Defiance of the Fall

Chapter 1139: The Dragonʼs Tail

Zac opened his eyes back in the ancient war fortress. He couldnʼt believe how well his meeting had gone. His goal was to help the Acheron Company, yet ended with him making significant gains. Certainly, Zac understood the Endemire Sageʼs gift was an investment rather than an act of benevolence. The pail was already there when Zac entered the room, which meant the impartment was premeditated and unrelated to the military operation.

The old manʼs word choice was really apt. Heʼd been served a cup of Karma without proper explanation. The Endemire Sage forcibly tied him and his granddaughter together during an event that heavily revolved around fate. Who knew what kind of ramifications that could have?

Unfortunately for the Endemire Sage, his plan was bound to fail since Zacʼs body would never form Karmic Bonds after entering Hegemony. Heʼd still help Inda if they ran into each other during the trial, but Zac sincerely doubted Karma would pull them closer because of the gift.

Zac was more worried about his new enemy and their plot. He would never have guessed that the Tobrial Dynasty would cooperate with a Technocrat faction. The Seven Heavens may have deserted the Limitless Empire, but there should still be bad blood with the Selvari.

Furthermore, these Technocrats werenʼt simple. Not just anyone could infiltrate an alliance base and replace a group of high-ranking officers without notice. There was no way they belonged to one of the unaffiliated Technocrat organizations in the Million Gates Territory. They should have come from one of Sanctuaryʼs powerful factions. Could it be Firmamentʼs Edge?

Zac hadnʼt thought of the name in a long time, but he hadnʼt forgotten about their search for the Digital Nexus. Had he accidentally exposed his connection to the KayarʼElu during the war, prompting the Technocrats to work with the Seventh Heaven to sound him out? Or was it all just a coincidence? He prayed it was the latter since he had repeatedly used Void Energy during the last battle.

Were Firmamentʼs Edge already here, waiting for him?

He needed to get back to fighting condition sooner rather than later, and the first step was dealing with his foot. Unfortunately, the time constraints didnʼt give him many options. Accessible treasures required over a month to regrow a limb, and Zac was too stingy to use War Merit on the top-quality treasures in the Limited Exchange.

Relying on his bodyʼs natural recovery would be even slower unless he constantly channeled [Surging Rebirth]. Zac looked down at the stump with reluctance, but he knew there was only one option. Heʼd have to return to that tainted well.

Zac took out a shimmering Longevity Pearl, overruling a strong wave of subconscious rejection as he channeled most of his remaining Creation Energy. His ear and left foot rapidly regrew, though Zac ignored all his scrapes and bruises. Pills and his Void Vajra Constitution were enough to deal with those.

”That energy…”

Zac opened his eyes and saw RaʼKlid looking at him with longing and confusion.

”Itʼs Creation.”

”I canʼt believe youʼve already transcended the Dao of Life,” RaʼKlid muttered as his brows furrowed. ”The Mother of Life… Is our path limited?”

”I havenʼt actually cultivated Creation. Itʼs one of my aces, but itʼs from an external source,” Zac explained after realizing what the demon was worried about. ”And I wouldnʼt call Creation the mother or evolution of Life. It might be the conventional interpretation, and I used to share that belief. Now, I rather feel theyʼre two sides of the same coin. Nothing says that you and the Mavai canʼt take the Dao of Life to the very end.”

The easiest way to understand the Dao was to see it as seventeen pyramids or mountains. At the top, youʼd find the unified expression of that peak, such as the Dao of Chaos. This Dao could then be further split into myriad facets, where some were considered higher than others. This interpretation was mostly correct, and it didnʼt help most cultivators to delve any deeper.

A profound Dao like the Dao of Creation was undeniably far greater in scope and depth than the shallow truths that could become Dao Seeds. However, did Life really need to be subordinate to Creation? If so, how could the Undead Empire rise to the top while actively shunning Oblivion? And how could the Dao of Death inside the Abyssal Lake encompass all creation?

Zac had pondered the Daos of Oblivion and Creation at great length while working on his new aces. His conclusion was that these Daos could only truly exist in a vacuum. Not the vacuum of space but of purpose and direction. They were a lot like the [Myriad Paths Water] heʼd just consumed. Theyʼd either disappear or transform into something else the moment they came in contact with the world.

This was likely why the Spark of Creation remained stuck at the threshold until the day it was destroyed. Its desire for Creation ironically made it impossible to ever grasp it. This paradox was why so few cultivators transitioned to Creation or Oblivion, whether it was as pure or mixed-meaning Daos. Who didnʼt have desires and goals that drove their cultivation? Even an earnest pursuit of the Dao was a form of desire.

In contrast, Life was affected by a will, a purpose. It couldnʼt exist as a clean slate since it was a vehicle for progress. Similarly, Death was a form of causality. It would never appear without context.

