Zac curiously looked at the small stone in his hand and felt the waves of Pure Conflict from within . Just holding it almost made Zac feel like he’d eaten another Rageroot Oak Seed] , even if his mind remained completely clear . Still , his Dao Avatar stirred , and it began its dance between his two cores , swinging its axes in deadly arcs .
The truths of his Branch of the War Axe soon coursed through his veins , which made the stone release even more energy . It was like the resonance between two tuning forks , where the frequencies empowered each other . Thankfully , it only took a thought for the Dao Avatar to stop and sit down , and the Warstone] calmed soon after .
Conflict breeds conflict , - Zac muttered , placing the stone into a box and stowing it away .
Exactly , - Sendor said as the stone hovering above Kruta’s body shot into the Spatial Ring on his hand .
Unfortunately , no quest had been triggered , but Zac believed the barbarian would still be happy with the sudden windfall . Mortals were the only ones who required precious treasures to form their cores , but that didn’t mean cultivators couldn’t benefit from them . The Warstone] perfectly complemented Kruta’s path , and infusing its essence would elevate the resulting core .
Getting the Warstone] and securing the final item he needed for his Core Formation was exactly what he’d hoped for when setting the course for the Stand of Saeward . Still , it wasn’t enough to forget the real opportunity that had presented itself . Zac turned to Sendor before he could change his mind or flash away .
You said you’d make it up to me just now . I’d like some answers , - Zac said , the words spilling out of his mouth . - You’ve seen my bloodline when you inspected me . Can you tell me more about it? How is it related to the Limitless Empire? Is it the bloodline of the Limitless Emperor or someone else? -
As expected , - Sendor nodded . - Honestly , I couldn’t believe my eyes when I sensed the aura of the Void Emperor on you . Of course , it’s oddly inverted , but the truth couldn’t hide from me . What do you— -
Sendor’s words were interrupted by another rumble in the sky . It wasn’t the imperial who had returned , but the new arrival was still someone familiar . The gathering clouds crackled with power , and Zac felt a vast presence lock onto the area . Time had frozen , yet that wasn’t entirely the case . Zac couldn’t move , but he saw Sendor scratch the base of his antlers as he looked up .
You don’t want me to speak? - Sendor said as a mischievous smile spread across his lips . - What are you scheming , you troublemaker? Still , I’ve never been one to— -
A loud rumble far surpassing the roars of the Planur Supremacy shook the Stand of Saeward , perhaps all of the Pennial Vastness . For all Zac knew , it could be across all creation , judging by the unfettered force gathering in the clouds above . The stars shattered , unable to withstand the presence of the descent .
Zac had never seen the System gather so much energy , not even close . Even Alvod Jondir’s ascent to Autarchy didn’t create such a scene . And this was just the start . An enormous swirl appeared above their heads , but it didn’t unleash a torrent of Heavenly punishment upon the lands . Instead , a seemingly innocuous item descended from its center .
It was a blue silk scarf , two hands wide , no longer than two meters end to end . There were no runes or engravings on it , but a spatter of dark spots covered one of the sides . It didn’t look like anything special , but that only meant Zac was too ignorant to understand what was going on . Odd fluctuations rippled around it , creating scars that made Zac’s hair stand on end .
It wasn’t space that was being frayed , creating spatial tears . Reality itself couldn’t withstand the piece of cloth and crumbled in front of Zac’s eyes . Zac could tell even the Dao was twisting and turning as eternal truths were coming undone . Meanwhile , cracks spread across the ground , and it looked like the Stand of Saeward would face a second Calamity .
Fine , fine! - Sendor screamed with alarm as a hairline crack appeared on one of his antlers . - Take that thing away . Are you trying to kill your dear friend! -
Zac still wanted answers . But as things stood , he far more desired for the System to take that thing away . The scarf was far scarier than any Tribulation Lightning . It wasn’t a trial to be overcome—that seemingly unassuming scarf held the Armageddon within its threads .
Thankfully , the System didn’t seem intent on going to war with the Perennial Vastness , and the scarf was dragged back into the swirling vortex . The unfathomable aura of catastrophe lingered for a few seconds like an unspoken warning before it and the clouds dispersed .
Damn , so touchy , - Sendor swore as he looked up at the sky , once more donning the expression of a disappointed elder . - Too few of us old hands left for you to go around waving those things around . And you know the others all have a few screws loose . Who are you going to reminisce with if I’m not around? -
That’s . . . - Zac said , finding his voice no more than a whisper . - What was that? -
Oh , just some old thing the System keeps around . One of its safeguards to make sure people play by its rules , - Sendor said with an annoyed wave , looking at Zac with mixed emotions . - Sorry , kiddo , looks like I can’t put my hand into this matter . The Terminus Council is mostly forgotten , but their will and Karma still spread through all creation like a web . That scenario is far from over . -
Terminus Council , - Zac muttered .
The words were almost like a spell , and Zac felt a storm of Fate crashing down on him . However , the feeling was stopped by the receding clouds gathering for one final bout of fury . Karma was erased and Fate subverted , and the clouds drifted apart . The System was leaving , but it imparted Zac with a final message before it was gone .
Beware the Terminus
Zac didn’t dare speak the words again , his heart hammering from the series of events . Just what was going on? Why didn’t the System want him to know the truth? Was it an enemy or a friend? Truthfully , it felt like the System protected him this time around .
It seemed too early to dig into the truth of his origin , but Zac still felt he was a few steps closer . For one , Sendor confirmed the existence of the Void Emperor without Zac mentioning it . The revelation further indicated that his original theory was off . Karz wasn’t the Limitless Emperor . Still , Zac’s instincts told him the two were connected .
Was the Limitless Empire perhaps run by two people , where one stood in the light while the other moved in the shadows? That was entirely possible when remembering Karz’s temperament in his Bloodline Visions . Or was Karz a member of this Terminus Council? If that was the case , why did Zac need to be wary of it? Were they the reason history seemed to have mostly forgotten about a cultivator who could infinitely improve his affinities?
What a mess , - Sendor muttered as he drew a finger across his antler , which dragged Zac out of his thoughts . - That’s all the information you’ll get for now . Sometimes , scary things come crawling out when you turn over old stones . Ask for something else instead . -
Zac nodded in agreement , noticing that the antler was already whole . Zac didn’t know why , but it felt like Sendor was partly pretending when looking so frazzled at the scarf’s appearance . Still , there was a nugget of truth to the fear in his eyes , and Zac decided to put the matter aside . He could slowly pull on these threads later . There were still benefits to be had .