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Chapter 1,286.
🕑 Added 2024-10-07 19:24:22 +0000 UTCAnother mark. Carl carefully investigated the scarring on the mountain wall. He estimated the battle took place just over a week ago. It was enough to conclude two things. One, they were indeed heading toward the Farsee Court. Secondly, Carl was catching up with them. The earliest traces he'd discovered were two days older.
Covering more ground was by no means a testament to his strength. He was benefitting from his target carving a path of destruction, slaughtering beasts and breaking natural formations through sheer force. He was tracking a real monster. As they should be. It was a sign, proof that his idea was the right one.
Carl absorbed a lingering sliver of Dao into his eyes. The world was drowned in apocalyptic flames that threatened to consume him whole. His vision returned to normal after a fierce struggle, and he followed the golden stream conjured by [Road to Olympus].
Every day, he drew a little closer. There were more than enough marks left to refuel his tracking skill, making it impossible to lose their trail. The dangers he'd faced after experiencing the life of Ervin Mantala, the Senior Surveyor under the Imperial Workshop's employ, were conspicuously absent. The stillness tried to sow seeds of doubt in his heart, telling him he was prey being lured into a trap. He wouldn't let it.
Convictions aside, Carl couldn't stop his beating heart from galloping when he finally spotted the glorious sun burning in the distance. He could vaguely see a figure sitting atop it. They were meting out fiery judgment on a swarm of insects below. Like a true sun, their flames seemed inexhaustible. Having the numbers on their side did nothing to subvert the brood's fate.
Within the hour, a hill of ashes half a dozen miles across was all that remained. A few shells from the more durable beetles stuck out of the funeral pyre. Carl didn't need to use his ocular skills to understand they'd been burnt at a molecular level, destroying any structural integrity they once had.
"I guess it's time," Carl muttered.
He straightened his clothes and flew out, making no attempts to hide his presence. He'd probably been spotted days ago, anyway. The sun shrunk during his approach, turning into a golden disk floating ten meters over the ashes. Carl had planned on landing on it before giving his sales pitch, but he realized he'd been overly optimistic.
What business did a pile of ashes have being so hot? Sweat was already pouring down Carl's face after he'd crossed half the distance. It felt more like he was flying over an active volcano, if that volcano was also outfitted with the withering stare of an indifferent god. There was simply no way. Carl stopped midway, furiously going over the information he'd coaxed out of Ogras and Kruta during their drinking sessions.
"Mistress Tayn, I bring greetings from Emperor Atwood," Carl croaked with a deep bow. "May I approach?"
"You are one of Zac's generals?"
"I'm afraid not." Carl staunchly shook his head. A general? No way. That's the kind of title that comes with expectations that'll get you killed. "I'm Carl Elrod, a simple janitor."
The lingering heat was still burrowing into his body, but the crushing pressure on his soul had disappeared. Carl took it as an invitation and rushed toward the disc, praying it would provide sanctuary. It did. Carl exhaled with relief when the sweltering air was replaced by a refreshing wind, but he briefly forgot how to breathe when he finally saw the face of Iz Tayn.
Carl had to admit, the boss knew how to pick them. The young lady was like something that had stepped out of a fairy tale. The old fairy tales that used the deaths of foolish children as a cautionary tale, perhaps, but her beauty was not of this world.
Thank God Lissa wasn't here. She wasn't the jealous type, but Carl wasn't sure that applied when this woman was involved. Intentionally or not, Iz Tayn looked the part of a maximum-threat homewrecker. Carl could only say a silent prayer for the Lady Atwood. Catheya was a devastating beauty if you could get past the undead thing, but this girl had her beat.
"You're Zac's… janitor?" the fairy said, seemingly having trouble grasping the meaning.
"The boss—uh, Emperor Atwood—has a penchant for causing… Upheavals, I suppose? I am trying to tidy things up."
"That he does," Iz said, her mouth curving upward. "You do not have to censure yourself before me."
Carl suspiciously looked at Iz for a moment. Was it a trap where he'd suddenly get smote for his insolent mouth? No, the boss didn't like stuck-up people like that. It was most likely genuine. What had Ogras called her? Harva-something? A bored princess touring the slums. He might as well play the part of the helpful local.
"How is Zac?"
"The boss was dying and encased in a block of ice the last time I saw him. He'd just finished summoning some titans and blowing up a massive space station."
"Ice? Titans?" Iz Tayn stood unmoving for a second, her sapphire eyes blank as her brain rebooted.
Afraid Iz Tayn would misunderstand, Carl quickly elaborated. "Don't worry, miss. That's a good thing. That can only mean he's a lot stronger by now. He should be hard at work destroying this place, too. The boss has never blown up a continent before, so he should be quite excited."
The smile crept back onto Iz Tayn's face. "It sounds like an interesting adventure. Your train of thought is… inspired."
Ogras was right. The casual approach was absolutely the right choice when it came to this beautiful tyrant. Who knew, he might actually survive this mess of a trial?
"My wife sometimes says I've gone insane. Perhaps she's right," Carl shrugged. "All I know is that most of my stress disappeared the day I accepted a simple fact."
