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Chapter 1,299.
🕑 Added 2024-11-04 18:12:06 +0000 UTC"You've already cracked the seal?" Zac exclaimed while his human half asked Ventus to plot a new course.
"A few days ago. I didn't want to distract you while you had your hands full," Esmeralda said as she handed over Kator's Spatial Ring.
"Isn't it too easy? Didn't Valsa's ring take years?" Zac said.
"How's that the same? I wasn't even a Beast King back then. A few months are more than enough for that bratling's stuff," Esmeralda said. "According to our agreement, I've picked out two things I want."
Zac didn't bother mentioning the deal was for one treasure. That was before Esmeralda stepped in during the fight. Besides, she wouldn't have taken something that could give Zac a power-up while relying on him to find the treasure. Even so, Zac couldn't help but look up at the toad with suspicion after infusing his will into the ring.
"Did you take two or two-thirds?"
The number of items in Kator's ring was only a fraction of what Zac carried around at any given moment. The neatly arranged stacks of treasure couldn't compare to one of the mountains of resources he'd stockpiled. The ring's space was also larger than the best of Zac's Spatial Rings, making it seem even more empty.
"He was all business," Esmeralda shrugged. "And while the quantity is lacking, it's all good stuff."
That part was true. The Miasma Crystals were all the equivalent of Late D-grade Cosmic Crystals. Crystals of that level rarely appeared naturally in Zecia. The few that were mined were monopolized by the powerful factions. Kator's crystals were even superior to the standardized version. They were all engraved with arrays to improve their energy capacity and transfer speeds.
Zac began his sweep by checking the large number of reports spanning back years. A cursory scan didn't expose any information about the rebellion or hidden operatives inside the trial. Such important details would be hidden behind secret codes or not recorded at all. It was mostly reports on his actions and movements of suspected sealbearers during the war.
More useful was the tracker, which was clearly superior to the one Zac had been given. With it, he could discover the others in the network hours before they could find him. Zac turned to Esmeralda before activating it. "Have you checked the items for traps?"
"I have—couldn't find anything," Esmeralda said. "He didn't strike me as the type who'd bother with such things."
Zac had to agree. Kator was more like Yselio Tobrial than a deathsworn willing to do anything to further the White Sky Phalanx's cause. Both reaver and princeling mostly saw their factions as tools to further their cultivation. Such people wouldn't waste time worrying about what would happen after they died. Yselio would even hold onto his secrets to increase his chances of getting resurrected.
Kator had habitually lied during their journey, but Zac believed him when he claimed not to care whether the Primo or the rebels won. He'd simply adapt and grab as many resources in the upheaval as possible. He'd openly called himself selfish, and the ring didn't hold a single item meant for his subordinates. The closest was a pile of untouched Cosmic Crystals, something Kator likely kept as a backup currency.
Zac used the tracker to confirm there were no undead near his and Esmeralda's side before sending it over to his human side. There was still no response, which Zac figured was for the best. Ideally, the Undead Empire's opposing camps would sort themselves out before he had to get involved. He'd rather collect more opportunities until finding Tavza's crew.
The Cultivation Resources were all tailored to Kator's needs. Zac inspected seven larger stockpiles, confirming they were all exquisite Natural Treasures. The unfamiliar herbs and minerals seemed related to Kator's bone-tempering Bloodline Manual. Speaking of, there was actually a Nexus Node containing the first six layers of [White Sky Discipline]—the White Sky Phalanx's signature cultivation manual.
There was no way Zac could practice a bloodline manual of such a different species. It was still well worth studying. Reavers were unique in the sense that their souls were spread throughout their exterior bones. As such, the top-tier Izh'Rak Reaver Body Tempering Manual doubled as a Soul Nurturing Method. The [White Sky Discipline] held valuable insight into the connection between body and soul—just the kind of insights Zac needed for his [Thousand Axes Avatar].
Zac had long since reached his limits of the Eidolon [Thousand Lights Chapter]. Going any further required a Spectral's incorporeal body. This fundamental incompatibility with the source material was why his work on reforming the method was progressing so slowly.
Next to the [White Sky Discipline], there was a small repository of high-quality insights covering everything from Technique to Formations and Killing Intent. The actual method for the Intent Formations that Izh'Rak Reavers seemed to like was unfortunately missing. There were even a few dissertations on the Void, no doubt Kator's attempt to understand Zac's abilities. While short and filled with educated guesses, they were definitely worth a deeper look.
