Mortal Realm.
tamorphosis Realm.
Transcendent Realm.
Ascendant Realm.
Celestial Realm.
Eternal Realm.
These were the stages that defined the hierarchy of all beings in the Big World.
Lucien was still rely at the First Stage of the Transcendent Realm, while Marie stood at the Seventh. The difference was enormous but their cooperation would be the kind that won’t rely on power alone.
Marie had finally revealed her cheat system, which she called the Terra Dominus System.
She gained three abilities from it.
• Absolute Earth Governance – She could wield the Law of Earth even as a mortal. This revelation made Lucien pause in disbelief. Such a thing was beyond natural. It was truly a cheat.
• Terra Sync – Any weapon, armor, or machine made from minerals or tal synchronized with her essence, amplifying its power base on how much mana she poured.
• Geo-Link – She could instinctively understand the chanisms of any vehicle or machine. Once registered to her system, she would gain the natural instinct to pilot or control it.
Lucien was very impressed. He just had the perfect thing to give her later. Sothing that would maximize her abilities when they finally made their escape.
Because she trusted him enough to reveal her cheat, Lucien decided to share a part of his own.
"I also have a system," he said. "Unlimited storage and ti within it pauses completely."
Marie’s eyes widened. "Wow, I’m jealous. No wonder you can take those foods out even though you don’t have any magic bags."
Soon after... they shared their fighting styles to prevent misfires when fighting together.
Lucien also took ti to remove the spiritual marks that the Nephralis and Varkhaal had branded them with. Marie had one too and she couldn’t remove it herself. It burned into their aura like molten chains.
But Lucien a way to remove it. Ashreth’s Essence which contained the Law of Fire. He invoked it and the searing blaze purified the foreign imprint until nothing remained.
Marie sighed in relief as the pain lifted. "Phew. I feel lighter."
"The credit goes to fire," Lucien said.
Fortunately, the sanctuary Marie had built could suppress all clairvoyance. That was why she’d survived hidden all these years.
Lucien looked upward and tried to extend his senses, but even his Burrower’s Eye failed to penetrate the layers of earth.
"That’s the Law of Earth for ya," he muttered.
Above them, the sects of Nephralis and Varkhaal were still combing the area, waiting for them to resurface. Escape would not be easy.
•••
Three days later...
It was ti.
Lucien and Marie had completed their preparations. Both of them wore strange, confident grins.
Marie led Lucien back to the surface. Passing through the earthen barrier felt bizarre. It was like moving through a sea made of dense, pliable matter.
They erged quietly. Marie had chosen a spot devoid of any detectable presence.
Lucien clutched his chest, suppressing his energy. He activated Spatial Intuition.
Instantly, the world unfolded in his mind. Every vibration, ripple, and shift of space within miles ca into view. He found where the two sects were gathered.
The Nephralis and Varkhaal had joined forces, scouring the region relentlessly.
The landscape around them had turned into a scarred wasteland. The Nephralis and Varkhaal had even excavated the ground, leaving behind a massive pit that looked almost comical in its futility.
"Still nothing," Lucien whispered.
Marie smirked. "Let’s make their wait worthwhile."
The two waited patiently until the Nephralis and Varkhaal who held the fragnts were finally alone.
Then they exchanged a nod.
The plan began.
From within Lucien, sothing stirred. He flared the aura of the Origin Core Fragnt, deliberately exposing its energy to the enemies.
The reaction was instant.
Imdiately, the two enemies turned sharply toward them. Their auras roared like storms.
In the blink of an eye, Nephralis transford into a blazing inferno and appeared before them. Varkhaal materialized at a distance, stepping out from the shadow of a tree.
Both of their eyes glead with predatory delight.
"I see," said Nephralis. His voice was smooth and sharp. "Humans truly do have strange unity. Who knew you two would appear together like this?"
"Human girl," hissed Varkhaal. "You made us search for you for over a year. Did you really think you could keep running?"
