Her unadorned appearance and utter lack of aura could make one mistake her for a village girl , but that obviously wasn’t the case . The Dharma was partly muted thanks to his Mana , but it was still enough to drive any F-grade cultivator mad . Of course , there was also the fact that not even a guest would be able to find this place , yet she’d made it her home . And with Esmeralda’s lacking strength , she had to be the one who brought the toad here .
This stranger was undoubtedly another old monster , even if she didn’t appear as intimidating as Lord Engo or his master . The pressing question was where her allegiance lay . Was she another disciple of the Perennial Vastness , or related to Valsa? Was it both?
She smiled . - Dear , would you let us borrow your friend for a few minutes? -
A-alright , - Catheya said after giving Zac a look . - I’ll go take a walk in the garden . -
Zac nodded . Esmeralda was content to sit and look haughty while the youthful woman gave Zac a mysterious smile , setting the book down . The silence stretched until Zac couldn’t take it , even if there wasn’t any pressure like when Sendor observed him with his creepy gaze .
Uh , I’m Zac . -
I’m aware . It’s nice to meet you . You can call me Lova . Don’t mind me . I’m just here to facilitate your meeting and translate . -
Translate . . . for the toad? - Zac said , glancing at his old traveling companion .
Esmeralda seemed annoyed at Zac’s demeanor , and began croaking while forming a series of signs that Zac , for some reason , felt were insults .
Esmeralda has been very impressed with your performance over the past years and wishes to extend an offer . -
She said that? - Zac said , looking suspiciously at Esmeralda , who in turn glared at the woman .
Well , in so many words . -
What kind of offer? -
A partnership . -
To do what? - Zac asked , when what the mysterious woman had said before struck him . - Wait , you’ve been spying on me? -
On occasion , - Lova said . - We’ve also followed a few other candidates . But Esmeralda picked you since you killed Valsa Planur and cemented your status as a Flamebearer . Personally , I think it’s for the best . Valsa Planur’s fate was limited . The current generation of the First Heaven is much too disappointing . To think that girl was a direct descendant to Vurkos Planur , who seized the second pillar in such a domineering fashion . I expected more , even if she lacked her Imperial Faith . -
Zac glanced at Esmeralda . Her strangely human expression said he’d just won the lottery by being graced by her attention . The toad had been a bit lofty even back in the Calamity , but it was nothing compared to now . Was it because she’d brought a powerful backer?
Were you there in the Stand of Saeward? - Zac asked , unable to prevent the hint of steel from appearing in his voice .
No . It would be troublesome if Emperor Vastermal discovered us . We did observe her extensively the past days , though , - Lova said , not the least shamefaced by their actions .
Zac took a steadying breath to control the anger bubbling beneath the surface . He’d drive himself into an early grave if he blew a gasket whenever he was used or manipulated by these selfish old cultivators .
A partnership for what? - Zac asked again , suspecting he knew the answer .
Esmeralda needs to enter the Left Imperial Palace , so I’m hoping you could take her . -
You’re a sealbearer? - Zac said , indignity partly replaced by surprise , but the toad shook her head .
Only cultivators and beasts who have reached Atavism can become sealbearers . But that’s fine . There are other paths to entry , - Lova said as she took out an ancient-looking parchment . - The Enshrinement of Kanba . It’s from an interesting society deep in the Eternal Storm . They consecrate beasts in a faith-based cultivation system . This binding will make you the speaker for the Beast Deity . -
Uh , what? - Zac was decidedly unenthused by the idea of becoming the priest of a toad god .
Well , that’s just in their society , - Lova laughed . - In practice , it means Esmeralda could temporarily create a shrine—a subspace—in your body and join the Left Imperial Palace that way . It will also create a mental link to allow you to communicate better . It will even temporarily allow you to use part of Esmeralda’s skills and abilities . -
No offense , but why use some weird method from the Endless Storm? - Zac said with suspicion . - There are many ways to contract beasts . -
It’s for your benefit , - Lova explained . - For one , Esmeralda is more unique than you can imagine . No Hegemon can bear a conventional binding with her . Secondly , the enshrinement will not leave a mark on your path . It’s more of a temporary housing agreement and will not affect your pathways , combat effectiveness , or System evaluation . The only detriment is that you must expend some Cosmic Energy to maintain the shrine . Not much is needed , though , and it will not impact you after forming a core . -
Esmeralda eagerly nodded , and her tongue lashed out to grab the parchment , bringing it to Zac , though he didn’t accept it .
No offense , but I’ve seen you in action , - Zac said as he took a step back . - You’re fast , but I’ll be even faster by the time the trial starts . And your aura is even weaker now than when we last met . What can you bring to the table? -
Esmeralda looked incredibly affronted , and made a series of angry croaks . Of course , with her tongue still stretched toward Zac , they came out distorted .
Esmeralda isn’t a beast bred for battle like those Beast Tamers contract , - Lova said with a laugh . - Her expertise lies elsewhere . And don’t worry . She’s in a phase of rapid growth . Truthfully , the Esmeralda you see in front of you now is not her true form . She’s not even an undead creature . Eons ago , she had the reputation of being one of the best . . . infiltrators . . . of the Multiverse . -
Infiltrator? - Zac said . - A thief? -
Esmeralda excitedly nodded .
Wait , best in the Multiverse? - Zac said . - Does that mean . - ?
She could be considered a Supremacy , - Lova confirmed , making Zac look at the unassuming toad suspiciously .
Are you two messing with me? -
There was just no way this supersized toad matched the aura or power of the two Supremacies he’d just encountered in the Stand of Saeward . Esmeralda croaked with exasperation , then her eyes widened , and she disappeared in a puff . Before Zac could ask where she went , she returned , the parchment on her tongue replaced by another item : a box .
What? - Zac gasped .
It was the main item consecrated in the hidden temple across from his mansion , emitting the same hair-raising aura as when he first saw it . Zac had almost gotten himself killed getting his hands on the Lucky Beads] , and they weren’t even part of the temple arrangements . They’d just been lying on a pillow in front of the shrine . Meanwhile , Esmeralda took a few seconds to abscond with what probably was the best thing , barely breaking a sweat? Would she be able to do the same inside the Left Imperial Palace?
It took all Zac’s willpower not to welcome Esmeralda to his team right then and there .
63
ESMERALDA
Esmeralda thumped her chest as she wagged the box in front of Zac . Clinging to his doubts , he moved to a nearby window . Catheya was sitting on a bench in the pebble garden , occasionally glancing in his direction . She lit up upon seeing him , who waved at her assuredly and turned back into the room .
Catheya hadn’t noticed Esmeralda coming and going , by the looks of it , and neither was there any response from the ghost temple on the other side of the peak . There wasn’t even a Karmic ripple indicating they had been robbed .
Zac wondered if it were really Esmeralda who’d gotten her hands on it . He couldn’t help but look at Lova sitting by the neighboring window . It had been a deadly tribulation to enter the ghost temple for him , but for this mysterious woman . . .