The Primo was undoubtedly the most powerful cultivator on the path of Death , possibly the most powerful cultivator of the Peak of Chaos . If Laondio killed him , a good chunk of the Heavens would be freed up .
I don’t know exactly what the Primo was forced to leave behind in exchange for peace , but it was extremely important to him . The events now are a chance for him to take it back , to become whole . -
Zac’s heart shuddered , feeling like he’d learned something he wasn’t supposed to . Who knew? It was possible that not even Tavza or Kator knew the truth of their mission .
Making the Primo whole , what did that mean? A raw powerup , or could it be related to his work with the Heart of the Empire? From what he’d gathered , the Undead Empire still didn’t have full control of that Death-attuned Eternal Heritage , even after all these years . Could the item in the Hollow Court be the key for the Primo furthering his control over the Heart?
A personal powerup of their strongest combatant , and possibly being able to extract more benefits out of an Eternal Heritage based on the Dao of Death . It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that not even the Ultom Courts could compare to that kind of benefit , and it didn’t even come with the risk of seizing a second Eternal Heritage . No wonder the Primo was willing to pay almost any price to enlist his help , going so far as to draft an unprecedented mandate to win him over .
Still , that knowledge made the pressure on him mount . Until now , he’d just planned to give his mission with the Undead Empire a halfhearted try before packing it in . But with such a personal stake for the Primo , would Zac dare slack off?
64
LOOSE STRINGS
Is there anything else you can tell me? - Zac asked rather than mull over the implications of the Primo and his connection to the Hollow Court .
Lova was proving to know more about the upcoming event than anyone he’d met before , except possibly Perala Janodrok . However , the Void Priestess had her own considerations and couldn’t divulge too much .
I’ve already bent the rules of what’s permissible by sharing this , - Lova rejected , dashing Zac’s hopes for further clarity . - And I have no answers to give except old anecdotes found in the corners of our library . Besides , knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing . It might fill your mind with unnecessary thoughts when you’ve entered the trial . Suffice it to say , Esmeralda is looking for something else , and you’re not even required to help her seize it . -
Which was another point that made Zac hesitate . The agreement was incredibly lopsided , and in his favor . For example , half of anything Esmeralda snatched on her own would go to him , while he didn’t have to share anything he helped extract . She wasn’t obligated to fight by his side , but that was fine , considering she wasn’t a combat beast .
I’ve said what needs to be said , - Lova said as a portal sprung up beside her . - Feel free to talk things over among yourselves . If you want my opinion , you should accept . However , please don’t feel any obligation on my or Esmeralda’s accounts . This is an offer of cooperation , not an order . We’ll look for someone else if you’re unwilling to bring Esmeralda . -
Wait! - Zac said as Lova made to leave .
Hm? - she said curiously .
Her gaze was gentle , but Zac’s heart still beat with trepidation as he remembered her offhanded mention of slaughtering a bunch of monks . Still , this was a rare opportunity , and he had a pressing issue he couldn’t solve on his own .
You’ve spied on me for a while , and now you want me to help your friend sneak into an Eternal Heritage . I’m grateful for the information about the Undead Empire , but one could argue you told me that to make sure I agreed , - Zac said , ignoring the chill that appeared in Lova’s eyes . - You’ve been spying on Valsa as well , right? You knew she would summon the emperor , yet looked the other way . It doesn’t seem right . It’s not balanced . -
And what would you say is needed to balance the scales? - Lova asked . The warmth in her voice was still there , but her smile gave Zac the chills .
Valsa might have had accomplices , other people in here who know the identities and details of my friends and me , - Zac said . - Seeing how motivated the imperials are , I’m afraid they’ll stop at nothing in an attempt to extract that information . If my cooperation with Esmeralda is to succeed , I need some assurances— -
You should know that extracting anything tangible is nigh-impossible even for a Supremacy . This is not just empty faith in my teacher . The System itself is a guarantor for the rules put in place for the Cosmic Gallery . Vastermal’s attempt was an act of desperation , and you shouldn’t worry too much about such an eventuality . -
Still , - Zac said , unable to trust this stranger’s words for such an important matter .
Even if she was gentle and courteous despite their vastly different strengths , she clearly had an agenda .
