Leylin put on a solemn expression.
"If I hadn't interfered, then they would have gotten authority of Dis as well. At that time, with the powers of three levels of Baator and another third of Avernus, he could have ousted the other lords from their thrones…
"Right now, as long as Asmodeus consolidates his strength, stabilises his position, and ropes in one to two more overlords to his side, he will become the dominant force in the Nine Hells…
"However, this has nothing to do with me anymore." Asmodeus had indeed lived up to his name as a crafty old devil. He had capitalised on the precarious situation that Dis was in, and carried out a revolution.
Although this had alerted the other lords to his schemes, the devil had already met his goals. His power had grown, and he now held a superior position. It wouldn't be impossible for him to unite Baator in the future.
"Hmm? He even sent me a message, and wants to speak to me?" Leylin had received a spiritual energy wave, evidently a message from Asmodeus.
"Indeed, getting the assistance of an outsider like me would be best. My position in hell is still unstable after all. However, this devil's goodwill cannot be trusted at all; and the best way to avoid all negotiations is to leave." Leylin put on a mysterious smile.
"Azlok!"
"Your Excellency, I'm here!" When Azlok arrived, he had some of Leylin's worshippers in tow. The collective armies of the different hells had now returned to their own levels of Baator. Had they remained, Leylin would most likely have assimilated them into his own forces.
"I'll be leaving for a while. Take care of the affairs in Dis for me. I also have a few missions for you to take care of." Leylin did not hesitate to hand the tasks down to his men.
Azlok wasn't in a position to refuse him, and even if he was why would he? This pit fiend was extremely glad to be able to take over an entire hell.
'Since I'm the one with the authority, when I leave Asmodeus can only look on without doing a thing…' Leylin turned back and looked at the City of Iron for one last time before leaving Baator. 'Once my goals are achieved and I finish ascending to godhood, he can only eat back any schemes he's plotting…'
It would be extremely simple to leave Baator. Even a demigod could traverse planes, and Baator was already close to the prime material plane. There was a portal in the outskirts of Ribcage City whose guards could be bribed.
However, Leylin was now a Lord of Baator. He had the right to move to the prime material plane as he wished. Although many others found it difficult to travel between different worlds, to Leylin it was like taking a walk in his backyard. Before the other lords could react, he had already returned to the prime material plane.
...
The newly established Faulen Empire on Debanks Island, within the Giant Serpent Church.
'Almighty Lord, you are the serpent that controls all, holding the powers of massacre.' The church itself radiated a colourful sheen, and many of the priests prayed piously. Tiff was at the back of the church, meeting a white-robed Leylin.
"Master!" he began a report, his eyes blazing with fervour, "We moved Marquis Jonas and his wife to the empire as per your decree, along with all their servants…"
"Well done," Leylin nodded his head. This was something he'd planned immediately after he'd become a demigod. He couldn't entrust things such as this to the Goddess of Luck Tymora. He was always fastidious, and would have these things settled himself.
His family was on his lands now. There was no faith here other than that he approved. Along with his church containing multiple legendaries, totem spirits, and another demigod to help, Leylin could finally be at ease. Were any god or church to make an attempt on this place, they would all gang up on them.
'You need at least a hundred thousand elites to take over Debanks Island, and they need to travel a long distance over sea. You'll also need many high-ranked legendaries, and have to sacrifice multiple divine avatars…' Leylin's eyes blazed.
'In fact, if the churches that tried to group up against me tried to do it again, they will definitely suffer heavy losses. Furthermore, at a critical time I can turn to their enemies, forming an alliance with the evil gods… The costs far outweigh the benefits. Even Mystra, as much as she hates me, wouldn't be so foolish.'
"How's the empire been faring lately? Has there been anything special on the mainland or Faulen Island?"
"We've planted the first batch of rice this season. The plague was controlled by a free supply of holy water as well. There was some commotion on Faulen Island due to the withdrawal of the Jonases. Still, the remaining managers managed to minimise the impact on trade."
Tiff had only needed a moment of thought to answer. With the Faulen Empire being a theocracy, Tiff was the one with the greatest authority as the country's pope. With his many years of travel in the mainland, he'd deeply experienced the ups and downs of life. Paired with his strength and knowledge, he'd managed Debanks Island well.
"The churches you had me keep an eye on have been rather dormant, bar the church of protection. Helm has declared that you're a false deity!" When he came to this point, Tiff had grown enraged. To a pious believer their god wasn't a mere part of their beliefs. The Lord meant everything!
"Those vile gods, they actually dare slander my Lord like this! One day, I will make them pay the price for this insult. The slate will only be wiped clean with their blood!"
"As it should be," Leylin didn't blush in the slightest as he made this promise, despite being a false god through and through. "We only need to endure this for now. Focus all your attention on developing the empire."
This put Tiff's heart at ease. He listened to Leylin's orders with respect and left. As he was leaving, a contemplative look emerged on Leylin's face.
'It's unlikely that they'll mount a massive invasion, so I'll need to take precautions against elite squads and ambushes. Another important aspect is the agriculture. I can't ignore it until after I become a true god, with my own divine kingdom and a strong foundation. Then I can open the crystal sphere now, letting my main body in along with many more Magi of laws.'
Godhood was an enormous threshold to cross in the World of Gods. True gods were the darlings of the world, and obtained everlasting life and immortality. Even upon death they could revive themselves as long as worshippers still believed in them, emerging once more from the river of space and time. Even the most formidable gods had to pay a great price to breach a divine kingdom, granting all true gods an extremely powerful defence.
Besides, deities themselves only valued other true gods, and viewed them with equal standing. In other words, Leylin would become a member of the pantheon once he advanced. It would also give him the means to confront the Goddess of the Weave!
'I already have my godfire ignited, and plenty of divine force. What's left is my divinity and divine kingdom. Once those requirements are met, I can accumulate faith to form an exalted throne…' Leylin was well aware of how ascension worked.
'My domain will be in massacres. Cyric and Malar are huge problems, yes, but I've already offended them greatly. What's the harm in enraging them further? The crucial point is still the power of faith…'
The ascension of gods in this world was rather peculiar. A new member of the pantheon only needed an echo of origin power with a certain foundation of believers to easily ascend to become a true god.
However, these sorts of gods would always be extremely weak. They could only be lesser gods, living under the asylum of the more powerful.
After all, with the slow development of this world's civilisation, asking the populace to accept something new would be a bit too forceful. These sorts of gods would need hundreds or thousands of years to develop.
The advantage was that they would not be in conflict with the other gods, and they had rather good potential for development. With Leylin's knowledge and experience, he had thought of several domains that the World of Gods did not currently possess, with excellent potential for development. It was a shame that he had rejected all of them.
There was reason for this. The plan was far too long term, and he himself would be too weak. This wasn't in line with his current situation.
Becoming a god of massacres would eliminate these limitations. This divinity would greatly aid his combat strength, and met his requirements for power. It could also develop rather well later, at the very least making him a greater god.
The only catch here was that there were already gods in the domain of massacres. Leylin's ascension would be encumbered by the conflict.
'Even if a native is only worth a tenth of a believer on the mainland, I still have enough faith to ascend to godhood. The problem is still the divinity…' Leylin's wish for a powerful divinity to support his ascension increased his requirements for faith. He estimated that he already had enough faith to become a god of disease, but massacres required over ten times the faith.
-x-X-x-
'Next I need to continue to nurture my believers, grasp the divinity of massacres, and slowly accumulate resources…' Leylin's eyes flashed gold as his vision penetrated through the walls of the church. He looked past it into the events in his empire, and even further into Debanks Island. This sight extended all the way past the ocean, piercing into the mainland.
His body gradually turned golden, its dazzling radiance illuminating the vicinity of the church. Under the divine radiance, Leylin's body gradually became more illusory until it disappeared. Gods needed to maintain their distance from ordinary mortals to maintain a sense of divine mystery. When it came to farming, he could determine the work of Tiff and the rest remotely, using the connection from their daily prayers.
