join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Every 500 powerstones = free membership | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
Suddenly, a terrifyingly profound and indescribable aura emanated from Azik.
The eerie spiritual entities hidden in the black mist fell to the ground one after another, and together with the Zombies and skeletons that emerged from the coffins in the deepest part of the hall, they surged into Azik's glabella. There, mysterious symbols, painted in pale and dark green, appeared, interwoven together to form an illusory bronze Door.
The surrounding space collapsed inward, and after devouring all the Undying creatures and spiritual entities, it transformed into a slowly rotating black vortex. This Death Consul, who survived the Fourth Epoch, closed his eyes, seemingly listening quietly to a call from an unknown place.
A rich but not dazzling golden light emerged, forcefully closing the expanding black vortex. Azik's body trembled slightly, the lines on his face were no longer so tense, and his lips moved slightly:
"I saw myself sitting on a throne of skulls, and I saw countless beings dead before the throne."
"They did nothing wrong, they just died suddenly, and then one by one they rose up, turning into pale Undying creatures, Undying creatures loyal to me."
"And I watched coldly, without any emotional fluctuations, allowing such a disaster to spread to the ends of the continent."
"This makes me feel unlike myself, but I know very well that this might be my true self."
Looking at Azik, who was completely different from when they last met, Aaron lowered his arm and sighed:
"It seems that the Numinous Episcopate's Artificial Death has already been able to actively influence High-Sequence Beyonders who have failed to advance or are in poor condition. Except for being unable to respond to prayers and rituals, it is extremely close to what they envisioned."
Azik reopened his eyes, looked at this Duke, who was so powerful that he felt a little unfamiliar, raised his hand to rub his forehead, and continued in a calm, flat tone:
"If you hadn't awakened me in advance, I'm afraid by the time I woke up on my own, I would have already become the person I was in my memories."
Azik's reaction was so strong; it must be that the former Numinous Episcopate's High Priest had tried to influence the Artificial Death again during this period... Thinking this, Aaron glanced at the somewhat confused and melancholic Azik, deliberated for a moment, and said:
"The self in your memories was influenced by the out-of-control tendencies contained within the Beyonder characteristic, and by the influence transmitted from the Death from a high position."
"Conversely, each time you lose your memory and start a new life, you are truly the most authentic self, free from those influences. This is not a split personality, but a struggle against a mad spirit."
"Those new lives you started after losing your memories are your anchors, fixing yourself and preventing yourself from being dragged down by the Beyonder characteristic's out-of-control tendencies and the essence of madness."
"Never forget them, no matter when; they might pull you out of the Abyss at a critical moment!"
Azik's expression was a mixture of contemplation and confusion, and after a long time, he sighed, a gentle smile returning to his face:
"This might be an explanation; at least it makes the split and conflict at my spiritual level less intense."
"However, one day, I will go to the end of the black mist to see what is hidden there, why it is calling me, and what caused me to die and revive again and again, to lose my memory again and again and then gradually regain it."
"This has troubled me for over a thousand years, troubled me in life after life. I want an answer."
His gaze gradually cleared, and his tone, seemingly gentle, held an indescribable resolve.
Aaron glanced at Azik and did not reveal the cruel truth. After all, he was only following the Evernight Goddess's wishes to prevent Azik from being corrupted by the activated Artificial Death during this sensitive period.
Shaking his head imperceptibly, Aaron calmly said to the now normal Azik:
"Since the Fifth Epoch, you have been restarting your life in the Northern Continent. Since you want to find an answer, why not come with me to the Southern Continent?"
Aaron chuckled lightly, then added:
"Hmm, consider it payment for waking you up early."
Azik did not refuse. A semi-tall silk top hat appeared in his hand, and he smiled gently as if he had thought of something:
"How has Klein been recently during my slumber?"
The illusory projection of the Star Crown appeared, and brilliant starlight surged forth. Several envelopes appeared in Aaron's hand, which he handed to Azik.
These were letters from Klein that had previously been scattered around Azik's coffin. Aaron had intervened to save these letters, which should have been annihilated by the aftermath.
