrapped up,’ Zac added, noticing the unspoken warning in the demon’s gaze. ‘Give me a moment.’
The Void shockwave had dispersed, taking most of the chaotic energies with it. However, Pervata had kicked the hornet’s nest before backing down, further destabilizing the Muddy Patch Vein. Terrifying amounts of energy were already pouring through the cracks, and it wouldn’t be long before the area was turned into a true taboo zone.
Knowing the window was closing, Zac infused himself with [Void Mountain] to phase through the abode’s barrier. A few seconds later, Zac returned to the demon’s side with a grievously wounded Kalir. The [Seven Dipper Array] had withstood countless Void surges as the abode’s mountains aligned, proving it had innate resistance to the Hidden Earth Abode’s unusual Void Energy. It was enough to save the Whitecrest descendant’s life with the help of multiple defensive treasures.
“You, what are you plotting?” Kalir asked with a weak voice, looking back and forth between him and Ogras.
“Your Guardian gave his life to protect us. I’m returning the favor. The Hidden Earth Abode is our best chance to ride out the storm,” Zac said, waving at the building chaos. “Besides, we haven’t finished what we came for.”
Kalir was needed to get a copy of the Hidden Earth Heritage into Pervata Wendimar’s hands. Based on his theories of the trial, Zac had decided to stop worrying and see things through to the end. He’d follow the Void thread to the end. He’d also try to reignite as much Imperial Fate as possible, provided it didn’t clash with his objectives.
Based on the concepts of balance and reciprocity, Zac believed it would improve his chances inside the courts. The greater his impact on history, the better the reception. Even if he was mistaken, helping the Wendimar Clan was in his best interest. Their status within the Hollow Court would improve if they could contribute valuable intelligence. Zac might not even need an identity connected to the Hollow Court if things played out as he hoped.
Of course, Kalir knew none of this.
“What? Why are you looking at me like I’m going to eat you?” Ogras sneered. “You saw the young master fight. You’d be dead if we wanted you dead.”
“Then… we’re safe?” Kalir slowly said.
An intense premonition of danger made Zac look up. The alabaster mountain rumbled as deep fissures spread across its smooth foundation. Bursts of C-grade Cosmic Energy teeming with Inverse Dao poured out of the cracks, lashing at their surroundings like solar flares. It was the beginning of the end. The mountain had lost its counterpart, and it was ready to join its brother in death.
“Does no one in your Clan know how to control their mouths?” Ogras swore as he shifted the trio toward the open gate.
With the outside spiraling out of control and the white mountain raining hellfire inside the barrier, the abode itself was the only remaining refuge. Its twenty-odd buildings Countless runes were sitting upon a thin disk, all of them fully intact. Runes similar to the void-attracting arrays covering the outer wall appeared all across their surface when the mountain exploded.
Zac looked up with awe as a fresh spring of pure Dao poured out of the mountain’s heart. It ignored the abode, instead fusing into the struggling barrier. It was stabilized and pushed directly to the Peak of C-grade, more than enough to resist a while longer.
“One attacks and the other defends,” Ogras hummed, noticing Zac’s ugly expression as he stared toward the abode’s depths. “But I’m guessing it won’t save us from the next part.”
The demon was right. Having lost its energy supply and stabilizing mountains, the Hidden Earth Abode had entered an emergency protocol—a mode that clearly didn’t have enough spare energy to keep the Void Treasure contained. Its towering aura was gradually unveiling itself, putting Zac’s very existence under pressure.
A sudden burst of Inverse Dao made Ogras groan while Kalir was directly knocked out. It came from the same source as the Void Treasure, meaning it was already destabilizing. They had ten minutes at best.
“Never a break in this place,” Ogras cursed.
Zac slapped the Kalir awake. “You. Are there hidden defenses here, too?”
“I— What was that?” Kalir stuttered, the grace of a young master long gone. “I don’t know. We gained a partial understanding of his design by tracking Hidden Earth’s purchase orders and thefts. That only lets us deduce the outer arrays. Hidden Earth must have been more careful planning for the core.”
