Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1435: Emir

“Greetings, Young Prince!”

A headache began to throb behind Zac’s eyes as he gazed at the man kneeling before him. Ramses, the living mummy, had not only surpassed expectations by awakening earlier than anticipated but was also mobile within his makeshift confinement. Zac had stumbled upon Ramses in the midst of a cultivation session upon his return to the Dao-infused section of Fuxi Halls, where the mummy was drawing life force and Faith from the recovering world.

Ramses remained as feeble as an F-grade cultivator, entirely incapable of mounting a defense if push came to shove. More unsettling was the fervent adoration shining in Ramses’s eyes. Zac would have much preferred the callous indifference displayed during their initial encounter. This newfound reverence and the specific address carried deeply troubling implications.

A tense silence hung in the air as Zac weighed his available options. He had been desperately trying to devise a method for extracting the crucial information. Ramses didn’t strike Zac as the type to readily divulge vital secrets simply to reciprocate the gesture of having his life saved. Zac had even contemplated resorting to threats, such as hunting down the empire’s associates and actively disrupting their schemes.

Should that prove ineffective, Zac’s fallback plan involved saturating Ramses with Faith-attuned natural treasures. He would then meticulously record the reactions of Ramses's unique mantra. Although their inherent compositions differed, Zac held a strong conviction that their underlying patterns originated from a common source. By studying one, he felt confident he could uncover answers pertaining to the other.

However, a potentially more advantageous path might now be available. Should he elect to play along with the charade? Zac swiftly dismissed the notion. All actions carry consequences, and spoken words possess inherent weight. The risk was substantial; by feigning royal lineage, he might only become further ensnared in the complex karma of the Limitless Empire.

Concurrently, he could not simply disregard the situation. This individual had somehow unearthed Zac’s most closely guarded secret. It was not a matter that could be easily brushed aside. At the very least, such an identity could plunge him into a world of peril if the information were to spread beyond their immediate vicinity. He already had an abundance of Supremacies actively seeking him out; there was no necessity to further entangle himself as a potential claimant to Laondio’s throne.

“Firstly, cease addressing me as ‘prince’ immediately. I’m uncertain about the notion that has taken root in your mind, but you are mistaken. I am merely Zachary Atwood from the Zecia Sector, nothing more and nothing less,” Zac stated firmly.

“Certainly, Your—Lord Atwood,” Ramses quickly assented, the intensity in his eyes undiminished.

“You—whatever,” Zac sighed, extending a tendril of his mental energy to gently lift Ramses from the ground. He had conveyed what was necessary, establishing a clear boundary. If Ramses persisted in clinging to his delusion beyond this point, the responsibility would rest solely upon him, even if it meant courting his own demise.

“What is your name? I cannot continue to refer to you as ‘Ramses the mummy’ indefinitely,” Zac inquired.

“I am Emir Evrodok Amassas, of the Pesvati Rift, my Lord,” Emir replied.

“Evrodok?” Zac echoed, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“It is not as grand as you might imagine. Every citizen of the Rift bears this name in honor of him, to keep his legacy alive,” Emir explained.

“You are far more forthcoming than during our previous encounter,” Zac observed, settling himself at the table.

Simultaneously, he noted the striking resemblance to his own bloodline vision. Laondio had initially commanded Karz to adopt his name, and now these individuals? There had to be a compelling reason behind this practice. If the objective was merely to remain concealed within the rift, assuming the Emperor’s name would only serve to attract unwanted attention from Heaven. Could these people be serving to dilute the Emperor’s transgression?

“That… the early manifestation of a Flamebearer, particularly one carrying the bloodline of the Sindris Clan, caught us quite off guard. We must exercise caution when interacting with the more potent agents of change. An incorrect action, even if motivated by righteous intent, can yield disastrous consequences,” Emir stated, pausing briefly before leaning in conspiratorially. “Your presence here… is it an answer from the Sindris Clan?”

A silent complaint rose within Zac. He had to actively suppress the primal urge to strike Emir down on the spot.

“The Sindris Clan? Why do you bring them up?” Zac questioned.

“Our mantras contain a vast repository of knowledge passed down through innumerable generations. This knowledge surfaces when the necessary conditions are met. The very instant I laid eyes upon you, I recognized that you were connected to the Sindris Clan,” Emir elaborated.

“Well, I regret to disappoint. I am not affiliated with them. I wasn’t even aware of their existence until just a few years ago. It appears they are part of my ancestry, but that affiliation has no bearing on me,” Zac asserted.