As any warrior, Kator had prepared a good stockpile of Concoctions, Talismans, Arrays, things you'd need during a dangerous trial. Regrettably, that didn't include Leveling Pills. Most of the concoctions were generally useless as they were designed to work with Izh'Rak Reaver physiology.
Most interesting was the collection of items that were stowed in customized high-grade containers. There were fourteen in total, many of them no doubt surpassing the rest of the ring in terms of value. One of them was the ancient cauldron Kator looted from the Polaris Vault. The second was a feather exuding intensely pure Death. It was an aura Zac would never forget.
It was a unique expression of Death belonging to the Primo, one that Zac felt when signing the writ of cooperation. The feather didn't have any obvious use. Most likely, it was meant to act as a compass inside the Hollow Court, leading the expedition to the Primo's treasure.
The third treasure was surprisingly a carefully sealed bottle of emerald water holding shocking levels of Life. Taking out the sealed bottle made his Eoz constitution tremble like it had encountered its natural enemy. If he'd been a normal Draugr, the sensation would've been far worse. Looking at the other items, Zac had a feeling it was something Kator's superiors had prepared against Tavza.
The Azol bloodline was the incarnation of the Abyssal Lake. Pouring this Celestial Water into her domain would trigger a war. It was almost a shame that Kator had enough sense to hold back on using it during their fight. The surprise of his anti-Draugr ace failing spectacularly might have given Zac an opening to end the death match sooner.
The next item was a glass sphere holding bone-chilling smoke. Without knowing why, Zac judged it was a counter to Iz Tayn's empyrean flames. The item was a contingency in case Zac teamed up with the Tayn Clan during the trial. While it didn't seem strong enough to kill someone like Iz, it might have created an opening to escape.
Three more items were similarly tailor-made counters to dangerous adversaries inside the trial—a Vajra, a bloodied sword with a snapped edge, and an ancient bone reeking of Death. Zac found the pitch-black Vajra the most interesting. It held some of the Karmic Dharma you'd expect from a Buddhist tool, except it was subverted.
Zac sensed the transformation of the Inverse Peak, along with a heavy helping of Pure Death. It was like the Undead Empire had raised a powerful Arhat who'd realigned his Dharmic Treasure. Taking it out, Zac felt isolated from the world. The intense spirituality of the Left Imperial Expanse was suddenly not as intrusive.
Shielding the Dao wasn't its main purpose. Zac was certain the Death-attuned Vajra was a Fatewarding Treasure, one specifically designed to resist the Buddhist Sangha's Karmic meddling. Zac understood why Kator kept it sealed instead of carrying it on his person. A droning chant filled Zac's mind the moment he took it out.
While the words were distorted and indecipherable, the cadence was similar to any Buddhist Sutra. However, the sutra was filled with a boundless fury that tried to turn Zac into an unthinking vehicle of destruction. It was an indiscriminate rage targeting all of the cosmos, one that wanted to tear down the Heavens.
The Vajra held the chant of a true Asura, a fallen monk who only promised salvation after all existence was burned to the ground. It was the opposite of the orthodox Buddhist Dharma, which usually malevolent plots behind gentle smiles and comforting words. Zac stowed it away after listening for a minute.
The Vajra could potentially be used as an accelerant to his Heart Cultivation, though Zac feared the chants would subtly influence his Dao Heart. It was better kept stowed away until he ran into some monks—something Zac believed was inevitable in this trial. Long-term, the Vajra's resentment might be cleansed and turned into a Fatewarding Treasure. Zac could use a replacement for his [Lucky Beads], which saw half its beads sacrificed to summon the [Epiclesis Bell].
If the Vajra was a safeguard against Sacred Insight, the presumed Buddhist Flamebearer, then the sword was a protection against whoever the Seven Heavens sent to replace Yselio. Zac could feel a hint of Imperial Qi in the blood covering the blade, and it was like absorbing it had turned the sword into a taboo weapon holding the power of regicide. It could potentially work against Imperial Faith to a lesser extent.
The bone shard had to come from an existence similar to the Primordial who led the Starbeasts. He'd never seen that revived monstrosity first-hand, but the bone emitted a similar aura as Antuka. Zac sincerely hoped he wouldn't have to use it, as it'd make for a perfect supplement to Verun if he could wipe off the sinister Curse engraved onto it.