Now he needed to spend a long period of time preparing his body for the transformation, spending time with his family members. Once he advanced to become a true god, a new life awaited him.
A god's birthday was the day they'd ascended, not the day they were born as a mortal. Once Leylin took this step, he would experience an earth-shattering change. He would bid farewell to his past life, severing his fate as a mortal. This was a necessary step in one's ascent to godhood.
He would leave two blood descendants, to his cousin and the other ladies of his household. Perhaps that would be appropriate.
...
As the clone in the World of Gods sank into cultivation, the entire world grew more tranquil. Most of Leylin's attention shifted to his main body in the Magus World.
Deep within the Magus World, under the seventh layer of the subterranean world. A sphere of red flames pulsed like a heart in the endless darkness, and a pair of chrome yellow eyes appeared. "We meet again, Lord Leylin. Your speed of advancement really puts me to shame."
"Mighty Mother Core, before one such as you, a near-immortal being, I'm wholly insignificant…" Although he was now a rank 7 Warlock, near the peak of the Magus World in power, Leylin still appeared humble before the person in front of him. Mother Core was someone at an even higher realm, and her strength was something he aspired for.
Although this form was different from the one she'd shown before, the power of a being that had comprehended laws still lay before him. Her existence greatly surpassed Leylin's, and even the A.I. Chip couldn't probe her. She was a mighty existence, one who'd refined her laws to forge her own path!
In front of such strength, it was only prudent to act humble. Leylin was smiling on the surface, but his eyes blazed with longing.
Once he reached rank 7, Leylin's remaining path was already laid out before him. A rank 8 Magus needed to master multiple laws, refining them greatly and purifying them into their path as they reached the peak.
Leylin had already made his preparations for him, and his path was already beginning to be formed. His foray into the World of Gods had truly given him far too many benefits.
"Lord Leylin is truly far too humble. After all, your Majesty's law of devouring is an exceptional power, its battle might and regenerative abilities absolutely incomparable. It is equivalent to the sum of several weaker paths of laws…" Ignox now stood at Mother Core's side, his body wreathed in endless twisted rings of darkness.
"I assume you've come here to ask to absorb the World Origin Force?" Ignox asked with a smile. He'd foreseen Leylin's objective completely.
"That's right. I want to use the power I've accumulated to comprehend laws and absorb World Origin Force," Leylin said gravely.
The Magus World and the World of Gods were two extremely powerful worlds that had a massive source of origin force. This origin force provided untold benefits to those who grasped laws.
The World Will of the Magus World lay dormant at its core, allowing the lowest level of the subterranean world to possess a share of power. This place even emitted the essence of World Origin Force.
The opportunity to absorb the Magus World's origin force was a great one, and it only came every hundred years for those who had comprehended laws.
It was a great shame that Leylin had only been close to rank 7 before. His body was limited in capacity, and he'd already been saturated in terms of World Origin Force. It was like he was a wineglass too small to hold everything.
Now it was a completely different story. Having advanced to rank 7, his body had greatly grown in capacity. He could absorb a large amount of World Origin Force once more, increasing his might.
Taking advantage of his increased stats, Leylin could continue to grasp laws. It would complement and adjust his path, greatly improving his future. Leylin naturally wanted to make use of this option.
"You've long since signed the contract, and are a native of the Magus World. Of course you have permission!" Mother Core emitted a soul conscient, and a large gate swung open to expose a surging sea of origin force.
"Many thanks, my Lady, my Lord!" Leylin bowed slightly and entered the gate…
Once he left and the black door closed, the atmosphere turned silent once more.
"Mother Core, I feel that you are too lenient towards him. Even if he advanced to rank 7, you needn't go out of your way for him." Ignox spoke his doubts. Only he knew what a terrifying existence a peak rank 8 like Mother Core was. Even in ancient times she'd been an overlord amongst the Magi.
Mother Core had survived the Final War against the World of Gods. She was much stronger than the Nightmare King or Distorted Shadow. Someone with her vaunted existence did not need to pay much heed to a new rank 7 Warlock.
The ball of flame turned silent before answering Ignox's doubts, "I held a conversation with the Wisdom Tree not long ago, in the river of time and space…"
"Wisdom Tree? The existence which had enlightened many ancient Magi?" Ignox could not ignore the famed vision of the Wisdom Tree, "Didn't it disappear into legend a long time ago?"
"It gave up on eternal life, walking a different path…" Mother Core did not elaborate, but the few words she said painted the image of a terrifying existence, "It gave me a prophecy. The Final War is coming for us once more."
"What?!" Even Ignox, a rank 7 Magus who was near indestructible with hundreds of thousands of years of existence, was surprised by this alarming news.
The Final War had already pushed the World Wills of the two strongest worlds in the astral plane into deep slumber. Many powerful existences had perished, and it had ended the golden era of the ancient Magi. That war was about to repeat?
However, he couldn't doubt the Wisdom Tree and Mother Core. "But this…But…" The dark mist around Ignox rolled around in the air. He had been truly shocked, to the depths of his soul.
"The Final War will demolish all laws, and obliterate a world…" The meaning of Mother Core's words were obscure, yet there was an underlying tinge of excitement. "In ancient times, the war between Magi and the gods could not be avoided. Only the victor would discover the path to eternity… However, both parties suffered heavy casualties at the end. As for the upcoming war, it will be even more harsh and brutal before. Many elites lost in the last one will surface once again, returning to the limelight!"
"The resurrection of ancient Magi?" Ignox didn't know what to say anymore. He could only continue to listen. Once he heard everything and understood it, he realised that the war erupting once more was very likely.
Having established bodies of laws as they entered rank 7, Magi were near indestructible with almost eternal life. Even if they were killed their truesouls would enter a deep slumber in the river of space and time. They would bide their time there, waiting for resurrection along with many conscients lying in wait in different locations.
Ignox was merely a rank 7 Magus. The resurrection of a large group of peak rank 8s was a scary thought. After all, the resurrection would not only happen in the Magus world. The World of Gods too would traverse planes to the river of space and time, once again reclaiming their divine seats! In such a brutal battle, even rank 7 Magi could perish easily!
"What does this have to do with Leylin?" Ignox asked with a hoarse voice.
"We need to treat anyone rising up just before the Final War with great importance," Mother Core's voice was still as steady as before. "They could be favoured by the World Will, obtaining even more power from the origin force. It isn't just Leylin, I've sent my other clones into other worlds like Purgatory and the Icy World, looking for powerful Magi with the strength to lead us into war!"
"We're making preparations for the second war? I understand!" Ignox nodded his head vigorously, wanting to return and start his preparations.
He wasn't a coward, but the war was just too terrifying. A rank 7 was mere collateral damage in a battle between peak rank 8s, and he was now in danger of death. He wouldn't even know how he'd died.
'However, danger walks hand in hand with opportunity.' Ignox's eyes flashed after Mother Core left, 'In the midst of such an epic battle, we Magi can absorb the gods' comprehension of laws and grow stronger quickly. It won't even be impossible to advance to the peak of rank 8…
'Legends say that the path to eternity will open up when the Magi and gods determine a victor, devouring the other party completely.'
Talent, determination, and luck were all factors required for a Magus to advance to rank 7. However, the most important requirement was something else— ambition! Ignox, too, aimed for immortality!
-x-X-x-
Misty green origin force surged in a boundless sea, containing absolute strength as it swelled and roared. This energy represented the Magus World itself, the power of its origin! Even Leylin, a rank 7 Warlock, was a mere ant in front of the might of these waves of origin force.
As a Warlock, Leylin had already assimilated this aura into his soul. The origin force didn't reject him, instead enveloping him gently and replenishing his powers.
"Almighty and pure, as expected of the Magus World. Only the origin force of the World of Gods could be of similar quality…" With his advancement to a demigod in the prime material plane, along with his experiences in that other world, Leylin identified the differences very quickly.
