In the seventh layer of the Kingdom of Disorder.
Nareth was wreathed in black mist. The "Mentor of Disorder" attempted to activate his Spirit Vision. His intuition did not stop him.
The "Mentor of Disorder" then saw, within the tightly linked ring of golden stones, a silver-white serpent moving.
Black mist tightly enveloped it. Threads of law wrapped around it layer by layer, squeezing the stones, producing a piercing sound.
As the chosen one of the Kingdom of Disorder, Nareth clearly knew the source was naturally repelling it, instinctively trying to "purify" it.
The moving, cycling silver-white serpent suddenly stopped.
Its head, biting its tail, rose. Its crimson eyes stared coldly at Nareth.
The "Mentor of Disorder" felt a bone-deep chill. His thoughts momentarily froze.
As black mist rose in his eyes, deeper than obsidian, his thoughts cleared.
The "Mentor of Disorder" watched the integrated God's Favors and the silver-white serpent, now moving with its head down, contemplating how to remove the spiritual imprint without damaging the potion material.
The Kingdom of Disorder had functions like "corruption" and imprisonment, but not separation. Given the current situation, destroying the invading power would also destroy the potion material.
With a thought, he loosened the 'ropes' of threads of law tightly bound around the God's Favors.
His mind raced, seeking a solution.
His first thought was the "Red Priest's" uniqueness. The colorless flames it released could undoubtedly incinerate the ancient deity, likely Ouroboros.
'The Flame authority's superior is Destruction. It would likely also destroy the integrated God's Favors.'
'I cannot control the uniqueness precisely enough to avoid that. This 'reckless' venture would be meaningless.'
He then thought of the Sun Pathway beyonders. "Notarized" "Sacred Light" might be able to purify the spiritual imprint, which was different in nature from the undead.
'But the imprint is only part of Ouroboros. It would be difficult to purify.'
'Its level is far higher than the Slaaneshi greater daemon in the Serpent's Cradle.'
'Even if successful, such purification is too direct, too crude. There would still be a risk of damage. Ouroboros's connection to the God's Favors is too close.'
Finally, he thought of Tierney, the "Prometheus," who had been without a role since his advancement.
'"Steal" includes spiritual contamination within mystical items.'
'Though Ouroboros possesses "Reboot"-like abilities, its level is at least Sequence 1, perhaps Sequence 0, but it is in poor condition.'
'And I can weaken it further. Have Tierney "steal" fragments.'
With this thought, he focused.
Black mist churned. Black threads of law shot towards the golden ring.
Fine as spider silk, they wrapped around one stone.
Light flickered in his eyes. The threads pulled.
Amidst a piercing tearing sound, the silver-white serpent's mouth opened. It hissed in anger.
The separated golden God's Favor and its attachments grew blurry, seeming to revert to their previous state.
The seventh layer rumbled. Black mist churned. The golden stone's blurring stopped.
With a long, pained cry, the stone was torn away. Ten drops of silvery blood splattered.
The "Mentor of Disorder" watched the silver-white body, which seemed to have lost a section.
The two separated parts trembled frenziedly, seeming to seek what was lost.
Seconds later, the two silver-white ends drooped weakly, drawing together, reconnecting.
Simultaneously, the separated golden stones, as if drawn by a magnet, gathered, forming a 9.5-meter-diameter ring.
With a thought, he raised his hand slightly. The ten drops of silvery blood flew before him.
He stared for a long time. The corners of his mouth curved.
'Higher-level material than Omegon's blood.'
'This is the greatest gain from my "recklessness." An unexpected bonus.'
As he rejoiced, in the first layer's palace, ten pure crystal bottles vanished, appearing beside him.
The ten drops of silvery blood flew into them.
They rolled within the bottles.
He watched for a moment, noting all the blood rolled in circles.
Some on the flat bottom. Some on a horizontal plane. Some on the side...
After examining them, he turned his attention to the golden stone. The ten crystal bottles vanished, appearing in an empty palace.
The golden stone flew before him. He raised his right hand, grasping the semi-ethereal, semi-solid crystal particles attached to it.
With slight pressure, the God's Favor crystal powder detached, condensing into a mass.
He sent it to the first layer's palace, then took the God's Favor to the fourth layer.
The "Mentor of Disorder" ascended his throne, watching the rice-grain-sized silver-white scale within the rolling God's Favor in his palm.
Densely packed patterns and symbols formed a spinning wheel.
'Though it's only a fragment of Ouroboros, it still holds great power.'
'If made into a talisman, its power would far exceed the Worm Talismans, even stronger than the Silent Talismans.'
After a moment's thought, drawing on his experience with talismans, and the "Prometheus's" "Steal" ability, he formulated a plan.
He extended his spirituality, touching Tierney's orb.
Confirming he was alone, he turned his hand. A Silent Talisman and two pieces of dual-numbered black gold appeared nearby.
Instead of chanting the activation words, he pressed them against the stone.
The "Mentor of Disorder" raised his hand. A piece of black gold flew towards him. He channeled energy from his fingertip.
The metal rapidly dissolved, turning into black threads. Like 'ropes,' they wrapped the green teardrop talisman around the golden stone.
The spinning silver scale stopped, motionless.
He then formed the "Steal" command and the talisman-making method in his mind.
With a thought, he projected the instructions, along with the Silent Talisman-wrapped God's Favor and the black gold materials, into the orb.
He watched as black mist churned, enveloping Tierney.
Two items appeared before him. He listened.
As the black mist faded, he reached out, catching the items, and spoke.
"As You command."
Nareth rose, taking a step. The Hand of Order and other equipment returned to him.
The Bloody Chain, now on his right pinky, immediately accelerated his spiritual energy recovery.
The next day, Nareth extended his consciousness. He found the Dionysian Spear was not nearby. He thought, with feeling.
'Hmm, this is the first time the Spear hasn't returned the day after I lost it.'
'Is Ouroboros that strong?'
'Has it permanently kept the spear, or temporarily blocked it?'
He leaned back, silent for a few seconds, then smiled.
'Did getting it for free fail?'
'Even temporarily losing the Dionysian Spear might not be a bad thing.'
'I can retrieve it later. After advancing to Sequence 4, I should have the power to deal with Ouroboros.'
.....
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