Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1436: Sever or Invite

“Having been down there, you should grasp the peril involved. How could you possibly endure the Void in your current condition? You’d be extinguished like a candle flame in a gale,” Zac declared with evident frustration.

“You mentioned acquiring treasures that would aid my recovery. I too possess an artifact capable of repelling the Void. Grant me a fortnight, and I shall recuperate sufficiently to utilize it for the duration required to reach that mountain,” Emir proposed.

This suggestion brought a critical, unspoken issue to the forefront. Zac remained uncertain regarding his course of action with this imperial. The thought of eliminating him had already crossed his mind, and that was prior to Zac's discovery of Emir's knowledge of matters that absolutely could not be disseminated—secrets unknown even to Zac’s most trusted confidants.

Should the information Emir possessed leak to the outside, the Atwood Empire would face inevitable ruin. Providing refuge to Zac and his retinue would instantly brand them as collaborators with the Technocrats or allies of the Limitless Empire if the truth became public. Either designation would position them as adversaries to all the preeminent factions within the Multiverse Heartlands. Even the Primo would be unable to withstand such intense animosity.

Zac harbored absolutely no confidence in the efficacy of oaths or binding contracts to safeguard such a secret. Kator had provided them all with a stark demonstration of their vulnerability and how easily they could be manipulated. A formidable power like the Pesvati Rift was undoubtedly equipped with methods to bypass any contract Zac might endeavor to establish. Escorting Emir back to Port Atwood might offer a viable solution, but it carried immense risks.

Only death presented a guaranteed method for securing his secret. Esmeralda had previously indicated that reviving participants of the trial should be an insurmountable impossibility. Considering the intricate karmic entanglement of the Left Imperial Expanse, coupled with its direct superposition atop the River of Time, it rendered extracting individuals from the past an impossibility, even for Supremacies.

The solution was straightforward, and the threat it posed was so palpable that Zac was prepared to confront the repercussions from the Hollow Court for terminating a fellow disciple. It was not an honorable act, but he made no pretense of being a gentleman. Zac had committed far graver deeds to ensure his own safety and that of those he cared about. Nevertheless, he managed to restrain his immediate impulses.

“Allow me a moment to deliberate,” Zac stated before exiting the cavern. He reappeared ten minutes later, having exchanged pertinent notes with his other self and discussed the matter thoroughly with Ogras. “Ten days.”

“I beg your pardon?” Emir inquired, his expression laced with bewilderment.

“You shall have a period of ten days. I will furnish the necessary resources during this interval. However, I too must make preparations on my end,” Zac responded, producing a set of manacles. “While I am occupied, your Qi and Daos will be suppressed.”

“Is such a measure truly warranted?” Emir questioned.

“If you are indeed the key, I cannot permit you the liberty to depart unexpectedly, can I?” Zac offered a shrug. “Do you assent to these stipulations?”

“Provided Lord Atwood does not hold me accountable should I falter during the expedition.”

“I shall ensure your safe arrival, one way or another,” Zac vowed before presenting a container.

Within lay a root imbued with Imperial Faith. Its appearance bore a striking resemblance to ginseng, differing only in its vibrant golden hue. Even Zac had felt a stirring within his soul upon discovering it lodged in a crevice. For an individual cultivating Imperial Faith, this artifact should prove exceptionally beneficial.

“Then, I presume our destinies are now intertwined,” Emir remarked with a faint smile before commencing the absorption of the relic.

Ten hours elapsed, and Zac emerged from the cave with a final admonition. “Recall, you have ten days to demonstrate your value.”

Zac remained uncertain about the righteousness of his course of action as he hurried back towards the mirror world. It wasn’t that he had resolved to spare Emir’s existence. On the contrary, transporting Emir into the Ninth Hell to retrieve the Primo’s eye could concurrently serve as an opportune moment to eliminate him beyond the Margrave’s jurisdiction. Ideally, Zac could subsequently return to the Hollow Court and continue his search for advantageous prospects.

Should that endeavor prove unsuccessful, he would simply have to await the subsiding of chaos within the Ninth Hell. He possessed considerable confidence in his ability to survive indefinitely, provided he located the sea of Imperial Flames. Upon reaching that point, he could even select a new memory lantern and re-enter the Hollow Court under an assumed identity. Even if Roan and the Margrave discerned his disguise, they would likely hesitate to contravene the trial’s established rules for the sake of a deceased individual.

The perplexing aspect was that Emir should have been cognizant of the homicidal intentions swirling within Zac’s mind, yet he made no discernible effort to assuage Zac’s apprehension. There were no assurances offered, nor any suggestions proposed for forging a stable alliance. Presenting himself as a crucial element was merely a temporary reprieve from execution, not a definitive resolution.