'It's not entirely impossible to reach peak rank 8 or even rank 9 if I could fully master this origin force…' Leylin's eyes held a trace of longing, but it was only a dream for now.
Through his acute senses, he felt that this roaring sea of origin force had an extremely powerful conscient sleeping within, with numerous broken laws seeping out. One could absorb some of the origin force, but if they wanted to monopolise it they would only be courting death! Even existences such as Mother Core were not able to do as they wish.
'Even with Baator's origin force I can only wield the power my authority gives me. Ultimately it isn't mine, and can be taken away any time. The Hag Countess was a good example…' Leylin sighed.
Lords were like feudal emperors. They could only mobilise their troops freely when they themselves were powerful. Similarly, once a lord no longer occupied their position they would lose control over the World Origin Force.
This was why Leylin would not hesitate to leave Dis. It was fine to use strength that was not his in the short run, but he would only be courting death if he relied too much on it.
However, the scenario now was different. Although the origin force that he was absorbing was minute, but once he took it in it would become his own strength. It couldn't be taken away.
[Beep! Host is absorbing the Magus World's origin force, statistics rising…] Leylin smiled after looking at the indicator on the A.I. Chip. 'Rank 7 is just the beginning. I need to grow stronger, advancing in rank…'
Leylin relinquished control of his body, absorbing a large amount of origin force. After converting it using the laws of devouring, he turned this strength into his own. His mind and soul were focused on comprehending these laws.
The exposure to the laws of the world was a good thing for Leylin. With his body recently becoming a complete body of laws as well, his understanding of them was elevated.
First were the laws of devouring and gluttony, followed by massacre, destruction, disease, and healing.
The World of Gods was simply a paradise for a Magus who wielded laws, the power of worship aiding their understanding of the world. As long as their worshippers continued to pray, a Magus would continue to grow in their understanding of their domains. It would aid them in their comprehension of laws.
This process was too fast, though. Leylin wanted to slow down, avoiding an unstable foundation. 'My path leads to destruction, and is covered in darkness and evil. In the future, it will consist of a foundation of time and space, and dreamforce is the bridging factor…'
Under such a conducive environment, Leylin repeatedly simulated the laws he'd comprehended, finding that there were some imperfections in his understanding that he corrected immediately. Time passed by without him realising it.
[Beep! Time has ended!] Leylin recollected his senses with the A.I. Chip's voice. Just as the voice sounded, the large doors appeared once again.
"Sigh… I wish I could stay here forever, comprehending all laws completely and only leaving when my body is satisfied with the origin force…" Leylin lamented as he left.
In actuality, that was just a farfetched dream. The origin force of the Magus World was extremely precious, and the World Will would grow furious if too much was absorbed at a time. There was a limited amount that one could assimilate. On top of that, there was a long queue comprised of beings who'd comprehended laws waiting for this small amount.
If not for Mother Core's preferential treatment and protection, Leylin would not have had this privilege. Sometimes fairness was an advantage, especially to new people like him.
Having understood this, Leylin went to thank Mother Core personally, seeing one of her clones to express his gratitude.
'A.I. Chip, display stats,' Leylin commanded inwardly.
[Leylin Farlier, Rank 7 Warlock, Bloodline: Targaryen. Strength: 223.51, Agility: 180.67, Vitality: 306.37, Spiritual Force: 579.86, Body of Laws. Law Comprehension: Devouring (100%), Massacre (58%). Origin Force Saturation Level: 27.99%]
'Mm, it looks like I can absorb it again. I'm not fully saturated with World Origin Force,' Leylin had a satisfied look on his face at the increase of stats. Compared to those Magi of laws who easily needed thousands upon thousands of years to advance, his speed was indeed frightening to everyone around him.
'However, the Magus World's data calculations are still different from the World of Gods. The worlds' laws are different, and cannot be changed. '
The World of Gods had its own unique laws, where each growth in one's statistics led to a more significant boost than the last. The Magus World was different, with the increase not significant.
'However, even with a conservative estimate I could even be stronger than lesser gods. Of course, that's ignoring their divine kingdoms…' Leylin had a very clear understanding of his own strength.
"I have to visit Freya, Celine and the first level of the subterranean world…" Leylin shook his head, feeling extremely busy. He had many things to do, and with so many of just his direct descendants populating the area he had a headache ahead.
However, the Targaryen bloodline was strengthened through the flourishing of the Farliers. It gave him a bittersweet feeling.
Leylin had a detailed plan on his schedule. First, he had to look for his women, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, nurturing those with talent.
Next would be a trip to Dreamscape. The Nightmare Absorbing Physique was a mystery, and the quality of dreamforce was changing. However, he had to find answers as to why the power of dreamforce fluctuated so, after all it was of utmost importance to his growth.
For a peak rank 8 to advance to rank 9, their paths needed to accommodate spacetime. One needed a good foundation that could endure that power, and choosing the wrong type of force would prove fatal to him.
This stringent condition had stumped countless ancient Magi. Leylin too had suspected that Mother Core was in this position, hence she could not advance another step. He'd never heard of someone being able to change their path after starting on it.
'Dreamforce is currently in a weak phase, and the dangers there are minimal. It's a great time to explore. Once I find what I need and digest it, it'll be ripe time to meet the Snake Dowager!'
Although the Snake Dowager had sent Leylin a message when he advanced to rank 7, Leylin had no intentions of carrying out his obligation immediately. She had to be kidding! With a thousand years on the contract, why would he act so quickly?
The Snake Dowager had cancelled all their previous enmities by laughing it off. However, Leylin did not think that way. She would still have resentment that he'd split the throne over the ten thousand snakes, forcefully taking bloodline origin from her. She wouldn't be able to put it down so easily. If he could help her obtain the Shadow World, his path would be riddled with traps and danger.
Even if the Snake Dowager wanted to let bygones be bygones and sincerely work with Leylin, he did not feel that he was invincible now. It was necessary for him to explore Dreamscape before he fulfilled his contract with her.
Even if Leylin gained nothing from the exploration itself, he could completely understand his powers as a rank 7 Warlock. It would also give him time to absorb more origin force, stabilising his standing and prowess amongst his peers. By then. He'd be more confident in dealing with a possible pretense.
No matter when, no matter who, only people with similar strengths could bargain on equal grounds. This was something Leylin held a firm belief in, and would continue to believe…
With his speed as a rank 7 Warlock he could move anywhere within the Magus World in a moment. Leylin had returned to the core of the Ouroboros Clan, to Targaryen Castle, in but the blink of an eye. This place housed many of the Targaryen bloodline.
""Father!"" A group of Warlocks was waiting for him there, led by two handsome youths who resembled Leylin closely.
Of course Leylin looked young himself, but his eyes revealed his extensive experience and maturity. Standing side by side, the three looked like brothers and not father and children.
"Syre! Daniel! Rise!" Leylin smiled gently as he looked as his two sons, their mothers behind them with his other clan members.
-x-X-x-
Leylin sized up both of his sons.
The eldest, Daniel, had inherited Leylin's law of devouring in addition to dreamforce, given the name Jörmungandr. Syre, the son of his first wife, had instead inherited his ability of endlessness, and thus was called Ouroboros.
Currently Daniel seemed to be stronger, already a peak rank 6 Warlock because of the power of his mature bloodline. Yet, although Syre wasn't as strong, his inheritance obscured his future, giving him an infinite potential!
As the progenitor of his own bloodline, Leylin made a judgement the moment he saw his sons, 'I need to adjust their bloodlines…'
Other Warlocks inherited negative side-effects from their bloodline, such as bloodline shackles and emotional instability. However, Leylin's Targaryen family did not face this problem. As the progenitor of the bloodline and with the help of the A.I. Chip, Leylin could fix its flaws. Such an ability ensured that few of his descendants experienced paranoia and madness, causing the Targaryens to be highly regarded by others.