“You better not be joking,” Zac growled. “This whole mountain range will be swallowed by the Lowest Plane in minutes unless we stop it, and we’ll be the first to go.”
Kalir’s eyes focused up. “How do you know that? Was Ivar telling the truth?”
“No. We just walked similar paths, and Fate brought me here. I’d never heard of Hidden Earth before you told me, but I can intuit certain things. Like the fact that we’re dead if you’re lying,” Zac said.
“The manor is following the same rough layout as his ancestral home. It only had additional defenses surrounding an underground treasury. There’s no such thing here,” Kalir said and took out a milky-green engraved stone. “This is all I have.”
Zac snatched the jade and put it against his forehead. It was the popular form of storage before Information Crystals became the norm. Zac learned it was because of spiritual jade’s innate resistance to Earthly Taint, reducing the risk of corrupting the stored data. With the Earthly Taint gone, it made more sense to use the much cheaper crystals.
The Whitecrest scion really didn’t have much to go by. It only took Zac a moment to peruse everything he’d gathered, at which point he’d matched the Void Treasure’s call with an elder’s council hall in the manor’s back. It was a good spot to place a nurturing chamber, aligning it with the center of the mountains.
Kalir’s research didn’t have a single mention of the Lowest Plane or Void Energy, but it did mention a third array called the [Five Breaths Domain]. It was a treasure-nurturing array loosely based on the enkindling cycle of the Five Elements. The elements could be replaced with almost any Dao Peak, provided you made the necessary adjustments. With Hidden Earth’s Dao of Bedrock, it was a decent pick to nurture a Void Treasure.
It also was the perfect choice for Zac, who had ample experience constructing and deconstructing cycles. A glance was enough to gain a basic understanding of things to note.
“Take him to the repository. I’ll deal with the bomb,” Zac said, adding the next part only for Ogras’s ears.
‘Keep the originals, but let him make copies. If possible, don’t let him notice the switch.’
‘Got it. And then? We’re not getting out the way we came.’
Zac considered it a moment. ‘Return to my side, but be ready to escape first when the domain starts to tear. I don’t think I’ll be able to contain all the energy.’
‘You’re really going to eat that thing?’ Ogras asked, looking at Zac like he was mad. ‘Even for you…’
‘I’m not eating it. I’ll throw it into a treasure I picked up on the way. It’s just… This one might be a bit crazy even for me.’
‘I’ll make sure this lad doesn’t do anything stupid,’ Ogras said with a solemn gaze. ‘Be careful.’.
‘You too. He’s not as fragile as he seems.’ Zac warned.
‘I’ve dealt with much better actors,’ the demon grinned before dragging Kalir away in a puff of shadows.
There was no blame or anger in Ogras’s eyes, even with the world coming down on their heads. Despite his wretched state and upcoming torment, Zac couldn’t help but feel blessed as he rushed toward the inner sanctum. Most spent their life pursuing the Dao without knowing the joy of experiencing the journey in the company of a true brother. Zac wouldn’t let Ogras fall here, even if he had to sacrifice the treasure to open a path.
[Void Mountain] allowed Zac to pass through a final barrier without issue, mostly because it was about to run out of energy. A different world from the manor’s energy-starved environment waited on the other side. Zac may as well have entered the Lowest Plane from how starkly different the atmosphere was.
Two overlapping realities greeted Zac as he looked around, one of Dao and another of Void. Both were part of the Hidden Earth Abode, though only ruins remained. The surface layer was ingrained with Inverse Dao with hints of Dao of the Elements likely drawn from the Dipper Mountains. Every surface was covered in crystals, metals, and Earth-attuned plants—all Natural Treasures.
Born from the leakage of the supreme treasure further inside, most were Middle D-grade or higher. Unfortunately, most of them sported extensive damage, like they'd been gnawed on by rats. The true perpetrator was the world beneath the surface, the one only privy to a Void Cultivator’s eyes. Zac looked at the pure Void Treasures with amazement, his bloodline already clamoring for a taste.