Lucien and Marie stood silently. Marie’s calm returned but her posture was fierce... much like the first ti Lucien saw her. She’s like a warrior ready to strike at any mont.
"What’s wrong?" Nephralis taunted. "Cat got your tongue? Have you finally decided to co with us?"
"It would be wiser that way," Varkhaal added with a grin. "We won’t treat you too badly. We just want to make a new generation of humans."
Lucien’s brows twitched. His expression darkened but before he could speak... Marie pinched his side sharply.
"Crap! Girl, what are you doing?"
"You were swayed for a mont, weren’t you?" she whispered.
"Don’t make conclusions!" he hissed back, swatting her hand away.
Before the exchange could spiral into awkwardness, Lucien cut in sharply, addressing the enemies.
Lucien raised a hand. "Seniors," he said evenly. "We both know we are not your true objective. We’re rely humans. How could we possibly catch your attention?"
Nephralis tilted his head. "Oh-ho?"
"Continue," Varkhaal said, amused.
Lucien clasped his hands together respectfully and bowed. "Instead, allow to offer a trade. Your main objective was the fragnts, correct? We’re willing to surrender them... but under one condition."
Varkhaal sneered. "A condition? You think you’re in any position to bargain?"
Before Lucien could reply, Marie snapped, "You’ve been looking for for over a year. I can easily make it ten. By then, won’t your sects be furious at your failure? We’ll exchange... the fragnts for our freedom."
Her words made Varkhaal pause. He initially wanted to strike but he stepped out from the shadows, assessing her closely.
"And how can we be sure you’re not deceiving us?"
Lucien turned toward Nephralis. "Senior, you’re of a mighty race with dragon bloodlines. Surely, you know how to forge a Soul Contract?"
The Nephralis’ expression shifted. He chuckled. "You know your history, human. Tell , what are your conditions?"
Lucien spoke clearly.
"First, let us leave this place alive. That includes not killing, following, or tracking us. And... Please grant us the key that unlocks the formation sealing this region."
He paused then added...
"And before surrendering our fragnts, I need to borrow yours first."
Varkhaal scoffed. "Despicable. Do you think we’re fools?"
Lucien bowed again. "Seniors, you must know... the fragnts are bound to us. Even if you kill us or if you forcefully take them, they’ll simply fly away to seek another bearer."
That made both enemies hesitate. There was truth in his words. There are records in their sects confirming it. It was one of the reasons why they sought to keep the humans alive until they could extract the fragnts safely.
Making a new generation of humans was never their true purpose. It was rely a safer thod of extraction. A contingency. If the extraction failed, the fragnt would instinctively choose another vessel. And in most cases, it would choose their descendants.
Lucien saw their hesitation and pressed further. "However... There is actually a thod for its extraction. If another fragnt is used to disconnect it from us, the bond will break naturally. Only then can it be surrendered willingly."
The two enemies exchanged glances. The logic was sound and neither Nephralis nor Varkhaal sensed deceit in his aura.
And in truth, Lucien was speaking the truth. The Primordial Sli had spoken of it before.
Silence ensues.
Marie crossed her arms. She then broke the silence sharply "You’ve heard our terms. If you still doubt us, we can go. Let’s see how many years you’ll waste digging holes again."
Both turned as if to leave. But...
"Wait," Varkhaal muttered, sighing. "Fine. We’ll agree... but we’ll add sothing."
"Hmph. Very well," Nephralis grumbled. "But you’ll also return the equipnt you stole from my race—the weapon that carries my ancestor’s aura."
"And add the five-piece set too," Varkhaal added with a grin. "That’s far too much power for a re human. Let your seniors handle them instead."
Lucien grimaced. That was daylight robbery.
"Do you agree or not?"
A long pause. Lucien finally sighed and nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But nothing more. I’d rather keep my bones intact."
Nephralis and Varkhaal laughed.
"Who would’ve thought this would be so easy?"
"We should’ve talked earlier."