Now that Leylin's own bloodline had been purified once more, his descendants stood a greater chance of improving themselves. Leylin spent some time at Ouroboros Castle, enjoying playing with his grandchildren.
Although such a thing was odd, Leylin even had great grandchildren now. He had to placate all the women he'd left behind when he holed himself up.
Leylin adjusted the Jörmungandr and Ouroboros bloodlines, removing all negative effects in their genes and preventing his future descendants from facing defects at birth. At the same time, however, he began preparing to enter Dreamscape from the shadows.
'The flow of time in the Magus World is different from that in the World of Gods…' After a sumptuous banquet, Leylin entered his own laboratory once more, carrying a crystal ball with a strange expression on his face.
He'd invited several of the Ouroboros Clan elders to the gathering, and even other rank 6 Magi from the central continent.
Back when he hadn't stepped completely into rank 7 yet, these people had all been like ants before him. Now, it was even more so; his sons being able to beat up all the Breaking Dawns on the continent, Leylin had lost all interest in proving his might. Only a slight hint at his desire for information on the flying city on his part had his descendants and subordinates frighten the Monarch of the Skies into handing over the information.
However, given his level Leylin did not wish to rob these pitiful people. It felt like he was bullying a child. Thus he opened his treasure vault up, allowing the Monarch's subordinates to take a few items as compensation. This way, the Monarch would be satisfied in having struck a good deal.
'The flying city in the Magus World should be the original form of those from the World of Gods…' The A.I. Chip's light flashed, and the information within the crystal ball was all copied as it compared Sky City with Thultanthar. In doing so it discovered many problems.
'City flight was indeed something devised by Magi, but the arcanists changed it. Adding secondary energy functions, they turned flying cities into a weapon that could threaten the divine kingdoms of gods…'
Not everything from the ancient past was useful. The creativity of the arcanists had put the flying cities of the Magi to shame, even if it was likely that Distorted Shadow played an important role in establishing them in the World of Gods and developing their cities.
Yet all that didn't matter to Leylin. He wanted information about the original flying city so that he could better understand how to operate Thultanthar. He cared not for old and new, good and evil. Disregarding status, he would use what benefited him and toss away anything that would bring him harm.
'Everything of value in the world is for me to use!' This was the quintessence of ancient rulers' philosophies, and the motto of all Magi who'd comprehended laws! They pursued the truth, extracting strength from what had value. Such was the basis of their operations..
'Although the limited laws in this world stopped the Magi from harnessing its full potential, the theory behind the flying cities is similar…' Leylin nodded his head.
[Beep! Technology behind Sky City has been sorted, storing into database. Filename Flying City, analysis 100%. Ability to transfer usage to Thultanthar: 9.85%] the A.I. Chip's voice intoned.
'It is a prototype after all. An increase of 10% is already decent enough.' The Netherese flying city he'd obtained in the Frostfall Valleys had always been one of Leylin's trump cards. He would improve it with every chance he had.
In ancient times, Great Arcanists armed with flying cities were something even the gods had feared. In the end, the gods had destroyed them at all costs. However, Thultanthar had been hidden away, now found by Leylin to become a killing trump card. There would come a day when it resurfaced in the World of Gods again, opening its malevolent jaws towards the gods themselves…
'A.I. Chip, transfer the data to the auxiliary chip in the World of Gods!' Leylin ordered.
The Manderhawke Plate had stabilised his connection with the World of Gods. He believed his demigod clone on the other side would be able to make full use of this information. Done dealing with these trivial tasks, Leylin focused on the lab once more.
"Dreamscape…" Leylin muttered, the dark crimson dreamforce appearing around the place giving off a misty and heavy atmosphere. The red light revealed multiple runes on his body, as well as a vertical eye between his brows.
Dreamscape had stilled right now, dreamforce entering a period of weakness. It made it extremely difficult for any beings to survive in the place, and even the vile existences of Dreamscape had to seal themselves up. It was even harsher for the other creatures, the usage of dreamforce becoming more difficult greatly weakening them.
However, this wasn't a problem for Leylin. 'So much dreamforce responded to a single though, and that's when dreamforce is at its weakest…'
He was rather moved. 'The Nightmare Absorbing Physique is indeed something else. It's like the authority of a Lord of Baator… Nay, its power is even greater. After all, Baator is but one part of the World of Gods. As for Dreamscape, at its peak it can even rival the Magus World itself…'
Leylin was no stranger to dreamforce. He'd explored Dreamscape once back when he was still a rank 5 Warlock. With the bloodline origin he'd absorbed from the Snake Dowager also giving him a boost to his ability with dreamforce via the Alabaster Devilsnakes, Leylin's control over Dreamscape had increased greatly. His affinity with Dreamscape itself was extremely high too.
However, all that paled in comparison to the Nightmare Absorbing Physique. No, it was incomparable! Leylin felt an intoxicating call from Dreamscape's origin force.
'I used to think the Alabaster Devilsnake bloodline was extremely powerful due to its ability to enter and leave Dreamscape at will. However, compared to the Nightmare King's bloodline it's nothing at all…'
If the Alabaster Devilsnake was of a commoner status in a kingdom, then the Nightmare Absorption Physique was a prince, even a king! Apart from Dreamscape's World Will, Leylin didn't have to bother about anyone else.
'No wonder the Nightmare King could rise to such power and was unstoppable in his tracks, it's like a hack…' Just this one connection with Dreamscape left Leylin feeling extremely powerful. He would even dare challenge the Snake Dowager if they were in Dreamscape!
'I don't have any mortal enemies, but if I did I would drag them all into Dreamscape and make them suffer, or even die…' Leylin's mind ran numerous calculations, combining the advantages of the A.I. Chip and Dreamscape itself. Even if it was the Snake Dowager or Nefarious Filthbird, he had a sixty percent chance of slaying them within it.
'But Magi who comprehend laws cannot act like that.' Leylin sighed inwardly. Having become a rank 7 Warlock he now had a better understanding of the social game in the upper circles. Magi of laws were just too powerful, and it was extremely hard for them to die. Even if they did resurrection was an easy thing. This had caused many existences to join forces in fear.
It was extremely easy to isolate oneself by blatantly declaring war on such existences. More important was that he had a decent relationship with the Snake Dowager, and she had even requested his assistance. He had no enmity with the Nefarious Filthbird either, so there was no need to do such a thing.
Of course, if those dignitaries of the Purgatory World still bore grudges and wanted to give him trouble, Leylin would not mind teaching them a lesson.
On the other hand, it was time to consider a joint effort. The cake in the World of Gods was too big. Leylin would definitely be ganged up by the gods if he were to start a war. Hence, seeking arrangements and help from other forces had to be considered.
-x-X-x-
'Be it the ancient Magi sealed at the core of the Weave or the beings of law outside it, none are easily dealt with…' Leylin stroked his chin, already having a clear strategy in mind. 'Having these sides control each other seems like a good idea. Whatever it is, when the time comes I'll be the leader and tyrant there. I'll get the greatest benefits anyway.'
To gain these benefits Leylin had to create a good impression. At the very least, he had to guarantee that when the time came and he called out loud, numerous Magi of laws would follow him in exploring the treasures of the World of Gods…
"I still need to wait and amass faith in the World of Gods, but I can begin exploring Dreamscape soon…" Leylin muttered under his breath, his body gradually fading away as he vanished.
In the boundless astral plane, the World of Gods and the Magus World were like two large funnels taking up most of the space and resources. They also possessed the most powerful World Wills and Origin Forces. Numerous small worlds surrounded them like stars, the strongest of them being worlds like Purgatory, the Shadow World, the Icy World and the like.
However, there was an interesting existence amongst all these worlds. It was everywhere, grown by dreams yet with true form. At the peak of power, its World Origin Force was comparable to that of the Magus World and World of Gods.
