DefianceNovels

Chapter 1,163.

Added 2023-12-05 19:29:15 +0000 UTC

The rustling fields of Relver Serenity Grass stretched across the horizon in every direction. Only the cubic processing plants equally spaced along the enormous farming platform provided a break in the liminal nightmare. Floating barges were constantly funneling recently harvested crops to be processed or bringing back the refined dust.

Perhaps it would have been better to lose grip of reality. What dignity was there in crawling around in the mud, removing the flower buds that would compete for nourishment and slow the accelerated growth? All while having his energy sapped by the demonic plants and the Feeder Curse in his chest.

The only thing that kept Nolan going was the notion of funneling the indignity and rage into acts of sabotage. To go out in a blaze of glory, wreaking as much havoc as he could. He'd only have one shot before the Heart Curse triggered and ripped him apart. He needed to make it count.

Although, it was getting harder to ignore the whispers of defeat in the back of his head. Four weeks of this hellish existence, and he hadn't seen the shadow of an opportunity. And even if he somehow managed to blow up the whole platform, what did it matter? There were dozens just like it surrounding the Worldfort.

The serenity grass was a necessary resource that helped manage the Heart Demons of these netherblasted cultists, but it was woefully easy to cultivate. It just needed space and sacrifices to grow like weeds.

"Hurry up, you bastards, or we'll pick the next batch of bloodbags from your cohort!" a gruff voice echoed through Nolan's quadrant.

Maybe he should settle for taking out that cruel bastard. It wouldn't change anything, but Nolan felt he could meet his ancestors with a smile as long as Entu joined him in the afterlife. He'd have to endure a bit longer. His semi-awakened bloodline hadn't fully recovered its hidden energy stockpile after that final battle.

Nolan would normally keep his head down and keep working, as the slavedrivers would use any excuse they got to torment the captives. It was the only available pastime of these pathetic little tyrants deemed too incompetent to handle anything but oversee Relver fields and sealed slaves. Just a few more days.

Today, Nolan broke the unspoken rules of the captives as his head rose above the stalks to look at the sky. A radiant light showered the purple fields in a refreshing white splendor. Nolan vaguely sensed that work had practically stopped with thousands of slaves straightening hunched back. All eyes were on the white streak piercing the cosmos with unfathomable speed.

An immense aura erupted from the Worldfort as a gate the size of a continent formed in its exosphere. It dispersed like a shadow exposed to light as the blinding spear approached. In the blink of an eye, the celestial streak had gone from a distant dot of overwhelming radiance to a line of utmost white that split Nolan's vision in two.

It consumed the Worldforts central tower and continued out the planet's other end. For a moment, it was as if time had stopped, and Nolan's thoughts ground to a halt as he looked at the impaled world. Then, the world shattered, releasing a tidal wave of glorious light.

The wave looked like a swarm of trillions of fireflies, and they moved even faster than the rubble left from the ruined world. The remainders of the Worldfort were consumed first, and then the moons and defensive satellites that could repel a Monarch's assault. The armada tried to escape, but any attempt to break through the dimensional barrier created tears from which more fireflies emerged.

The wave looked gentle at this distance, but Nolan understood it moved with shocking speed. Nolan's eyes shifted, spotting Entu staring at the sky with horror in his eyes. A smile spread across Nolan's face as he hunched over, and painful lessons allowed him to creep closer unseen without causing so much as a ripple on the serenity grass.

"You—!"

Entu didn't get any further before a bloody hand burst through his chest, covered in pieces of his shredded heart. An unbearable agony assaulted Nolan, and he tasted metal as blood filled his mouth. He pressed on, his other hand forming a large circle. His fingers were filled with the crumbling pieces of his soul, becoming the blade that severed Entu's limbs.

Nolan and the crippled cultist fell over at the same time, one forward and one back. Both sported huge holes in their chests, and neither were long for this world. The only difference was that the last thing Entu would see was dirty soil and darkness while Nolan looked up at the approaching ocean of stars.

It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

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

"What shift?" Zac asked, realizing too late the veiled woman had disappeared when he followed her gaze.

The feeling of the timeline being split disappeared soon after. Even now, there was no hint on the Everfast Monarch's face that he'd noticed anything. Was the Vigil observer that strong? Could they hold such a special position that the System didn't hinder their movements, allowing even Autarchs to pass through the seal?

More shocking was that she called him Void Emperor. Not even Sendor seemed to have known that name, yet this unassuming nun did. Zac suddenly felt even more exposed and was relieved to see her gone, even if his mind was plagued with new questions.

Zac put the matter aside as Warlin suddenly shot to his feet, his expression wide with shock. He wasn't the only one; even the Everfast Monarch's impassive façade had cracked.

"It worked!" the strategist shouted.

"Is it the spear?" Average asked with a shaky voice, his eyes red. "Did it work?"

"It worked, it worked!" Warlin laughed. "We just received a report from our sentries keeping watch on the Kan'Tanu's Warfort. They saw a streak of light passing through the planet. The next moment, an earthshattering explosion destroyed half the solar system. The base, the armada. It's all gone! They don't even believe the residing Monarchs could have survived!"

Zac mutely looked at the general. He'd caught a glimpse of the [Centurion Spear], but even he couldn't believe it held such immense power. A Worldfort wasn't some random base. The Kan'Tanu had only erected ten inside Zecia and a few more in the Million Gates Territory, with each directing the war against four to six Alliance Field Armies. Losing one had to be the Kan'Tanu's biggest setback since the war started, and it wasn't even close.

