Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1037: The fourth legendary path

BOOOOOOM!

One of the city wallʼs corners completely collapsed- It was where Hulak and Celebos were fighting!

”How widespread is this racial enhancement in the middle planetary belt?” Robin asked after a brief silence. He and Pythor seemed to exist in a different world, ignoring the carnage around them.

”I donʼt know how to answer... Itʼs both widespread and not widespread at the same time,” Pythor said, spreading his left hand.

”Racial enhancement devices are incredibly valuable. Most of the existing devices were manufactured in an era tens of millions of years ago. These remaining devices are sold only at auctions or acquired by killing their previous owners and taking them. And, of course, either way is extremely difficult. Most people donʼt have the money to buy one, nor the strength to seize one!”

He continued, ”But those who possess the devices build their lives around them. They donʼt need much to establish a significant power base. They simply announce the opening of an army for humans and promise that anyone who joins and serves for a certain number of years will receive a racial enhancement and the freedom to use the fourth-stage of the laws. Humans will flock to them from all directions, even crawling out from underground to lick their feet for the chance. And boom! Theyʼve got an enormous army just by owning the device.”

Pythor leaned back in his chair, a sense of pride visible on his face.

”But, of course, not all artificial hybrids are on the same level. Most hybrids use the blood of beasts only tens of thousands of years old because itʼs cheaper and more abundant. But we transformed using a Beast King that is over two million years of age, imbued with a Path of Destruction law. Even in the middle planetary belt, weʼre considered elite among elites in any army!”

Robin raised his eyebrows slightly.

”...Humans in the middle planetary belt are that desperate?”

Serving in an army for someone they donʼt even know, fighting people they have no grudges against, and in return, being turned into half-beasts? How many of them would even live to complete their service and leave anyway? If this wasnʼt desperation, what was it?

”Can you blame them?” Pythor laughed, his expression somewhat mockingly absurd.

”Humans have wrecked their minds searching for anything that could support their existence. And even now, there are only four paths they follow-no fifth to this day.”

”The first is the Soul Path, the second is racial enhancement... What are the third and fourth?”

Robinʼs interest peaked again. Perhaps heʼd finally learn something that could help refine the elixir to temporarily increase affinity.

Pythor leaned forward, folding his hands. ”The third is temporary methods to raise a martial emperorʼs affinity with a law to at least 90%, even if only briefly. The time frame might range from hours or days to weeks or even years. But, of course, nothing comes without a price. These methods are prohibitively expensive and incredibly rare. When any of them appear on the market, they vanish in the blink of an eye due to overwhelming demand.

”Leaving aside the fact that they enable humans to wield the fourth stage of the heavenly laws, these methods temporarily elevate anyoneʼs affinity with the respective law to 90%. Essentially, they function as natural boosters, and every warrior would pay dearly to increase their survival odds. Even as a hybrid myself, Iʼd spend a fortune for them!”

Pythor pointed at Robin repeatedly, a smug grin on his face. ”Your subordinates must be using one of those methods, arenʼt they? I was unsure whether your faction relied on the third or fourth path, but seeing them in action, Iʼm convinced. Aside from the epic arrays, those methods to increase the affinity temporarily are undoubtedly your most valuable asset. For your Overlord to provide you with such resources, he must truly care for you.”

”Oh? Such a thing exists?” Robin raised his eyebrows to their limit. He had always scorned those elixirs, seeing them as a reminder of his own inability to solve the problem. He hadnʼt realized they were so sought after and considered one of the four major solutions for humans!

But what was Pythor talking about, calling them rare and exorbitantly priced? Creating those elixirs was a tedious process with many steps, but they werenʼt expensive or rare. They could be produced in large quantities; in fact, virtually all his martial emperors consumed them like candy!

”...What about the fourth path?” Robin refocused his attention, locking his gaze on Pythor.

”Hmm, that oneʼs the most controversial. In my opinion, itʼs one of humanityʼs greatest innovations, If not THE greatest. But, unfortunately, it hasnʼt been utilized to its full potential yet...” Pythor shook his head several times before pointing at Robin, his expression enigmatic. ”Itʼs the method of crafting energy foundations without relying on laws.”

”Crafting energy foundations... without laws?” Robinʼs brow furrowed deeply. ”You donʼt mean the internal energy foundations, the ones in the internal energy system itself, right?”

As the question left Robinʼs lips, he shook his head, an embarrassed smile forming on his face. The very premise of the question was impossible. Foundations without heavenly laws? Ridiculous.

To construct solid energy foundations at the energy center, one had to use a law to shape and solidify the energy through its patterns; otherwise, it would remain in its liquid state forever, leaving the person stuck at their current level, unable to absorb more energy.

Moreover, employing a heavenly law to solidify energy caused comprehensive changes in the body-enhancing its strength, aligning its affinity with the chosen law, and transforming the skin, flesh, bones, and even marrow incrementally with each new level. Without a heavenly law to guide the bodyʼs transformation, it would remain merely human-a mortal body! Pythor laughed heartily. Seeing Robin asking like a curious child amused him immensely. ”Actually, thatʼs exactly what I mean. Thereʼs a development in the cultivation path where one no longer needs a heavenly law to build internal energy foundations!”

”Thatʼs impossible- absolutely impossible!” Robinʼs eyes widened in shock.