"What fact is that?"
"It's easier overcoming fate than the boss's madness. The road to survival in this life is to embrace the chaos he brings."
---------------
Iz marveled at the devout madness burning in the man's eyes. It was still early, but it held the potential to become something very interesting. Something powerful. Iz had a feeling that Eldest Granduncle would be interested in this self-proclaimed janitor. He was even a practitioner of the Dao of Fire. Was their meeting fate?
"Carl Elrod. Is there another reason you've followed me for the past week, beyond relaying Zachary Atwood's Regards?"
"Yes. I'd like to follow you if that's okay."
"You're a Lightbringer of the Radiant Court," Iz said, pointing at the mark on the archer's hand. "Why do you wish to follow me to the Farsee Court when your fate lies elsewhere? Safety?"
"My Fate is wherever the boss needs me. Some seal won't change that," Carl said.
"You were ordered to go to the Farsee Court?"
"No," Carl shook his head. "It's just that the boss's two Planeswalkers aren't very reliable."
"You're completing the cycle," Iz surmised.
Her reasoning was the same. She'd tried to follow Zac's suggestion despite not having a quest of her own. She didn't reach all the way, with three courts remaining unaccounted for among her subordinates. Among them, the Farsee Court was closest when she stepped onto the Left Imperial Expanse.
Carl nodded. "I suspect that our performance in the nine courts will improve the boss's chances when the Left Imperial Palace finally appears. The Radiant Court is already in good hands, so I figured I'd go here instead."
"Have you found anything to support the viability of your idea?" Iz asked.
"I have." Carl nodded with a solemn expression. "I found you. That must mean I'm on the right track. The boss's will works in mysterious ways."
"Heaven's fortunes are limited," Iz said. "What if achieving my goals means your plans will fall through?"
"I don't believe it'll come to that. The boss's quest said he could form multiple cycles. But if your success hinges on thwarting the boss's plans…" Carl seemed to consider the issue at length. "Then I'd say you're about to experience the Atwood rollercoaster of Fate."
Iz looked at the unusual archer for a few seconds. She could tell he wasn't ignorant of her status. He understood she was a Flamebearer and a descendant of a powerful faction, that her strength likely eclipsed that of his 'boss.' And yet, there was not a shred of doubt in his mind that Zac's penchant for trouble could stretch across time and space and shape events in his favor.
Carl Elrod was quite interesting. He also had something she lacked—conviction that surpassed the rational. She had done everything by the book in her months-long excursion into the Imperial Graveyard, relying on superior knowledge and resources. And yet, the experience was lined with setbacks.
She'd failed to accomplish most of her goals, from hunting down the annoying elemental to forming a full Sealbearer cycle. She'd almost lost her life to some backwater cultists after completing her seal. Salou had even been forced to sacrifice his life to open an escape route. Iz knew that she hadn't made any mistakes based on the information she had at the time.
Another part of her felt the losses could have been prevented if she'd just believed. Believed in herself and her followers, that they could somehow change the inevitable conclusions drawn from her family's wealth of knowledge and experience. If she'd just had that madness she was seeing in Carl Elrod's eyes, the immutable belief that so fiercely rejected reality that it changed.
"Then let us see what Fate has in store for us," Iz said. The golden disk began to move and soon left the smoldering critters far behind. "Carl Elrod. You said you have a wife?"
The archer's face lit up, and something resembling a Selvari invention appeared in his hands. Iz wanted to ask him the same question she had of Zac: whether mortal bonds had helped or harmed his pursuit of the Dao. That question was preempted by a series of images of a demoness and a mixed-race child appearing one after another.
"Yes, Lissa, and that's our daughter Ella. Thank God she got her mother's face. I hope she also got my impeccable sense of survival."
------
The restraining cocoon melted, and Rhubat's nostrils were immediately filled with the stench of fresh blood. Rhubat looked around to orient themselves. It had been four days since Rhubat's utter defeat and subsequent capture, and they'd had been carried around like a piece of luggage since. The cocoon had perfectly sealed their senses, and the surroundings were completely different from before.
Rhubat's captor had chosen a large bird's nest for camp-sight. It was hundreds of meters across and made from whole trees that kept the intense energies contained. The thick bed was made from foreign moss that released a shroud that nourished Rhubat's body. In the middle of the nest, there was a large pile of Natural Treasures. The arrangement was crude, but Rhubat had to admit it surpassed any cultivation chamber of the Zhix's making.
That hadn't saved the nest's original owners from their captor's violent tendencies.
Six large carcasses of unfamiliar birds were lying to the side on a bed of violet feathers. One of them was larger than the others combined. It was a parent and their offspring. The adult emitted the fierce aura of a Peak Beast King, yet there were no signs of struggle. It had been killed quickly and cleanly so as not to damage the campsite.
Rhubat didn't bother looking for an escape route. There were dozens of insects no weaker than the fallen Beast King in the nest. Some were rummaging through the treasure pile while the others feasted on bird flesh. Rhubat knew that any sudden movement would immediately garner their attention.