Certainly, there was more at play than comprehension difficulty regarding the Undead Empire. Zac suspected the ban on cultivating Pure Death or Oblivion was related to the commandments. The notion was born when he created [Adaptive Symbiosis], where his bond with Haro was formed through and reinforced by the Dao of Life. The commandments could very well work the same way.

Perhaps those who cultivated Pure Death or Oblivion could ignore the commandments, or possibly even influence those under its bindings. The commandments were the Primoʼs tool to control his empire, and he wasnʼt a benevolent ruler based on his eternal war. Such an old monster wouldnʼt cede his authority without good reason.

”I was worried Iʼd wasted my opportunity for a moment,” RaʼKlid said with a crooked smile. ”But youʼre right. Life is boundless; how could its potential possibly be anything but? There is no reason for the Mavai to abandon their past. Itʼs the key to our future.”

Zac nodded in agreement. As expected, RaʼKlid had enough affinity with the Starfall Court to gain inspiration when claiming the seals. By the sounds of it, he chose the same path as Rhubat, using the inspiration to create a cultivation system for their race. In other words, RaʼKlid gaining a seal didnʼt just mean Zac getting another elite. The whole Mavai Tribe would benefit.

”Reignender of Ultom,” RaʼKlid continued. ”I finally caught onto the dragonʼs tail. I canʼt believe the mysteries contained within that light. No wonder the ancient tribes are offering up such generous bounties. And thereʼs more to this, no?”

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”Iʼll explain everything when we get out of here,” Zac said, ”Until then, be careful if you encounter more seals. Only approach if you can feel a connection to it. Theyʼll disintegrate you otherwise, sealholder or not.”

”We canʼt collect them for others?”

”I havenʼt found any methods, and I doubt there are any,” Zac said. ”This thing is heavily based on fate. I donʼt think itʼs random that you happened to be—”

Zac stopped mid-sentence, suddenly flashing forward and punching. It looked like he hit empty air, but Zac felt his fist connect with something. A small shockwave erupted as a thin figure appeared. It was a humanoid alien, a Half-Step Hegemon judging by her aura. Of course, having just experienced an ambush from the imperial death squad, Zac took no chances.

The assassin crashed into a nearby wall with incredible force, and the wall came out ahead. Zac heard bones crack, but there was not a mark left on the wall. As expected, these structures were made from incredibly durable material. Damaging them would be easier said than done, and digging a path into the tower was out of the question.

The wretched form suddenly shattered, but Zac was already on the move. Heʼd moved to another patch of empty space, and the target found her throat grabbed and limbs sealed by Viviʼs embrace. Her skill had left no trace or ripple of energy, but it had failed to hide from Zacʼs powerful Soul Sense. Heʼd seen her creep closer during their conversation and only made his move when she was in range.

”Alliance! Alliance,” the alien croaked in a desperate voice.

”Then why are you skulking around us instead of announcing yourself?” Zac countered.

”This place has no rules,” she cried. ”We have no way to complete the mission, and these buildings hold ancient treasures! People have gone mad. I just wanted to skirt around you to avoid trouble. Please, I just want to leave in one piece.”

Zac grunted in understanding but made no move to release her. She would have attacked the second she saw an opening, even if she were telling the truth. The System frowned upon betrayal during the war, but competition for resources and opportunities was its core tenet. This realm was likely lawless, just like she said.

”I wouldnʼt hurt any member of the alliance. Answer my questions, and Iʼll send you on your way. How long have you been in here?”

”Thank you, thank you! Iʼve been stuck here for six hours.”

”How many pathways have you encountered?”

”Only one,” she cried. ”Just twenty minutes after arriving. I should have taken it. Now, who knows if Iʼll get the chance? Death is around every corner.”

Zac slowly nodded, inwardly doubting she was as distraught as she let on. After all, she dared move alone, going so far as to approach strangers this close to the tower. Furthermore, the assassin was wounded, and the wounds came from battle rather than turbulent space. Perhaps sheʼd successfully ambushed a couple of people already.

They probably looked like easy targets. He and RaʼKlid looked like theyʼd just fought a grizzly bear and lost, and RaʼKlidʼs E-grade cultivation was easy to discern. Meanwhile, his cultivation was very difficult to gauge when he contained his aura unless they were significantly stronger. His utter lack of natural affinity made him appear weaker than he was.

He asked a few more questions, and her story corroborated everything from Dossinʼs briefing. A channel had opened in front of the assassinʼs unit, and theyʼd all been ordered inside. Even if stable, the pathway wasnʼt completely safe. Half had died during the crossing, most of them E-grade cultivators, while the rest were killed inside. The assassin had only survived by relying on stealth.

”Why not head to one of the camps if youʼre so scared?” Zac asked.

