Weapon seller in the world of magic

”Not even the Jade Emperor can change such a fate,” Hei Zhenyu continued. ”The only beings who can withstand a Cosmic Orb without consequence are direct descendants of Primordial creatures or pure Celestials. Because they are, by nature, eternal.”

The hall fell silent again.

Lan Yujin’s shoulders sagged slightly, as if all strength had left him. The other grand elders exchanged uneasy looks, finally understanding that this path was truly closed.

When Mark heard Hei Zhenyu’s words, his heart skipped a beat.

Until now, he had always believed the issue was unique to the Orb of Chaos. That was what Yujiang had told him when the truth was first revealed, when the Orb had been secretly planted into Song Yue’s body. Mark had assumed it was a special case, something tied only to chaos energy and its corrosive nature. He had never considered that the same rule applied to all Cosmic Orbs.

But the moment the thought crossed his mind, another name surfaced.

Shang Jiao.

She had once been the host of the Orb of Time. Even though it had been extracted from her long ago, the logic Hei Zhenyu described should still apply. If that were true, then... would Shang Jiao never be able to become immortal either?

For a brief instant, Mark’s thoughts turned cold.

Then he shook his head inwardly.

No. It couldn’t be that simple.

If Cosmic Orbs truly blocked the path to transcendence without exception, then his own existence would already be a contradiction.

He was still the host of the Orb of Creation, the very core of the system itself, and yet he had broken through to immortality.

Not only that, he remembered the tribulation he had faced clearly.

His lightning tribulation was far more violent than anything recorded in sect history. The Sky Judgment Bolt, the strongest lightning known to exist, had descended upon him personally.

That final bolt had not killed him. Instead, it had shattered the invisible ceiling that should never have broken.

That meant there was a way. A brutal one, perhaps unique, but a way nonetheless.

As these thoughts raced through Mark’s mind, Lan Yujin continued his act, sighing heavily and muttering words of false sympathy for his ”tragic” descendant. Mark didn’t even bother looking at him anymore.

Hei Zhenyu, however, shifted the conversation smoothly, his expression turning serious.

”Anyway,” he said, ”the second reason for my visit is more private.”

He glanced around the hall, his gaze briefly sweeping over the empty seats left behind by the grand elders. ”I need the room to speak with Sect Master Lan alone.”

Mark responded without hesitation, switching to English. ”Lord Hei, we can talk like this. They won’t understand it anyway.”

Hei Zhenyu chuckled faintly, shaking his head. He replied in the same language, his tone carrying a trace of nostalgia. ”While I do enjoy speaking English with you, reminiscing about my old days on Earth, I still prefer to talk in private.”

Mark nodded. He turned back to the others and spoke in Orlon, his voice firm and unquestionable. ”Please give us the room.”

The remaining elders rose immediately and left one by one. Once the hall was empty, Hei Zhenyu raised his hand and casually cast a spatial isolation technique. The world around them seemed to fold inward, cutting off all sound, sight, and presence beyond the chamber.

Only then did Hei Zhenyu speak again, his voice dropping into a grave register.

”Lu Zhen,” he said, ”listen carefully.”

Mark straightened slightly. ”Yes?”

Hei Zhenyu looked at him intently. ”Did you encounter Yuanlong?”

Mark’s eyes narrowed a fraction, but he nodded. ”Yes. A couple of years ago.”

Hei Zhenyu didn’t pause. ”Did Yuanlong offer you the position of Jade Emperor’s apostle?”

Mark exhaled slowly. ”Yes.”

”And,” Hei Zhenyu continued, his gaze sharp as a blade, ”did you reject it?”

Mark met his eyes directly. ”I did.”

For a moment, the isolated space fell into silence, heavy and oppressive, as if the very laws of the world were waiting to hear Hei Zhenyu’s next words.

Hei Zhenyu’s words fell like cold iron into Mark’s chest.

