Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1419: Compass Factory

Limanta served as another member of the Imperial Magistrate who had earned a position as an attendant in Mercurial Court. Doubting that their unstable agreement with Everit Draom would meet their objectives, the magistrate chose to acquire an extra slot from a different sealbearer. It proved wise, for Limanta had surpassed the usefulness of Zac’s own attendants. She established the market district as her fixed home, capitalizing on the nonstop traffic of visitors to gather wealth and alliances.

Zac couldn’t devote every moment lingering for the right materials to appear for sale. He had instead tasked Limanta with snapping them up whenever they surfaced. Beyond that, she operated as an intelligence trader, uncovering several spots rumored to hold chances tied to his path. Her efforts spared Zac from shelling out at least 10,000 Imperial Merits on those supplies.

“Just take the compliment,” Zac said as he turned to leave.

“You’re really breaking through?” Limanta asked with a serious expression. “I’ve read your report. It’s too soon to aim for Perfected Lord.”

“Have you seen this place? We’re being pushed forward whether we like it or not,” Zac said.

“Maybe you Sealbearers. Us attendants will have to do with the scraps,” Limanta said, waving at her book.

“I’ll relay your complaints to the Head Librarian,” Zac grinned.

“I’m not kidding. It’s too soon. You’re not even 800 years old, what’s the rush?” Limanta urged. “Perfection is a major hurdle. We still have more than 60 years left in this place. Why not take a few decades to refine yourself first?”

Zac grumbled inwardly. Of course, he had already devised a stronger justification for his haste.

“What can I do? There are no invaders left to kill and no other ways to make easy money. Even the Princess has disappeared from the face of the earth,” Zac complained. “Major breakthroughs have a good chance of exposing new fated encounters. That’s the only way I’ll make some real money.”

“Always money with you. Don’t think I haven’t heard how much you made unsealing that Goddess,” Limanta scoffed. “Is it the [Universal Tear]? You’d better give it up. That thing’s only put there to make you sealbearers work harder.”

“Sure, but if I collect enough, they’ll still have to honor the listing,” Zac shrugged. “And while they haven’t said how to become a permanent disciple, collecting more Potentiality surely can’t hurt.”

“You’re still on that? I know there have been some… disagreements between you and the bureau, but it is still your home. The Mercurial Court may have amazing opportunities, but we both know this indolent place doesn’t align with your path,” Limanta said with a frown. “Admit it, you felt the most alive in this place when you tracked down the fugitives and hidden invaders.”

“It’s in fate’s hands now,” Zac said, earning another scoff from Everit’s colleague as he turned away.

“Don’t forget to stop by. There might be more missions in the future, and I usually have some valuable information to sell,” Limanta called.

“Take care. I think we’re witnessing the calm before the storm,” Zac said with a wave as he headed for the Compass Factory.

The factory stood as one of the enduring landmarks in the market district. Unlike most department stores operated by research teams or influential alumni, this one was overseen directly by the sect. Its role was clear from the title: it offered compasses directing to numerous hidden facilities across the court.

Certain compasses were produced by the sect in unlimited quantities, like those guiding to specific cultivation areas. These were single-use items, essentially granting entry much like purchasing a pass. For example, access to study before [Second Singularity] was provided via a high-end compass. To prevent mishaps, that one had already been secured and handed to Esmeralda.

Additional compasses came from disciples themselves. Buyers could purchase blank ones and imprint them with a Citadel location. These disciple-made compasses carried risk, as the Mercurial Court offered them unmarked at a standard price. Securing a worthwhile one relied purely on fortune and destiny.

Moreover, Citadel constantly shifted. Coordinates on these handmade compasses would eventually expire. No fixed patterns existed—some endured for centuries, others faded within a month. The factory retained submitted compasses for ten years prior to disposal.

Historical records from countless disciple generations showed only 20% of these tokens delivered returns exceeding their price. Buyers persisted steadily, fueled by tales of disciples striking massive fortunes. Often, sellers parted with their fated opportunities due to misunderstanding them or lacking the power to claim their worth.

Esmeralda had attempted to decode the compasses’ inner workings to pilfer their secrets. Her current prowess rendered it impossible. These devices served as sub-arrays linked to the court itself.