”Never! I canʼt!” she said with fear. ”Iʼd like to help the war effort, but I want to live even more! They donʼt let anyone out, and the leaders use us as expendable array breakers to test the doors. I donʼt think theyʼre even trying to reach the tower. Theyʼre just having unaffiliated people break into buildings that look promising.”

”Anything else?” Zac asked.

”No, thatʼs all I know,” she cried. ”Please…”

”OK. Safe travels.”

Her eyes lit up but then bulged with shock and despair as her neck snapped. A swing destroyed the Heart Curse bursting from her chest, and silence returned to the street.

”She should be ours. Spy?”

”If not before, then now,” Zac said. ”She might have been implanted in here. Itʼs an effective way to get helpers in a sealed environment when the stakes are so high.”

”I think she was telling the truth despite the curse.”

”For the most part,” Zac agreed.

”The steppes are burning, yet these fools are digging for steelsoil instead of escaping to the mountains,” the demon muttered as he looked at the sky. ”What should we do? Try to find a channel and escape?”

Zac fully agreed with the Mavai Chieftainʼs assessment. It was hard to say what would happen first—the rampaging fortress blowing up or the whole dimension collapsing. Either scenario was exceedingly dangerous, yet Zac had no thoughts of finding a path out.

”I need to give it a try,” Zac said, pointing at the storm surrounding the main tower. ”There might still be a way to turn things around. And I have to keep looking for opportunities. Things will only grow more dangerous as the war progresses. Our little empireʼs footing is still far from stable.”

”Then join a camp? I spotted one up ahead. With your strength, you can just seize command if they try anything. Could be useful with some helping hands.”

”No,” Zac said without hesitation. ”I think my chances are better if I go at it alone. Besides, I donʼt trust that our men are really ours after what happened outside.”

”I—” RaʼKlid hesitated. ”Iʼm afraid Iʼll drag you down.”

Zac nodded. There was no point in ignoring reality. The demon had potential, especially now that he was a sealbearer. However, RaʼKlid joining the next step was no different than throwing his life away. At the same time, Zac couldnʼt babysit the demon until they stumbled onto a pathway.

”Youʼll have to be careful,” Zac said, handing RaʼKlid a command token that might help if he ran into a Dravorak unit. ”Donʼt trust anyone. If you canʼt find an exit, hide inside one of the fortified buildings. That way, you have a better chance of surviving.”

RaʼKlid shuddered, but his eyes soon calmed down as a smile spread across his face. ”This is the price of power. Donʼt worry about me, Lord. We both have tribulations we must face and paths we must take. I know what I need to do.”

A familiar item appeared in his hand. It was the Temporal Chamber most of his elites had bought. RaʼKlid was already over 60 years old and in the E-grade when the Integration occurred. Heʼd spent over a decade shoring up his foundations, and getting the seal was the last piece of the puzzle.

”Good idea,” Zac said as he handed over a set of Life-attuned treasures useful for Core Formation. ”Do you need me to stand guard?”

”No, I feel I need to face this alone. I have relied on you or the tribal elders long enough,” RaʼKlid said as a grin spread across his face. ”I hope the Lord can help me with something else. If you could help me pick a building with good providence? Lord AzhʼRezak told us at great length about your golden hand during our travels.”

Zac laughed and looked around for a bit. ”Come with me.”

The two didnʼt walk for long before Zac found a good candidate. The house was in good condition, with its protective engravings active and intact. More importantly, he could feel a weak pull of fate within.

”There should be an opportunity in this building, but itʼll depend on you whether you can get it. Donʼt overdo it. Focus on breaking through first.”

RaʼKlid frowned as he inspected the door. ”The spy said the restrictions are very powerful. Itʼs almost impossible to open the ones that are this intact and trying will trigger a deadly response.”

”Let me try something. Stay back, and be ready to run.”

Zac slowly walked closer to the door, the [Court Cycle Token] already in his hand. This was a good chance to test his theory. The door opening wouldnʼt guarantee the token would work inside the tower, but it meant his plan was worth trying. If not, heʼd have to figure something else out.

The door soundlessly slid open before Zac even reached it, and Zac exhaled in relief. However, he felt a vague sense of threat as powerful energies coursed through the arrays. Were the defenses realizing something was wrong with the token?

”It wonʼt last long,” Zac said.

”Golden hand, indeed,” RaʼKlid laughed as he flashed inside. ”Safe travels, my lord.”

”See you on the outside.”

Zac backed away, and the door closed. He waited a minute to confirm the defensive arrays had calmed down before turning toward the tower. It held a fatal attraction, holding far more ripples of fate than the rest of the fortress combined.

Everything was in place, and nothing was holding him back. It was time to see if this tower was as generous as its F-grade brother.