If Zac was shocked, it was nothing compared to the officials gathered in the room. It looked like they'd been struck by lightning. Some turned to Warlin like they couldn't believe what they'd just heard. Others looked at Zac like he was a reincarnation of a War God. Even some officials who had been overtly hostile before suddenly looked at him like he was their first-born son. Even the staunch soldiers standing guard along the walls broke ranks and muted whispers spread through the halls.

"We did it," Average whispered as he slumped back on the chair. "We actually did it."

"Wait, did you say pass through?" Emily interjected. "It's still going?"

"It looks that way," Warlin grinned.

"This is an immense, unprecedented contribution," the Everfast Monarch said. "As I said, the Alliance will not fail its heroes. We will deliver the reward you deserve as soon as possible. The Twenty-Sixth will always remember your service. Any outsider will have to go through us if they wish you harm, even if it's the Havarok Dynasty."

"Thank you," Zac said with a bow. "I haven't decided on my next step. Right now, I'm more worried about my people scattered through the battlefield."

"Your people are safe," Warlin said. The strategist already had hundreds of communication tokens floating around him. He was undoubtedly sending out new sets of orders because of the news. "In fact, something happened shortly after you entered the fortress, one we'd hope you could shed light on."

"What's that?"

"An ancient treasure shaped like a bell appeared."

"Again?" Zac exclaimed, feeling like someone had splashed him with freezing water. "How's our losses?"

"Among our people? Almost zero. However, not a single Kan'Tanu survived."

"What? How's that possible?"

"That's what we'd like to know," Warlin said. "We received a high-priority report from a subordinate called Elena Dossin. She reported a series of suspicious circumstances, from the appearance of an ancient bell and you being betrayed by extremely powerful cultivators. Finally, that bell reappeared just moments after you disappeared. However, an undead captain from your rank suddenly flew to the sky and entered the bell. We believe her name is Vilari Blackwood."

"What?!"

"The bell flew to the Kan'Tanu's side after a few seconds, and they all ripped their hearts out of their chests. After that, the bell disappeared."

"What about Vilari? Did she return?"

"She did not."

"Is this a weapon of yours, or one that has been borrowed from your allies?" the Everfast Monarch asked. "Don't misunderstand; we have no intentions of taking it from you. However, its power is immense, and we hope to invite you for certain covert missions in the future."

Zac barely heard Prostez's words, his mind abuzz from the news. The ancient bell and its evil aura were still fresh in his mind. To hear that Vilari had entered it was beyond horrifying. Zac quickly opened his quest screen, breathing out in relief when his [One by Nine]quest remained listed as complete. Vilari was his only sealbearer of the Anima Court, which hopefully meant she was still alive.

"It's not mine," Zac sighed as he closed the screen. "The only thing I know was that Vilari felt it resembled an inheritance she'd stumbled onto. However, it was like the bell had been corrupted by an evil entity. Can I ask, has there been any news of it since?"

"No," Prostez said. "The spear has made it difficult to communicate in this region. Many matters will remain unclear until the turbulence has calmed down."

Zac took a steadying breath before shifting the topic. "I have another companion inside the fortress base. Has there been any news of it?"

"It's been located, and we're heading there now," Warlin assured.

"I have to leave you now. The others will fill in the gaps," the Everfast Monarch said, giving Zac a last look as his body faded. "Stay or transfer; I will support your decision."

Zac and the others bowed, and Prostez Dravorak was gone the next moment. The generals kept asking questions for another ten minutes, and Zac answered the best he could without exposing any sensitive secrets. On a few occasions, Average was asked to clarify. No one questioned Galau or Bubbur's affiliation, though that could just be Everfast Monarch and the others looking the other way.

Suddenly, the half-step Monarch opened his eyes and disappeared. From the moment Zac entered until now, he never said a word. First the Everfast Monarch, and now him?

"Is there something wrong?" Zac asked.

"Nothing major," Warlin smiled. "There are some rats skulking about in our vicinity. We'll have to stop here for today."

"Do you require our assistance?"

"Where would the Twenty-sixth put its face if we let you youngsters do all the work?" Tusko laughed.

"Then, with your permission, I'd like to seclude myself," Zac said. "I've pushed myself too hard over the past couple of hours and need rest."

"Of course," Warlin said, glancing at one of the attendants by his side.

"Oh, we might have to call on you in an hour or so," the strategist added as Zac and the others were led away.

"Is there something else?"

"We're already at the coordinates of the fortress base. We're just waiting for our shields to recover enough to force a path through the dimensional turbulence," Warlin explained. "Seeing as you and your companions have the greatest understanding of its intricacies, we might have to lean on you again."

"The base… how's the situation?" Zac asked.

"The boss went there ten minutes ago," Tusko grinned. "What problems could there be?"

So that's where the Everfast Monarch disappeared to. Zac finally relaxed, feeling everything was in hand. The Kan'Tanu should be in disarray after losing their Worldfort. Their Monarchs should have bigger things to worry about than the scraps of a broken fortress.

Their small group was quickly led to a private wing with large common spaces and twenty individual apartments.

"You guys okay?" Zac asked as he looked around.

"We're fine," Average grunted. "Not sure how we'd fare if the spear failed to activate, though. Good job there, boss."

"It was the least I could do."

"I can't believe I used to feel a bit bad for those Havarok jerks after hearing the stories," Emily muttered. "You should have kicked them while they were down back then."

"Well, I had my hands full just staying alive," Zac said with a wry smile.

"I knew you didn't just sit around after disappearing," Average grinned. "To think you've already managed to make a B-grade faction your enemy. Even my crazy grandma would be lost for words. I'm looking forward to hearing the stories."