Ultimately, Zac’s gaze turned toward the broken door further within. What he’d come for waited on the other side. Its aura would have directly knocked him out if he hadn’t been acclimatized over the past day. Zac felt like a Beast Emperor waited on the other side, yet there was no hesitation in his steps. It belonged to the Void, and he was its Emperor.
Pushing open the door in both realities, Zac finally came face-to-face with what he was looking for. A small flower directly growing from a spatial gate waited on the other side of a glass wall. Eight of its petals were made of pure Void, while three were spun from Dao—a paradoxical existence just like Zac.
Comments
David Ballantyne
The [Seven Dipper Array] - seven leap array
David Ballantyne
Stumbling onto one Void-related after another - missing word, opportunity?
bltth26
The clan’s strength may have faded, but not our glory. Until the end, we never lost our way.’ I’ve read this a few times and I really like it.
Lex Luther S
What do you expect with such a treasure and event like a whole C grade mountain range detonating? It'll probably be done by Wednesdays chapter though I feel it's hasn't dragged on at all; especially after such a great fight ending with zac and ogras taking out a genuine monarch.
K S
I hope we get a separate POV tonight, the memory lantern episode is dragging on… although I know it’s cos we are down to 3 chapters a week 😢
Jeff McCulley
I thought that I placed my reply here, mocking Zac’s relationship with Catheya in comparison, but apparently not. Zac and Ogras really are firmly intertwined best buds, aren’t they?
Jeff McCulley
W for Wal’Zo.
Jeff McCulley
I’ll add that I don’t know how this will turn out…but it would be really, really nice for Ogras and Zac to clear out that anteroom full of Natural Treasures. The “metals” part especially. Alea always needs a new outfit! And of course, Ogras can’t see the Void stuff.
Jeff McCulley
Suggested Edits. Sorry, finished late. “…Void-related after…” >missing “treasure”? Domain? Opportunity? to see Perata Wendimar >Pervata “the gate’s design” >the Fuxi Mountain Gate’s design. Just had multiple gates mentioned. I was wondering why Hidden Earth’s gate needed to be improved. “Its twenty-odd buildings Countless runes were sitting upon a thin disk” >I’m not sure how this one needs to be fixed. Either a word is missing, or it has extra. I think maybe “Countless runes” was meant for the next sentence. As in, “Countless runes similar to…appeared” “Zac’s ugly expression” >Concerned? Maybe “grimace” is better? “Ugly expression” is both getting overused and overly vague. “slapped the Kalir” >subtract “the” “escape first when the domain” >if?
Matthew Hay
I'm willing to bet some Titan bloodline node or talent works at the detriment of intelligence. Like +10x strength for every x int below 1000. That would explain why his ancenstor complained about his bloodline purity.
Jeff McCulley
BTW, IF somehow Billy were to have a seal…I can’t imagine it being for anything other than the Indomitable Court. Like Joanna and Kruta…and at least she knows who Billy is. :D
Jeff McCulley
“Fate” and “predestination” are often used together, but are not the same—especially as TFD is using it here. Under predestination, whatever you do, you’ll wind up at a certain point. No choice involved. With fate in this situation, you choose whether and how to follow.
Douglas Davis
Just because the memory domain can be important and ties to those in the trial doesn't mean all the actions of the trial takers were preordained. Rhugar might be doing exactly what the Limitless Empire predicted he would. But it's equally possible that his decision to utterly abandon his role and participation in the trial was something they never foresaw. He might very well be off his "path" and simply sitting in an inn accompany nothing.
Jeff McCulley
There’ll be more POV chapters eventually, maybe right after the Dipper Mountain mini arc. More importantly, Zac is going to start accumulating more of his team as he gets to, and proceeds through the Pylons. Probably starting with Janos when he gets to the Mercurial Court, and Joanna, Kruta and Emily shortly after the Hollow Court. And given Tavza’s apparent Zach-related fate, I suspect she’s around here too.