Zac hadn’t come to test his luck this time, though his exceptional Luck typically yielded solid results.

“I need a compass to a Judgment Plateau on Dome Lake.”

With prerequisites fulfilled, the sole hurdle left was the dread tribulations from his core advancements. They intensified each time, better termed Heavenly Extinctions. These wouldn’t delay until his breakthrough concluded but struck the instant it started.

Progress in constitutions and Daos failed to let him withstand the retribution outright. Initially, Zac survived by exploiting a Temporal Chamber. Next, he drew on the residual Imperial Faith at Centurion Base. For this final Hegemony breakthrough, preparation was essential.

Fortune favored him with unprecedented choices. Primarily, accepting Holy Son status in the Empyrean Chalice granted Imperial Faith protection. If his Duplicity Core’s Heaven-eluding trait formed the first shield, Xiphos’ blessing provided the second.

Yet these merely eased the strain, insufficient as sole reliance. Zac’s genuine trump card was the [Fuxi Mountain Gate], upgraded anew after Sevona’s pursuit. The Void Space remained incomplete, the post-gate bridge ruined. Even so, it could now hold Zac for nearly three minutes.

Three minutes sufficed to weather a six-punishment tribulation. Zac preferred avoiding the [Fuxi Mountain Gate] for his Peak D-grade push. Unknown was how invoking Heavens might impact it—potentially ruining his efforts or shattering it entirely.

Besides, only one body could enter. His alternate risked a solo double tribulation if the other vanished abruptly. The [Fuxi Mountain Gate] suited later breakthroughs, once bodies converged. Then both could retreat inside.

Thus, no sense gambling when reliable options abounded. Why drain personal reserves when Outer Court resources beckoned? Centurion Base housed a chamber that nearly let the Kan’Tanu Pope validate his Dao, thwarted only by Zac.

Unquestionably, Outer Courts offered superior breakthrough sites. These sharply diminished dangers, tailored for ancient cultivators’ volatile ascensions. Beyond tempering tribulations, they featured Core Formation Arrays to stabilize a Mortal’s surging transformation.

Tasks complete, Zac expended his remaining Potentiality on a compass to the top chamber accessible to Mercurial Court Inner Disciples.

“Current price is 7,800 Potentiality,” the clerk replied, presenting a sealed chest.

“It’s gone up?” Zac frowned. His welcome pamphlet listed only 6,250.

“The demand has increased since you outsiders arrived. It’s put pressure on Dome Lake, forcing us to invite experts from the Radiant Court to perform repairs,” the clerk said with a smile.

“There aren’t that many of us, though. How could we possibly cause such strain?” Zac said, suspecting he was being taken for a ride.

“No, but the appearance of you outsiders has created a ripple among our elite disciples. How can they sit still while you’re seizing opportunities left and right?” the clerk explained.

“Fine, 7,800 it is,” Zac said with a glum expression as he paid the difference with Imperial Merit. “I assume this thing won’t lead me to a platform already occupied by a senior?”

“Certainly not. We guarantee availability for the next year. After that, it’s up to fate.”

Zac stifled a curse. Meaning, an identical compass would appear within a year. Ample for most to prepare, but not Zac. The ruins shortcut to the plateau meant a triggered halo could steal another year.

“Remember, after activating the plateau, you have forty-five days. If you remain any longer, a deduction of 500 Potentiality will be drawn daily.”

“But there’s no limit on how much energy I can draw in those forty-five days, right? And no surcharge for powerful tribulations?” Zac asked to confirm.

The clerk looked confused, but she dutifully confirmed Zac’s question. “That is all part of the payment.”

“Thank you.”

“May fate be with you,” the clerk said as Zac left the store.

Esmeralda giggled before emerging from the shrine to grab the compass.

Its westward direction held little meaning within the memories, but Esmeralda had unraveled most of Citadel’s concealed laws. Two shortcuts later, they emerged a day afterward into unfamiliar ruins. The remnants of outer walls hinted at grander structures.