The weapons surpassed anything Zac had managed to prepare, and they weren't the end of Kator's generosity. The final treasures weren't more single-use weapons. Kator had anticipated the trial providing an opportunity to step into Peak Monarchy and prepared accordingly. There were five Supreme Peak D-grade Treasures altogether, all at the level of what went into Zac's Core Nucleus.
Three were useless to Zac as they were connected to the Peaks of Impetus, Taiji, and the Inverse Peak. Zac guessed there'd also been a Temporal Treasure which now was in Esmeralda's possession. The two Supreme Treasures for Death and Conflict could either be used for his next breakthrough or his Tool Spirits.
Even better was a mysterious cube covered in markings that didn't match the Apostate of Order's cultivation System. It should still be of this Era. Zac couldn't put his finger on exactly what it held. His senses and spiritual tendrils failed to create an accurate representation. It felt like a piece of the Big Bang had been trapped inside the cube.
Having just used a similar treasure, Zac was almost certain it was a Peak D-grade core refining treasure. Zac was in no hurry to use it. His core would need to stabilize before using such items again. That was why he'd saved the treasure he bought in the Limited Exchange instead of directly pushing his core to High Quality.
Judging by the cube's intense fluctuations, Zac might be better off saving it until Peak D-grade. The final breakthrough of Hegemony was more intense and dangerous than the other three core formations combined. Zac's core was bound to take a hit even if he advanced under optimal conditions.
Zac eventually retracted his will from the Spatial Ring with a satisfied smile. Kator truly lived up to his status as the leader of the Undead Empire's expedition. His ring offered a little bit of everything, helping with both the trial and Zac's cultivation.
"Sorry about the wait," Zac said on the other side, noticing Ventus's thoughtful expression as he gazed into the distance. "Did you discover something?"
"Do you remember what I said about signs of former glory?" Ventus asked.
"You've found the leads to a memory domain?"
"I've found the potential of one," Ventus said, pointing slightly away from the Hollow Court's Pillar. "There is a very strong drain of providence in that direction. It has distorted the natural flow of the surrounding regions. A significant event must have taken place."
Zac looked into the distance. His human side was halfway to their destination, and Esmeralda was even closer to the Mercurial pillar. It was about time they started to look for information about the Outer Courts and suitable lanterns in earnest. A stable memory domain like Black Zenith would also be a good place to upgrade a few of his simpler skills.
"How far?"
"A week or thereabout. The signal is not very far off-course, so we shouldn't be delayed more than a day."
"Let's go."
Each team resumed their journey, neither side encountering any surprises over the next week. Zac spent most of his time getting used to his breakthroughs and finalizing blueprints for a few skills. The Polaris Vault's ancient cauldron proved quite useful in that regard. The old treasure was chock-full of the Lost Plane's corruption after being stuck next to a breach for so long, providing Zac with a readily available source of mobile insights. He simply needed to keep the item inside his purification space for a few hours to fill it up with inspiration.
Once more, it was Zac's human side that eventually stopped to investigate an opportunity while Esmeralda maintained her breakneck pace toward the glowing pillar. The two had followed the Numerologist's trail to an enormous crater trapping a mist so dense it could have been mistaken for a deep-blue lake.
Flying across the crater would take at least five days, not that Zac would if it could be avoided. The mist perfectly isolated whatever went on below, but Zac recognized a death trap when he saw one. It was a shame, considering the crater held an unusual number of lanterns, just as Ventus predicted. Lording over everything was an unusually shaped memory domain close to the crater's center.
It was positioned more than ten miles into the air, and distance alone wasn't enough to explain its odd shape. The domain couldn't be more than a couple of miles across, a fraction of the enormous battlefield Zac visited last. The domain stood on a pyramid obscured by climbing mist. Whether it was a mountain, a megastructure, or part of the memory was impossible to tell from a distance.
"What do you think?"
Ventus looked at the almost vertical drop before them. "It's too uniform to be a naturally formed valley. It's like something took a big bite out of the continent. See these ridges? They're marks left from an intense eruption of energy holding profound Dao."
"This place is big enough to hold a provincial capital. Doesn't it kind of look like part of a city?" Zac said, pointing at the mostly obscured memory domain. "Can you deduce what happened?"
"No. Time has erased most pertinent clues, and I feel there's more to it. It's as though something is intentionally clouding my judgment," Ventus said, fiddling with his long hair while in thought. "If I had to guess, I'd say the Inverse Peak is involved."