Between the task of aiding Emir in regaining his strength and the undertaking of transporting him to that mountain saturated with Faith, numerous avenues existed for potential failure. What if his current endeavors were not aimed at enhancing his capacity to employ a protective artifact, but rather at orchestrating an escape? What if Emir managed to harness the immense reservoir of Faith Energy present on that diminutive mountain? Not even the Void Rivers possessed the capacity to suppress such a Faith Domain, let alone Zac himself.

Concurrently, Zac found himself unable to constantly monitor Ogras. He needed to return to Fuxi’s statue to delve into the [Grand Unity Canon], now that the mnemonic was in his possession. Based on his prior experimentation, initial success should be achievable within a mere few days, bestowing upon him the permanent ability to visualize the runes without them fading from his mind.

Bringing Ogras to serve as a guard was out of the question. It had already been established that Ogras was barred from purchasing passage to the Judgment Plateau. Even if he could, it seemed improbable he would materialize in this iteration of Fuxi Halls. Zac maintained his suspicion that this “quarantine” was merely a transient copy of the true world, a place where the Margrave had relegated all complex Karma.

Zac’s parting instructions were more than just a directive for diligent recovery; they were a stark warning. Should Emir manage to shed his restrictions or divert his energy while Zac was away, the concealed explosives would obliterate both Emir and his dwelling. Yet, it also served as an offer of peace. If Emir could present a compelling case, Zac expressed his readiness to listen.

The entire incident left a lingering bitterness in Zac’s mouth, yet it was mingled with a subtle thread of anticipation. Ten days. To imagine his Draugr side would only triumph by a handful of days. Esmeralda would undoubtedly be furious upon hearing this news.

----------------

The roaring cascades from countless streams descended into the abyss, yet produced no sound. It was as if the rivers themselves feared disturbing the profound tranquility of the floating gardens suspended above the mist-shrouded valley. The infrequent melodies of nesting avians and the gentle rustle of mystical flora only amplified the serene ambiance.

Occupying the central expanse amongst the scattered islands was a garden isle spanning ten miles. In truth, this island was a dormant Ancestral Plant, drawing sustenance from the surrounding aqueous expanses. As it slumbered, powerful mental undulations emanated into its environment, acting as the spiritual nourishment for the countless Natural Treasures flourishing in the adjacent gardens.

Close to half of the ambient moisture never departed the body of the B-grade Plant. It was absorbed by the iridescent dew that graced its leaves at dawn, a sacred communion between the Heavens and the Earth. This dew would then meander along intricate grooves and veins, making its way to the core of the central bulb, where a tranquil lake had formed. A single draught of this water held the potential to impart profound spiritual wisdom to a mortal beast, assuming their minds possessed the fortitude to withstand such an awakening.

Twelve flawless lotus blossoms graced the lake's heart, utterly untouched by earthly defilement or worldly entanglements. Vilari reclined upon one such bloom, her eyes sealed in profound meditation, delicate mental filaments probing the depths of the flower’s seeds. Each seed harbored a universe unto itself; this was no mere metaphor, but an immutable truth. Within these seeds resided actual mystic realms, teeming with vast populations of mortals.

These seeds meticulously extracted the very essence of every sentiment experienced by all that perished within their confines. Triumphs and setbacks, elation and despair, acts of kindness and deeds of cruelty – the entire panorama of mortal existence became the fertile ground from which another radiant lotus would eventually unfurl. The accumulated impetus of a hundred generations lay dormant, and Vilari found herself like a famished rat granted access to an overflowing larder.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The sheer force of an entire world’s impetus cascading upon her soul nearly shattered Vilari upon her initial arrival. It twisted her perception, severing her connection to her own emotional landscape and sense of self. It was only through the safeguarding embrace of the [Seven Downfalls] and the inherent resilience of her bloodline that she managed to withstand the overwhelming onslaught.

Simultaneously, the lotus flower presented her with a crucial decision she would inevitably face. As a Mentalist navigating two Daos aligned with the Peak of Impetus, she was tasked with mastering the art of harnessing emotions. One path offered severance, mirroring the lotus flowers themselves; they utilized the contained realms for sustenance while resolutely preventing any worldly taint from corrupting their Dao.

The alternative path involved embracing the seven primal sensations, allowing them to infuse her very being, her soul becoming one with the tempest of worldly affairs. Such a union would enable her Soul and Heart to synchronize, acting in concert – restraining or igniting as the circumstances demanded. Choosing the former meant employing the worldly remnants from the lotus seeds to meticulously cleanse any distractions from her Dao Heart until it achieved ultimate purity. Opting for the latter would involve drawing upon these raw emotions to fortify her own innate sensations.

The choice, for Vilari, was remarkably simple.