’Yeah right,’ Lucien thought bitterly. ’You’re the ones who attacked first.’
Finally, Nephralis drew out a parchnt from his storage ring and began inscribing the Soul Contract.
Monts later, it was done.
Both enemies signed, then handed it to Lucien and Marie.
Lucien caught it, scanning every line for loopholes while Marie stayed alert.
The contract read:
***
Soul Contract
The two humans shall surrender their Origin Core Fragnts and the weapons they possess.
In return, the Nephralis of Infernal Registry and Varkhaal of Devouring Mist shall allow them to leave this land unhard, unpursued, and provide the key to the ten-thousand-mile sealing formation.
Should either party violate this pact, let the Law that binds all Realms rend their existence to dust.
***
Lucien smirked. They were still cautious... using titles instead of true nas.
He also spotted a glaring loophole but pretended not to. He leaned toward Marie and whispered sothing. Both of them grinned subtly.
Monts later, they signed with their mana/divine energy.
The parchnt flared with radiant light, binding all four in a web of law.
It was done.
"Seniors," Lucien said calmly. "If you may."
The two were still reluctant but at last... they relented. Slowly, Nephralis and Varkhaal extended their hands and threw the fragnts toward Lucien and Marie.
Even then, their auras remained sharp and vigilant... ready to strike the mont they sensed deceit.
In Lucien’s hands now rested two bracelets. The fragnts were embedded within the bands.
Others could not store the fragnts within their bodies, unlike Lucien whose divine energy core could harbor them safely.
He studied the bracelets curiously, then pried one fragnt free.
Nephralis and Varkhaal watched his every move. their eyes narrowed as pressure thickened the air.
Lucien pressed the fragnts against his chest... and light spilled forth. His own fragnt responded, erging from within him like molten crystal. It suspended in the air between them.
Marie stepped forward next. Lucien turned, his back now facing the two enemies. The atmosphere shifted at that mont...
He then pressed the fragnts against her as well, and a heartbeat later, her own fragnt pulsed and floated into the air beside his...
Monts later, he passed all four fragnts that now looks dimr to Nephralis and Varkhaal.
"It’s that easy?" Varkhaal asked, skeptical.
"Yes, seniors," Lucien said. "But the fragnts’ essence will stay low for a while after separation. A lot of its energy has been expended after all."
The two enemies inspected Lucien and Marie. They detected no deceit and no remaining fragnt auras in their bodies.
Satisfied, they nodded.
"As promised," said Nephralis.
Lucien then pulled the Morphis and Genesis Set from his inventory. "Let’s exchange the items and the key at the sa ti," he said cautiously.
"GAHAHA! You’re still wary, human. Fine then."
Each enemy handed over a glowing disc. It’s the key to escape the formation.
Lucien accepted them, maintaining his wary expression.
"Our deal is done once we escape alive," Lucien said firmly. "Otherwise, your souls will be cursed."
Without waiting for a reply, they took off.
High above the wasteland, Lucien tossed Marie a new item. A towering mobile suit, crafted through the CRAFT feature of his system.
Marie’s eyes sparkled. "You actually made this?"
"Consider it a gift for your cheat."
She rged with it instantly, the suit synchronizing through her Terra Sync. Lucien climbed onto its shoulder and together, they soared toward the horizon.
...
Back at the pit, the Nephralis frowned.
"You’ll just let them go?" Varkhaal asked.
"Those two actually managed to erase our Spirit Marks. Impressive... but futile. The instant they touched the fragnts... my mana coiled around their clothes. And... the contract says only we two cannot harm them," Nephralis replied with a smirk. "Do you know what that ans?"
"Gahaha... Excellent. Then I’ll call for the others. We’ll make sure their little escape ends beautifully."
"Go ahead," Nephralis said. "Just don’t be reckless. The backlash isn’t worth it."
As Varkhaal’s shadow vanished, Nephralis looked up at the sky, unaware that he had already fallen perfectly into Lucien’s plan.
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