Chapter 322: 320The Cunning King
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Chapter 322 320-The Cunning King
The benefits that the Golden Divine Dragon Bloodline brought to Ethan were, of course, beyond the need for words.
The power of his bloodline was always Ethan's most stalwart support.
After a brief exchange of teasing remarks, the two focused their attention on the fray unfolding before them.
Observing the intense battle between the two strangers, Ethan commented:
"Their mastery of magic is impressive. In that regard alone, I might only be evenly matched with them."
What Ethan referred to was the use of magic in isolation, as if he were to rely solely on his Electro Magic.
Should he combine the use of Electro Magic with Pyro Magic, Cryo Magic, and others, his odds of besting the two combatants in the arena would naturally be much greater.
Lana Mokos watched the combatants with a grave expression, not taking her eyes off them for a second:
"Indeed, they are both very strong."
At that moment, the fighters in the arena finally determined a victor.
Both summoned massive energy spheres, launching them at each other in a cataclysmic collision.
Ripples of light spread outwards, a wave washing over the surroundings.
Ethan watched the environment with amazement.
His thoughts went back to the previous skirmish with Xavier in Phito Valley.
Their mere sparring had almost demolished the valley.
Yet now, in this mysterious forest, the immense wave of energy had not so much as rustled a leaf or a blade of grass.
As the wave of light receded, the wind and sand gradually came to a halt.
Two figures lay on the ground, defeated in the center of the arena.
Ethan remained still, cautiously telepathing:
"What's happened? Both are downed."
At this time, Lana Mokos didn't dare to recklessly use the Power of Soul to investigate, instead, she spoke with continued caution:
"We don't know, let's just wait a moment."
Time trickled by, and the two figures remained prone upon the ground.
"It seems they won't be waking up," Lana Mokos conveyed through her soul-speak. "Shall we go over and check?"
"Fine by me," Ethan agreed, though he harbored doubts about the simplicity of the situation.
Both fighters knew that persisting in battle could lead to mutual destruction, or even mutual annihilation.
Yet, they fought on relentlessly, like bulls seeing red, beyond all reason.
Such a dogged, fight-to-the-death approach should be rare in a mystic land.
After all, everyone was here to snatch the chance for transcendence, to seek the path to becoming a deity.
If one were to sustain grave injuries, wouldn't it be a farce?
Even if one were to seize the opportunity, it couldn't be carried beyond these borders.
With alarm bells ringing in his mind, Ethan followed Lana Mokos out of their hiding place.
They walked to the middle ground between the two now-deceased combatants.
After Lana Mokos investigated with her Power of Soul, she confidently affirmed, "They are dead, breathless. The flow of their blood has stilled."
Ethan paid little attention to the bodies, instead scrutinizing the traces left upon their battlefield.
Apart from some broken stones and dust, the earth was undisturbed.
The Deityforsaken Land was proving to be even more formidable than Ethan had imagined; bathed in the power of divinity and the Rune of Law, its very environment had become extraordinarily resilient.
"The deity who tore this space asunder, just how powerful were they?" Ethan pondered, feeling the vast gulf between his own strength and that of a deity even more acutely.
Lana Mokos approached one of the corpses to examine their identity more closely.
But in the next moment, the supposed dead man burst into action, a short sword gleaming with a chilling light in his hand.
Ethan's reaction was faster; he yanked Lana Mokos aside, and with a flash of golden scales appearing on his fingertips, he pinched the blade between his fingers.
The assailant's pupils shrank in shock at the sight of the scales on Ethan's fingertips, stunned by the immense power it took to stop his full-force attack with mere fingers.
His will to fight evaporated, and he bellowed, "Bloodline warrior, run for your life!"
With resolute decisiveness, he abandoned his short sword and fled as if on wings.
The other, who had feigned death just as convincingly, was about to attack Ethan with a knife, but hearing the shout, he too turned tail without a second thought.
Lana Mokos, with astonishment written all over her face, had not yet comprehended the situation.
Ethan, however, moved swiftly; the mighty Golden Divine Dragon Bloodline surged through him, and he quickly overtook the would-be assassin.
He held the man by the neck as one might a small chicken, returning to the center of the battlefield.
Lana Mokos rushed over, "I couldn't catch the other one."
Ethan's lips curled in disdain, "One is enough. What is your name?"
"O honorable Bloodline bearer, I am King," King's voice wavered with a sobbing plea, "I had no idea you were a high-ranking Bloodline possessor. Had I known, even with a hundred lives, I would not dare to make an attempt on yours."
King's words were few, yet they revealed substantial information.n//0VeLb1n
Ethan felt as if he was brought back to the time when he first arrived in this world. His possession of a potent Bloodline had once been the envy of countless within the Dark Lord's faction.
However, as time passed and Ethan grew stronger, encountering ever more people, he realized that the human world did not place the same emphasis on the power of Bloodline as he had initially thought.
They valued talent more, and within the Azure Empire, the power of Bloodline was considered just another form of talent, not something to be revered above all.
But from what King suggested, there seemed to be a profound reverence for Bloodline power?
"Where do you come from?" Ethan inquired with a calm demeanor that belied his intent to judge.
"Orderly City 32," King, thoroughly terrified, blurted out his origin without reservation.
"What sort of chaotic township is this, with such an odd name?" Ethan communicated to Lana Mokos via a psychic whisper.
King's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze shifting towards Lana Mokos in a telltale manner that did not escape Ethan's observation.
Lana Mokos, oblivious to King's peculiar behavior, responded in a whisper, "This must be one of the Deity Keeper's residences you mentioned. I have never heard of City 32. The Demi-gods in our family are only aware of City 113 and City 115."
Ethan narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the back of King's neck.
King inhaled sharply, the pain eliciting a loud cry, "Respectful Bloodline bearer, sir, what are you doing?"
"Can you hear our soul whispers?" A flash of bloodlight flickered through Ethan's eyes.
Hearing Ethan's question, Lana Mokos's expression darkened as well.
If the residents of the Deityforsaken Land possessed such an ability, what would that mean for them?
King winced, his face contorting in pain, "Sir, I cannot hear. But I can sense anomalies in your soul flux, and from this, I infer that you're using the Power of Soul to communicate."
Lana Mokos's eyelids twitched, her voice laced with confusion, "Is your Power of Soul so formidable?"
King seemed to realize something terrifying and cried out as if seeing a ghost, "You're Invaders? You're actually Invaders."
The very name Invader carried a clear implication that Ethan readily grasped.
"Invaders?" Ethan's face twisted into a cruel smirk, "Although I detest the title, I'll accept your address as such."
Blood drained from King's face, leaving his complexion pale as snow, his skin cold to the touch.
"I... esteemed lord, please don't kill me..."
The terror overwhelmed King, eliciting sobs and an embarrassing wetness that began to spread from his groin, an acrid smell wafting upward.
Ethan frowned, "Are Deity Keepers so faint-hearted?"
Lana Mokos stepped back, her brow furrowed, "Perhaps he's a fringe member of the Deity Keepers. According to information from the royal Demi-gods, Deity Keepers are typically unyielding and proud. It's unusual to see one like him."
King's expression soured further, a silent commentary on the unfairness of speaking ill of someone not present. Unyielding and proud?
Let other Deity Keepers be gripped like a chick in the clutch of an eagle and see how they fare.
A flicker of hope sparked in King's eyes, "Honored Bloodline bearer, sir, you must be strangers in the Deityforsaken Land; I could guide you..."
Cutting his plea short, King cried in his wretched whine, "...I only ask that you, sir, spare my life, allow me to serve you."
A subtle smirk played at the corner of Ethan's mouth, his eyes gleaming with an unearthly light. He glanced at Lana Mokos, who nodded imperceptibly in agreement.
"So be it," Ethan's voice stretched out like a shadow at dusk, "do not resist, for I will imprint upon you a Soul Mark."
A flicker of joy surfaced on King's face as he eagerly responded, "That would be most agreeable, as long as you spare my life."
With his eyes closed, King awaited his fate.
Ethan's Soul Tentacles unfurled, delving deep into the recesses of King's spirit.
King, true to his word, was unguarded, and Ethan etched his brand.
From that moment, King was bound as Ethan's vassal.
King's body shuddered intensely before becoming still.
Ethan set him down, a strange smirk on his face.
With reverence in his eyes, King looked up at Ethan and uttered, "Master."
Ethan nodded with a laugh tinged with irony.
"What's so funny?" Lana Mokos asked, driven by curiosity.
"This man was still playing tricks, trying to consume my soul through my own Power of Soul. What he didn't foresee was the indomitable strength of my spirit," Ethan remarked casually.
Lana Mokos felt a stir within; the scope of Ethan's Power of Soul was still a mystery to her. All she knew was that Ethan could enslave even an ancient deity, no matter how fragmented and dilapidated it may be.
"Now, proceed to enlighten me about the origins of Orderly City 32," Ethan commanded, hands clasped behind his back, walking forward, "Lead the way without delay."
King, leading the way, bowed slightly and complied, "As you wish, Master."
Ethan listened intently to King's narratives as they walked, his expression a tapestry of fascination.
He had never anticipated that the Deityforsaken Land harbored such myriad tales.
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Chapter 322 320-The Cunning King
The benefits that the Golden Divine Dragon Bloodline brought to Ethan were, of course, beyond the need for words.
The power of his bloodline was always Ethan's most stalwart support.
After a brief exchange of teasing remarks, the two focused their attention on the fray unfolding before them.
Observing the intense battle between the two strangers, Ethan commented:
"Their mastery of magic is impressive. In that regard alone, I might only be evenly matched with them."
What Ethan referred to was the use of magic in isolation, as if he were to rely solely on his Electro Magic.
Should he combine the use of Electro Magic with Pyro Magic, Cryo Magic, and others, his odds of besting the two combatants in the arena would naturally be much greater.
Lana Mokos watched the combatants with a grave expression, not taking her eyes off them for a second:
"Indeed, they are both very strong."
At that moment, the fighters in the arena finally determined a victor.
Both summoned massive energy spheres, launching them at each other in a cataclysmic collision.
Ripples of light spread outwards, a wave washing over the surroundings.
Ethan watched the environment with amazement.
His thoughts went back to the previous skirmish with Xavier in Phito Valley.
Their mere sparring had almost demolished the valley.
Yet now, in this mysterious forest, the immense wave of energy had not so much as rustled a leaf or a blade of grass.
As the wave of light receded, the wind and sand gradually came to a halt.
Two figures lay on the ground, defeated in the center of the arena.
Ethan remained still, cautiously telepathing:
"What's happened? Both are downed."
At this time, Lana Mokos didn't dare to recklessly use the Power of Soul to investigate, instead, she spoke with continued caution:
"We don't know, let's just wait a moment."
Time trickled by, and the two figures remained prone upon the ground.
"It seems they won't be waking up," Lana Mokos conveyed through her soul-speak. "Shall we go over and check?"
"Fine by me," Ethan agreed, though he harbored doubts about the simplicity of the situation.
Both fighters knew that persisting in battle could lead to mutual destruction, or even mutual annihilation.
Yet, they fought on relentlessly, like bulls seeing red, beyond all reason.
Such a dogged, fight-to-the-death approach should be rare in a mystic land.
After all, everyone was here to snatch the chance for transcendence, to seek the path to becoming a deity.
If one were to sustain grave injuries, wouldn't it be a farce?
Even if one were to seize the opportunity, it couldn't be carried beyond these borders.
With alarm bells ringing in his mind, Ethan followed Lana Mokos out of their hiding place.
They walked to the middle ground between the two now-deceased combatants.
After Lana Mokos investigated with her Power of Soul, she confidently affirmed, "They are dead, breathless. The flow of their blood has stilled."
Ethan paid little attention to the bodies, instead scrutinizing the traces left upon their battlefield.
Apart from some broken stones and dust, the earth was undisturbed.
The Deityforsaken Land was proving to be even more formidable than Ethan had imagined; bathed in the power of divinity and the Rune of Law, its very environment had become extraordinarily resilient.
"The deity who tore this space asunder, just how powerful were they?" Ethan pondered, feeling the vast gulf between his own strength and that of a deity even more acutely.
Lana Mokos approached one of the corpses to examine their identity more closely.
But in the next moment, the supposed dead man burst into action, a short sword gleaming with a chilling light in his hand.
Ethan's reaction was faster; he yanked Lana Mokos aside, and with a flash of golden scales appearing on his fingertips, he pinched the blade between his fingers.
The assailant's pupils shrank in shock at the sight of the scales on Ethan's fingertips, stunned by the immense power it took to stop his full-force attack with mere fingers.
His will to fight evaporated, and he bellowed, "Bloodline warrior, run for your life!"
With resolute decisiveness, he abandoned his short sword and fled as if on wings.
The other, who had feigned death just as convincingly, was about to attack Ethan with a knife, but hearing the shout, he too turned tail without a second thought.
Lana Mokos, with astonishment written all over her face, had not yet comprehended the situation.
Ethan, however, moved swiftly; the mighty Golden Divine Dragon Bloodline surged through him, and he quickly overtook the would-be assassin.
He held the man by the neck as one might a small chicken, returning to the center of the battlefield.
Lana Mokos rushed over, "I couldn't catch the other one."
Ethan's lips curled in disdain, "One is enough. What is your name?"
"O honorable Bloodline bearer, I am King," King's voice wavered with a sobbing plea, "I had no idea you were a high-ranking Bloodline possessor. Had I known, even with a hundred lives, I would not dare to make an attempt on yours."
King's words were few, yet they revealed substantial information.n//0VeLb1n
Ethan felt as if he was brought back to the time when he first arrived in this world. His possession of a potent Bloodline had once been the envy of countless within the Dark Lord's faction.
However, as time passed and Ethan grew stronger, encountering ever more people, he realized that the human world did not place the same emphasis on the power of Bloodline as he had initially thought.
They valued talent more, and within the Azure Empire, the power of Bloodline was considered just another form of talent, not something to be revered above all.
But from what King suggested, there seemed to be a profound reverence for Bloodline power?
"Where do you come from?" Ethan inquired with a calm demeanor that belied his intent to judge.
"Orderly City 32," King, thoroughly terrified, blurted out his origin without reservation.
"What sort of chaotic township is this, with such an odd name?" Ethan communicated to Lana Mokos via a psychic whisper.
King's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze shifting towards Lana Mokos in a telltale manner that did not escape Ethan's observation.
Lana Mokos, oblivious to King's peculiar behavior, responded in a whisper, "This must be one of the Deity Keeper's residences you mentioned. I have never heard of City 32. The Demi-gods in our family are only aware of City 113 and City 115."
Ethan narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the back of King's neck.
King inhaled sharply, the pain eliciting a loud cry, "Respectful Bloodline bearer, sir, what are you doing?"
"Can you hear our soul whispers?" A flash of bloodlight flickered through Ethan's eyes.
Hearing Ethan's question, Lana Mokos's expression darkened as well.
If the residents of the Deityforsaken Land possessed such an ability, what would that mean for them?
King winced, his face contorting in pain, "Sir, I cannot hear. But I can sense anomalies in your soul flux, and from this, I infer that you're using the Power of Soul to communicate."
Lana Mokos's eyelids twitched, her voice laced with confusion, "Is your Power of Soul so formidable?"
King seemed to realize something terrifying and cried out as if seeing a ghost, "You're Invaders? You're actually Invaders."
The very name Invader carried a clear implication that Ethan readily grasped.
"Invaders?" Ethan's face twisted into a cruel smirk, "Although I detest the title, I'll accept your address as such."
Blood drained from King's face, leaving his complexion pale as snow, his skin cold to the touch.
"I... esteemed lord, please don't kill me..."
The terror overwhelmed King, eliciting sobs and an embarrassing wetness that began to spread from his groin, an acrid smell wafting upward.
Ethan frowned, "Are Deity Keepers so faint-hearted?"
Lana Mokos stepped back, her brow furrowed, "Perhaps he's a fringe member of the Deity Keepers. According to information from the royal Demi-gods, Deity Keepers are typically unyielding and proud. It's unusual to see one like him."
King's expression soured further, a silent commentary on the unfairness of speaking ill of someone not present. Unyielding and proud?
Let other Deity Keepers be gripped like a chick in the clutch of an eagle and see how they fare.
A flicker of hope sparked in King's eyes, "Honored Bloodline bearer, sir, you must be strangers in the Deityforsaken Land; I could guide you..."
Cutting his plea short, King cried in his wretched whine, "...I only ask that you, sir, spare my life, allow me to serve you."
A subtle smirk played at the corner of Ethan's mouth, his eyes gleaming with an unearthly light. He glanced at Lana Mokos, who nodded imperceptibly in agreement.
"So be it," Ethan's voice stretched out like a shadow at dusk, "do not resist, for I will imprint upon you a Soul Mark."
A flicker of joy surfaced on King's face as he eagerly responded, "That would be most agreeable, as long as you spare my life."
With his eyes closed, King awaited his fate.
Ethan's Soul Tentacles unfurled, delving deep into the recesses of King's spirit.
King, true to his word, was unguarded, and Ethan etched his brand.
From that moment, King was bound as Ethan's vassal.
King's body shuddered intensely before becoming still.
Ethan set him down, a strange smirk on his face.
With reverence in his eyes, King looked up at Ethan and uttered, "Master."
Ethan nodded with a laugh tinged with irony.
"What's so funny?" Lana Mokos asked, driven by curiosity.
"This man was still playing tricks, trying to consume my soul through my own Power of Soul. What he didn't foresee was the indomitable strength of my spirit," Ethan remarked casually.
Lana Mokos felt a stir within; the scope of Ethan's Power of Soul was still a mystery to her. All she knew was that Ethan could enslave even an ancient deity, no matter how fragmented and dilapidated it may be.
"Now, proceed to enlighten me about the origins of Orderly City 32," Ethan commanded, hands clasped behind his back, walking forward, "Lead the way without delay."
King, leading the way, bowed slightly and complied, "As you wish, Master."
Ethan listened intently to King's narratives as they walked, his expression a tapestry of fascination.
He had never anticipated that the Deityforsaken Land harbored such myriad tales.
Chapter 322 320-The Cunning KingThe benefits that the Golden Divine Dragon Bloodline brought to Ethan were, of course, beyond the need for words.The power of his bloodline was always Ethan's most stalwart support.After a brief exchange of teasing remarks, the two focused their attention on the fray unfolding before them.Observing the intense battle between the two strangers, Ethan commented:"Their mastery of magic is impressive. In that regard alone, I might only be evenly matched with them."What Ethan referred to was the use of magic in isolation, as if he were to rely solely on his Electro Magic.Should he combine the use of Electro Magic with Pyro Magic, Cryo Magic, and others, his odds of besting the two combatants in the arena would naturally be much greater.Lana Mokos watched the combatants with a grave expression, not taking her eyes off them for a second:"Indeed, they are both very strong."At that moment, the fighters in the arena finally determined a victor.Both summoned massive energy spheres, launching them at each other in a cataclysmic collision.Ripples of light spread outwards, a wave washing over the surroundings.Ethan watched the environment with amazement.His thoughts went back to the previous skirmish with Xavier in Phito Valley.Their mere sparring had almost demolished the valley.Yet now, in this mysterious forest, the immense wave of energy had not so much as rustled a leaf or a blade of grass.As the wave of light receded, the wind and sand gradually came to a halt.Two figures lay on the ground, defeated in the center of the arena.Ethan remained still, cautiously telepathing:"What's happened? Both are downed."At this time, Lana Mokos didn't dare to recklessly use the Power of Soul to investigate, instead, she spoke with continued caution:"We don't know, let's just wait a moment."Time trickled by, and the two figures remained prone upon the ground."It seems they won't be waking up," Lana Mokos conveyed through her soul-speak. "Shall we go over and check?""Fine by me," Ethan agreed, though he harbored doubts about the simplicity of the situation.Both fighters knew that persisting in battle could lead to mutual destruction, or even mutual annihilation.Yet, they fought on relentlessly, like bulls seeing red, beyond all reason.Such a dogged, fight-to-the-death approach should be rare in a mystic land.After all, everyone was here to snatch the chance for transcendence, to seek the path to becoming a deity.If one were to sustain grave injuries, wouldn't it be a farce?Even if one were to seize the opportunity, it couldn't be carried beyond these borders.With alarm bells ringing in his mind, Ethan followed Lana Mokos out of their hiding place.They walked to the middle ground between the two now-deceased combatants. After Lana Mokos investigated with her Power of Soul, she confidently affirmed, "They are dead, breathless. The flow of their blood has stilled."Ethan paid little attention to the bodies, instead scrutinizing the traces left upon their battlefield.Apart from some broken stones and dust, the earth was undisturbed.The Deityforsaken Land was proving to be even more formidable than Ethan had imagined; bathed in the power of divinity and the Rune of Law, its very environment had become extraordinarily resilient."The deity who tore this space asunder, just how powerful were they?" Ethan pondered, feeling the vast gulf between his own strength and that of a deity even more acutely.Lana Mokos approached one of the corpses to examine their identity more closely. But in the next moment, the supposed dead man burst into action, a short sword gleaming with a chilling light in his hand.Ethan's reaction was faster; he yanked Lana Mokos aside, and with a flash of golden scales appearing on his fingertips, he pinched the blade between his fingers.The assailant's pupils shrank in shock at the sight of the scales on Ethan's fingertips, stunned by the immense power it took to stop his full-force attack with mere fingers.His will to fight evaporated, and he bellowed, "Bloodline warrior, run for your life!"With resolute decisiveness, he abandoned his short sword and fled as if on wings.The other, who had feigned death just as convincingly, was about to attack Ethan with a knife, but hearing the shout, he too turned tail without a second thought.Lana Mokos, with astonishment written all over her face, had not yet comprehended the situation.Ethan, however, moved swiftly; the mighty Golden Divine Dragon Bloodline surged through him, and he quickly overtook the would-be assassin.He held the man by the neck as one might a small chicken, returning to the center of the battlefield.Lana Mokos rushed over, "I couldn't catch the other one."Ethan's lips curled in disdain, "One is enough. What is your name?""O honorable Bloodline bearer, I am King," King's voice wavered with a sobbing plea, "I had no idea you were a high-ranking Bloodline possessor. Had I known, even with a hundred lives, I would not dare to make an attempt on yours."King's words were few, yet they revealed substantial information.n//0VeLb1nEthan felt as if he was brought back to the time when he first arrived in this world. His possession of a potent Bloodline had once been the envy of countless within the Dark Lord's faction.However, as time passed and Ethan grew stronger, encountering ever more people, he realized that the human world did not place the same emphasis on the power of Bloodline as he had initially thought. They valued talent more, and within the Azure Empire, the power of Bloodline was considered just another form of talent, not something to be revered above all.But from what King suggested, there seemed to be a profound reverence for Bloodline power?"Where do you come from?" Ethan inquired with a calm demeanor that belied his intent to judge."Orderly City 32," King, thoroughly terrified, blurted out his origin without reservation."What sort of chaotic township is this, with such an odd name?" Ethan communicated to Lana Mokos via a psychic whisper.King's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze shifting towards Lana Mokos in a telltale manner that did not escape Ethan's observation.Lana Mokos, oblivious to King's peculiar behavior, responded in a whisper, "This must be one of the Deity Keeper's residences you mentioned. I have never heard of City 32. The Demi-gods in our family are only aware of City 113 and City 115."Ethan narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the back of King's neck.King inhaled sharply, the pain eliciting a loud cry, "Respectful Bloodline bearer, sir, what are you doing?""Can you hear our soul whispers?" A flash of bloodlight flickered through Ethan's eyes.Hearing Ethan's question, Lana Mokos's expression darkened as well.If the residents of the Deityforsaken Land possessed such an ability, what would that mean for them?King winced, his face contorting in pain, "Sir, I cannot hear. But I can sense anomalies in your soul flux, and from this, I infer that you're using the Power of Soul to communicate."Lana Mokos's eyelids twitched, her voice laced with confusion, "Is your Power of Soul so formidable?"King seemed to realize something terrifying and cried out as if seeing a ghost, "You're Invaders? You're actually Invaders."The very name Invader carried a clear implication that Ethan readily grasped."Invaders?" Ethan's face twisted into a cruel smirk, "Although I detest the title, I'll accept your address as such."Blood drained from King's face, leaving his complexion pale as snow, his skin cold to the touch."I... esteemed lord, please don't kill me..."The terror overwhelmed King, eliciting sobs and an embarrassing wetness that began to spread from his groin, an acrid smell wafting upward.Ethan frowned, "Are Deity Keepers so faint-hearted?"Lana Mokos stepped back, her brow furrowed, "Perhaps he's a fringe member of the Deity Keepers. According to information from the royal Demi-gods, Deity Keepers are typically unyielding and proud. It's unusual to see one like him."King's expression soured further, a silent commentary on the unfairness of speaking ill of someone not present. Unyielding and proud?Let other Deity Keepers be gripped like a chick in the clutch of an eagle and see how they fare.A flicker of hope sparked in King's eyes, "Honored Bloodline bearer, sir, you must be strangers in the Deityforsaken Land; I could guide you..."Cutting his plea short, King cried in his wretched whine, "...I only ask that you, sir, spare my life, allow me to serve you."A subtle smirk played at the corner of Ethan's mouth, his eyes gleaming with an unearthly light. He glanced at Lana Mokos, who nodded imperceptibly in agreement."So be it," Ethan's voice stretched out like a shadow at dusk, "do not resist, for I will imprint upon you a Soul Mark."A flicker of joy surfaced on King's face as he eagerly responded, "That would be most agreeable, as long as you spare my life."With his eyes closed, King awaited his fate.Ethan's Soul Tentacles unfurled, delving deep into the recesses of King's spirit.King, true to his word, was unguarded, and Ethan etched his brand.From that moment, King was bound as Ethan's vassal.King's body shuddered intensely before becoming still.Ethan set him down, a strange smirk on his face.With reverence in his eyes, King looked up at Ethan and uttered, "Master."Ethan nodded with a laugh tinged with irony."What's so funny?" Lana Mokos asked, driven by curiosity."This man was still playing tricks, trying to consume my soul through my own Power of Soul. What he didn't foresee was the indomitable strength of my spirit," Ethan remarked casually.Lana Mokos felt a stir within; the scope of Ethan's Power of Soul was still a mystery to her. All she knew was that Ethan could enslave even an ancient deity, no matter how fragmented and dilapidated it may be."Now, proceed to enlighten me about the origins of Orderly City 32," Ethan commanded, hands clasped behind his back, walking forward, "Lead the way without delay."King, leading the way, bowed slightly and complied, "As you wish, Master."Ethan listened intently to King's narratives as they walked, his expression a tapestry of fascination.He had never anticipated that the Deityforsaken Land harbored such myriad tales.