As for their master, Rhubat couldn't even muster the thought of struggle. She sat nearby, lazily playing with a bloody feather. She was more insectoid than the Zhix, with only vaguely human features to indicate she wasn't a Beast King. She was taller than Rhubat before their transformation at seven meters tall.
Her proportions were different than the norm, with a torso twice as long as a human's. She had four long, slender arms that hid incomprehensible power. She had suppressed Rhubat without trying, slapping away any skills coming their way with a wave of her hands. Their duel, if one could call it that, would have been over in a second if she hadn't been interested in testing his means.
Rubhat's instincts screamed that she was an exalted being. The Queen of Anointed, a being destined to lead. Rejecting her commands was to deny the nature hardcoded into any Zhix's brain. Was this why Rhubat felt so calm despite their likely demise?
Perhaps dying was for the best. Rhubat knew their identity as the Chainbreaker was approaching taboo territory. It might delay the Zhix's search for a future free of masters or derail it altogether.
"Will you try to fight me again?"
"I cannot defeat you."
"That's not an answer," the powerful stranger said with a smile. "I'm guessing you'll try to die at my hands depending on my reason for capturing you."
Rhubat answered with silence. She was correct, and lying was beneath a warrior.
"I haven't earned a name yet. You can call me Wrani, after my mother," the insectoid said. "I won't kill you unless you force my hand. Your kind are probably the only other insectoid cultivators in this trial.
"I've looked through your things the past few days," the queen said, unperturbed by Rhubat's silence. "Your people are called Zhix? A eusocial species integrated into the multiverse less than two decades ago. To think there's not one but two of your kind in this trial. Very interesting. It shows promise."
Rhubat hesitated a moment before speaking the truth. "Our presence is only because of favor given."
"Yes. Zachary Atwood. One of the nine Flamebearers," she said, cocking her head at him. "It won't work out, you know."
"Lord Atwood has told me that his goal is not the Left Imperial Palace or the Heritage it holds. I have no reason to doubt his words. He is not your enemy."
"Smart. Even if he had the strength, which I doubt, he lacks the backing to fight for the grand prize," she said with a smile. "But I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about you. About the Zhix living under the roof of a human. It always ends in one or two ways. You'll eventually exterminate them."
"Or?"
"Or you'll become their slaves," she said with a flicker of anger in her eyes. "Humans are individualistic. Some are generous to a fault. Others are selfish. Some are lone wolves, going through life alone. Humans don't value community like our kind. Our strict societal hierarchy is seen as stupidity, and they use our cohesion against us. So long as a human can control a hive's leader, he'll gain full control over the population. Wasn't that almost what happened with the traitors of your kind?"
Rhubat couldn't refute her words. Thousands of years of suffering under the Dominator's tyranny was indeed the result of one greedy human's schemes. If Zachary Atwood had shown the Zhix humanity's infinite potential for good, then Voridis A'Heliophos had shown them their potential for evil.
Sacrificing whole worlds, including countless souls of their own kin, for a cultivation breakthrough? The concept was alien to Rhubat and any other Zhix. It did not matter how far a specific Zhix reached on the path of cultivation. Weak or strong, they'd work for the betterment of the hive. Personal strength held no meaning.
Rhubat wouldn't begrudge the coming generations for having a smoother path or future leaders reaching greater heights. Such was the natural order. Rhubat's death would be weakness leaving the hive, and their work on the Zhix Cultivation System would be continued by their successor. This mentality allowed the hives to stand as one when the world changed. The humans had turned on themselves the second order collapsed, becoming a threat to their own survival.
The tumor of shortsighted selfishness remained after Zachary Atwood's efforts brought order to their world. Even soldiers acted on their own accord, sometimes ignoring the orders of their superiors. Numerous Hive Kundevi warriors had fallen after such illogical actions pushed them into a hopeless situation. But change was difficult and paved with blood.
"Why cannot our differences become our strength?" Rhubat said. "The Zhix would have fallen without our benefactor's help, and his faction would have struggled without our strength. Together, we rose to new heights during the intersector war."
"It'll be fine so long as you have an outside threat to force unity," Wrani said. "It's when your faction matures that the cracks will begin to show. Your populations will grow quicker than your domain, while your strongest combatants require exponentially more resources. What you once took from the hands of your enemies will suddenly have to come out of a countryman's pocket.
"An Emperor of humanity cannot control their population as we can. He cannot erase the greed in his subordinate's heart, and he can't keep watch over every little issue within his domain."
"The Zhix can learn to work with other species."
"Can you?" Wrani shook her head, taking out a thick book from Rhubat's ring. It was a prototype version of the Zhix's cultivation methods, which incorporated Rhubat's latest insights from completing their seal. "This is no good."
"As you said, the Zhix were only integrated two decades ago," Rhubat calmly countered. "It will get better."
"This is a dead end," Wrani said, and Rhubat's heart clenched when the tome went up in flames. Rhubat was furious at seeing his people's tireless work dismissed in such a way, yet powerless to do anything about it. The huge insectoid leaned closer and growled right into Rhubat's face. "You've lost your way."