“You need not concern yourself. The animosity between the empire and the Sindris Clan belongs to the past. They have upheld their end of the bargain, vigilantly safeguarding the Edge during our absence.”

Zac mentally cataloged this peculiar description.

As per Leandra’s account, the Sindris Clan’s progenitor was the sole survivor when the Technocrat Council attempted to apprehend Laondio. Burdened with the compounded ‘sin’ of sheltering Karz for hundreds of thousands of years, they were consequently exiled to the periphery of the Multiverse. Based on Emir’s statement, there might be considerably more to this narrative.

Was the ancestor of the Sindris Clan intentionally allowed to live? Furthermore, why was the defense of the Edge necessary? Zac had glimpsed the vast expanse beyond through Starclad’s recollections. For an unknown duration, the Stellar Wanderers had traversed the desolate, boundless void, journeying immeasurable distances before the unforgiving environment compelled their return.

Throughout their extensive travels, had they encountered any evidence of other life existing out there? It remained a possibility that they were not alone. However, how could the Sindris Clan possibly contend with any entity powerful enough to navigate the desolation with ease? Even the formidable Stellar Wanderers lacked such freedom of movement. According to Wal’Zo, only the Eternal, after consuming the Multiverse and attaining true Eternity, would possess such capability.

While questions lingered, Zac had more pressing matters to address.

“The way you speak, are you not concerned about divine retribution from the Heavens? I understood there to be a prohibition against associating with the Limitless Empire?”

“Not within this vicinity. The constraints are notably weaker in the Left Imperial Expanse and virtually nonexistent within the Outer Courts,” Emir explained.

“Nevertheless, discretion is advised. You must be aware of the intentions of the ancient entities observing this trial should they discover the Pesvati Rift to be an enclave of the Limitless Empire.”

“The Rift is not a realm they can freely traverse,” Emir stated nonchalantly. “There exist forces in the Cosmos far mightier than mere Cultivators.”

“Very well, it is not my concern,” Zac replied with a shrug. “In any case, I am no prince as you assumed, nor did I rescue you out of sheer benevolence. I require information. To begin, what precisely transpired during that period?”

“Would you be willing to grant me a Faith Crystal?” Emir inquired.

After some hesitation, Zac produced a crystal and watched intently as Emir drew upon its power, opening a small, golden fissure. It bore a resemblance to the portal from which he had first emerged, though this one was merely the size of a hand. A jade artifact containing information emerged before the gate sealed. It was no wonder the guards had never discovered any spatial rings upon Emir; the peculiar mantra residing within him evidently granted its own form of storage, an ability predominantly associated with non-combat specializations.

A personal dimension offered superior security compared to a Spatial Tool, yet Emir served as a stark illustration of its inherent risks. Extracting a single object in his current condition nearly plunged the man into a coma. He barely managed to maintain consciousness, extending the jade with trembling hands. Zac channeled his will into the artifact, his eyebrows arching in surprise at the recorded contents.

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The recording had been captured from this very mountain, focusing its lens upon the adjacent peak where Zac had undergone his breakthrough. The ominous clouds of his personal tribulation soon descended, engulfing the entire region in an angry crimson light. Zac cast a wary glance at Emir.

“How did you anticipate my intention to break through?”

“I have been observing your contingent since your arrival, much like I have monitored the other sealbearers,” Emir stated.

“And why were you lurking— wait, what is occurring?” Zac watched, bewildered, as the swirling clouds began to dissipate.

The initial dissipation was not unexpected. It was around this juncture that the Judgment Plateau initiated its function, transferring the tribulation into a separate dimension. However, just as the clouds obscuring the mountain range were poised to disperse completely, they coalesced with renewed vigor. Yet, they made no move to strike. Instead, they oscillated, waxing and waning in an unending cycle.

“This peculiar phenomenon persisted for a full thirty-three days,” Emir disclosed.

“How could such a thing be possible?”

“Its conclusion was inverted, transforming into a fresh inception,” Emir explained, casting a fleeting glance towards the heavens.

“I comprehend,” Zac sighed, realizing that both Roan and Margrave had kept themselves occupied during his breakthrough. “What was the reason for your presence here initially?”

“I… I was contemplating whether to infiltrate the Judgment Plateau and interfere with your breakthrough,” Emir confessed, quickly elaborating as palpable killing intent emanated from Zac. “From our initial encounter, I sensed a profound and mysterious connection between you and the Earth Sage, which led me to guide you in that direction.”

“And then you determined I had fulfilled my purpose?” Zac questioned, his voice laced with growl.