"We'll catch up over a drink or two later. Right now, I really have to rest for a bit," Zac said, glancing at Average with a small smile tugging at his lips. "Speaking of, your grandmother actually left seclusion while you were trapped. She's also a Monarch now. Unfortunately, she was wounded in an earlier battle, but I'm sure seeing you will lift her spirits."

Average's face turned pale as a sheet, and Zac laughed as the door closed behind him. Kantaja Peak, or the Knuckle Butcher, had created some waves during the war, prompting some unbelievable stories from her past to resurface. The Peaks all had a screw loose, and the partners they chose were even crazier.

Zac spent the next few minutes reviewing everything he'd experienced since stepping onto the frontlines, identifying mistakes and lingering threats. He wasn't too worried about his conflict with the Havarok scions after the Everfast Monarch made his stance known. None of them posed a real threat, and Zac sincerely doubted the Monarch behind them would dare target him.

The Havarok Dynasty's backer would never let a Monarch directly involve himself in a struggle of fate between the younger generation. If he acted on his own and ruined their plans, the whole empire might be eradicated.

The real problem was the Imperial Clans, now that his involvement in Yselio's death had been exposed. He'd hoped any trace of his actions would have disappeared along with the tower, but that didn't pan out. It didn't make a difference whether the Havarok Dynasty followed the Imperial Clans or not. The news would reach their ears sooner or later.

Yselio's gambit cost him his life, but that defeat didn't mean the Seven Heavens would give up. There were still over two years before the inheritance started, which was more than enough time to turn things around. Ancient factions like that wouldn't blink at sacrificing a whole generation if it gave them a small chance at seizing an Eternal Heritage.

Shifting the blame to the Sindris Clan wouldn't protect him against retaliation, and this was a threat that could haunt him after Ultom was dealt with. It wouldn't take any effort on their part to send a punitive squad to Zecia after the sector was unsealed. Zac needed to figure out safeguards for the Atwood Empire beyond the Assimilation.

The second problem was borrowing the Tayn's prestige when he felt the situation was going south. Iz probably wouldn't care, but Zac knew her family wasn't so easygoing. The Tayns wouldn't be feared across the Multiverse for no good reason. He would have to figure out a way to repay the debt before they decided to test Earth's or Zecia's fate.

Powerful gathering arrays had sprung to life while Zac mulled things over, and Zac's parched body greedily swallowed it all. The speed was significantly faster than before, almost reaching the levels of normal cultivators. He had already noticed the difference during the interrogation, but it was far more noticeable inside a cultivation ground.

It was all thanks to the shadowy motes in his cells. He was still unable to cultivate, but his body exerted an inherent pull on the ambient energy. Zac was curious to see whether the pull would continue when his Cosmic Core was satiated or whether the ability was limited to recovering energy.

Human eyes closed to focus on recovery while Abyssal eyes opened in the Ensolus Ruins. While one half fought off Havarok scions and answered questions, the other had focused on consolidating his breakthrough and taking control of his bloodline. He couldn't let any hints of the Void leak before a Middle Monarch.

With his human side taking over the baton, Zac could deal with the pressing matters back home, the first of which was the transformation around him. The Ensolus Ruins were fortunately spared Void's full attention, though Zac sensed that a handful of treasures had disappeared during his breakthrough. Around 15% of the breakthrough had been fueled by Ensolus, leaving most of the temples intact. That number would have been even lower if not for the chaotic events leading up to the breakthrough.

The ambient energy was still improving, already approaching the equivalent of Middle D-grade. It was the work of an incredible Gathering Array. It was even gathering the planet's providence into one spot, meaning anyone cultivating inside the ruins would enjoy a temporary boost to their effective Luck.

The ruins were fast becoming a holy land, but Zac only felt a headache as he flew toward the exit, keeping a wide berth around the new additions. He still didn't have any good solution to how to deal with the situation. The cathedral possibly held something that could help the war effort, but getting through it might require the strength of a Monarch. Teleporting such a powerful being to his budding empire was like inviting a fox into the henhouse.

But could he live with covering it up when so much was at stake? Was it even possible?

Comments

One question. If a bunch of buildings are revealed when the monument is exposed to fake Tribulation Lightning…what happens after Jake buys the next two fragments, and sits there to undergo the real thing?

Jeff McCulley

2023-12-31 22:39:34 +0000 UTC

Huh. “…we hope to invite you for certain covert missions in the future." Was this dependent upon the bell, or an entirely separate matter? The bell doesn’t seem particularly stealthy. It will be interesting to see if the Everfast Monarch starts sending Zac on secret missions.

Jeff McCulley

2023-12-31 22:26:15 +0000 UTC

When did they forgot draklid?

keyra knightley

2023-12-21 14:28:33 +0000 UTC

Yeah, but don't forget, the system has already shown a propensity for capping single time contributions at a reasonable limit. Just like how he was capped at 125,000 when he first joined.

Eidetic Eidolon

2023-12-10 19:08:32 +0000 UTC

It's going to be funny if the contribution for the spear is split among everyone who helped with the launch and suddenly the Early Hegemon Top 5 is Zac, Emily, Bubur, Galau, and Average since to even a fraction of the contribution for blowing up a Warfort is likely well the six figures if not 7 since it included multiple large armies, monarchs, an armada...etc unless there's a big penalty to contribution earnings due to the use of an ancient WMD.

Malth

2023-12-07 03:37:33 +0000 UTC

The founders are also noted to have the best death affinity of the undead races, followed by the eidolon and the draugr.