"The Zhix were stagnating. We had to adapt to our new reality to survive!"
"By incorporating human nature into your Heritage? Feh!" Wrani spat and leaned back. "Even Zachary Atwood seems to understand your path better than you! The Zhix needed to change to be accepted by the Heavens? Nonsense! Aren't Zhix children born under the Heavens? You've been blinded by one human's strength, thinking their way of life is the only answer.
"But what do you know? Have you seen the unstoppable swarms inside the Eternal Storm? Have you seen eons of effort culminating in the birth of a king or queen with potential at the very limits of what the Cosmos will abide? Have you seen the Ancient factions of Humans quake in their boots when the lords of the swarm gaze at them?"
Throughout her tirade, Wrani's aura kept rising. By the end, Rhubat was barely able to breathe. What was this? How could anyone defeat a being like this? It wasn't just the raw, monstrous power thrumming through her body. She carried the Fate of a whole race within her body, making her appear as large as the Heavenly dome.
"Insectoid Races do not need to change to suit the Heavens! We embody Heaven's Path!" the whole nest shook from the declaration.
"What do you want from me?" Rhubat eventually sighed when the pressure relented.
"You being here proves your race has valuable traits. Why don't you become a follower of mine? I'll help your species get back on track and excavate your true potential," Wrani said. "I'll help you repay your debt to that human. Later, we'll relocate your hives to a more suited region."
Rhubat hesitated. The reason for participating in the trial was to discover a future for their species. Was this perhaps it?
"What would you have me do?"
The words had barely left Rhubat's mouth before a blinding pain arrived. Rhubat grunted with pain from having their left arm ripped off. It was nothing compared to the shock and confusion of seeing Wrani consume the arm whole. Rhubat could see their limb cause a bulge in Wrani's throat as it made its way to her stomach.
"Not bad. As I suspected, there's something interesting buried in your traits. You'll have to regrow your limbs a few times for me to fully extract it," Wrani smacked her lips with contentment. "Work hard on recovery. If I can incorporate your genes before we reach the Tethered Court, I'll let you have a taste of the Primordial after I've hunted her down."
Comments
Sean C Jackson
Carl is my favorite of the side characters.
Matthew Reynolds
Thank you for the chapter, also for bringing Carl and Rhubat back in. They have been missed.
David Ballantyne
camp-sight - campsite
D Pryor
I hope Carl doesn't die
Caleb Smith
Aweee Wrani and Rhubat sittin in a tree <3 its true love
ByLordMatsLuck
Yes more Carl and Iz please! Carl is a proud daddy immediately got out the baby photos
SandreX
Well Zac needs to go into sanctuary anyway so it would be interesting trip for those two. As for Catheya, she probably will go with Acraz to abyss and participate in civil war
Tom C
@SandreX I think if Zac and Iz head into the eternal storm together it would be in monarch grade or at least after Zac has merged draugr and human side back together. Catheya’s path will take her off in another direction
Sugoi
One can never get enough when there's Carl content. I let out at least one laugh before his segment is done.
Tommy
Carl is the freaking man! What a legend hahaha
SandreX
I think she and Zac will be like Landio and Karz back then, but with more honest (potentially romantic) relationship. I really hope, doubt this is possible, but what if Iz and Zac's Human half go on journey in Eternal storm together? Without having true protection from her family, in the unknown and highly volatile place full of enemies. She might experience final baptism that gives her the 'madness' she so desperately needs. The way this happens might be because Zac will do his thing and blow shit up also might be she gets connected to Limitless Emperor's plans and her family becomes arch nemesis of all established factions and only ones who might help are Dragurs thanks to Arcaz.
Lex Luther S
Facts. As her Dao guardian said, if Iz was just as ruthless to herself as she would be to others, like zac is, then she'd be on another level. And Iz finding the madness that drives zac forward, that inexhaustible conviction to do whatever it takes to survive the fight. To survive another day. Then she's going to be a monster on a whole other level.
SandreX
I don't even want to imagine what will Iz with same mad conviction as Zac would look like.. As if Zac isn't enough, entire multiverse will witness the cataclysm
Dave Richards
I have to admit, saying all she did, then immediately ripping off one of his arms and eating it doesn't really inspire hope that she's going to improve their situation much lol.
hachetnif
I thought that the twilight ocean trial was two dead B grade Inner worlds mixed into one and turned into a Mystic realm By the system. Obviously still massively smaller then C grade Continent But energy wise and Dao wise Still probably peak C grade.
Rid
It’s actually crazier than that considering this is a primal heaven. That’s an A grade continent!
Edgar Segura
It's a phone but magical pretty sure
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Omid Momen
Got I love Carl and zacs children 2 they are my favs man
Dro
I literally have more faith/confidence that Carl will survive to the end of the story than I do for Zac
Dro
The Insectoid's mom can fight Thrones and Seals to a draw. She's basically Iz-level but with the added benefit of having the Fate of an entire insect race as a reserve power. Pretty sure she can fight at the level of the primordial.