Much like her father, she harbored no desire to relinquish her heart in the pursuit of the Dao. To do so would render the entire journey utterly meaningless. Therefore, Vilari meticulously imbued her Soul Aperture with the Seven Sensations, teetering on the precipice of sanity and self, aided by the [Seven Downfalls] which consumed half of the emotional torrent for themselves. After three arduous months of dedicated cultivation, she had already attained the capacity to simultaneously draw upon two distinct seed worlds.

A third connection, stemming from her soul, was forged with the subsequent seed. A deluge of pent-up emotions surged into her aperture, akin to a powerful tsunami. She experienced life intensely and vicariously, immersed in the collected sentiments. She found herself laughing, weeping, and screaming with feelings she could neither articulate nor fully comprehend.

Despair emerged as her sanctuary, a safe haven to which she could retreat even amidst the most turbulent emotional seas. The sensations repeatedly crashed against her soul, while the [Seven Downfalls] exuded refined mental energy in abundance, much like industrial chimneys. Her soul, saturated with spirituality and profound meaning, was relentlessly pushed beyond its inherent limits. A burning sensation enveloped her entire body as her bloodline spontaneously awakened.

Vilari scarcely registered the subtle ripples beginning to form across the lake's surface. Streams of pristine Mental Energy ascended from the water, drawn towards the solitary vertical pupil that materialized above her head. Even the lotus bloom was compelled to relinquish a portion of its refined essence before this all-seeing gaze. The world momentarily became still as a colossal presence stirred. Before Vilari could even contemplate her own mortality, the Ancestral Plant quietly returned to its dormant state.

Thereafter, her concerns were solely focused on the profound transformation occurring within her soul. The internal shackles shattered, and her soul underwent sublimation. Vilari felt an overwhelming surge of power as her Soul Aperture expanded dramatically, quintupling in size in mere moments. This rapid development fueled an even more voracious absorption of the lake’s mental energy; the sustenance provided by the [Seven Downfalls] alone was proving insufficient.

This period of turbulence persisted for five full days until the lake finally regained its tranquility. Upon opening her eyes, the very fabric of space warped for miles around her. Had a cultivator of lesser standing been unfortunate enough to fall within her sight at that precise moment, their soul would have undoubtedly disintegrated without a trace.

It took Vilari approximately an hour to achieve even a semblance of basic control over her awakened bloodline. For the first time in a considerable period, she found herself obliged to use blindfolds to cover her eyes. Only then did the incessant leakage of mental energy, which had transformed her into a walking harbinger of disaster, finally cease. Vilari harbored a growing apprehension that this precarious state might endure for the foreseeable future.

Her father would undoubtedly label this a predicament of 'suffering from success.' Despite her cultivation only reaching the Peak of Middle Hegemony, her soul’s strength was already encroaching upon the upper echelons of D-grade capabilities. Even within the esteemed ranks of the Anima Court disciples, this was a truly remarkable feat. Considering her actual age, she would undoubtedly have garnered formidable epithets such as ‘monster’ and ‘core seed’ among her peers.

Vilari maintained a resolute stance, unwilling to let this recent success inflate her ego. Her perception of the world had been irrevocably altered since her arrival at the Anima Court; she now saw its true wonders. She had encountered tales of infants born with connate souls already possessing strength comparable to a Monarch’s, completely defying the rigid classifications established by the System. Her own exceptionally powerful bloodline merely qualified her as slightly above average amongst those capable of surviving within the confines of the Daynight Dreamer’s soul.

A second crucial factor tempering her spirit was the stark realization that the time had come to depart from this tranquil sanctuary. Each day she failed to progress towards the ultimate resting place of the [Pasho’Har Bell], her dreams remained elusive. Conversely, every night devoid of dreams brought with it a growing sense of ominous pressure. Vilari remained uncertain whether this pressure stemmed from a protective measure enacted by Jalach or simply her own intuition urging her forward. Regardless of its origin, this inner call had intensified significantly since the appearance of those luminous lights at the very heart of the Left Imperial Expanse.

Indecision would only serve to erode her resolve further. Vilari pushed herself to her feet, a wry smile playing on her lips as she surveyed the lotus bloom she had inhabited for countless months. Her recent breakthrough had resulted in only the outer edges of two leaves showing signs of slight withering. As for the accumulated mortal dust within the lotus seeds, she had managed to drain less than a meager three percent during her extended stay.

“Still can’t compare to Dad,” Vilari mused aloud, a light laugh escaping her. “He would have simply swallowed this entire lake whole.”

“Then he should be glad he isn’t here. I would have fed him to Little Bubu myself.”

Vilari didn’t take the retort seriously. She turned her gaze back towards the lake just as a distinct green head emerged from the water's surface. Though no trace of spirituality emanated from the ancient turtle, his mere presence brought about an intangible, yet profound, shift in the surrounding world. A sense of spiritual stability permeated the air, creating the distinct impression that this secluded valley would endure even if the very heavens were to collapse.

