Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1368: Set the record straight one last time

Then, all of a sudden, Theo’s eyes widened slightly—as if a bolt of realization had struck him mid-thought.

”Wait a moment... we’re planning to create our own World Cataclysms... Do you actually have the Laws up to the fifth stage? Are they with you right now?!”

Robin offered a faint, knowing smile. Without saying another word, he flicked his wrist and tossed a spatial ring toward Theo.

”The fifth-stage level of every single Heavenly Law within the Empire... you’ll find them all in here. That includes the Law of Corrosive Wind for Peon.”

”This...”

Theo caught the ring using both hands with the utmost care, as if it were a divine artifact handed down from the stars themselves.

Ever since arriving in the Middle Belt, his perception of value had shifted dramatically. The illusions of wealth he once held were shattered, and now he could see. He could sense the terrifying fortune enclosed within this small object—billions upon billions, stacked atop more billions... the value of this ring was beyond calculation, beyond imagination.

Robin continued calmly, his voice filled with both gravity and assurance:

”Inside, you’ll also find a comprehensive guide—a detailed, step-by-step methodology on how to achieve a breakthrough to the level of World Cataclysm. It’s a classified explanation I purchased from the Soul Society, covering everything from the types of anchors used during the process to how to interact with them properly. There are also several crucial precautions—strategies to avoid critical failures, soul collapse, or triggering dangerous backlash during the attempt.”

He exhaled slowly, almost as if recalling how costly and rare that information was.

”Naturally, the entire process revolves around individuals with unique affinities, and also the mutants, the deviants of talent and bloodline...”

”While there are supplemental notes for those who follow the third path—the Path of Alchemy and Elixirs—they all arrive at the same grim conclusion: Never attempt the breakthrough without an extremely stable anchor -stabilizer- and good external support. And even then, the resulting World Cataclysm may still be underwhelming.”

Theo was already flipping through the contents of the ring with a sharp gleam in his eye, scanning through the unimaginable resources.

”...Can Raiden at least attempt this method? He’s been at high Level 50 for literal centuries. If we could forge a World Cataclysm from one of our own bloodline... it would be an unparalleled addition to our strength.”

Robin’s tone darkened slightly, his words dipped in caution.

”Firstly, Raiden’s stuck in the Middle Belt, and the suppressive nature of that zone makes breakthrough exponentially more difficult. And if he tries to rely solely on cultivation techniques in an environment that lacks fifth-stage laws altogether like back in Jura... then no—he’s facing a near-impossible wall.”

Robin waved a hand slowly, as though brushing aside wishful thinking.

”Only a true prodigy could pull off such a feat. That said, I have heard whispers of a single individual accomplishing it once before... so yes, there’s a sliver of hope. Inform Raiden—and any others with extraordinary affinity from the Young Belt, whether they belong to our Empire or from the once you will purchase—that they are allowed to study these methods, understand them, and make them part of their instincts.”

His tone dropped low, sharp as a dagger:

”But no one is to attempt an actual breakthrough without my express authorization! Is that clear?”

A brief moment of tension filled the air as Robin’s brows furrowed, his voice now edged with the weight of command.

”I won’t allow anyone to succeed by accident and cause one of our planets to ascend before the Empire is ready.”

”Understood,” Theo nodded firmly and immediately, not daring to question the order.

...Buying individuals with rare affinities from the Young Belt as well? It seemed like the Empire’s gears of progress would not be slowing down anytime soon—and his own responsibilities would only multiply.

”Now then~” Robin shifted the conversation with a graceful flick of his hand, dismissing the tension as if flipping a page in a book. He gestured once more to the spatial ring.

”You’ll also find inside copies of all my personal innovations—everything I’ve created as Human, including all my studies on soul traits. Granted, the volume isn’t vast, but it’s thorough. You’ll also find several new soul techniques, and even one particular art—one that allows a Soul Master to utilize their soul creatures to hunt and capture stray initial souls from the surrounding ether.”

”This...” Theo blinked, staring at the ring again as if it had transformed into something far more sacred.

All of that... inside this?

Robin’s smile widened slightly, tinged with the pride of a craftsman revealing his masterpiece.

”I kept that specific technique to myself for a long time—it’s derived from the Soul-Filling Art. But I believe the Empire has now cultivated enough elite Soul Masters capable of wielding it responsibly.”

His tone hardened once more, issuing a solemn decree.

”But there are two conditions: First, never overuse it. Absorbing too much essence from initial souls will rot the domain—bringing decay, and worse, attracting Heart Ghosts. Second, whoever takes this technique must swear a sacred oath—one sealed with an Oath wraith. Secondly, whoever takes this technique must take a strong oath, and those oath tablets are stored in the imperial treasury!”

”Hooo~” Theo exhaled a deep, drawn-out breath, as though releasing the tension of an entire battlefield.

”It seems... our Soul Force Division is on the verge of a new awakening, isn’t it? A true rebirth.”

”Haha—let’s just hope Emily still has enough time in her chaotic schedule to handle them properly,” Robin leaned forward with a grin and tapped Theo firmly on the shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie and anticipation.