Silent Consent
No way, got to save her for the finale, unless he needs to murder Iz. 😝
Jeff McCulley
Why? It’s incomplete. Mine’s better.
Christian Brock
Or check the Wiki https://defiance-of-the-fall.fandom.com/wiki/Ultom_Courts
R. Maxwell Steele
They claim it's the path of the heavens but individuality is the path of the heavens. So any colony has to find a way to celebrate the individual just as much as the colony. Zhix are going to find it. Wrani-bug believes in sacrificing the many to help the few which is like the dominator's tyranny.
R. Maxwell Steele
It's a continent that should have been erased eons ago, literally persevered in time. I feel like it's getting destroyed anyway you look at it. Zac's just the spark in the metaphorical powder keg. Totally not his fault. Lol
R. Maxwell Steele
I mean keeping your head down and being able to tell which way the wind blows is not actually madness. It's survival 101. Carl's got enough common sense to know what happens to red shirts and a good sense of figuring out that sticking with Kirk = winning.
R. Maxwell Steele
Catheya sucks, but not as well as Iz.
R. Maxwell Steele
She doesn't even see Zac as a threat. So she's perfect fodder. Let her and the Primordial fight to mutual destruction and Zac swoops in and takes the cake while Rhubat dines on their corpses.
R. Maxwell Steele
I vote she and the Primordial meet and kill each other. Rhubat consumes them both.
Jeff McCulley
Catheya sucks. That better?
Jeff McCulley
“he lacks the backing to fight for the grand prize.” Little does she know who Zac’s backing actually is!
Tommy
And this is why Kator sucks because we didn’t get the real fight. Both going all out would’ve been epic and you could respect Kator. But he did it like a snake even though he took the loss like a man.
Enthoney
Comparisons kill all joy :(
Palmer Evans
Carl and Joanna both have Faith in Zac if in slightly different ways
Jeff McCulley
For anyone interested, here’s my compiled list of the Nine Courts and known sealbearers. The chapters people are mentioned with their third seasons are listed. May repost when next chapter comes out. 1 Hollow Court/Skybreaker Built by Undead Empire/Primo Ogras (3) Lissa (?) 2 Mercurial Court/Realmsinger Built by the Pasho'Har Janos (3–Previous, 1,193) *Unknown 3 Anima Court/Soultaker Built by Beseechment Pavilion (Realmsinger) Vilari (3–1,243) *Unknown—Because Zac thinks he has two cycles, but doesn’t know about Thea being alive…and can’t be counting Inda. Thea (3-1,269) *Inda, Endemire Sage’s granddaughter. 4 Tethered Court/Chainbreaker Rhubat(3-1,269) Bubbur 5 Starfall Court/Reignender Rhuger Ra’Klid (3–1,234) 6 Radiant Court l/Lightbringer Emily (3–Previous, 1.193) Carl Elrod (3–1,234) 7 Farsee Court/Plainswalker Ibtep Jaol *Also had a Kan’Tanu prisoner in Purgatory with a piece. 8 Daedalian Court/Threadwinder Galau (3-1,234) *Unknown or Ventus? (I’d expect the Numerologist to have 3) /Catheya (3-1,267) Loyalty to Draugr 9 Indomitable Court/Blooddancer Joanna (3-1,257) Kruta (2–1,234, 3–1,267) Boje—Unknown Seal *If “noncombatant” is the commonality, could be Farsee Court. If “merchant” or “crafter”, maybe Daedalian? Thea—Anima Court, Soultaker of Ultom Tavza—Unknown Seal (3–1,268) *Pizru—Presumably Hollow Court (2/3?—1,268) *two other Draugr with completed seals Ventus—Daedalian Court Catheya—Daedalian Court Stormstar (prisoner, deceased): Hollow Court > Carl’s Wife, Lissa Unnamed Kan’Tanu “The second seal was a piece of the Farsee Court. The sealbearer was a Kan’Tanu, and he was currently locked up on the bottom floor of Purgatory with Starstorm.” Inda, Endemire Sage’s granddaughter. Anima Court. With Radiant Temple for Left Imperial Palace. Ykrodas Havarok Reoluv Dravorak
Jeff McCulley
Bubbur is the other Tethered Court with Rhubat.
Jeff McCulley
Carl has proselytes. Bubbur for one.
Jeff McCulley
You’re half right. We didn’t remotely get the best Zac. He was stuck in the middle of a bunch of stuff. Kator used a time chamber for a fix when he was almost beaten.
Jeff McCulley
Jaol and Ibtep, though Boje Zethaya might be as well (all noncombatants). Emily is indeed Radiant.