This was Dreamscape, a place full of strange incredible phenomena, a bizarre and terrifying world that could even warp time and space. Dreamscape was the only amazing place able to come into contact with the World of Gods and avoid being suppressed greatly.
In ancient times, the Nightmare King had used his Nightmare Absorbing Physique to become the quickest to reach the peak of rank 8, turning up his nose at numerous Magi and becoming a nightmare for the gods. He had wished for death himself, the World of Gods unable to do anything about him otherwise.
Leylin had inherited such a bloodline, now seeing things from the perspective of the Nightmare King and beginning to focus on the outline of Dreamscape.
Usually when traversing through worlds, Leylin could only passively rely on the abilities of his bloodline. The elusive defences of Dreamscape had left him grasping at straws for information of its working. Yet right now Dreamscape seemed to treat Leylin like its own child, unhesitating as it showed everything behind that mysterious veil.
'This affinity… I'd believe it if someone told me that the Nightmare Absorbing Physique is a reincarnation of part of the World Will of Dreamscape!' Leylin's eyes showed his shock as he saw the seemingly boundless world in front of him.
The place he was at currently seemed to be a crevice without mass and volume. It was like an intersection between a two dimensional space and a three dimensional world. An edge twisted up like a monster, showing him an unending number of dream worlds mixed with spacetime.
Large amounts of small dreams were birthed at the edges of Dreamscape, just as quickly dying away. Many powerful dreams instead intersected with each other, forming strange warped regions with such destruction at their core that even Leylin would fear them.
Most importantly, Leylin noticed that the entire Dreamscape was like a huge black hole, pulling in bits of light without end. They were dreams of intelligent beings from all the worlds, attracted by Dreamscape's might. All beings capable of thought could dream. And when they dreamed, they would unconsciously be attracted to Dreamscape!
Dreamscape was actually a combined body of dreams from most intellectual beings. These beings originated from all worlds, including the Magus World and World of Gods!
'This means there was no such thing as Dreamscape in the beginning. However, with the advent of intellectual beings, the dreams of powerful life forms coalesced to form Dreamscape?'
This possibility left Leylin speechless. It made him recall the World of Gods, which itself was similar in its working. There had been no divine beings before faith took hold.
'This is why Dreamscape is so strange, being both strong and weak at the same time.' Leylin sensed that he had somewhat grasped the key to the weakening of dreamforce.
"But I can't conclude it just like this. I need to explore, move around, and see more… Whatever it is, I still have time as I cultivate my clone. There's a millenium left for the contract with the Snake Dowager…"
Crimson light flashed as Leylin broke through the boundary of Dreamscape, arriving in a true dream.
*Whoosh!* Surging, howling origin force appeared around Leylin, like a kindly mother seeing her son return home dead tired from travel.
[Beep! Discovered large amounts of Dreamscape Origin Force. Absorb?] the A.I. Chip prompted.
'No!' Leylin shook his head, dissipating the origin force around him.
The World Origin Force from Dreamscape was much more abundant than from the Magus World, equivalent to what all the Magi of laws had access to combined. It would be enough to raise him to the peak of his current existence.
However, Leylin didn't have the courage to do that. Before he dealt with the flaws of dreamforce, suddenly adding Dreamscape Origin Force to the mix could cause great problems in the future.
'Dreamscape's going to be here anyway. I can come over whenever I want and absorb it, it's not like I'm missing any chances…' Having thought this through, Leylin did not lament as he sent away the roaring origin force and sized up his surroundings.
The place was desolate and bleak, lacking life. The plains, forests, valles, lakes and streams from before had completely turned into a yellow desert, and even the air itself had lost almost all moisture.
Leylin's soul force spread far and wide. With his attainments as a rank 7 Warlock, he could still only find the traces of a few life forms in the vast area. It was like the entirety of Dreamscape had died.
'No, it isn't death. More like Dreamscape is hibernating…' His powerful truesoul that was powered by laws combined with his delicate control over soul force to allow Leylin to notice some differences. Weak, tiny lives were hidden layers underneath the barrenness, like seeds germinating under the safe protection of the earth. It perfectly preserved their last chance at life, awaiting the arrival of spring.
Destructive snow floated down a few regions, upon several powerful and vile soul undulations that were lying in wait. These were the evil gods of Dreamscape, the Lords of Calamity. Even these existences of laws had chosen to seal themselves in, struggling at death's door.
However, one would be making a huge mistake underestimating them. Any lord that sealed themselves definitely had contacts, and could sense what was going on outside. The moment anything happened that would harm them or their reputation, they would unseal themselves.
While dreamforce was weakened, the Origin Force and accumulated soul energy in their bodies would couple with their advantage as natives of Dreamscape, allowing them to bring devastate and kill the invaders!
Before this was known many people had sought treasure when dreamforce weakened. They'd all died. Now they were much smarter, like the one-eyed dragon he'd met before.
'Come to think of it, is this really the place where Gillian and her people once lived?'
With the authority coming from his Nightmare Absorbing Physique, Leylin naturally chose an area in Dreamscape that he would be comfortable in. However, as he gazed at the boundless barrenness, he could not help but look rueful. While knowing changes in the environment of Dreamscape happened quickly, he had not thought it would be so rapid.
In his discussions with the Snake Dowager, he had come over for a while. However, the environment had drastically changed, but the terrain was still somewhat similar. Hence, he had found the place where Gillian had stayed at.
But now? All traces, particularly the terrain, had completely disappeared.
'The smells in the air tell me that it's been about fifteen thousand years since I last came…' Leylin's nose twitched slightly as he sniffed at the air, and then came up with a conclusion unwillingly, 'Looks like this place was unlucky enough to be affected by a terrifying wave of accelerated time…
'She did say she wanted to go to the territories of the Lord of Calamity in the north… I should take a look…' Leylin stroked his chin.
The reason Leylin had come to Dreamscape was to resolve the issue of dreamforce weakening, and Gillian was just something on the side. So much time had passed already, and even her great grandchildren would have died of old age. It was very likely that her entire tribe had died out.
However, Leylin had a strange feeling. Before dreamforce weakened, the changes to her people could bring him a huge batch of helpers and strength if he was lucky. And in Dreamscape, anything could happen!
'Also… this is just on the side. A.I. Chip!' Leylin commanded.
[Beep! Mission established. Gathering Dreamscape Origin Force undulations… Current progress: 0.0001%. Estimated time of completion: 3987h 13min. If host can obtain samples of rank 7 lifeforms of Dreamscape, this can be quickened.] The A.I. Chip faithfully intoned.
'The A.I. Chip's analysis can continue as long as I'm in Dreamscape. Now I can go see the Lord of Calamity in the north, finding out their secrets.'
Leylin's body instantly turned into a boundless darkness sweeping towards the north, and two gusts of wind raced behind him sounding powerful and terrifying.
The last time he was here Leylin had sensed the auras of numerous Lords of Calamity in the north. Then he'd been unwilling to antagonize them, and was also busy with the World of Gods. Thus he'd retreated.
However, things were different now.
-x-X-x-
The place Leylin had chosen was significant. It was where he'd first met the one-eyed owl, what he now suspected was a clone of the Nightmare King. The owl was the one who'd given him his dream feather, making his lab connect to Dreamscape.
It was also at this place that he'd discovered Gillian, a native of Dreamscape. That time had given him precious research materials, allowing him to increase his understanding of dreamforce.
The many Lords of Calamity stayed to the north of this place, at least five to six of these sovereigns of Dreamscape there at the minimum. Normally they would radiate their powers unconsciously, bringing disaster upon the natives. It made the place a forbidden ground for them.
But now, it was different. Dreamforce had weakened, and the area around these existences was the only place they could survive. After all, the reason that was the place the Lords of Calamity chose was that it would resist the weakening of dreamforce.
Compared to total annihilation, a blizzard, radiation, or any other calamities were a joke. This was why, in a critical period, it had made sense for Gillian's tribe to move north. Those evil sovereigns ignored their kind like they were ants anyway.