Beep.Beep.

”Oh?” Robin’s eyes flicked toward the wall as the alert sounded. He tilted his head slightly, then smiled with that casual confidence of someone who always had a plan.

”Looks like the delivery has just arrived.”

Creaaak. The massive window slowly slid open, revealing the horizon outside. Hovering beyond it was a sleek, compact cargo vessel with a single-person cockpit, clearly designed for high-priority deliveries. Behind it trailed a segmented trailer with multiple sealed compartments, each one pulsing faintly with containment runes. A true merchant of the skies.

At the helm was a green-skinned woman with thick lips and weary, half-lidded eyes that peeked lazily out from beneath a pair of oversized glasses. Her presence radiated the energy of someone who’d seen too much, cared too little, and simply wanted to get paid.

She opened her mouth like she was about to yawn—but instead, out came a single, soul-numbing word, spoken with all the enthusiasm of a corpse:

”Delivery.”

Then, without missing a beat, she flicked her wrist—holding a wand-like controller—and two massive crates lifted into the air, hovering ominously as they floated toward Robin.

Before they even reached him, the woman had already turned her craft around, collected the remaining cargo with a casual wave, and vanished into the clouds without so much as a goodbye. Pure professionalism... or absolute apathy.

”Yo!” Robin stepped back just in time, allowing the crates to glide smoothly into the room. He chuckled as he watched her vessel disappear into the distance.

”Her loss, really. I was just about to hand her a rather generous tip... a token of appreciation to celebrate the arrival of this long-awaited gear.”

”What is this?” Theo stood abruptly, eyes sharp with curiosity, and began circling the floating crates like a predator studying its prey.

”Did you buy something new from the Soul Society?”

Robin smirked, stepping closer.

”Yeah, something that everyone is talking about right now.”

The crates appeared completely ordinary at first glance—unremarkable, indistinguishable from any standard cargo. But as the room’s light reflected off them just right, a faint, barely visible violet shimmer could be seen surrounding both crates—a protective seal. A Royal Soul Seal.

”Incredible...” Robin murmured. He had already understood how to unlock it. His intuition—no, his mastery—had reached that level. Without hesitation, he retrieved a small parchment, scribbled a sequence of numbers, and handed it to Theo.

”Memorize this code. Then destroy the paper. Leave no trace.”

Theo didn’t ask questions. He glanced at the paper for a second, and then—shhhkkk—it began to crumble in his palm. Disintegrating into a black ash so dark it seemed to absorb light.

”Done. Was that your code ID in the Soul Society?”

”Exactly. With that code, you can break the Royal Seal on these crates,” Robin gestured at them with his brow raised.

”But not here. And not now. What lies within is not something to be revealed in such an open space.”

He stepped beside the crates and lowered his voice.

”Inside... you’ll find fourth-stage Planetary Displacement Tool and a third-stage Scythe of Dimming.”

”W- What—?!”

Theo instinctively staggered back a step, eyes wide in shock.

”This soon?! You just placed the order!”

”I’m a high-level client, Theo. VIP status.” Robin let out a short laugh, patting his chest. ”I don’t wait in line.”

”Both pieces of gear must remain sealed and silent for now. I want you to take them directly to the Imperial Vault—no detours. Do not, under any circumstances, deliver the Scythe of Dimming to Caesar until he has officially broken through to become a World Cataclysm. As the moment it falls into his hands, his bond with me—as a human—will become obvious. And that would ruin everything.”

”As for the Planetary Displacement Tool...” Robin paused, looking contemplative.

”Leave it as well. I’m still undecided whether we’ll begin our ascension in Sector 100... or Sector 99.”

He fell silent, gaze distant for a brief moment, then finally nodded.

”But if anything ever happens to me... if I go missing or communication becomes impossible for any reason—then initiate the planetary transfer protocol. Begin relocating our assets to Sector 99 immediately.”

”Nothing will happen to you, Father,” Theo replied, voice tight with resolve and loyalty.

”We’ll wait for your orders. Always.”

”I pray for that as well.” Robin gave a soft smile, his eyes filled with both warmth and the heavy burden of foresight.

”Oh—and one more thing. I purchased additional resources—around 700 million pearls’ worth to strengthen the Empire’s core. They’re set to arrive at the Soul Society branch on Planet Zaron. Once they land, I want you to go collect them using my code ID.”

He stepped closer, placing a hand on Theo’s shoulder.

”From now on, anything I purchase in my spare time, I’ll ship to Zaron. You’ll be my designated receiver. Once you get the goods, forward them to Emily and Zara as needed. Think of yourself as the Empire’s trusted courier for now.”

”Of course.” Theo nodded without hesitation, eyes gleaming with purpose.

”Shall we begin your move to Mid-Sector 99 then? I know of a planet—a promising one—that would make for a solid landing site.”

”Just leave the coordinates with me,” Robin replied, smiling again.

”Now go. Take the gear to the Vault, then begin the plans we discussed. As for me... I’ll take a walk. Might clear my head. I don’t yet know when I’ll be departing.”