Jeff McCulley
Here you go: Nine Flamebearers Into from Iz. Aside from Zac, Iz and Yselio. 1 Zac 2 Iz Was trying to complete her set of seals. If she has to go through the prelim slaughter trials…where do you find another Flamebearer? Lots of her people might be there. 3 Yselio Seemingly has more than a full set of seals. 4 Kaltosa Lu Nutcase Pryer. Did Iz manage to finish him, or not? 5 Holy Daughter Just watch Ibtep offer her a tasty grub…and win her heart. 6 Eouso From Pesvati Rift in Eternal Storm Sindris Clan? Unlikely to be a Technocrat. Probably another hot chick for Zac to fall for. Unknown 7 The Primordial? Unknown 8 Unknown 9 Quote: One was the direct descendant of someone called the Centigrade Pryer. Iz had only provided a brief introduction, explaining that the Pryer was an ancient elemental who'd achieved pseudo-immortality like the Primo. The descendant's level was a question mark, but the report said the unique elemental race were all monstrously talented. It was estimated the young Pryer would have four Earthly Daos on top of their other ungodly advantages. Another candidate was the Holy Daughter of a terrifying Insectoid species. The report said each generation's Matriarch wielded the strength to fight to a draw with most Thrones or Seals, and the Holy Daughter was picked to take over a few million years. How could someone like that be normal? The third Flamebearer had the shortest introduction, mentioning neither gender nor race. Their name was Eouso, and they came from something called the Pesvati Rift in the Eternal Storm. Zac had never heard of it, but any unintegrated faction that dared contend for opportunities directly related to the System had to be extremely powerful
Jeff McCulley
I don’t think that’s the “assistance” she’s looking for.
Jeff McCulley
I seem to recall a book where the regalia of a court official was based on bejeweled and gold plated janitorial tools. Or was that Britain?
Jeff McCulley
Here I thought Ibtep might run into this chick, and charm her with a grub. Not gonna happen. Way conceited and self righteous.
Jeff McCulley
In truth, he’s actually Zac’s first worshipper. He gets it, he’s got the Faith.
Jeff McCulley
Catheya “Lady Atwood” = worst girl.
Jeff McCulley
Poor Kruta. Under threat, he wasn’t himself with Iz. Now the Janitor pops in, and intrigues her. I’m wondering how she sees him. If Joanna is the Emperor’s Spoear, and rising font of Atwood Imperial Faith, is Carl the future High Priest of ZacFaith? Oh, and screw that “Lady Atwood” stuff. Uck.
Pascal Kwizera
A continent in this context refers to a C grade land mass. It's meant to be so incomprehensibly massive that most hegemon can't explore all of it within their lifetime. It has no bottom, all approaches from space lead to the surface and its impossible to witness the underside. The twilight chasm was on a star and Zac didn't destroy it himself. The stellar ladder was a mystic realm that couldn't withstand middle D grade hegemons. And the centurion base is only a construct (I'd clock the size at around the upper boundary of a peak D grade world in scope).
Michael
Does the twilight chasm not count as a continent? Or the stellar ladder, or the worlds destroyed by the centurion base? A continent doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment at this point. I’m pretty sure Zac needs to blow some of the River of Time up.
Michael
I’m pretty sure most of Zac’s top generals and allies will end up as Autarchs or Supremacies. Ogras is a given, Joanna likely is too. Carl is a must though. He’s the only one who truly understands Zac’s path. Everyone else is focused on their own path, and jealous of Zac’s luck. Carl is the only one breaking the 4th wall and knows he can just ride the protagonist all the way to the end of cultivation.
Scott Mingo
She can't eat the Primordial if Zac eats them first!
Silent Consent
No way! She is basically the personification of the dominators. They can’t let her escape the trial with their essence. They are going to need to play along, learn everything they can, and feed her to the primal or lop off her head after she is wounded in that fight. They can’t really manage deception very well so they might need to realize it right before they act. Zack needs to copy that thing Ktor did to grow super big and just smush her soul, like a bug.
MacMahon Wenzl
Don't forget, Rubat is the chain breaker. The very antithesis of what the other bug is trying to do. Trying to chain Rubat to your own chariot is trying to subvert fate, and as far as I can tell, only Zac can break conventions and go against fate. Why test your fate against his? Foolish.
MacMahon Wenzl
Don't forget, Rubat is the chain breaker, how does this new bug believe she can chain him?
MacMahon Wenzl
He is the chain breaker, this is 100% another 'trail'
Sirloki
"He should be hard at work destroying this place, too. The boss has never blown up a continent before, so he should be quite excited." 🥳🤣
Seijax
Rofl Carl. Bringing his mindset closer to Iz has a lot of potential for shenanigans, and fun
M💬
Noticed that Carl had some sort of modified camera and in a previous chapter we saw Zac use a modified cosmic coffee maker. It’s cool to see old earth stuff still being in use.
drag0nreb0rn
Iz.....best girl.
Hoid
Chaos janitors sounds better to me just my opinion though
Blake N.
There isn’t really that much fan art of this series that I’ve seen. I like the look of what’s on the wiki for the city and it matches with the descriptions I remember
Lex Luther S
Ohhh I forgot they agreed to that.
Lex Luther S
No, rhubat is a chain breaker which is the tethered Court. Kruta is the 2nd Indomitable court holder.
Lex Luther S
Your points valid but I'm convinced current zac would still win against Kator.