“The repercussions of your actions far exceeded my initial projections. Your capacity for transformation is extraordinary, to a degree that is frankly unsettling. Furthermore, there was no discernible explanation for your identity within our scripture,” Emir lamented with a sigh. “I harbored anxieties regarding the potential consequences should you be permitted to attain Peak D-grade.”

“Better to eliminate the threat before it escalates. I understand,” Zac acknowledged, a shiver running through him. He had no inkling how narrowly he had averted a recurrence of his disastrous Late D-grade breakthrough. “Something altered your decision.”

“On the final day, I detected a magnificent aura emanating from you,” Emir declared, his sallow eyes blazing with intensity. “The aura of the Limitless Emperor.”

Zac suppressed the urge to inquire further, instead nodding for Emir to continue.

“It was the flame… And I was merely the kindling,” Emir murmured, his gaze falling upon his withered hands.

“Your essence, your blood,” Zac surmised.

Emir nodded. “Your… lineage and the inherited Karma tied to my bloodline were fused into bait that the Heavens could not resist. The tribulation was already prepared, with the Heavens tricked into believing the Emperor had reincarnated.”

“Which caused it to go berserk,” Zac stated. “How do you profit from deceiving the Heavens?”

“The Heavens embody truth. It is accurate even when it errs. Belief holds significance, particularly within the Left Imperial Expanse. It lent our endeavor authenticity, so to speak.”

“Not an endeavor,” Zac corrected, his brow furrowed.

“Ahem. Karma and blood intertwined to forge genuine Imperial Mandate. It became the guiding light for the Left Imperial Palace’s return.”

“You’re claiming the Fifth Pillar would have remained concealed if not for my breakthrough? I don’t accept that,” Zac retorted.

“It was merely one of several potential avenues, I am certain,” Emir affirmed with a nod. “I believe our predecessors perceived an opportunity to expedite the schedule through you.”

“What advantage is there in revealing the Ultom Courts prematurely?”

“You should have grasped our objective by now. We have endured for an extended period. It is time for the Empire to hoist its banners and reclaim its rightful place in the world,” Emir declared.

“I suspect a multitude would voice their dissent.”

“And therein lies the predicament,” Emir sighed. “After all these years, the Cosmos remains unwilling to relinquish its hold. The closer our plan advances to completion, the more formidable its resistance becomes. It will commence siphoning Fate, or potential as you might understand it, from this continent. It will resort to any means to prevent us from achieving that final step.”

“The Left Imperial Palace possesses the ability to defy the Heavens,” Zac stated deliberately.

“The Ultom Courts exist beyond the Cosmic Order. Merely uncovering it will diminish Heaven’s sway over this region. Furthermore, the Palace serves as the nucleus of the Fifth Pillar. Only through its integration with the Imperial Road and the Outer Courts will the arrangement function at its peak efficiency,” Emir mused for a few moments.

“Our scripture does not detail the precise outcome, but I can infer certain possibilities. With Ultom shouldering a portion of the burden, the restrictions imposed upon our predecessors will lessen. They ought to be capable of guiding us sealbearers toward the correct path. They might even resolve some of the impediments to untapped potential themselves.”

“You all are essentially cheating in the game you devised yourselves,” Zac scoffed, disregarding Emir’s concerned expression. “Why should I place any trust in your words?”

“I am confident that the information you have acquired elsewhere will support my account.”

“The very fact you are willing to share this information is suspicious. Frankly, I have no vested interest in the return of the Limitless Empire, yet I have already informed you that I am not one of your kind,” Zac stated.

“For thirty-three days, I too was ensnared in a cyclical existence. To categorize you as friend or foe, a danger or an asset. To the very end, I was unable to ascertain the answer myself. It was only through your disruption of the established order that the scales fell from my eyes,” Emir looked at Zac with absolute conviction. “I am no longer bound. Whether you align with us or not is of no consequence. Your role is crucial. The fact that you permitted me to persist beyond Fate’s allotted span signifies that I must offer you my assistance.”

Zac found himself unable to endure that hopeful gaze, so reminiscent of Xiphos, and steered the conversation elsewhere. “When we first met, I witnessed you emerge from your compatriot’s body. What precisely was that?”

“On this continent, we can utilize our Innate Mantras to establish a connection with the Imperial Road. As true citizens of the Empire, we can leverage its nexus points for traversing immense distances. What I did with Insik operated on similar principles, though it came at a considerable price.”

“Wasn’t the road obliterated?” Zac inquired.

“It was, yet the Earth retains its memory,” Emir replied.

“If I assist you in your recovery, can you transport me to the Left Imperial Palace?” Zac proposed, producing one of the Natural Treasures he had gathered in recent weeks. “I believe these can aid in your recuperation.”