A wave of mental clarity washed over Vilari, allowing her to bypass an entire month's worth of necessary consolidation in a single moment. She offered a respectful bow towards the ancient turtle, who had only surfaced enough to reveal his head.

“Thank you, Senior,” she said gratefully.

“You’re departing then? Finally, some much-needed peace and quiet,” the ancient turtle grumbled.

“My intuition strongly suggests that time is becoming critically short. Now that my soul has successfully crossed this crucial threshold, it is indeed time for me to leave,” Vilari confirmed with a nod.

“Intuition, you say?” the turtle inquired, his gaze inscrutable. “You are still but a hatchling; it is highly improbable you will reach the sea.”

“Nevertheless,” Vilari stated firmly.

“Foolishness. I won’t bother fishing you out next time you tumble down a waterfall,” the turtle grumbled, seemingly unconcerned.

“I would never presume to impose upon Senior again,” Vilari replied with a gentle smile.

“See that you don’t,” the turtle huffed dismissively.

Despite his quiet demeanor, this mysterious and immensely powerful turtle possessed a gentle spirit. Her initial endeavor to locate the [Pashi’Har Bell] ended in complete failure. All she recalled was arriving at the mountain's base, guided by her dreams. The next moment, she found herself plummeting from a waterfall, her emotions in utter disarray.

The turtle insisted he was merely cleaning his shell under the cascade, and her safe landing upon his back was purely by chance. He also claimed he was too indolent to dislodge her as he transported her to 'Little Bubu,' his pet plant of B-grade classification. The fact that no outsiders ever stumbled upon Bubu's potent dreamwaves was likewise attributed to coincidence, not the turtle's safeguarding.

Naturally, Vilari would have washed ashore somewhere distant rather than reaching this secluded valley had she not possessed the appropriate destiny. It transpired that the turtle's master was the very individual who had inadvertently brought forth the idols that constituted the [Seven Downfalls]. This master was a Supremacy in her twilight years, her Dao Heart having faltered, likely a former custodian of the Anima Court.

A Monarchy that lost its grip was a catastrophe, let alone an individual at the zenith of cultivation. She had managed to contain her disintegrating soul, preventing it from shattering the Anima Court and its environs, yet some fragments unavoidably escaped. The idols materialized while her emotions were in turmoil, subsequently transmuted by the profound spirituality present in the Left Imperial Expanse. The turtle had detected his long-absent master within Vilari, thus offering his aid.

Vilari harbored suspicions that this explanation was incomplete. It was not without reason that she surmised the idols were intrinsically linked to Jalach, suggesting they were not artifacts of this current Era. Rather than simply succumbing to old age, the turtle’s master might have sought unconventional paths to advancement upon reaching the limitations of her cultivation.

Ultimately, it mattered little. The turtle would never divulge more, and the private affairs of Imperial Supremacies were beyond Vilari's standing to investigate. Regardless, this chance encounter proved to be a significant release of burden. The [Seven Downfalls] had steadily increased in importance for her cultivation, and she intended to utilize them as the nexus between her Soul and Heart.

However, she had always hesitated to form deep attachments due to their ambiguous origins. They likely harbored concealed perils in addition to their manifest assaults on her mind. Given that this compassionate elder remained silent, the threats should be manageable, at the very least.

The turtle abruptly cleared his throat, drawing Vilari from her contemplation. “If you are departing, take this along.”

“Senior, I cannot possibly accept this,” Vilari exclaimed, startled, as a hexagonal shell was placed into her hands. “I have already stretched the boundaries of propriety. I understand that offering my Erudition was insufficient reason to remain in Senior’s sanctuary for so long. Accepting your shell would breach the regulations.”

“Youngsters ought not to be so calculating. Simply accept what is offered and continue on your path.”

“The court elders—"

“What recourse do they have against me? I am far too tough to be made into a stew,” the turtle retorted with a scoff. “Moreover, I have observed most of them becoming meddlesome over the past few weeks. So what if I were to discard an old shell of mine?”

“Then… thank you, Senior,” Vilari replied.

She was uncertain of its potential application, but the shell of a Peak B-grade turtle was surely beyond measure in value. Should she fail to conceive of a more suitable purpose, she could fashion it into an impervious chest protector.

“Before I take my leave, may I inquire as to Senior’s name? I wish to properly commemorate my benefactor.”

“What purpose does it serve to know the name of an ancient turtle nearing his end?” the turtle grumbled, submerging himself into the water. “My era concluded long ago, and my contemporaries have all departed. It is acceptable to be forgotten.”

Vilari let out a soft sigh, offered a deep bow in his direction once more, and then ascended into the sky, flying away.