Luke Scheffe

2023-12-06 18:47:11 +0000 UTC

Thanks

Alric

2023-12-06 17:10:23 +0000 UTC

No that's Carl

C Smith

2023-12-06 17:06:08 +0000 UTC

@Henry Wartemberg; Kator run out of Hegemons to fight, so he had to spar with a Monarchs (one at a time). That doesnt mean he was pushing them, its just says that no frontier Hegemon could keep up with him.

Indy

2023-12-06 16:28:16 +0000 UTC

Good point. And considering how invested the Primo is in Ultom it would be likely

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-06 15:45:54 +0000 UTC

He should definitely check that soon…. I can’t wait to see how many he gets! Poor Galau, he’s not registered for the war yet so the most he can get is 125k…. Otherwise I’d expect him to get more than Zac, masterminding the whole thing! Probably that whole squad of survivors will get the max pre-registration contribution. Fingers crossed!

2023-12-06 13:16:11 +0000 UTC

This is a great chapter!!! I loved the perspective on the Centurion Spear appearing. Wow, awesome!!! And it KEPT GOING—definitely hoping it can take out one or more additional warforts!

2023-12-06 13:13:15 +0000 UTC

I’m assuming some classes would. Pilots, gunners possibly arraymasters

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-06 13:05:43 +0000 UTC

No, But that snippet channeled wh40k pretty hard.

Christian Sauer

2023-12-06 06:49:34 +0000 UTC

Did he get contribution points from activating the spear? He should get enough to upgrade his worlds

Tomer Yud

2023-12-06 06:47:47 +0000 UTC

I understood it as the max one could get before the war officially started, so I'm hoping that they get awarded whatever they contributed pre-war start + what they did in the lighthouse after the war started

Jonas Lemke

2023-12-06 06:38:07 +0000 UTC

She could help him get to the weapon but not with seizing it. If its on the scale of being able to affect the entire war effort it has to be C-Grade, Zac is still just a low D grade cultivator, he may not even be able to activate it himself

Jonas Lemke

2023-12-06 06:32:18 +0000 UTC

He should at least be breaking through to middle hegemony with all those deaths right? Can you amass enough kill energy to go through middle hegemony all the way to peak? It did sound like he killed a bunch of Monarchs in that attack.

RGrocks

2023-12-06 06:27:06 +0000 UTC

Everyone's on Average's case! He defied the odds! And he did it, with style, with guile and... WITH HAIR!

Salvo

2023-12-06 05:57:48 +0000 UTC

That's Carl

FarStryder

2023-12-06 05:54:12 +0000 UTC

Zac did mention during the lightning throne chapters that he thought the primo was a u ique life form

FarStryder

2023-12-06 05:53:45 +0000 UTC

Zac is still gonna have to kill a similar amount just to get to C rank... by hand.. without Vivi!

Salvo

2023-12-06 05:51:21 +0000 UTC

She already agreed to by contract with the system

FarStryder

2023-12-06 05:50:43 +0000 UTC

The great redeemer has a million reasons to join the Kan'tanu, first being an unorthodox cultivator.

Salvo

2023-12-06 05:44:08 +0000 UTC

The frog supremacy from the perennial vastness that zac is supposed to smuggle into ultom

FarStryder

2023-12-06 05:42:26 +0000 UTC

The gnome is a hedgemon Zac mentioned it when they went to the undead empire, or when he went to negotiate the cosmic vessel deal

FarStryder

2023-12-06 05:37:38 +0000 UTC

Yes he said he thought he recognized when Zac entered the PV. And also during the discussion after his breakthrough to hegemon

FarStryder

2023-12-06 05:33:29 +0000 UTC

This and the last chapter were exceptional.

Dols1618

2023-12-06 05:03:33 +0000 UTC

Greatest was a Peak Hegemon, a breakthrough indicates Monarchy, I guess he could have done the proto world half step but that isn’t really something that nobles do. I’m also pretty sure the wiki has him listed as a Monarch.

Jeffrey Worrall

2023-12-06 04:57:46 +0000 UTC

Damn! This man pulled out the documents like Ace Attorney and dropped the hard evidence! Man went Objection and started playing the soundtrack without even trying!

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-06 04:25:35 +0000 UTC

SandreX, you should reread Chapter 929: "The Left Imperial Palace chose you as a candidate, but something stirred the System into action. It forcibly broadened the scope and put its finger on the scale. This is different from what's expected. Different from the previous ascents." -Void Priestess

Tyler

2023-12-06 04:22:56 +0000 UTC

Crazy theory on the founders: The founders aren’t actually a race, the eternal 108 are clones of the Primo and the Primo is like Sendor, a unique life form created directly from the Dao. What do you guys think?

Jeffrey Worrall

2023-12-06 04:22:54 +0000 UTC

Wasn't Nolan the human archer that married a demon lady.

Alric

2023-12-06 04:20:26 +0000 UTC

We know that they were contributors to the Limitless Empire's development of the System and that is why the Primo has such a high level of interest in this particular Pillar and that specific outer court. And they already have the heart of death Eternal Heritage which is responsible for creating the heartlands of the undead.

darkkingrayley

2023-12-06 01:36:27 +0000 UTC

Iz stayed w/ the Dravorak prince when looking for Zac, so I think it's safe to infer the higher faction forcing the Havorok Empire to produce seal bearers is the Tayn family. Though they have bad blood w/ the Undead Empire, so I guess you could assume the Sangha is behind them as well... Seems more likely the Sangha doesn't need the war merit since they're stealing providence through Theya to gain sealbearers, so more unlikely they're behind the Havorok.

