The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1914: Divine Source (2)

A faint resurgence of Qi returned to Rex, and with it, a torrent of information flooded his senses.

His consciousness relived the experiences and sights of the clone. The knowledge of the divine source's location and its manifestation within the Cavity was paramount for his comprehension. More critically, the clone had succeeded in scanning the divine source with the System, and the results materialized before him.

Numerous System notifications appeared, and Rex meticulously perused each one.

<Scanning complete!>

<It’s a Divine Source that’s connected to a realm that gave power to a sizeable portion of the Southern Cavity, helping produce divine strands. Judging from the size of the divine source and the area it seized, it’s already matured. However, more than half of its power is blockaded by a powerful force.>

Rex’s gaze sharpened.

The explanation was concise, far briefer than he had anticipated, yet it was laden with novel insights.

"Produce divine strands? So, this divine source is the origin of the Baby-blue Periwinkles?"

Having spent a short period within the God Realm, Rex had learned that divine strands served as the currency of this domain. While the Baby-blue Periwinkles were abundant in these strands, they were strictly forbidden from being harvested by anyone other than the authorized Gardeners.

This alone made it evident that the Baby-blue Periwinkles were under the purview of the Overseer.

Consequently, the entire Cavity was, in essence, the Overseer's divine strand farmland.

Not the entire Primordial Meadow as he had initially surmised.

Considering the immense scale of the Cavity, Rex found it difficult to even conceive of the Overseer's true strength, given the direct correlation between divine strands and a God's power – a fact he had already grasped. This had been made abundantly clear upon the completion of the Strength of a God achievement.

"And a realm is what gave it power," Rex's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "System, what is the realm that the divine source is connected to?"

<Notice: Spirit Realm>

Rex leaned back as he absorbed the System's response.

"It’s the Spirit Realm...?" His eyes widened briefly in astonishment, but the surprise quickly subsided. "I entered the God Realm from the Spirit Realm, so it stands to reason that the area I arrived in is powered by the Spirit Realm. In that case, doesn't that imply the powerful force the System mentioned is associated with Chaos?"

Davina had informed him of this possibility, and she had sounded quite certain.

Certain that the Black Rift was a consequence of Chaos.

And given that this divine source was linked to the Spirit Realm, Rex could reasonably infer that the blockade was also present due to Chaos. "How far does the reach of Chaos truly extend...?" He shifted in his seat, feeling a sense of unease at the implication.

"And the Fourthborn is somewhere within it, targeting me."

Rex had not anticipated that even the God Realm would be susceptible to the influence of Chaos.

It was a difficult concept to grasp.

He had presumed Nivellen to be among the lesser Gods who were exposed to the most severe aspects of the Chaos Realm, suggesting that the Chaos Realm's power lay above the Spirit Realm and below the God Realm. However, this was clearly not the case.

Now, he could ascertain that the Chaos Realm existed on an equal footing with the God Realm.

"Either way, I made the correct decision to investigate that desolate region."

The revelation that the Chaos Realm exerted its influence even within the God Realm was unsettling, yet he had also discovered the subsequent stage for accumulating more divine strands, which would enable him to advance his divinity. This was a method that would undoubtedly demand a substantial fortune if he were to procure it from the System.

He would need to establish a divine source.

At present, Evelyn and Gistella were engaged in cultivating the Silverstar Genesis with the assistance of the Realm Fertilizer.

It would undoubtedly require considerable time before his own realm would become operational.

In the interim, he ought to remain vigilant regarding the precise methods for creating a divine source.

"I likely cannot utilize the Spirit Realm to empower my own divine core – the Overseer already holds a claim there. But the Mortal Realm..." Rex stroked his chin, his thoughts meandering. He then frowned. "Each of the Supernatural Race members from back there has a God backing them. So how does that function? Can a realm be connected to multiple divine sources?"

He let the question linger for a moment before setting it aside. "I will discover the answer sooner or later."

Rex resumed his examination of the traits presented by the corpses laid out before him.

Considering he was now acting as the representative of High Lord Rashal, there were several factors he needed to take into account when selecting skills from the unexpected quest. However, the most critical consideration was selecting skills that would enhance his combat capabilities while he remained vulnerable to the predominant colorless energy of the God Realm.

Among Rex's existing traits, there was only one discernible reason for High Lord Rashal to choose him.

And that was his combat prowess.

High Lord Rashal harbored suspicions that Rex was responsible for the demise of the missing Pale Defenders—though he ultimately chose to overlook it. In Rashal's estimation, this demonstrated that Rex possessed abnormal strength for a mere Awakened Demigod, rendering him precisely the kind of anomaly worthy of investment.

That was the reason Rex had chosen Rex to act as his proxy.

It also signaled that he would inevitably be placed in scenarios demanding combat.

Consequently, Rex meticulously filtered his skills, prioritizing those that would directly aid him in such confrontations.

For well over an hour, Rex contemplated the advantages and disadvantages of each skill, engaging in careful deliberation. Once he finalized his selections, at least for the immediate future, he resumed his training within the transcendent-rank meditation chamber.

Before long, Zev made his return.

Rex emerged from the citadel and approached a solitary figure positioned just beyond the treeline.

Given the substantial number of individuals he had eliminated within the vault as a precautionary measure, Rex surmised that if Zev failed to deliver, he wouldn't necessarily require the remaining Pale Defenders to fulfill this sudden quest; he already had ample substitutes. However, he did desire greater diversity.

Pale Defenders, he reasoned, must possess more intriguing abilities than the mere thugs he had dispatched.

This understanding fueled his decision to seek out Zev once more.

Still, he had hoped to acquire only a single Pale Defender, as Zev himself wasn't particularly formidable for someone of his designation.