"These are all letters he wrote to you. It's clear he respects you greatly."
His eyes softened. Azik opened the letters one by one, letting the brilliant starlight pull his body into a Door of starlight.
Azik, who had just finished his "roaming" and was still reading Klein's letters, suddenly found that he had lost his perception of the Spirit World.
He subconsciously looked up and saw a pristine silver moon, completely different from the outside world and never before seen, as well as a massive black ship that had only existed in his memories.
"Trunsoest...."
Even though his memory was still incomplete, Azik subconsciously uttered the name. In his perception, auras belonging to Undying creatures appeared on the giant ship, and among them were existences comparable to demigods.
The figure of Alvin Gallows, who had been guarding the Specter Empire, slowly emerged. The "Gate of Rebirth" embedded in his torso trembled slightly upon sensing Azik's aura, but quickly returned to calm.
Looking at Azik, who was somewhat confused but also clearly surprised, Aaron dispelled the historical projection of the Star Crown and pointed to Alvin Gallows and the Death spirits flying out of the Specter Empire nearby, explaining:
"Although the Numinous Episcopate is internally divided, it is still deeply rooted in the Southern Continent, not to mention the Rose School of Thought and the Demoness Sect."
"Therefore, they will accompany you. They might borrow your title as a Death bloodline descendant; I hope you don't mind."
Azik nodded slightly, glancing at the deep-aura, blood-eyed man covered in thorns. He felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't find a specific impression in his fragmented memories.
What surprised him even more was that he couldn't influence those powerful Death spirits with his special abilities, and the source of each of those Death spirits was actually within Alvin Gallows.
Just as Aaron was about to say something else, a respectful and majestic prayer suddenly reached his ears, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
Inside the magnificent palace at the very center of the Nation of Disorder, dense dark-gold mist gathered and surged, forming a colossal figure.
The giant-like figure's face took on Aaron's appearance. He lightly raised his right hand, and a triple shadow crown adorned with specks of starlight flew out from a pile of miscellaneous items. It was precisely the Sequence 2 Beyonder characteristic, "Duke of Entropy," obtained from the Solomon treasure in the lost Newins!
After half a year, constantly permeated by the Sefirah, the spiritual imprint of the Solomon family's Angel contained within this Beyonder characteristic had been completely erased, replaced by the mark, or rather, the corruption, of the Nation of Disorder.
Previously, Aaron had not advanced to Angel and could not completely control the Nation of Disorder. To avoid unnecessary accidents, he had used the excuse of a test to prevent Nast from advancing to Angel.
As for now, those concerns no longer existed, but corresponding preventive measures were still necessary.
If Nast chose to use this characteristic to advance to Angel, the imprint from the Sefirah, contained deep within the characteristic, would turn into the most terrifying corruption if this King of the Five Seas betrayed him.
A brilliant star on the palace dome grew brighter and brighter, finally transforming into a dark-gold double Door.
Aaron did not hesitate, directly throwing this Sequence 2 "Duke of Entropy" Beyonder characteristic into that portal.
-----------------
Southern Continent, at the junction of Harvest Plains and Starry Highlands, a bronze Door, infused with endless stillness and covered in mysterious patterns, emerged.
An illusory, dark river flowed quietly, and a gloomy small boat sailed out from the deep portal. Three figures stood on the boat, and the leader was Arsas Eggers, the Ferryman, a Death bloodline descendant who had completely healed his physical ailments in the Underworld.
Looking at the rising sun, Arsas Eggers's eyes flickered. He stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the boat, not turning around, yet the Language of the Dead echoed:
"Klarman has been sent elsewhere by me. Is it time for the existence behind you to give me an answer to my last proposal?"
Sid Watson, whose Sequence 6 Spirit Guide potion had been completely digested and who was only a step away from becoming a Gatekeeper, still felt his soul trembling, as if the river of Death flowed through his heart.