Matthew Hay

2023-12-06 01:34:53 +0000 UTC

I'm fairly certain no one in-universe has ever acknowledged Zac's bloodline as corrupted, and I'm fairly certain he never found out what could cause a corrupted bloodline, how to fix it, or what it means.

Matthew Hay

2023-12-06 01:27:47 +0000 UTC

I agree, the Tayns seem like big believers in fate and balance. Of course if Iz wanted to subjugate Zac and the whole planet they would encourage that, but if Iz feels like she wants to continue their harmonious relationship I don't see why they would want to take an unfair or inbalanced advantage. It is Zac who fate brought the ruins to in the first place. I would assume people who have lived for eons and can literally observe the flow of time and manipulate it to a certain degree take a lot of heed in such things.

darkkingrayley

2023-12-06 01:22:08 +0000 UTC

Thanks for the chapter.

Joshua Little

2023-12-06 01:19:34 +0000 UTC

I got the impression he was a Monarch now considering he was a Peak Hegemon trying to use the war to finally breakthrough to C-Grade. I'm not sure what else sort of breakthrough it would mean, but I guess it's possible he is in the process of advancing right now...I hope we find out.

darkkingrayley

2023-12-06 01:18:52 +0000 UTC

It feels like its perfect for the frog whenever she returns. She will be I believe at Peak Hegemon level right before the final trial begins so maybe its doable for someone of her skill/experience, but still limited power compared to a Monarch.

darkkingrayley

2023-12-06 01:14:07 +0000 UTC

It's not pre-registration, it's pre-war and it was 125k. Those guys should all have pre-war too, since they were the advon into the million gates searching for the stellar ladder.

Matthew Hay

2023-12-06 01:03:29 +0000 UTC

the founders, "the Eternal 108"

Hellasz123

2023-12-06 00:47:48 +0000 UTC

I see , curious to learn more about that , wonder if any of them are in Zecia or joining as sealbearers for the Undead Empire

Aris T.

2023-12-06 00:43:15 +0000 UTC

That's perfect. How did I forget about the frog thief?

Michael Fannon

2023-12-06 00:41:16 +0000 UTC

The founders. The race that the Primo is. No mention on what they look like or any details really yet

Michael Fannon

2023-12-06 00:40:36 +0000 UTC

Im rereading book 5 at the moment and they refer to the 5 noble race of undead which is the 5 th ? 1 . Dragr 2. Vampire 3. Spectral -eidolon 4. Iz-Rack rivers And what else ( sorry for the wrong spelling) Also TFTC !

Aris T.

2023-12-06 00:29:40 +0000 UTC

I thought it was before registering, and I also thought the cap was 125k. Zac technically got 250k bc he got 125 per persona.

2023-12-06 00:26:48 +0000 UTC

Maybe I’m not remembering correctly, but I’m pretty sure Calrin was a hegemon from the beginning, and that ‘old e grade gnome’ was just an example of what Calrin has available. The Consortium will have to at least almost keep up with Zac. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to expect them to get back to the where they were before their collapse began, which was c grade.

Darryl Williams

2023-12-05 23:09:26 +0000 UTC

Esmeralda is the Time/Death master thief frog with a reincarnation problem

DrSubterfuge

2023-12-05 23:00:51 +0000 UTC

Who’s Esmeralda the name feels familiar

Ryan

2023-12-05 22:53:14 +0000 UTC

Who is Esmerelda?

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-05 22:51:57 +0000 UTC

Sidekick. Zac’sPal. He will be called Friend, his ultimate move will be “the power of friendship” and will involve Zac in some way😂

Tommy

2023-12-05 22:33:40 +0000 UTC

Yeah I thought that was a ridiculous idea. But then I remembered didn’t Esmerelda say she’d come to his planet. I think she said about a year before Ultom

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 22:31:49 +0000 UTC

That’s for proper Monarchs. Frontier Monarchs… well Kator at middle tier was sparring with multiple

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 22:28:46 +0000 UTC

Esmeralda to the rescue !

Thenais

2023-12-05 22:27:25 +0000 UTC

There’s 10 similar war fortresses in zecia and a few more in the million gates territory. I think it’s reasonable to assume it takes out a handful. 3/4ish. Doesn’t win the war but puts a big dent in their momentum. They were steamrolling Zecia.

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 22:26:50 +0000 UTC

I doubt it has that much energy built up to destroy a dozen of those war worlds like that. At the least I feel it should be able to wreck havoc on one more world but I'm hoping one comment is right in that the world was in the way of its actual destination.

Lex Luther S

2023-12-05 22:24:50 +0000 UTC

What after Zac’s progression has showed him up by comparison? He’s not even managed to become a seal holder yet. Yeah they might change it. Lacking? BeMoreLikeZac? Shame?

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 22:22:38 +0000 UTC

I feel the redeemer is gonna be a plot point in the war. I imagine it'll be a point that has zac and Iz fighting against the dying fucker.

Lex Luther S

2023-12-05 22:22:34 +0000 UTC

Probably, but would she? I think not

austin kutz

2023-12-05 22:19:49 +0000 UTC

Ohh please, that old bastard is on his death bed with his age and his foundations are far from the level of zacs; even if he opened a proto world and reached half step monarchy, a late D grade zac with all his skills at middle or late D grade and his daos all Earthly daos would wreck the redeemer by himself; it'd definitely be a rough fight but nothing zac cant handle with some chaos. Now, if the redeemer actually reached proper monarchy, then yes, both zac and arcaz would be needed and likely a fleet of middle D grade assault ships to pelter the dying old bastard dead.