Lex Luther S
No. She's from the strongest insectoid faction in the multiverse. Apparently, the matriarchs are so powerful, bolstered by the insane amounts of faith generated, that they can even fight on par with Throne or seal holder. The unknown eonic seed is from an un-intergrated faction located in the depths of the Eternal storm; we don't even know they're gender though I am eager to see them.
Lex Luther S
That's actually pretty apt. She thinks she has the fate and faith required to come out on top but she's lacking in fate when compared to zac. The void emperor and zacs path to the peak of Chaos is beyond even her entire faction. Chaos has been broken to long and it's feeling like the heavens themselves are demanding zac walks that path..... even if they're REALLLLYY mad at him
RGrocks
This has been a banger of a chapter. The thing Iz has been looking for was madness is so good. She has everything but what she needs is the ability to believe. I love how Carls complete submission which I always thought was kinda 4th wall breaking makes better sense if you just think hes mad.
Lex Luther S
Bruh I was laughing my ass off when Carl said zac should be pretty excited to blow up a continent😂😂 Come on he won't be the one doing it....... probably?
Lex Luther S
Facts. Following her will is nothing but a nicer set of chains. At least with the Atwood empire he and the zhix are free. And that will never change with zac and his people at the helm. But getting a look at what she means could allow him to elevate beyond what their first method entailed.
M💬
Was going through the wiki and port Atwood looks good if that’s an original image
Tommy
We really didn’t get the real fight between them. A fight between them at there best Kator would probably win. The fact that it became a chaotic brawl is what allowed Zac to pull it off.
Tommy
Don’t overlook that she did see potential in Carl of something powerful. Powerful to Iz is OP. So Carl is gonna be one of Zac pillars
NiceTryMate
I hope Rhubat has stumbled upon an opportunity. Though it is without doubt also a tribulation. Maybe he can get a better picture of what makes the Zhix unique by seeing the eusocial insects cultivate and interact? I never really got the impression that the Zhix were completely eusocial. At worst I would call them semi-eusocial. Sure they act a bit more like a single organism than human society do, but not like like ants or bees. Looking forward to seeing the chainbreaker break some metaphorical chains!
Tommy
Also Iz’s character development and growth is written so well. I used to really hate her she’s one of my favorite characters now.
Omiso
Iz chasing madness, as if having Zac blowing stuff up wasn't enough.
Tommy
I never knew I needed Carl and Iz. Loved this chapter. So good
Michael
Looks like Carl might be starting a new religion. I wonder if they’d all be janitors? Carl can’t clean up all of the messes by himself. Janitors of Chaos would be great band name
Michael
I could see Joanna coming in to fight with them. She is kind of an unknown factor right now and her path of faith and duty aligns pretty well with the Zhix needs. I think they’re both in the indomitable court too.
Summas76
Huge belly laugh everytime it's a Carl chapter, never disappoints
hachetnif
My problem is she probably has seen the history, but there has been millions of years for A different path to present itself to The insectooids There are 3 possibilities Why there is no other path to follow The first one, which I believe it's probably the reason insectooids, are not very intevative they do what works and Don't question it and add on to the religion.Fact of this, I believe it would be a double whammy of no Innovation. The second possibility is that there was other paths, but there were insect tyrants, and they had a war that is forgotten and they Eliminated All threats to Their way of life. And last, but certainly least of the possibilities is that there is only one really good path, four insectooid species to follow, and that is the god queen path.
EsoEasy
This is what I was thinking about: "Little Candle has become a nominal disciple of my Great Aunt, but we are not fated," Iz said. "He shall stay in your cycle. In return, I only ask that you provide me with one count of assistance should I need it during the trial. Of course, if doing so goes against your interests, the outcome will be decided by fate." Chapter 1207
Jeff McCulley
In short, she thinks she’s the queen of all fate. She hasn’t met Zac yet.. …as Carl just pointed out to Iz. Awesome chapter!
Lex Luther S
Even better hearing Iz comments about her eldest grand uncle possibly being interested in the flaming madness burning in Carl. If the trial goes how I think it does and zac ends up joining Iz family, then Carl may see the biggest change of fate yet.
Jeff McCulley
Zac’s debt to Iz? Iz is indebted to Zac, for spying on him for so long when she thought he was an insignificant bug.
Jeff McCulley
“for camp-sight” > for a camp site.
Lex Luther S
On one hand, she's likely right and has most certainly seen or read historical records on such events happening but on the other, Rhubat and his people are far more unique than she could imagine for the sole fact they're under the banner of the Atwood empire. She thinks she can bring them to their full potential but that will only happen under the Atwood empires banner. Rhubat just needs to continue following zac and he'll eventually find the true answers to shattering the chains holding his people. But this Wrani insectoid? It feels like she's offering chains. Certainly those chains are nice and comfy and they'll help their race adapt and progress, but it's chains nonetheless. At the very least zac has never torn and ate his limb, even demanding he grow it back a few times which should be more than telling.
Lex Luther S
More like Iz feels indebted to zac. Zac may feel he owes her but because of her using of that divine mirror and taking sport from zacs struggles, seeing it as a game or entertainment, she's felt unbearably guilty and feels she owes him. Her aunt even suggested giving treasures to balance it out with Iz thinking it wasn't the right path. But it is an interesting pairing. Iz is most certainly a supreme talent beyond comprehension while Carl is probably barely above average for talent. Yet he'll be by her side for the foreseeable future likely bragging about his wife and daughter, thereby making Iz curious if finding a partner and having a kid could truly push one forward. To which zac will become the prime target of that interest😂😂 Zacs gonna have it rough when that happens.
Kaladorph
I agree, after so much reinforcement of the importance of ones own path, she flaunts it entirely. Wouldn't doubt if her species itself is a technocrat creation gone awry.
Alexander Dupree
This. The scene was great.
Lex Luther S
Carl gives us that look at what your average talented people go through. It's only through his madness and conviction in zac as well as his uncanny knack for survival that's seen him advance so far.
Lex Luther S
Facts. She certainly has the right to be so overbearing and arrogant being the future matriarch of such a supreme faction but she's not so strong as to be able to kill eonic seeds outright. Zac may need a few more breakthroughs to be able to beat her but it's not like he'd be helpless against her like Early D grade zac was againt Yselio. He'd pay the price but I believe he could win in the end. But by the time zac/arcaz actually run into her? I don't doubt he'd be a match for her, as long as he has any issues with his cores circuitry fixed up by then.
Seamus Harley
Could this insectoid be that eonic seed?
EsoEasy
Carl and Iz is the pairing I never knew I needed. So good! I also wouldn’t be surprised if Carl resolves Zac’s debt to Iz.
Lex Luther S
We know of an eonic seed from an un-intergrated faction from the Eternal storm but the 9th one is unknown unless Wal'Zos' mention of 9 flamebearers counts those dead as well, in which Yselio would be it, before his brother killed him and took his seal in which Yselios somehow took over his body.
hachetnif
I dislike the big bug. She is Discarding there Hives ideas.
Seamus Harley
I think it was mentioned sometime ago that there are 9 flamebearers, iz, Zac, the primordial, the imperial yeselio, this insectoid, the guy from the Sangha, the elemental, do we know of the others?
Jason Hatter
Some people are also ignorant and overconfident. She may talk about eating the Primordial, but doing it may be something completely different.
Lex Luther S
Nahhh I don't think it'd be as one-sided against kator with zacs current strength. It won't be an easy win, but I feel zac would still take the W, especially considering how much stronger he got with his cosmic aligned constitution finished up and his new war idol. Give zacs earthly Dao of defiant war an upgrade and have him breakthrough with his soul, and even this insectoid would have to be on guard in a fight against zac. Doubly, so if his weapons can reach the middle stages and he gets a few of his persistence skills upgraded to Late D grade though the skills won't come unless he gets inspiration or finds a unique treasure to inspire it.
Sam Williams
I'd love to get a prequel from Carl's perspective of the integration and joining the army and his slow ascent into glorious madness
Lex Luther S
Emily and Carl are the radiant court.
Surgebinder
Zac barely beat Kator and the insectoid is talking about eating the primordial. We are going to need some serious powerups.
Philipp
Im a simple reader I see Carl I like Ready for carls next class? Mad Prophet it is
Seamus Harley
Farsee court, is that jowell and ibtep? Radiant court, is that Emily?
Andrew
Thank you!
Lex Luther S
LOLLLLL carl showing why he's the best indeed. Look forward to where his conviction and flaming madness takes him. But damn to think Salou had time sacrifice himself. Seems a grand disciple of her grandfather is one less. Very interested in where that goes, especially with the winds of fate pushing all of zacs followers forward. As for Rhubat, rather worried for him being in this creatures clutches. I ultimately don't think he'll abide in joining her as he and the Zhix are followers on the Atwood empires train of chaos till the end and not even the strongest insectoid faction in the multiverse can derail that ride. Even more so as this just feels like jumping back into chains. Sure they're very comfortable and fitting chains with a lot of ornaments, but chains nonetheless. But damn does this show that even after all his breakthroughs he's still behind those of such insane talent like this monster. He's not gonna be completely outclassed in a fight but it'd be a Pyrrhic victory indeed.
Jake
What a chapter ! And CARL just fantastic. People write he is comic relief and he is but he also provides much needed perspective every once a while about how fucked up this all is haha and he brings it in such a dry way. Pure gold
Owen Kaz
Carl, embraced by madness, hardened by the unending Storm and smoothed by the unending tide. Godspeed
Owen Kaz
Not even close lol
Surgebinder
I sometimes think Carl is the stand in for the reader, doesn't know how or why but has complete faith that Zac will come through
Unlisted Pokémon Hudson
Yeah something tells me this insectoid is not beating the primordial
Chris Fey
Carl gets it. Otoh, showing a photo of his wife and daughter is risky for the narrative to kill him, but he's comic relief and we can't have all the comic relief be on Ogras.
M💬
Peak chapter and all I saw was CARL😭
FriendorFo
CAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRLLLLLLLLL
Ether Harwell
Second
slicktracy
Finally
slicktracy
First