"Is this the wondrous nature of life?" Leylin exclaimed. He could sense that the north contained the most life in all of Dreamscape.
There seemed to be a strange parasitic ecosystem of the inhabitants there, where the natives sought shelter behind the Lords who resisted the weakening of the dreamforce. There were many tribes there like Gillian's.
'This should make for a good investigation. Hmm?' Leylin stopped in midair, as he scanned the gigantic dark figure with the A.I. Chip, and recalled that familiar aura.
"I finally meet someone I recognise?" Leylin smiled, "Let's go greet him!"
*Rumble!* Leylin had grown used to his powers as a rank 7. With the addition of Dreamscape Origin Force, he could exert earth-shattering power.
"Break!" Leylin willed the very earth to split apart, revealing a bottomless abyss. Even this was with him restraining himself, not using the power of the origin force. Had he done so, a small part of the continent would have been split apart easily.
"Transform mud to rocks! And earth to metal!" Magi of laws were close to the source of magic. There was nothing unnatural about these effects, especially given Leylin's study of the World of Gods.
Under his control bloodline energy fused with dreamforce, forming spells that seemed to be from both Magi and gods. Leylin was just like the gods who could perform magic with just a word, changing reality as the ground he'd split open had turned into a huge steel plate.
*Boom!* A fast-moving black figure crashed into it underground, denting it even as an earth-shattering sound rumbled out.
"Damn it! Why is there a steel plank here? No, is this a layer of the ground made of metal?" The surface of the earth was clawed open by two large dragon claws, and a tremendous dragon poked its head through like a dejected groundhog.
Unlike the dragons of the World of Gods this one only had a large yellow eyeball, two thorny barbs like mountains on its back. Its large meaty wings that could cover the skies were currently curled up, streamlining its body while kept at its side. It was very suitable for digging underground.
Even more terrifyingly, the body of this dragon emitted terrifying energy undulations like those of Magi of laws. It showed the being's power. In the World of Gods, perhaps only the legendary Platinum Dragon could compare to it.
"Long time no see, Mister one-eyed dragon from the Ultron World!" Seeing the one-eyed dragon who'd changed his profession to excavation, Leylin did his best to stifle his laughter as he greeted him politely.
"Hm? Who dares make fun of the mighty Gigakell dragon race?" The dragon patted his head with his huge claws, seeming to recover from his stupor, "And here I was, thinking that it shouldn't be possible for me to miss something happening straight ahead. So it's that Magus from before!"
While mumbling and complaining to himself, he pulled his large body out of the ground. "It's been a few thousand years since we last met, but you've already completely entered rank 7. Such talent leaves me envious… But then again, this is Dreamscape. Who knows how many years have passed outside? It might have been tens of thousands of years that just slipped through my fingers…"
"Does that mean you've been staying in Dreamscape all this time, my Lord?" Leylin asked in surprise.
"Of course! Don't you know how plentiful the treasures in Dreamscape are? Especially at the core… the lustre of the pure suolo gems…. Ah, those are ten thousand times more beautiful than the Mother Dragon's eyes… If not for that damned Lord of Calamity stopping me then, I would have… pooh!"
The one-eyed dragon seemed to notice that he had accidentally revealed something and used claws to cover his mouth.
"I see!" Leylin nodded, while scorning him inside. The greedy nature of dragons was something that would never change even in the vastness of the astral plane. Be the dragons in the World of Gods or the Magus World, they all seemed to have a similar characteristic.
"But— please forgive me for my bluntness— but you seem to be in need of help…" Leylin focused on this body that was as large as a mountain. A number of purple eyes were stuck to the dragon's thick horns and scales, looking rather disgusting.
Streaks of deep wounds appeared next to these purple eyes, constantly healing and tearing apart. Just the sight could almost cause one to feel the great pain.
'Taking into account all that he said, could it be that he coveted some Lord of Calamity's treasure and was unlucky enough to be caught, thus leaving him in this state? He has no choice but to keep escaping…' Leylin thought inside, but his hands did not stop moving. A light green layer of clouds covered the body of the one-eyed dragon, tiny droplets of water dripping down.
The one-eyed Dragon observed Leylin warily with his yellow eyes as the green mist arrived, sniffing with his long snout. That seemed to leave him satisfied, and he did not shy away.
*Pss Pss!* The green rainwater made contact with the wounds, creating large amounts of corrosive white gas. However, the wounds that healed no longer ripped apart, allowing the dragon to snort comfortably.
"There are two types of injuries on your body. The most terrifying is the curse of the purple eyes, which I'm unable to remove for now. However, I can remove the accompanying effects of eternal clawing injuries…" Leylin looked satisfied.
When it came to healing injuries made by dreamforce, this was a very rare opportunity for him during his travels in Dreamscape. Besides, it was not so easy to get a guinea pig with the strength of a rank 7 Magus, as well as the chance to sense the strength of a Lord of Calamity so closely.
"Plague, calamity, curse…" However, being so close, the power of calamity he could sense from the purple eyes caused Leylin's expression to change. This was formed practically out of the most evil powers of law, which even he was frightened by.
"As expected of a Lord of Calamity. This ability perhaps surpasses the limits of rank 7…" Leylin sized the one-eyed Dragon in front of him up and down. Just the fact that the dragon could survive with his life while being pursued by such a terrifying character was more than enough for Leylin to think highly of him.
"Haha… thank you, Magus who possesses the abilities of healing. I feel much better now!" The dragon happily stretched out his bodies, yellow eyes reflecting Leylin's figure. "You are a good Magus, worthy of the friendship of the Gigakell Dragons!"
The tremendous one-eyed dragon sniffed at Leylin, "My real name is Bodach Avdizlok Ultron. I swear on my truename that I shall make a contract with you. As long as you or your blood summon this name for help, I of the one-eyed dragon clan shall give you power. Of course, you'll need to hand over a something of equal value as payment…"
As an existence of laws, there was no need to doubt his vows. However, seeing the sly look on the dragon's face, Leylin was speechless.
'Are you trying to bully me because I've never been to the World of Gods and don't know about the 'Dragon Tribe's Contract of Alliance'?' Leylin ridiculed him inside. The 'Dragon Tribe's Contract of Alliance' in the World of Gods was said to be the contract with the least limitations. As long as enough gold kronas were paid up, a whole pile of demigod dragons could be called up. Of course, the cost was so high even Waukeen's church would go bankrupt.
The one-eyed dragon Bodach's contract was the same. While this looked to be a contract for summoning at any time as thanks towards Leylin, the rewards he'd want would be enough for anyone to cough up blood.
Leylin had a strong suspicion that the dragon had given all his friends the same contract, in order to amass his wealth.
"Forget it. I'm not going to use it anyway…" Leylin rolled his eyes inside, and then looked at Bodach.
"Thank you for your goodwill, but I think it's better if we discuss the curse on you now…" With Leylin's experience, the speed at which his attitude changed caused even the dragon to be astonished, "Unless it's the spellcaster themselves, it's very difficult to remove it. On top of that, with the passage of time, it could cause even more horrifying harm to you…"
While Leylin was certain that he could remove it with a few years of research, especially given the Nightmare Absorbing Physique, he decided to hide this.
-x-X-x-
"Leylin, my friend, you must help me!" At the mention of this curse that was like a maggot hidden in his bones, Bodach put on a painful expression. His huge body laid down on the ground, eyes pitiful as he gazed up at Leylin like an ant. The scene was rather hilarious.
"This… It's quite troublesome…" Leylin furrowed his brows, as if this was extremely difficult. "Why don't you try settling this with that Lord of Calamity? He's currently hibernating, so he probably wouldn't be willing to offend a foreign being of laws too much, no?" He proposed.
"No, his suolo gems are still with me… Err… No, Bodach didn't steal anything. I'm being maligned…" The one-eyed dragon confessed everything without being pressed.