Zac also felt there was something recognizable about the crater's wall. The seemingly random scars and shapes contained truths—truths just out of reach. The familiarity could certainly stem from the Daos of the Earthly Peak that made Kator's path so difficult to pin down. Could someone have opened an unstable breach to the Lower Planes, triggering a massive explosion?
"Looking at the domain's position, it could have come after the crater," Ventus offered. "It'll be difficult to get any clear answers without visiting the past."
Zac glanced at the still-silent shadow cocoon in thought. "Let's follow the rim for a day or two. We can look for lanterns while investigating the mist. It gives me a bad feeling."
"Good."
The two spent the next day communing with the local lanterns, looking for standouts or fated connections. None so far held the aura of the Hollow or any other courts. The azure mist remained silent during their increasingly long flyovers. Nothing came out, and nothing entered. Even the lanterns avoided it, floating at least a mile over its surface.
Soon enough, they reached a point where continuing would bring them further from the domain. Just as Zac deliberated whether one of them should scout ahead, the egg on his back finally stirred. Zac and Ventus created some distance as the shakes grew stronger. Defying expectations, the burgeoning energies didn't result in an explosion of shadows.
Instead, the shell-like layer shrunk inward, taking on the vague shape of a man. Moments later, the cocoon and all leaking energies had been absorbed by Ogras.
"Did I miss anything?" Ogras said with a confident grin as he sauntered over.
"Did you miss something?" Ventus echoed with a hollow laugh while a strained smile appeared on Zac's face.
"Well, nothing too exciting," Zac said, ignoring the Numerologist's incredulous look. "It turns out the little croc did have a guardian."
"They usually do," Ogras laughed as he took in the surroundings. "I'd say I'm sorry I missed it, but I get the feeling this place will provide more than enough excitement."
Comments
David Ballantyne
Ventus just replying: "good" when Zac says it gives him a bad feeling is weird.
Jeff McCulley
Kator literally became fodder for Zac’s cultivation. Lol!
Silent Consent
I’m not buying this space is big crap. Zack only had a mid D grade ship and was able to reach other planets and attack them. Imagine a B or A grade ship and how fast it could go. Nothing we know of can really stop a C grade cultivator from looting earth in an instant and chopping the planet in half if they want to.
Silent Consent
Yah, his style doesn’t really favor a bunch of things simultaneously building up. A lot of authors would probably move from character to character each chapter in this situation. I feel like he is too focused on Zack. I’d like a chapter checking in on the others especially Emily and the bad guys. That monster isn’t getting any love. 😭
Lampshade Sr.
If put next to a banana (for scale), how big would space be?
M💬
I thought it was just me that didn’t fancy the mystic realm arc reread all the book at least three times and just read my favorite part of the mystic realm arc. That really interesting never noticed this part TFD is really good at all this subtle info
Edgar Segura
Do you have any idea how massive space is? It's so astronomically massive that we literally cannot fathom it's size. That's just the observable universe not this fictional one either we're people move at insane speed or teleportation costs.
Lex Luther S
Facts. Take the mystic realm technocrat base arc. I abhorre that arc but since I haven't read it since my first read through of the series, I decided to let the audio book go on and one part stood out i had completely missed. A cracked dome floated in space, an impossibly large structure broken and scorched beyond repair. An infant’s cry echoed out toward the vast beyond, but it was overpowered by the roar of an endless sea of lightning. It should have ended then and there, but a hand pushed through Heaven’s Wrath and brought him away, ignoring the sizzling sounds of molten flesh and metal. This has to have been zacs birth and his grandfather protecting him and his mother long enough for her to take zac and run when the system came crashing down
Jeff McCulley
“…Zac recognized a death trap when he saw one.” Of course it is. And of course, they’re going to explore it anyway. Friendly reminder? Next Chapter in number 1,300. You know, unlucky 13 x 100? Well…at least it’s not Friday, right?
Jeff McCulley
Doesn’t his new method take care of both of those?
Mike Naka
hopefully, that 'bow' takes a week long to tie. lol so much to catch up on.
Mike Naka
i wonder if zac will eventually try kator's barrel of bone repair to temper his body/soul in some way while flipping through kator's manual. i wouldn't put anything past our boi at this point. lol
Jeff McCulley
I’ll add, the Peaks are just a semi-random example. However, if all of their Monarchs were assassinated, and being near the front lines, I’d hardly be surprised if Pretty and Average Peak pushed their Clan to join the Atwood Empire. Average already calls Zac “Boss”, after all—iirc.