”And now,” Hei Zhenyu continued calmly, ”you have ascended and become the Lord of this dominion. That alone is enough to draw the Jade Emperor’s attention. Of course, he will not personally come to kill you. That would be beneath his status. But displeasure from someone like him never comes without consequence. Punishment will follow, openly or subtly.”

Mark felt his brows tighten as Hei Zhenyu looked at him more closely, his gaze seeming to peel away layers of concealment.

”I can still sense your connection to the netherworld,” Hei Zhenyu said. ”In fact, it is not just one. You seem to have more than one contract tied to demonic existence. Sever those contracts, and the Jade Emperor will have fewer excuses to act against you. Do that, and you may escape trouble.”

Mark’s fingers clenched slightly.

”And if you cannot?” Hei Zhenyu asked, already knowing the answer.

Mark did not hesitate. ”I won’t.”

Hei Zhenyu nodded, as if he had expected that response. ”Then there is the second path. Return to the mortal plane.”

Mark froze.

”No way,” he said immediately, his voice low but firm. ”I just ascended. I finally stabilized the sect, claimed my position, and brought my family here. How can I abandon my clan and everything I’ve built and go back to the mortal plane?”

Hei Zhenyu did not look surprised. He merely sighed softly.

”Then there is only the third option,” he said. ”Turn toward the Empire.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed. He already knew what that meant.

”The Heavenly Ocean Empire can negotiate with the Jade Emperor on your behalf,” Hei Zhenyu continued. ”An exemption. A stay of punishment. A formal recognition that places you under imperial protection. His Majesty sees you as a rare asset, Lu Zhen. A mere transcendent who defeated a third-stage transcendent like Lan Yujin, and who even managed to kill the Golden Demon Cat Empress. These are not small achievements.”

Hei Zhenyu’s tone grew heavier.

”Do not misunderstand,” he said. ”He is not negotiating because he fears you. He is negotiating because you are valuable. Blizzard Pegasus is only part of the picture. Do not underestimate the Emperor. His personal strength rivals my own, and if we count the divine artifacts in his possession, he may even surpass me.”

The silence that followed felt thick and suffocating.

Mark leaned back slightly in his seat, his thoughts churning.

Sever his demonic contracts? No way... Returning to the mortal plane was unthinkable. And turning toward the Empire meant walking straight into a gilded cage, no matter how polite the terms sounded.

Hei Zhenyu watched him quietly.

”You stand at a crossroads,” he said at last. ”Every path has a cost. The Jade Emperor does not forget rejection easily, and power without backing is the most dangerous position of all.”

Mark’s expression hardened, but he nodded slowly. ”I understand. I’ll take your suggestion seriously.”

He paused, then added, ”By the way, I have a question, Lord Hei, if I may ask.”

Hei Zhenyu gestured lightly. ”Go ahead.”

”Do you know where I can find void stones?” Mark asked directly. ”Does the Imperial Palace have any?”

Hei Zhenyu was clearly taken aback. ”Void stones?”

Mark nodded.

After a brief pause, Hei Zhenyu replied, ”The Imperial Palace does have some, yes. But His Majesty will not give you even a single one. Void stones are extremely rare, and they are keys to major breakthroughs. They are strategic resources.”

Mark understood immediately. He had long known that void stones were special. In the past, the system had used them to create upgrade crystals that pushed his rank higher. They were not just materials; they were foundations of advancement.

At that moment, the AI’s calm voice echoed in his mind.

*Ding! Master, it is best to dismantle Unnamed. I believe we can extract multiple void stones from it. If you allow me to analyze its core structure, I can replicate its atomic pattern and assist you in creating void stones later. We can reforge Unnamed afterward using plasma arcs.

Mark’s heart sank slightly. Unnamed was precious to him, not just a weapon but a companion that had saved his life more times than he could count. Still, the logic was sound.

He pushed the thought aside for now and looked back at Hei Zhenyu. ”I understand.”

Hei Zhenyu studied him for a moment, then asked, ”If you don’t mind me asking, why do you need void stones anyway?”