"I see…" Leylin turned and left, having no interest in offending a powerful Lord of Calamity for a thief.
"Uh… Wait, my friend. Bodach can help you!" Seeing Leylin intend to leave, the dragon immediately began to panick. Having been tortured by these injuries for such a long time, he knew that this Magus was the only one able to help him aside from that Lord of Calamity himself.
"Oh? Help me?" Leylin halted his footsteps, judging the huge body of the One-Eyed Dragon and his yellow eyes with interest, "You know what I need?"
"No…" Bodach answered honestly, "But Bodach once smelled you near the northern territories of the Lords of Calamity…."
"My smell…" Leylin did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he did know that one-eyed dragons had extremely sensitive senses of smells.
More importantly, they did not just distinguish between the particles in the air, but tracked things down based on the smells of souls. Hence, even though thousands or tens of thousands of years had passed, anything that Leylin had made contact with back then would not be able to escape his senses.
"Yes… It's a tiny area where some natives work. I once smelt your scent at the very centre… It was rather weak… Whether the tribe, or you back then!"
The one-eyed dragon had a crafty look in his yellow eyes, "I assume… pursuing that friendship in your youth must be one of the reasons that you've come to Dreamscape, right?"
'Seems like he really has once seen Gillian's tribe…' Leylin nodded, 'But… you're too naive. Did you think I would offend a Lord of Calamity over a few natives?
'Even with my personal feelings towards them, the value of the natives can't be compared with what might happen…' His relationship with Gillian and the rest were just like strangers coming together at best, taking what they needed from each other. Leylin had probably even invested more, and merely wanted to take a look at them on the way.
Taking care of a complicated curse just to obtain information on them, even offending a Lord of Calamity? Leylin wasn't that foolish.
"I hate Magi the most. They're all so cool-headed and full of schemes… Don't you know that in the Ultron World helping others is a great virtue?" Bodach mumbled in his dissatisfaction.
"That's why the Ultron World was swept into a few great wars, dropping down from a medium-ranked world to a low-ranked world without a name for itself. Perhaps you're its only remaining being of laws…"
Leylin gazed at him, causing the other party to unconsciously look away, "Did you think that I'd never read the epics of Ultron's rise and fall?"
"Fine! Your great knowledge makes it such that you won't ever be at a disadvantage! I'll need to include this in my reflections about the scent of Magi, and pass it down to those of my race…" The dragon looked crestfallen, "You've won. Speak! What do you want before you'll heal me?"
"That's the way!" Leylin turned, a smile on his face.
News of a few natives was obviously not enough for him to change his mind, but a rank 7 dragon of laws was somewhat passable.
"Firstly… The Dragon Tribe's Contract of Alliance from before needs to be amended! Give me news about the natives too… And… even if we're found by the Lord of Calamity, I'm just a doctor that you sought out and have nothing to do with this. You are to swear all this upon your truesoul of laws, to the astral and river of space and time!"
As a Lord of Baator, Leylin's ability with contracts was almost comparable to the great Archdevils. Even the one-eyed dragon broke out in cold sweat.
"Goodness… Even the Tieman astral beings, known in the astral world for how harsh they are in their contracts, can't set up such stringent and harsh contracts…" Bodach lamented, grabbing at his head with his huge dragon claws.
Unfortunately, the ball was now in Leylin's court. He still needed to get Leylin to solve his problems, and therefore had no way to say no.
After they both made the soul oath using their truesouls of laws, Leylin sized up the one-eyed dragon who was as large as a mountain and frowned. "Your body is too huge. Become like me!"
"That's easy…" Bodach agreed, body shrinking and melting into a purple light as he turned into a middle-aged man with long purple hair.
Perhaps it was the difference in their races' aesthetics, but Bodach had a single eye in this form, a yellow vertical one. Numerous red blood vessels bulged everywhere, making him look somewhat frightening.
However, Leylin did not mind that much. After all, there were far too many strange beings in the astral plane similar to humans. Dreamscape was a region with even more creativity in this area, which was why there was nothing strange about strange life forms similar to humans here.
"But…" Leylin took a look at the back of Bodach's hand, arm and shoulder. There were still purple eye marks there, stubborn and not disappearing.
"See for yourself… It's so troublesome…" Bodach pinched and broke a purple eye, and large amounts of yellow pus dripped to the ground, corroding into it further to leave a deep dark hole. A new circle of eyes appeared around the purple eyeballs, even more slender than before yet still possessing the same immense hatred and malicious intent.
'You stole someone else's possessions and still dare complain?' Leylin rolled his eyes inside, speechless. However, he knew that what he'd done was more infuriating than that, and besides he was making use of the dragon. He wasn't in a position to criticize Bodach.
"I'll need some time to remove the malicious intent…" Leylin extended his right hand, swiping up some pus with his index finger. The corrosive liquid obviously could do nothing against Leylin, and was burnt to ashes by some green phosphorescence.
Traces of black gas appeared above the green flames, converging to form a few wailing faces that gradually dissipated.
"This person's knowledge on souls is not too bad. It's an expert…" Leylin nodded, motivation and fervour evident in his eyes.
"Leylin, my friend. Based on the contract, you need to remove a portion of the curse to prove your abilities before it can be effective…" The middle-aged cyclops that Bodach had become gazed at Leylin with anxiousness. Desire and thirst were evident in that single eye.
"Though I can't remove the curse immediately, it shouldn't be a problem to interfere with his tracking you. Wear this." Leylin rummaged through his item-storing magic artifact and found a silver hoop for the head, tossing it to Bodach.
The hoop was completely silver and had strange crimson lines on it, similar to a human's veins as it squirmed slightly.
"Hm? Leylin, have you gone to the Shadow World before too? The Towa people there like this style of accessories a lot…" Bodach examined it again and again, and even sniffed at it with his nose carefully.
At the end, probably after determining there was nothing with it and perhaps from faith in the contract, he chose to wear it.
"Hm? I sense that the malicious intent that seemed to be on my back has finally disappeared…" The moment the one-eyed dragon the hoop, he immediately sighed in relief. He'd been afraid of the Lord of Calamity tracking him down before, which was why he'd been fleeing like a stray dog when he bumped into Leylin. No matter what he did, there was no way to stop the tracking from the curse. However, this feeling finally disappeared from his bones.
"Great! This is great…" Bodach cheered, his sound so powerful that the dust in the surroundings vibrated.
Leylin waved his hands and spoke stonily. "Alright. Bring me to the place you felt me connected with last, and be quick about it!"
"No problem," Bodach patted his chest in guarantee, before looking at Leylin with worry, "It's at the boundary of the River of Annihilated Sighs. We need to pass through regions where three Lords of Calamity are sealed. Leylin, my friend, does this thing really work?"
"Don't worry. Let's go!" With how Bodach was acting, Leylin knew that he must have offended one of these three Lords.
However, he was rather confident in his concealment. Besides, while Bodach had been discovered and was being pursued, the fact that the two of them were existences of laws would still strike fear in the other party's heart. When the time come, Bodach could hand over that suolo gem or whatever it was, and the other side would not put too much pressure on them.
'And… a Lord of Calamity?' That would be an evil god native to Dreamscape. Between two existences of laws, with one possessing the Nightmare Absorbing Physique, who would have the upper hand?
Leylin's eyes flashed, and he suppressed the fervour in his mind.
...
The old one-eyed dragon was an experienced treasure-hunter after all. He was extremely familiar with the regions in Dreamscape, especially the special underground passages.
Under his lead, Leylin passed through the regions of the three Lords of Calamities without any dangers and arrived at the depths of the northern region. Life in this area was much more abundant, and according to Bodach's information Gillian and her tribe had most likely relocated to this area, and seemed to be doing pretty well.
-x-X-x-
*Bang! Bang!* The dried earth suddenly burst apart, forming two dark holes. A cloaked figure emerged from each of the holes, one of them removing his cloak to observe the surrounding soil. While it was still as barren as before, there was at least some form of life here. The place was not entirely dead.
"Bodach, why are all the routes you know underground?" Leylin glanced at the one-eyed dragon, doubting its race.
"Hehe… Don't get hung up on those trivial things! So? I wasn't wrong, was I? As long as we go through the underground whistling passage, we'll be able to evade the wild regions with masters…" Bodach chuckled.
Leylin was one who only cared for the results and not the process, so he did not pursue the matter.
'A.I. Chip, conduct a scan.' Leylin immediately received information on the environment, tracking its hydrology and even the origin force. A look of astonishment flashed on his face.
"It's not bad, huh? Compared to other places, this is already like an oasis!"
Leylin's scans revealed a few small dried up shrubs in the area, making it look like the Gobi Desert. The presence of plants indicated moisture, and this flora would coexist with animal life. In an environment like Dreamscape which was often weakened, this was incredibly difficult to achieve.
'Yet in order to survive many have to kill each other. Death is unavoidable…' Leylin wondered in his mind. Survival and reproduction were the two primitive desires of all living beings, and in order to attain these two goals they could explode forth with surprising strength.
Of the two themselves, survival was the first priority. From ancient times wars for survival were the most bloody and ruthless of battles.
However, Leylin's attention had shifted from the battles between tribes, instead focusing in another direction.
'Why is this place so special? Dreamforce waning should affect the entire world…' His interest now piqued, Leylin's gaze penetrated through the skies, mountains, and rivers, as powerful soul force burst forth. At that very moment, the skies and the ground seemed to freeze.
'Hmm? Where are the Lords of Calamity here?' Leylin instantly noticed the difference here. Theoretically, the places where the natives lived should be on the land of a Lord of Calamity, yet Leylin had found no signs of such.
That wasn't all. Destructive snow was nowhere to be found, as if there was nobody in charge.
"You noticed it as well?" The one-eyed dragon chuckled as he explained, "The Lord of Calamity here has the true form of a dream demon. It chose a unique virtual seal as its innate skill, allowing it to avoid all attacks from destructive snow... "
"So that's why." Leylin nodded, understanding the situation.
Dream demons were a very rare species in Dreamscape. They were very compatible with dreamforce, and it was rumoured that adult dream demons grew as large as entire continents. Given one's size, it could seal its territory up alongside itself.
The gift of the virtual seal was one of the bloodline abilities of the dream demons. They could make their truesoul illusory, being sealed into the dreams of numerous life forms.
"In other words… This vast territory that we see here is a part of the dream demon's body… and its thoughts and will have been broken up into pieces and sealed into the dreams of the beings dwelling here, silently taking in nutrition and fighting against the weakening of dreamforce?"
Leylin felt enlightened.
The way dream demons dealt with methods was just too ingenious. By surviving within others' bodies, they could both prevent the weakening of dreamforce and evade the destructive snow. Evidently they'd formed a special symbiotic relationship with the other natives of Dreamscape.
A dream demon could nourish the natives with its dreamforce and help them with its body, who in exchange would give it the soul energy to support its truesoul and prevent it from weakening. Dream demons were one of the creatures least weakened by dreamforce entering a trough.
"But this method would need to be paired with a specific bloodline ability… There might be a single pure-blooded dream demon in all of Dreamscape…" The one-eyed dragon Bodach sighed beside him.
"Whatever the motive is, this Lord of Calamity's methods has allowed numerous natives to survive…" Leylin was quite in favour of methods like these where both parties benefited, "Given the characteristics of Dreamscape the chance of a native turning into an evil existence is one in ten thousand, maybe even one in a billion, but over the long term the dream demon will obtain goodwill and connections, which by themselves are terrifying…"
Leylin immediately categorised the dream demon as someone not to be provoked.
'But my goal in coming here isn't to go against the comatose demon. It probably wouldn't even care if a native or two disappeared, that's like plucking off a strand of hair…' Even as he thought this, Leylin hastened towards the place with the most concentrated life aura, Bodach alongside him. The dragon said this was where he'd smelt the souls with Leylin's scent. The dragon had only been looking for treasures then, too lazy to come and take a look.
Hard soil had condensed into slabs as solid as steel here, but Leylin nodded in satisfaction.
This region was much better than others in Dreamscape. The ground over there was full of sand, with no signs of anything else to be found. In comparison, with the nourishment and support of the body of the Dream Demon, the life here could somewhat be comparable to terrible places in other worlds.
*Swish! Swish!* Two black streaks suddenly appeared from underground, pouncing towards Leylin and Badoch.
"Hm? There's a living being? Not bad!" Leylin grabbed forward, and two mice with coarse fur were caught suspended in the air, beady eyes full of insanity turning into fear as the hunter became the prey.
"Sawtooth mice? The toughness of the fur and the contamination…" Blue light flashed in Leylin's eyes, and the A.I. Chip's scans immediately allowed him to gain all information regarding them.
'A vitality and radiation comparable to a rank 1 Magus. Unfortunately, that's only the bottom of the food chain here. The intelligence hasn't completely developed either, it can't even realise our might.' The single-eyed dragon snorted in annoyance, unable to understand why Leylin was interested in a few little ants.
"Then again, creatures who don't know their place won't live for long!" Leylin waved his hands.
*Crack! Crack!* A sharp sound rang out as the two mice with bones like steel broke apart. Their eyes lost all lustre as they fell to the ground.
Leylin gazed into the distance and spoke profoundly, "Be careful, Bodach. We have guests."
"Guests?" Bodach looked in the same direction with puzzlement in his eyes, and a look of understanding then flashed across his face.
Two powerful existences were present there, waiting quietly in place. A soul aura that was slightly more powerful than that of the two sawtooth mice slowly drew closer.
The black grass in the distance rustled, and as if the being had discovered something the sounds stopped. It gave Leylin the feeling that the other party was feeling hesitant.
However, perhaps the temptation of the two coarse-furred mice was too huge. After a period of muffled breathing, a slender dark figure headed over.
It looked like a child, only coming up to Leylin's shoulder. He wore tanned leather hunting gear that was torn in many areas, with countless patches on it. Even then, he was still revealing a lot of skin.
Even with all these layers Leylin could still the purplish patterns on the skin. It immediately caused him to recall Gillian and her people.
The young hunter's face was tanned, and it was difficult to see what kind of expression he had on his face. His eyes first darted to the prey on the ground, and then at Leylin and Bodach, obviously frightened. No matter how he saw it, someone wearing such complete and luxurious clothing were not people to be provoked.
Gulping, the young man struggled for a long while before pointing at the bodies of the mice on the ground, "This… mine…"
Thanks to Gillian, Leylin had learnt the language of Dreamscape, so there was no language barriers. However, this wasn't much anyway. After becoming a demigod, he was able to understand all languages, and existences of laws too could transmit information through soul communication.
"Yours!" Leylin gestured, inviting him to take them. Following his gaze, he obviously saw the purple pattern markings on the two mice's hind legs.
'He ran so far just for these two, and even risked offending us. Looks like the scarcity of food here is rather terrible…' Seeing the young man cheer and rapidly throw himself over, Leylin had his own thoughts.
The natives of Dreamscape had all experienced dreamforce being poured into their bodies, their strengths boosted greatly on average. Leylin estimated that they would have no problems with becoming comparable to rank 2 Magi upon reaching adulthood.
The young man was now kneeling on the floor, seeing the blood that had spilt onto the ground with a look of pity on his face. He then picked up the mice and sucked the fresh blood out of the wounds.
The blood of these sawtooth mice had a strong taste of iron. With just a look Leylin could tell that there was a terrifying amount of radiation and contamination inside, yet the youth looked like he was sampling something extremely delicious.
"Tsk… What a good appetite! It's comparable to our rot-eating dragons…" Bodach pursed his lips.