Lex Luther S

2023-12-05 22:18:30 +0000 UTC

You get contribution points

Thenais

2023-12-05 22:14:46 +0000 UTC

No, zac said greatest had a breakthrough, doesn't mean he's reached monarchy or zac would have mentioned him doing so like with averages grandmother. But ultimate could be willing to do his freshly returned grandson and son a favor so who knows.

Lex Luther S

2023-12-05 22:14:14 +0000 UTC

That would make sense

FarStryder

2023-12-05 22:12:57 +0000 UTC

Bro that old gnome was E grade at best given he couldn't open the undead empires incursion leaders journal. Ain't no way he's gonna even be able to inconvenience the cathedral, let alone crack it. And hitting C grade? I Doubt it; not only would Calrin have to be C grade but the world his HQ resides on as well likely has to be at least a Sub C grade world and earth is a long ways off from that. But Esmeralda being the one to get it, I didn't think of that, would be quite convenient if she showed up now with zac in such a conundrum

Lex Luther S

2023-12-05 22:12:25 +0000 UTC

Pretty sure it's prewar max

FarStryder

2023-12-05 22:09:49 +0000 UTC

I think he said there were was a mix but a lot of religious buildings

FarStryder

2023-12-05 22:08:29 +0000 UTC

Could Esmeralda can help him get into the Cathedral?

StuBee3

2023-12-05 22:08:08 +0000 UTC

Well he can gain it for a time, but he can’t keep it

Thenais

2023-12-05 22:07:57 +0000 UTC

I'm pretty sure he made it to C grade or at least half step, so both of zacs bodies would need to reach late d grade and fight together to win

Matt Spratte

2023-12-05 22:01:08 +0000 UTC

The Thayer Consortium should hit C grade again long before Zac does, and they have the guy who unlocked Mhals journal. It could also be that frog from the PV. Either way, I think a thief is a better bet than any fighter.

Darryl Williams

2023-12-05 21:55:37 +0000 UTC

Haha the plot in this story is ridiculous. The organization & interconnection of characters, world building and plot is super impressive. The fact that my interest and excitement for each new chapter only grows astounds me, and the constant planting of groundwork throughout the whole story up to this point makes some parts drag but allows for any piece of that groundwork to be harvested at any time with interest.

Palmer Evans

2023-12-05 21:35:23 +0000 UTC

Who here thinks Average will get his name changed after this? I'm voting for Lucky.

Salvo

2023-12-05 21:33:37 +0000 UTC

Tayn Debt- hand them Ultom. He can’t have it. It shouldn’t be too hard to get a deal where his faction get some level of continuing access.

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 21:25:49 +0000 UTC

Thought it was the max contribution one could get before registering.

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 21:25:10 +0000 UTC

250k was the max limit able to be gathered before the contribution system was set up. Now that the war is in full swing i dont think that limit matters anymore.

Tyler S.

2023-12-05 21:23:21 +0000 UTC

He was just a brave slave that got back at his Kan'tanu slaver before the spear tore the place apart

Tyler S.

2023-12-05 21:18:40 +0000 UTC

If he were to bring in Iz it would be as a sort of repayment for his use of their reputation but otherwise i think unless absolutely necessary he will probably wait to gain the power himself

Tyler S.

2023-12-05 21:14:06 +0000 UTC

I’m pretty sure that if there were a dozen of the mirror lying on the ground, they would literally walk over them, as they are just c grade scrying mirrors boosted by a supremacy. The claim of it being valuable is pretty transparently meant to keep Iz from mentioning that she’s been watching Zac.

Luke Scheffe

2023-12-05 21:08:47 +0000 UTC

Nah they're right. Zac caused the heritage to appear and was supposed to be the sole recipient until the system intervened and turned it into a contest to force war, conflict, power leveling, etc.

2023-12-05 21:08:22 +0000 UTC

When they broke through the void messed with the ruins and broke some temporal locks on pocket dimensions. So alot of fancy buildings that had been hidden before showed up. He mentioned that they looked like religious buildings earlier. I guess the biggest of them is a cathedral?

Kharas

2023-12-05 21:06:10 +0000 UTC

Nah. I wouldn’t bring a Monarch attached to another faction there. Oh here is a ruin.I’m incapable of breaking in. Would you mind breaking in, seeing if there is anything valuable for the war effort and then handing it to me. Is there any such good thing? Plus there is a supremacy master thief due anytime now that resolved that problem

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 21:05:51 +0000 UTC

That's literally what happened.

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-05 21:04:54 +0000 UTC

I think Zac was chosen by Ultom but the system said no and made it a trial instead

BANANABORTION

2023-12-05 21:04:17 +0000 UTC

Aww I was hoping he would loot the ruins a tiny bit at least! Something to look forward to.

Sirloki

2023-12-05 21:01:23 +0000 UTC

I also have a recollection of Sendor saying to Zac that he was surprised when he sensed the Void Emporer’s bloodline on him. I think he noticed it was inverted

Henry Wartemberg

2023-12-05 21:00:40 +0000 UTC

I hope Average and the rest can register real quick or they will only get the same 250,000 that Zac has gotten when he first registered.

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 21:00:32 +0000 UTC

That conversation was/would've been a reward to experiment on Zac, I don't think sendor would wipe those memories. The connection seems to only be implied, not explicitly stated... But only barely.

2023-12-05 20:59:36 +0000 UTC

yep, it's a done deal

Thenais

2023-12-05 20:59:20 +0000 UTC

The fortress was not the target! It was only in the way . . .