But as the current pillar of the Slumbering faction, having experienced many things, he did not lose his composure. After exchanging glances with Dunn Smith, who always wore a trench coat and had deep gray eyes, he slowly spoke:
"Although both were severely wounded in that Pale Disaster, the Demoness Sect is different from the Numinous Episcopate. They have a genuine evil god standing behind them."
"The great Lord of Order, who believes in equivalent exchange, wants that 'Death Consul' characteristic from the Demoness Sect. The conditions you offered are not attractive enough in His eyes!"
Arsas Eggers frowned and finally turned his head to look at these two Sequence 6 Beyonders, who were merely ants in his eyes. Death intent surged in his eyes, and suppressing his displeasure, he said coldly:
"Then I'd like to hear what price the one you worship expects me to pay?"
Under that cold gaze, the suppressed and restrained spiritual entity within Dunn Smith trembled constantly, but his tone remained calm and firm:
"Although I don't know where you learned that the Demoness Sect still has a 'Death Consul' characteristic, compared to this adventurous endeavor that might be fruitless, I have a better suggestion."
"Isn't the former High Priest of the Numinous Episcopate, Haiter, a ready-made 'Death Consul'? I think you understand his ambition and millennia of blasphemous acts better than I do."
The Death intent in his eyes receded somewhat. Arsas Eggers recalled the words the Pale Empress had said to him in the deepest part of the Underworld.
He waved his hand, and the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of Death stillness around him eased considerably, signaling for this somewhat strange Soul Assurer to continue speaking.
"Hundreds of years ago, Haiter led the Artificial Death faction in a blasphemous ritual. He was severely wounded as a result, and his true body had to slumber in the former sanctuary of the Numinous Episcopate."
"You lead us there, and the one behind us will naturally eliminate Haiter and can even help you rebuild the Numinous Episcopate."
It was unclear which words touched Arsas Eggers. The aura around this Death bloodline descendant continuously receded. He looked up and down at the rigidly standing Dunn Smith and chuckled:
"I have to admit, your idea is indeed very appealing, but I still need some time to consider it."
"Also, if a mask is worn for too long, it might not be able to be taken off. You give me a very special feeling; perhaps you will become an Undying earlier than Sid Watson."
Mask, Undying... Sid Watson, standing by, was somewhat surprised. He glanced at Dunn Smith, who had found him a few months ago by divine oracle, but in this situation, he did not ask any further questions.
Dunn Smith's tone did not change, and a faint smile appeared on his extremely ordinary face. A dark-gold crystal, seemingly formed by complex symbols, appeared in his hand. He let it be enveloped by Death intent as it fell into Arsas Eggers's hand, then continued:
"This idea is valid long-term. If you are willing to cooperate, just crush it and someone will find you!"
"As for this mask, it's not time yet, but one day I will personally remove it..."
-----------------
North of Sonia Island, on an island in the outer region of the Abyss vortex, this grand pirate gathering proceeded in an orderly manner, which exceeded Klein's stereotypical impression of pirates' lawless style.
Dunn Smith, who had successfully sold the mid- and low-Sequence Beyonder characteristics of the Sailor Pathway for this crazy adventurer, secretly curled his lips, becoming even more certain that this mysterious fellow had just arrived at sea. He was disdainful inwardly but showed no expression, instead explaining with a chuckle:
"You don't know this, but pirate gatherings a few hundred years ago weren't like this. These rules all originate from the Black Emperor's master, who governs the Five Seas, which is also the origin of the title 'King of the Five Seas'."
Spending so much time formulating these maritime rules, which go against pirates' greedy and chaotic nature, cannot be merely for fame. What could make such a powerful individual, even among demigods, expend such effort to maintain it, is probably only the advancement ritual...
As various conjectures flashed through his mind, Klein's gaze flickered to Dunn Smith, who was chuckling beside him. A grayish-white light flashed on the human skin glove on his right hand, and the Psychiatrist's ability directly saw through the heart of this not-so-clever pirate.
He certainly wouldn't tell Dunn Smith that even though "Creeping Hunger" required devouring a life each time it was activated, correspondingly, during the period it was active, he could freely manipulate and use the souls that were herded.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Every 500 powerstones = free membership | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr