The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 2496 Deal

Following the first surge of rage, the Nirvana Crown Prince regained his composure. His breaths grew steady, while the savage aura surrounding him gradually receded. Moments afterward, his gaze turned piercing as he shook his head.

"I can trade anything else," he declared resolutely, "but not that."

Cain showed no signs of fury or annoyance. Calmly, he flicked his hand once more. The chest armor fragment vanished in an instant. Instead of returning to his space ring, it dissolved into a vast sea of karmic threads accessible only to Cain. Even should the Nirvana Crown Prince hack off his own arm to seize the ring by force, the treasure would stay forever beyond his grasp.

With the fragment safely stored, Cain reclined in his seat, gazing at the Nirvana Crown Prince with evident boredom.

"Sadly for you," Cain drawled indifferently, "that's the sole item you have that interests me. Truth be told, it's the only reason I backed you in this clash."

The Nirvana Crown Prince's eyes narrowed sharply.

He had pondered why the Red King had abruptly shown up to support him. The involvement of such a mighty, enigmatic powerhouse in their quarrel had always felt off. Still, even now, a nagging sense lingered that deeper motives were at play.

Regrettably, the full truth wouldn't come to light anytime soon.

For the moment, he had no choice but to use what he held.

"The Nirvana Heart only works with the royal bloodline of the

Immortal Nirvana Kingdom," the Crown Prince stated icily. "You have no use for it."

In that instant, Cain's eyes grew razor-sharp, a chill flickering across them.

"How I use it is my affair," Cain shot back. "We can make the deal now... or I take this relic straight to the Eternal Soul King. I'm certain he'd shower me with riches."

The Nirvana Crown Prince's gaze instantly turned steely.

A surge of murderous intent flared in his eyes.

He stood poised for battle.

Yet before it came to blows, he aimed to try one final bid for peace. The Red King's aura unnerved him profoundly, and if avoidable, he'd rather skip a desperate fight to the death against such a foe.

"You've inflicted massive harm on the Eternal Soul Kingdom," the Crown Prince uttered deliberately. "Do you really think they'll overlook it and deal with you?"

His argument rang with solid reason.

But Cain's sole response was a burst of laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

His guffaws boomed wildly and without restraint, resounding off the chamber walls like this was mere playful banter.

Once the laughs subsided, Cain eyed the Nirvana Crown Prince like a naive youngster.

"True enough," Cain remarked offhandedly. "Sharka might refuse dealings with the Red King."

He held a brief pause, then a subtle grin curved his lips.

"But my other personas?"

The Nirvana Crown Prince's eyes went wide.

Dawning comprehension lit them up.

Even now, the Red King's real identity remained a total mystery.

He could just shed the mask, stroll into the Eternal Soul Kingdom as another face, and present the fragment. They'd probably embrace him eagerly.

The deeper the Nirvana Crown Prince mulled it over, the starker the reality grew.

Just two paths lay before him.

First, battle the Red King and compel him to surrender the armor piece.

This gamble offered huge stakes on both ends.

Victory would let him retain the Nirvana Heart and claim the sacred armor fragment too.

Failure, though-if the Red King slipped away-would spell disaster.

Beyond earning the wrath of a dread force like the Red King, the Eternal Soul Kingdom would surge in might upon collecting all seven Sacred Treasure fragments from the realms.

Or second, surrender the Nirvana Heart.

This would forfeit the vital treasure that let him endure the direst crises.

Silence enveloped the chamber.

Cain's face remained impassive as he observed the Nirvana Crown Prince's inner turmoil. The choice seemed utterly trivial to him.

Still, that serene facade hid his true readiness.

Through the Resonance of the Flow, Cain keenly detected the

Crown Prince's feelings and plans. Should combat erupt, Cain stood primed to trigger the Fourth Realm Gear and flee the stronghold prior to the Ancestor Domain's complete

manifestation.

The atmosphere thickened with strain.

At last, after tense minutes, the Nirvana Crown Prince let out a weary, drawn-out sigh.

He gave a nod.

"I agree," he uttered deliberately. "But on one condition: you stay here with us until the Realm Barrier to the Seventh Realm fades and I can depart."

The Red King fixed him with an openly irritated glare, as though the stipulation irked him deeply.

Deep down, though, Cain felt elated.

He'd anticipated-and secretly desired-just this demand. Lingering in the stronghold would simplify key parts of his scheme.

The Nirvana Crown Prince's motive for keeping him was plain.

He sought to prevent word of the treasure from leaking out.

"Grant me military credits for every Eighth Realm warrior I've slain," Cain proposed evenly, "and let me into your vault, and I'll accept your terms."

A slight frown creased the Nirvana Crown Prince's brow.

Such credits were routine in these wars, accruing to all troops. Yet the Red King wasn't his soldier.

Converting Eternal Soul Kingdom kills to credits would yield the Red King an outrageous sum, one that could deplete much of their funds.

Compared to forfeiting the Nirvana Heart, however, it was trivial.

After brief reflection, the Crown Prince inclined his head.

"Excellent."

A broad grin spread across Cain's features.

With a hand gesture, the karmic threads converged, weaving a pod in his grasp. The chest armor fragment reemerged gradually.

The Nirvana Crown Prince eyed the fragment shortly before stretching out his palm.

A glow erupted, materializing a bizarre crimson fruit there.

Violet energy veins pulsed over its skin, emanating a deep aura blending life and death.

The Nirvana Heart.

From afar, its immense power awed onlookers.