They avoided penetrating the castle ruins themselves. These slumbered like beasts, stirring at their passage. Defensive arrays triggered as they wove through streets, deactivating only after scanning the glowing compass. Trespassing sealed areas would provoke harsher responses.

Regrettably, Zac’s treasure sense blared unprecedentedly. At least half the ruins beckoned, signaling buried treasures. Predictably, those with active arrays. Esmeralda appeared nauseous, casting longing looks at the tempting sites.

“Is this a test of our Dao Hearts?” Zac complained.

“Bear it, little protégé, we’re almost there,” Esmeralda croaked.

An hour later, they arrived at a petite lake shrouded in a luminous memory domain. Unlike Peregrine Ocean’s silver waves, its waters gleamed faded gold. Stepping in, an aura of burgeoning empyrean holiness unique to the Limitless Empire enveloped them—the crux of Zac’s breakthrough.

As anticipated, most Mercurial Court ascension chambers linked to Peaks of Fantasy and Continuum. Yet their top choice—and sole aid for Four Desolates tribulations—was this lake. Imperial Faith alone could quell Four Desolates.

Zac anticipated the faith-centric Tribulation Platform responding to his Empyrean Chalice Holy Son title. The tribulation shield might merge with the lake for enhanced safeguarding.

Five of seven islands bore shimmering barriers, signaling active breakthroughs. Mercifully, the compass bypassed them. Chance arrival would allow free choice; forced fate demanded adherence.

No boats available, Zac flew over the surface. Perception shifted upon leaving shore—he no longer skimmed the lake. Zac gasped, hovering above an endless flame dome. Unlike Avici’s hellish blaze, this fire nurtured strength and endurance.

Transported to the Multiverse-desolation barrier? No, this differed vastly from the eroded version he knew. Its Imperial Faith shone at peak potency. Dome Lake might be a severed fragment or direct conduit.

Regardless, the vista soothed strangely. As if perched atop Heavens, shielded by the Empire for his Dao. How could tribulation touch him under Imperial Destiny’s watch?

Islands persisted, adrift on flames. Zac sped toward one, halting just before landing. A message flew to his other side. His human form finalized setups while Draugr relocated. Despite flaws, Hollow Court excelled in transit.

Zac entered ‘Myriad Realm Repository’ palace. After 6,300 Longanimity, a realmgate activated. Relief washed over him at the vista: darkness, yet not memory-desolation’s void. It whispered deep night mysteries, lower plane enigmas, laced with potent Void Energy pulses.

Intrigued, Zac crossed into vast mountains. Each peak gleamed with Imperial Faith barriers. Outside churned unstable Life-Death chaos, lashed by ground-crack Void bursts.

No memory domain marked it present-day, yet clearly not. Neighboring mountains hosted majestic palaces. Distant, a chillingly familiar aura prickled—Margrave Wartorius’ reality-flipping Heavenly Territory. Zac stiffened as faint perception grazed him.

Had he detected? If yes, did Margrave recall Zac’s desperate cries against Mox?

Relief came a minute later, worry flipping to joy. He laughed, chiding needless fear. This range housed Fuxi Halls. Stable Void streaks suggested Lowest Plane foundations, akin to Daoist Hidden Earth’s siphon site—or similar Lower Plane.

Others must retrace paths post-arrays, but Zac could roam freely. Central return remained viable, though best avoided. 6,000+ Longanimity per trip drained too fast.

“Can you hear me?” Zac asked into a newly bought communicator.

“I’m here,” Zac said and described the surroundings.

Ogras asked.

“Most likely.”

Zac stowed the communicator and surveyed his mountain. Seven peaks, one summoning him. Like Dome Lake, perception warped on contact. The mountain ballooned immensely, Zac a colossus upon it. Veins brimmed with endless Faith.

Reality flipped during ascent. Climbing yet distancing from prime dimensions, the Faith mountain morphed into Void Mountain, maximizing separation from Heavens. It forged acute remoteness to his other self—one universe-crowning, one abyss-lurking.

Soon, Zac summited. The peak hollowed amid seventeen spires. A intricate platform centered it, thirty-plus arrays etched on spires. The masterful setup cemented reality.

He was truly on the verge of Peak Hegemon.