Jeff McCulley
That said… Does anyone seriously think that if Billy saw a pretty sparkly glowing treasure,, he wouldn’t grab it? I mean, he wouldn’t do a designation quest—but some of those seals would remind him of Gemmy. *maybe twenty years or so with the Titans added some IQ points?
Hakeem Gordon
How awesome would it be to have a book detailing Ogras' training and journey back to Zac after meeting Pontius!?
Mike Naka
I'm with you. I wouldn't mind if TFD slowed down and spent more time on things. That'd prolly slow down the story down by 20% but I wouldn't mind. I kinda follow One Punch Man, and it's cool how Murata will go back and re-draw battles he's not fully satisfied. But if TFD slowed down, too many people would prolly balk. Plus, the story would go from 40 books to 60 books.
Mike Naka
Marvel's got What Ifs so why not TFD? LOL As a former comics reader, TFD's stuff is so much better than Marvel's. Marvel hasn't been good since the 90s, but I digress. Team Zac vs. The Avengers. Who wins and why?
King Nereus
That empire is dead and won’t be coming back. Zac’s budding empire has the potential to flourish though.
King Nereus
She was the last official clan/family head, but that doesn’t mean the family would just roll over and die because their token was lost. Nothing is impossible here, he could encounter people who will respect the token down the road outside of the trial assuming he gets to keep it,
King Nereus
The empire isn’t coming back potentially based on anything happening in these memory domains. They are not changing history or timelines or anything like that, just the memory of the land/realm throughout the trial, as each “wrong” is righted the trial takers are gaining power and /or influence within the current-day realm and potentially unlocking some doors up ahead. Nothing they do impacts anything outside this realm and trial, and nothing they do will have any impact on the actual river of time looking back or upstream, but the outcome of the trial and the resulting reward will have a huge impact on the direction of the era and the power dynamic moving forward or downstream.
Lex Luther S
Ultimately this is the story of zacs journey to supremacy. We can get insights and snippets into what the empire is doing a well as his other seal bearers but the main focus will always be on zac. Anything else will see one chapter at best and that's just context for something that will usually involve zac or elevate his faction or followers.
M💬
I don’t think the limitless empire returning is a good thing. Emperor Limitless seems like a war crazed Lunatic and him returning would most definitely throw the multiverse into Chaos because the balance maintained by the old factions would be broken and it will be a struggle for supremacy….. that’s why those old monsters are outside the trial, they want to fish in muddy waters and glimpse the emperor’s grand plan. That’s what I think anyway
Hakeem Gordon
Thank you!
Mateo Lopez
Billy was told directly by his ancestor to not get involved with Ultom. And with the information we got later during the First Contact Intersector War. The part with Everfast monarch managing to slay the Kan’tanu monarch. One of the characters in the ship stated that the Titan were wiped out because they didn’t conform to current heavens or something of that sort. All that said I think Billy is doing quite well for himself without the need for Ultom and its secrets. And I agree it would be very nice to see how he is doing!
Hakeem Gordon
Great chapter! Does anyone remember if Billy was offered the opportunity to join the trial? I recall he left to train under, was it titans or giants? It'd be nice to see what he's been up to!
Andrew
Thank you!
Silent Consent
No way, when Ogras gave up his arm fighting the church of everlasting dow and killed his own follower because she was plotting against Zack. It’s got nothing to do with his sister.
Silent Consent
I wish the other characters were more apart of the story. I know it’s crazy long and that would probably make it longer but I want to know how his empire is doing and I would like more of Emely and Iz, the undead and others.
Edgar Segura
Awesome
Silent Consent
The realm could have been created as a trap to beguile the weak.
Booksaregood
The money I’d pay to skip further ahead 😂😂😅.
Silent Consent
Oh man, I’d be like… The future totally needs your treasures hand em over! Also there a bunch of evil time travelers go hunt them down.
Booksaregood
The plot is STRONG!!!!