Emir merely cast a fleeting glance at the treasures before shaking his head. “My connection to the Left Imperial Palace is tenuous, and I am uncertain if the nexus points will accept you. At best, I could assist you in covering a portion of the journey,” Emir explained. “I do not believe you will need to concern yourself with that. The primary narrative will adjust as the palace is reintegrated, and the Outer Courts are directly linked to the palace.”

“So, something akin to a teleportation device will materialize when the opportune moment arrives?” Zac hypothesized.

“For those who possess the requisite fate. As a Flamebearer, you are inherently included in that designation,” Emir confirmed with a nod.

“Good to know,” Zac acknowledged, deciding it was time to shift his focus to the matter at hand. “Tell me about Fuxi.”

Emir had evidently anticipated this query. “Little is known definitively about Sage Fuxi. He is acclaimed as a visionary within the scripture of Pesvati Rift, and Fuxi Halls stands constructed upon his [Grand Unity Canon].”

“Grand Unity?”

“It was the Sage’s quest to conquer the Terminus. He held the conviction that a greater power existed beyond our current perception. By meticulously refining both Clear and Turbid Qi—the Dao and the Void—to their absolute limits, one could achieve the merging into what Sage Fuxi termed Grand Unity Qi. This supreme Qi was purported to be the gateway to a higher plane of existence, the very path to seizing true Eternity.”

This explanation conjured visions in Zac’s mind, reminiscent of Starclad’s earliest recollections. The diverse races of Ancient Arcana had first emerged from an indistinct mist, a primordial soup that subsequently gave rise to the First Era. Could this Grand Unity Qi be the very essence Fuxi had sought to replicate? Considering the magnificent beings born from it, Zac found himself agreeing that it must indeed be something extraordinary.

The ambition to recreate the most fundamental essence in all of existence was a noble cause, fitting for a sage such as Fuxi. In the end, his efforts, like those of countless other powerhouses throughout the ages who chased after Eternity, proved unsuccessful. The Empire, always focused on practical applications, later diverted Fuxi’s research towards objectives that served their own grand designs.

“Do you happen to know how one might acquire the [Grand Unity Canon]?” Zac inquired.

“It’s not available through the usual exchanges at the Fuxi Halls, nor do I believe the Rift holds a copy,” Emir responded. “The only remnant mentioned in the scriptures is a mnemonic that Sage Fuxi himself left behind.”

Zac gestured for Emir to recite this mnemonic, and the latter began to speak in the ancient, original tongue of the Limitless Empire.

Initially, the words felt akin to the deliberately abstruse verses found within his own [Nine Replications Manual]. Yet, these particular phrases possessed an enigmatic allure that proved impossible to shake. As the mnemonic resonated within Zac’s mind, it established a spiritual rhythm, breathing new vitality into the fading runes that adorned his consciousness. Even more astonishingly, three novel illusory runes momentarily materialized, joining the existing ones.

Zac had to actively restrain himself from bolting out of the cave and immediately returning to Fuxi’s side. The precipice of profound understanding was within tantalizing reach, and Emir, it seemed, was an inexhaustible source of crucial intelligence. As if sensing Zac’s thoughts, the imperial’s subsequent revelation was equally momentous.

“Forgive my intrusion, but you are here to retrieve Lord Galgallim’s right eye, are you not?”

“His eye?” Zac echoed, a note of surprise in his voice.

“His left eye perceives the past; his right eye embraces the future,” Emir explained.

“And what if that is precisely my intention?”

“It is our obligation to render assistance. The Lords fulfilled their part of the agreement, and that eye was never intended to remain under the court’s custody,” Emir stated. “In fact, our objectives align perfectly in this regard. Its presence has ensnared the Ninth Hell in a state of suspension, thereby impeding Karma’s ultimate resolution. Aiding you would inherently involve addressing this persistent interference.”

Zac rubbed his glabella, a gesture of mild exasperation. Emir had already deduced this much; revealing his hand now held little consequence.

“There is a secondary realm situated beneath this one. Within it, I located a mountain that appears to be linked to the Primo’s eye, but I have been unable to gain access. Do you have any counsel?”

“I personally journeyed to the Turbid World prior to your arrival, and I am familiar with the mountain you describe. The [Grand Unity Canon] possesses the capability to interface with its intricate array, but a specific key is required.”

Zac met Emir’s gaze with a steady, unblinking stare. “You cannot be serious.”

“Pedigree and Karma,” Emir replied, tapping his forehead. “I can serve as the key, provided you possess the skill to activate it.”