Sirloki

2023-12-05 20:59:06 +0000 UTC

or ask his mama

Thenais

2023-12-05 20:58:32 +0000 UTC

Yeah good, cos I'm not sure i remember much on it either. Apparently Ensolus has been growing? Or the energy has been, and there's some cathedral in the ruins that probably has some good stuff in there but he can't get. I can't remember it being really talked about

Chris

2023-12-05 20:55:14 +0000 UTC

true, totally forgot about them, but i wouldt call them proper Culitivators..

Indy

2023-12-05 20:55:12 +0000 UTC

When he used the tribulation throne it triggered monument in ruins and revealed new buildings thar were hidden in different pockets of dimentions

SandreX

2023-12-05 20:54:33 +0000 UTC

Zac’s troubled ex-girlfriend from before the apocalypse and her buddy are on that farming island.

Telewyn

2023-12-05 20:53:52 +0000 UTC

You should reread the bloodline breakthrough it Was explained there

WindGunner

2023-12-05 20:52:52 +0000 UTC

Pretty sure he was new, just for this pov

Lucas Gulick

2023-12-05 20:52:00 +0000 UTC

Yep, he said it was weirdly inverted

SandreX

2023-12-05 20:51:39 +0000 UTC

My bet is on Peaks. Avarage's father is monarch and craftsman so he might have ability to crack it open

SandreX

2023-12-05 20:50:32 +0000 UTC

Bruh, Zac wasn't chosen by Ultom, he chose it. He kinda forced it to except him as a candidate :d Iz on the other hand was truly chosen, she probably is that "one destiny". Zac is void, he is outside of all things

SandreX

2023-12-05 20:47:05 +0000 UTC

Happened during the tribulation throne chapters

Evan Therrien

2023-12-05 20:46:40 +0000 UTC

Great chapter. I want the Contribution Rankings though.

BLead

2023-12-05 20:46:37 +0000 UTC

i cant image he wouldnt know, Zac used his bloodline, and Sendor is not only A grad but on the upper side of it.

Indy

2023-12-05 20:44:45 +0000 UTC

I'm a little lost with what's going on at the ruins. I get that Zac's other body broke through at the same time and used the surrounding resources as fuel, but what's all this about a cathedral?

Lucas Gulick

2023-12-05 20:40:04 +0000 UTC

System is intentionally covering the gate, so doubt old thing can overcome the shroud

SandreX

2023-12-05 20:39:33 +0000 UTC

Well there we go... you don't get kill energy from launching a nuke annihilating half a solar system. What a waste. Zac is really bad at cultivation.

Salvo

2023-12-05 20:38:31 +0000 UTC

Just a thought but wouldn't it be safe to say the biggest consentration of that cursed energy would be that Gate in the million gates territory that started this whole war? Also thanks for the chapter!

brennon Petersen

2023-12-05 20:36:49 +0000 UTC

https://memes.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/70dc2e98-2b79-408c-943f-d6007f9107b8#kXuf9AkY.copy

support!

2023-12-05 20:36:35 +0000 UTC

But did he ever state anything about knowing that it was the Void Emperor's bloodline that he carried?

Nikolai Beckel

2023-12-05 20:36:35 +0000 UTC

And it's still going

support!

2023-12-05 20:36:33 +0000 UTC

Lets be honest. No. The system won't allow it. It wants war to promote growth. It won't end so soon. Not by a long shot. It will likely hit at least one other target however. What it hits remains to be seen though.

Owen Kaz

2023-12-05 20:36:27 +0000 UTC

Sorry, but you are heavily assuming stuff we have no proof at all that they aren't exactly how they are portrayed. Moreover, we saw a few POVs of them without outsiders present, and they didn't behave in any other way.

Indy

2023-12-05 20:32:59 +0000 UTC

Christmas came early this year. Zac’s luck paying off!

Mason W

2023-12-05 20:27:42 +0000 UTC

Sendor wiped his mind of a lot of details about the events in perennial vastness, so that memory may just be tampered with.

Salvo

2023-12-05 20:26:57 +0000 UTC

Thank you!

DaWykitat

2023-12-05 20:25:31 +0000 UTC

Same lol, seeing a karmic cultivator get slapped by a guy who is immune to karma would be hilarious

James Faulkner

2023-12-05 20:23:33 +0000 UTC

Tftc!

James Faulkner

2023-12-05 20:23:06 +0000 UTC

It's not a matter of having willing participants. The issue is inviting someone that won't try to takeover his planet for themselves or their faction. No way in hell is Zac gonna allow a Monarch from the undead empire to step foot on his planet before he has a way to kick them off it.

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-05 20:22:29 +0000 UTC

That's a front. They just use that shit as an excuse. The only time they care about fate is when there are tangible consequences that immediately affect their family. Like how Iz's grandma has so much bad luck from slaughtering the people that killed Iz's parents she cannot exist in this dimension without soummoning a tribulation. Iz Tayn realised they were full of shit when she had that little monologue inside the stellar ladder while wondering if she should help Zac. I realized the whole family was full of shit when that woman showed up to pick up Kruta. Lady had the gall to say Iz was more fated than Zac. That is the biggest load of bs I ever heard. Fate gathers when Zac says the world Ultom. Him awakening his bloodline lead to an eternal heritage awakening, a inheritance from a previous era choosing him in the pv and his entire sector going to war. Nobody we've met is more fated than this man.

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-05 20:20:07 +0000 UTC

He's got 2 in there I think.

DagNabItAll

2023-12-05 20:17:56 +0000 UTC

Don't think so.