Michael Dugan
It just popped into my head because of all the stuff that Zac is doing to help the Clan.
daniel koval
Honestly, looking at things, I hope the limitless empire returns. It’s got to be better than the current status quo or reality is crumbling, and you have a bunch of petty warlords running around. Now that petty is in comparison to the old order. Second thing, it’s good to see Zach finally starting to make deep connections. We really need to see more of that in the story and more of the camaraderie between Zach, and his close companions and empire. I love a book all about Zach deepening his ties with his friends, his past, and his empire.
Jeff McCulley
“Next to it, the red pot stood. Inside was a small tree, still no more than a sapling even after billions of years. The gift from that inscrutable man.” Flower vs tree
Jeff McCulley
I’m not sure that he lied by omission, he simply walked a narrow and winding path of truth. Especially since this was by far the essential, fundamental truth of everything he said: “We’re here to protect the flame of hope by correcting our mistakes.”
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Dominic Fox
If this is confirmation that completing a memory changes the reality in all the others in the trial then it’s possible that the Zac is causing chaos and destabilising all the threads of fate that the other eonic seeds are following. It would be funny if they are forced to start working in zacs best interest (following new threads of fate) to make any progress in their own plans.
Jeff McCulley
Neither of you is wrong. And you know what is totally hilarious about it? About showing how much these two have gone through to create such a bond? It shows Zac’s relationship with Catheya for shallow, superficial farce that it truly is in comparison. Pretty cool the way TFD keeps dropping these oblique hints. Again and again and again.
Jeff McCulley
OMG, TFD dropped some major truth bombs on us! Just look at this: “By that logic, the Empire wouldn’t create lanterns and domains at random…Each memory was a blemish in history, representing missed potential. And willingly or not, the trial takers became instruments of change” Yeah, this is just profound. Because y’know what? It doesn’t just apply to Zac. Just think about the handful of other sealbearers we’ve seen a glimpse of… “Most of the chosen were likely traveling along threads matching their nature, following a hidden quest chain.” While it seems obvious that some are on their natural path—like Joanna, and presumably Emily—that’s not true for all of Zac’s sealbearers. This is a fascinating question for both Rhubat and Carl. The former is currently faced by an obstacle that seems to be a challenge to his actual nature. The latter, well, seemingly Carl left “his” path…but did he truly? Because he certainly seems to be following the path that seems most natural to him. However, the Sealbearer that this passage most brought to my mind was Rhuger. Right now, he is *exactly* acting according to his nature. And we know that he’s on the “right path”, since the next Domain was perfectly suited for him, and he was headed towards “his” Pillar. And yet he headed back to a memory domain city with a comfortable inn. Now, it seems clear that some of the participants see these domains as nothing more than comfortable resting points—except that Zac has just postulated, perhaps confirmed, that all are significant. All have a purpose, a “fixing point”. Which would imply that Rhuger didn’t just go back to an inn. Whether he knows it or not, he went back to a point where there is unfinished business, a box for him to check. A place he was intended to make a difference before moving on. And…move on he will, if he “fixes” it, and the realm dissolves. So many layers to this story. Freaking awesome.The gift that just keeps on giving! Thanks again, TFD!
Matthew Hay
Grandma Tayn was at the grouping of supremacies w/ Old Man River at the start of the event. They should have a similar understanding as Zac, if not more. Blessed Fate from the Sangha also directly mentions Laondio and trying to erase them, so they are likely against helping the empire. The Limitless Empire having some authority over the Empyrean Throne is likely the same for most of the dao peaks since the System was such a huge undertaking, and Laondio was likened to the Eternal by Wal'Zo in terms of potential. It would be strange if the Limitless Empire didn't have authority from multiple peaks.
Tommy
“Most spent their life pursuing the Dao without knowing the joy of experiencing the journey in the company of a true brother. Zac wouldn’t let Ogras fall here, even if he had to sacrifice the treasure to open a path.” Hell yeah Zac. Ogras is your bro! Tear down the heavens! TFTC
Jeff McCulley
That could be. But…in the real timeline, Terea was the last known member. She would have had a damaged core and a heart demon…AND to have been taken along with the rest of the survivors. Guess we’ll see.