In fact, Rex suspected that the Pale Defenders he had already slain were likely superior in strength to Zev.

Yet, Zev had managed to drag three corpses with him. Zev's own body was severely compromised, exhibiting fractures in numerous places and marred by copious bleeding. Wounds that stubbornly refused to mend, internal injuries so profound they visibly discolored his skin, and his very frame was contorted by disfigurement.

Nevertheless, he had succeeded in bringing them. All three.

It was a genuinely surprising spectacle.

Zev's ability to eliminate three Pale Defenders within mere hours far exceeded Rex's initial expectations.

Rex had genuinely believed that Zev would perish if he even dared to attempt such a feat.

Observing the deceased individuals, Rex noted that the causes of their demise varied significantly.

One had been brutally beaten and mutilated beyond recognition. The second had sustained a single, precise stab wound through the chest. And the third bore signs of poisoning, evidenced by blackened veins spreading across his skin. The sheer variety in their causes of death clearly demonstrated Zev's underlying capability.

It was simply that Zev was not exceptionally strong in direct combat.

Of the three corpses, it appeared Zev had only directly confronted one, and that encounter had nearly cost him his life.

However, one had to acknowledge his powerful motivation.

And motivation, when potent enough, can be a truly terrifying force.

"I am impressed," Rex stated, applauding Zev's accomplishments achieved in such a limited timeframe. "I'm not entirely privy to the internal dynamics among the Pale Defenders, but to witness you exert such considerable effort on my behalf... Surely, I should offer you a reward, shouldn't I?"

"You eliminated more of my Gardeners," Zev declared, his voice laced with a chilling undertone.

Rex offered no verbal response.

None was required.

He had already appruded Zev of the inevitable consequences should he delay further.

"You eliminated more of my Gardeners..." Zev reiterated, his voice growing colder as the pain became more pronounced.

"It appears I was compelled to eliminate additional ones," Rex countered, glancing from the corpses back to Zev. "You are several Pale Defenders short. Despite this deficit compared to your initial promise, you still possess the audacity to address me in such a manner?"

"Pale Defenders are subject to specific quotas," Zev explained, his voice strained, the coldness receding as he could no longer suppress the agony. Even as he spoke, blood trickled from his nose. "If I lose my Gardeners, I will be unable to meet these quotas. At that juncture... my own demise is virtually assured."

"Did I not inform you that assisting me would also bring you benefits?" Rex inquired.

"Benefits How...? Do you genuinely believe that eliminating the Pale Defenders affiliated with me automatically conferred some advantage? Gardeners are cultivated. If their direct masters perish, I cannot simply compel them to align with me. The situation is far more intricate than that!"

Naturally, Rex had factored this complexity into his calculations.

And a method existed to ensure the Gardeners under other Pale Defenders would recognize Zev as their legitimate master.

He had already consulted the System on this matter.

Zev had previously dispatched assassins with the intent to kill him.

That act alone should have sealed his fate, leading him directly to the precipice of death.

However, Rex had now witnessed firsthand Zev's latent capabilities, prompting a revision of his initial assessment. Furthermore, overheard whispers from the slain Pale Defenders indicated that Zev's family had recently ascended to a position of influence, a factor that warranted serious consideration.

Rex remained uncertain about the precise social standing of the Pale Defenders.

Nevertheless, given the swiftness with which news of the missing Pale Defenders reached High Lord Rashal, Rex could reasonably infer their considerable status. This understanding now clarified why the Pale Defenders constituted the very foundation of the Primordial Meadow.

They were, in essence, the pillars supporting the Overseer.

Their designated duty involved the meticulous harvesting of divine strands generated by the primordial source.

Much like Rex himself, High Lord Rashal embodied the nature of a predator.

The manner in which he assessed individuals, his composed demeanor that disregarded those around him, and his immediate recognition of Rex's inherent worth—all these elements converged to reveal a singular truth: they belonged to the same fundamental nature.

Not werewolves, but predators.

Formidable beings who would readily employ any and all means at their disposal in their relentless pursuit of greater strength.

And in the face of such an individual, Rex recognized the necessity of acquiring additional leverage.

High Lord Rashal might still withhold the Permits from him, even after all that had transpired.

<Four million gold deducted>

Rex reviewed the procedure for gaining the allegiance of the other Gardeners to Zev.

He then gave a nod, deeming it quite straightforward.

Zev, however, was unaware of this method.

"I journeyed from the Spirit Realm and vanquished multiple Pale Defenders upon my arrival. In the hive city of Larta, I was swiftly chosen to represent High Lord Rashal," Rex explained. He observed Zev's widening eyes with each detail; Zev found everything he spoke entirely new. "Even under the High Lord's direct supervision, I reached this place without being tracked."

Rex tauntingly raised an eyebrow, "Do you truly believe I am ignorant of the means to assist you?"

"You... you knew how to make the wayward Gardeners acknowledge me as their master?"

"I would not have uttered those words if it were not so," Rex responded.

Naturally, this was a fabrication.

Yet, there was no way Zev could have possibly known Rex's earlier intention to eliminate him.

If Zev had not brought back the three Pale Defenders, prompting Rex to reconsider, he would have met his demise by now.

"Then inform me!" Zev choked, spitting blood. Despite his condition, his gaze remained fixed on Rex, a flicker of hope igniting as he sought to learn the method. "If I comprehend the method, I can swiftly consolidate my power before the families of the Pale Defenders you eliminated can retaliate."

"I shall impart the method to you," Rex stated, drawing nearer until he loomed over the blood-coughing Zev. "However, I require you to fulfill a task for me."

Nothing in this world comes without a price.

Zev realized with dismay that his overwhelming greed had caused him to forget this fundamental truth.