DagNabItAll

2023-12-05 20:17:21 +0000 UTC

Arcaz went there in preparations for the bloodline breakthrough, and to call his mum.

DagNabItAll

2023-12-05 20:16:22 +0000 UTC

Because he didn't want to destroy the Endemire Sage's Fortress incase he couldn't control his breakthrough and he thought the Ruins would contain enough treasure to evolve his bloodline incase the tower didn't work out. Also he didn't want to breakthrough in front of a monarch

Hartmann

2023-12-05 20:16:11 +0000 UTC

Wait, the spear is still going? Is it going to eliminate even more fortresses? Maybe all of them? Did Zac just accidentally win the war?

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 20:15:41 +0000 UTC

Zac can't wait. Whatever is inside might be needed in the war soon, possibly within days now that the war has changed. Bringing the undead is his best move right now I think. Laz would do it and Tavza is an expert in the limitless empire. Would be a nice Draugr outing.

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 20:13:53 +0000 UTC

i wouldnt be that sure, they are deep into fate and stuff

Indy

2023-12-05 20:12:41 +0000 UTC

Iz wouldn't care. Her family is another story. If they find something as good as that mirror, there is no way they let Zac keep that.

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-05 20:08:43 +0000 UTC

Iz didn't want to take an eternal heritage from Zac because he is 'so poor' XD. I think no Tayn under Iz's command would lift anything at all.

Indy

2023-12-05 20:05:29 +0000 UTC

I really hope The Great Redeemer shows up when the Earth is integrated so we can get a chapter of Zac beating his punk ass

Sam Williams

2023-12-05 20:04:50 +0000 UTC

I looked back and can't find the spot and I must have missed it. Why did Zac go back to the ensolus ruins?

DaWykitat

2023-12-05 20:04:04 +0000 UTC

Zac be selfish as fuck. If you need a monarch to crack it open. Then wait until you break into Monarchy. I'd sooner let a fox into my henhouse before I trust any Monarch in this damn sector to have a look around. Maybe if Iz shows up with another of those subservient golems. She can order him to look around the place. Don't get me wrong. If there is something really good in there the Tayn family will still rob you. But at least they will give you some form of compensation since your friends with Iz. Zac is the sole reason she works hard to cultivate. That's enough reason to keep Zac alive and give him some basic treasure. Instead of killing him and taking everything he owns.

Darnell Maxwell

2023-12-05 20:01:57 +0000 UTC

Dammmm nice chappy

night hawk

2023-12-05 20:00:58 +0000 UTC

FUCK YEAH NOLAN, going out like a badass man. I'm very glad the spear is continuing, destroying that world, it's fleets and solar system, a few monarchs and half step monarchs would already be a big boon but if can destroy or damage one more world, then even better. That'd give the zecia sector more than enough breathing room to fix the mess those Technocrats caused on the Frontlines. As for the rewards, man zac and Co. are about to eat good with all of what they've done, especially since it seems they'll still claim the fortress. Even broken that thing would be a big boon. As for zacs conundrum of the cathedral; hmmmmm given his personality and his understanding of zecias situation, he might be willing to take a loss by inviting a monarch to come crack it open. Even if the item isn't useful in the war efforts, it may be useful to monarchs allowing a middle or late stage monarch a breakthrough would be a boon. The real question is how to stop them from taking everything else as well as said treasure, if its a reusable type like that bucket, as well as what monarch to invite over. Anyone of the undead empire is out of the question; he might be able to get one of the allbright monarchs to come open it but his relationship is almost strictly business with them, though average returning should hopefully change that. The only other one I can think of would be the void priestess but that might be getting to involved. Hmmmm, only other option would be to wait till Iz is in zecia and see if one of her dao guardians would be willing.

Lex Luther S

2023-12-05 20:00:05 +0000 UTC

Well, there are a few monarchs that like Zac in the undead empire. Plus Tazva is an expert in the limitless empire. It is a bit of a risk, but it isn't like they wouldn't be all over the planet in a few centuries anyway. Just speeding up plans.

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 19:51:23 +0000 UTC

Chapter 1062 "Something else, then," Zac said, ignoring Sendor's raised brow. "I want an answer. About my ancestor." "I really can't talk about that, for both our sakes. Didn't you see the System's reaction the last time? The Void Emperor and the Limitless Emperor set the stage for this era. It's dangerous to delve into those secrets with the era's ultimate direction still up in the air," Sendor did know about the void emperor

Charles Ryan

2023-12-05 19:51:13 +0000 UTC

Have we seen Nolan before?

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 19:49:01 +0000 UTC

Ensolus Expedition!

Bender

2023-12-05 19:48:51 +0000 UTC

Well, they do need to join a local faction for the war too right? 3 birds.

Michael Fannon

2023-12-05 19:48:33 +0000 UTC

Do you all think Greatest and Pavina would get along? Ensolus needing monarchs to make use of could be a good excuse at for a backer from both living and undead to help out.

gotag

2023-12-05 19:48:27 +0000 UTC

The other payment to the Tayn could be sealbearers for Iz - such as that sealbearer imprisoned in his dungeon.

Random Information

2023-12-05 19:48:24 +0000 UTC

Kill 2 birds with 1 stone - allow the Tayns access to the Ensolus cathedral?

Random Information

2023-12-05 19:44:18 +0000 UTC

TFTC

Matt Spratte

2023-12-05 19:35:17 +0000 UTC

i think its the first time we saw cultivating cultivators in this story XD

Indy

2023-12-05 19:34:36 +0000 UTC

Tftc

Chemistrywarrior

2023-12-05 19:30:21 +0000 UTC

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