Rise of The Demon General Chapter 802. Enlisting an Expert

Amon felt the familiar unease stir within him whenever the Creator was mentioned. For a man of his wicked nature, the thought of an all-knowing entity observing his every action was a terrifying prospect. He harbored a deep dislike for the concept of an omnipotent deity, primarily because it implied the existence of a being against whom he was utterly powerless.

’No,’ he resolved internally. Even if such an entity existed, he was determined to find a way to overcome it!

"Amon, were you listening to me?" Xlasstazh inquired.

"Yes. You stated that my survival of the purging hole was a miracle, and this should now enable you to persuade the elder council to cooperate with me."

"Precisely, and your arrival couldn't be more opportune. Our supreme leader has just returned. I shall escort you to him and..."

"This is preposterous!"

A booming voice cut through their exchange. Amon looked up to see two other Hyanids he recognized: Ublaith Kahn and his subordinate, Arrasixx. They descended, landing beside Amon and Xlasstazh.

"How did you endure the purging hole?" Ublaith demanded.

"I was aided by the Creator," Amon replied.

This statement led Ublaith to turn towards Xlasstazh, who responded with a soft chuckle. Amon found it difficult to discern whether Ublaith was irritated by his declaration or genuinely contemplating it; deciphering a Hyanid's facial expressions was a challenge for him.

"Master, the purging hole is no longer active," Arrasixx reported, her gaze fixed on the opening at the pit's center.

"What lies within?" Ublaith questioned Amon.

Amon simply shrugged. "A vast cavern. Nothing remarkable, save for the countless bones of beasts that have perished in the purging hole over time. You may descend and verify this for yourself."

Ublaith motioned to Arrasixx, who plunged into the hole without a moment's hesitation. Amon couldn't help but admire the female Hyanid's unwavering loyalty to her master.

"I am taking him to meet your father," Xlasstazh informed Ublaith.

"Nonsense! We cannot permit a dubious human like him anywhere near our supreme leader," Ublaith vociferously objected.

"He is not a dubious human. He is the individual foretold by the Creator, destined to assist us in reclaiming our territories on the mainland. Cooperation with him is essential if we desire a prosperous future. Furthermore, he has already met the stipulated conditions."

"What conditions are you referring to?"

"We stipulated eight years ago that if he successfully passed the Worthiness Trial, we would grant him our cooperation."

"He did not pass."

"Perhaps not the trial from eight years ago, but he most certainly passed the one that just concluded."

"That's absurd. He was never a participant."

"He entered the purging hole as a participant. He emerged when another trial occurred, having vanquished all the beasts within this pit. All those observing can attest to this. In my assessment, that constitutes passing the trial."

Ublaith surveyed the Hyanids gathered above. He already had a strong suspicion that Xlasstazh's account was truthful. He had, in fact, received a preliminary report on the way. Several Hyanids who had witnessed the trial were already en route to inform the other elders. He anticipated the council would convene shortly, and he was certain their decision would align with Xlasstazh's perspective.

Arrasixx emerged from the hole, reporting, "Master, it is merely a common cavern below. I cannot detect any residual energy, the kind typically emitted by the purging hole. It has completely dissipated."

"Hmm..." While Ublaith found the prospect of collaborating with a human distasteful, he could not deny that Amon's survival was nothing short of miraculous. He had stood near the purging hole before; on one occasion, he had nearly fallen in. Based on the potent energy emanating from it then, he knew with absolute certainty that falling in would mean certain death.

He, much like Amon, despised the notion of an all-powerful deity dictating their lives. However, Amon's inexplicable survival began to sway him towards accepting the possibility that a Creator might indeed exist and favor their cause. Perhaps cooperating with Amon was the prudent course of action.

He addressed Xlasstazh, "Very well, but I shall notify my father before he meets with this human."

"Understood," Xlasstazh readily agreed.

Ublaith cast a final glance at Amon before departing with Arrasixx.

Once they were gone, Amon inquired, "So, do I await my summons to meet your supreme leader here?"

"We will wait, but not here. Come, follow me."

Xlasstazh ascended from the pit, with Amon trailing behind him under the watchful eyes of numerous Hyanids. Xlasstazh led Amon to a chamber resembling a pill master's workshop, where many Hyanids were diligently engaged in the creation of various pills.