Jeff McCulley
I’m pretty sure that not all Pillars work the same way. That would make them too easy to thwart. But I could be wrong.
Matthew Hay
I think the first time we see that is when they go to Ogras' homeworld and Zac is talking to his Grandpa. You're right on the shift though. Before the mystic realm he always had doubts on Ogras' motivation, but Ogras was the same way in reverse. Now they've both been through enough to know neither is going to betray the other for some gains.
Jeff McCulley
I’m going to be completely honest here. Reading this, I keep thinking, “I wanna know how this turns out!”. Immediately countered by, “I want MORE of this Dipper 7 mini arc!” And…the latter wins, hands down. Am I the only one?
The Lost Pages
I love seeing how far Zac and Ogras's relationship has come. I've been re-listening to the audiobooks from book one and man did Zac not trust him for quite a long while. I'm just finishing up book 6 and he still wasn't fully sold. Probably wasn't till Ogras saved his sister that things changed permanently. This is the first time I've seen Zac actually refer to Ogras as a brother.
Flameboy
I think I need to go back and reread from the start of this memory. We’ve learned a lot about what the memories are…is it only Zac and crew that know this or does Iz know too? I want to say no because if they did they wouldn’t be willing to try to bring back the empire and loose their current status on top. Although this is the “how many times “ the left imperial palace has shown up with the previous times not enough “karma or imperial faith” was returned. Then we have heard that other pillars that have appeared took millions of years to claim. So it seems like some of the top people would have figured this out by now. Or is that why all these “monsters “ have sent people to reclaim things so that the pillar will fall? Like the Primo and the Bell guy?
Spencer
I never comment, but damm. What a fucking chapter. It’s great finally having an idea of what’s going on with this whole event. Good to see the Zach and Ogras destroying shit together!
Michael Dugan
What if the Wendimar clan survived the birth of the system and is one of the clans hiding in the endless storm? When Zac completes the Trial and still has the Clan Leader badge do you think they would sense it?
Evan Therrien
TFD cultivating the dao of cliffs hard. Gotta have it up past earthly dao at this point.
Mike Naka
We end with a plant that was what? Last seen being talked to by Laondio? The truth is revealed...Zac is literally and figuratively a PLANT! LOL
Mike Naka
Can't wait for this to be in book form to just chill & listen to this awesome story!
Mike Naka
W for Wendimar and W for Whitecrest. Inverse one W and you have a M. WW becomes MW and we now have Margrave Wartoris. Prolly just a stoned coincidence. LOL
Lucas Gulick
Tftc!
Omiso
Damn Zac lied by omission, even he can be subtle if he works hard enough. Shame he didn't make a deal with Pervata but that's probably for the best. As for the Whitecrest, Ogras is right, raising flags and tempting the heavens like that, is no wonder they fell.
DrSubterfuge
Rare sentimentalism from Zac. Hell yeah Ogras best bro.
MacMahon Wenzl
What a cliff.
Lex Luther S
Bro this is going to be such a big W for the Wendimars and whitecrests. Ogras is the GOAT. Their original "work together possible adversaries" to "brothers in arms to the end" is a BIG part of why I love zac and ogras as characters. And zacs comment of giving up even a grand treasure of the void for him speaks volume. Welp, seems they're about to get quite the repository of information indeed. And zac saying "It belonged to the Void, and he was its Emperor" is so FUCKING metal man. The void emperor will not be denied even if that flower is a big unique and interesting. Truly can't wait for Mondays chapter.....or... maybe an extra this weekend? I can't help but pray we get an extra one because this cliffhanger is got me way to excited.
Justin
It's so hard to wait in between chapters!
The Lost Pages
What an incredible chapter. And ugh... another cliff. Monday is going to be exciting.
Ryan Pepp
Here we go!
The Lost Pages
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