Jeff McCulley
Also, I kinda expect that at some point Zac will run across “his” Sealbearers that he doesn’t know are his. Sure, Rhubat and the other Sealbearers who didn’t make that Yphelion trip will be able to update Zac (and us) on Atwood Empire happenings prior to the start of the event. But it would be fun if he runs into someone—say, a Peak—who is part of his Cycle, and he has no clue why until they explain that their Clan or Faction joined the Atwood Empire.
Jeff McCulley
I seem to recall something about how the whole Sector War wouldn’t be resolved until this Event was completed. Even though Merit and the Quests were on a timer, as if Chapter 1,269. Memorable chapter. And not just for the last two digits, that just makes recalling the number easy. ;) I kinda suspect TFD wants to make it a surprise for us, all wrapped up with a bow for us when this arc ends.
Jeff McCulley
“The deal was for one item”? I’m not sure what Zac is remembering: 'Well. I suppose dealing with this will help me as well, and that skeleton should have a decent background. I want the first pick if you manage to deal with him. Two items, the rest is yours.' 'Deal.' 'Happy hunting.’
Amani
ahhh Kator's gifts are appreciated! Dude was so annoying, but this makes up for his actions. His Death puts Zac in a better standing for the end game of when everyone fights for the true inheritance.
Jeff McCulley
Despite all of the cool stuff, am I the only one mildly disappointed with the contents of Kator’s ring? Lol. I supposed that if Zac runs into a Reaver who isn’t openly hostile, he has a bunch of good trade (or bribe) material.
Silent Consent
I want to know what is happening with earth and those things Zack sent after the cultists. I also want to know how the system is going to help him out with all that and how the sector is going to be impacted. The war is over right? What happened… The monks screwed everything up but the cultists should be getting ravaged and Zack should win the war even though everyone bailed. I don’t understand how any planet manages to avoid becoming sucked up into larger more powerful factions. One C grade monk sucked up a holy mountain and a thousand monks then just bounced. What stops them from just looting everything…
RWS
Thanks for the chapter and thank you Kator for donating your much-needed supplies.
M💬
When you re listen to DOTF from the start you pick up on things that you might have glossed over,like I did not know one of the apostate was from the heaves till recently
micah wales
Would like to see his two sides combine soon.
ItsFin
I imagine he would need it fixed before C grade is an option
Lex Luther S
It was reports. No need to bring the Intel from the strategists with him if he's already read through it. After all, not everyone hoards mountains of loot and keeps a good chunk of their true personal wealth on their person like zac.
Lex Luther S
You talking about the tool spirit for the shade shadewar flag?
Rid
Seriously though, I always look for his comment.
TKO
The final treasures weren't more single-use weapons. Kator had anticipated the trial providing an opportunity to step into Peak Monarchy and prepared accordingly. - That should be peak Hegemony. Anyway, thank you for the chappy! Lots of loot, a smug Ogras and promise of future treasure. Good times..
Luke Scheffe
That's two separate things. The heritage level information was given to Kator by his elders. These are a small grouping of documents written by Kator about a specific aspect of Zac's cultivation.
Blake N.
You always have the most useful chapter takeaways
james lehew
Real question how much farther for goblin bro?
Amithyst Stonewall
Yeeeh Ogras! We always need more of him.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
SandreX
You might be right, but I doubt on this one. I mean even if Kator was provided everything, there is no reason for him to bring entire thing with him, more like taking important insights on the topic would be enough.
Andrew
Thank you!
Omiso
Kator said the intelligence report was as big as an inheritance but all Zac found was a "few dissertations on the Void", either Esmeralda kept the report or more likely those dissertations are like the book of duality. He'll need to read and re-read and maybe decode every word and every chapter to fully grasp their meaning. This further proves my theory that as cultivators become old monsters they become increasingly incapable of giving a straight answer and must talk in riddles, metaphors, stories or just hiding truths within simpler wording. Pity Zac doesn't have time to check.
Alexander Dupree
Ogras is back yesssss!
FriendorFo
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Lex Luther S
Ahhhh, how sublime. Zac now has a few good tools against the other monsters of the trial while they've reached a strange new memory domain, and he's getting some of his skills upgraded to Late D grade And our boi ogras has finished his breakthrough. Boy, ohhh boy, I can't wait for Wednesdays chapter to read about his gains.
PapaJohn
Can't wait to see what Ogras can do now!
Jacob lamoureux
Was waiting for it
Jacob lamoureux
Finally