Xlasstazh explained to Amon, "Many Hyanids have become masters of flesh alteration due to our history. Flesh alterers perform optimally when supported by the diverse medicinal concoctions produced by pill masters. Consequently, a significant portion of our populace pursues mastery in pill concoction, myself included."

Amon was filled with admiration for the diligence of the Hyanid pill masters. Just as he had observed among the common Hyanids upon his arrival in Hyanid City, not a single individual was shirking their duties. The workshop operated with the seamless efficiency of a well-oiled machine. As he took in the surroundings, his gaze settled upon one of the ingredients being utilized by the workers.

"That fruit..." Amon moved towards the table where the various ingredients were laid out. A Hyanid guard stepped to block his path just as he reached for the item.

Xlasstazh made a subtle gesture to the guard, who then moved aside. Amon proceeded to take the ingredient. It was a fruit possessing a form and an aura that were distinctly familiar to him.

"I see you have an interest in the Black Aetherium Fruit," Xlasstazh remarked.

"Do you possess the Black Aetherium Tree?" Amon inquired. The fruit in his hand bore a striking resemblance to the Aetherium Fruit, with the sole difference being its black exterior and the infernal aether contained within its emitted aura.

"You are familiar with the tree?" Xlasstazh’s voice held a note of admiration.

After a moment of consideration, Amon proposed, "Let us engage in a trade. I will offer you this fruit in exchange for that one."

An Aetherium Fruit materialized in Amon’s hand. "I believe you have Hyanids who can only cultivate the divine path, do you not? This fruit will significantly accelerate their cultivation."

"Very well. I accept your trade. However, allow me to offer you something superior. This is what we craft using those fruits."

Xlasstazh retrieved a small pill and presented it to Amon. Upon examining the pill, Amon could readily deduce its intended effects. It bore a resemblance to the Inheritance Pill, with the notable distinction that this variant was infused with infernal aether.

"... I thank you for the generous offer, but I would prefer to take the fruit. However, would it be possible to obtain the recipe for creating this pill?"

Xlasstazh expressed surprise at Amon's choice of the fruit over the pill. The pill was demonstrably more potent than the raw fruit, which explained their efforts in refining it. Nevertheless, he did not refuse Amon's request for the fruit.

"I have no objection to sharing the recipe, but are you a Master-level pill master? Or perhaps you have access to the services of such an expert?"

The Infernal Inheritance Pill was classified as a low-tier ancient pill. Only a pill master possessing at least master-level proficiency could successfully concoct it.

"I am neither, nor do I have such access, but I shall manage," Amon stated. He secured the Black Aetherium Fruit and was about to depart when a thought occurred to him. He turned back to Xlasstazh and asked, "Might I be able to hire one of your experts here?"

"Hire?"

"I wish to employ one of your master-level pill masters to work for me. I am willing to compensate you for their services. Name your price."

Xlasstazh let out a soft chuckle. "You need not offer any payment. I will gladly assist you, for I know you will repay this kindness by aiding my people in their conquest of the mainland."

"You place immense faith in your Creator, do you not?"

"Indeed, I do!"

Amon inwardly smirked. Since it was the Creator who had made the promise to Xlasstazh, he felt no compulsion to honor it. Then again, even if the promise had originated from him, he doubted he would feel any remorse in betraying the Hyanids.

"As I mentioned, I am amenable to lending you one of my experts," Xlasstazh stated. "But how do you intend to conceal her? I presume you wish to bring her back to the mainland, correct? You must understand, your kind will not tolerate her presence, even if you claim she is your captive. Furthermore, I cannot agree to lending her to you if you intend to treat her as a mere enslaved captive."

"Rest assured. I possess a secret method for her concealment. No one will perceive her presence."

"Truly?" Xlasstazh sounded skeptical.

"I give you my solemn word," Amon assured him.

After a brief period of contemplation, Xlasstazh summoned one of the Hyanid experts engaged in their work. The individual who responded was a female Hyanid. Upon her arrival, he addressed her at length in their native tongue. Amon refrained from interrupting their conversation. He could sense that her cultivation level was within the Intermediate Fiendish Stage.

Once their discussion concluded, Xlasstazh introduced the Hyanid expert to Amon. "This is Yeresdyx. She is a Master-level Pill Master fluent in the human tongue, making her the most suitable candidate I can offer."