Chapter 68: Soul Abyss
"A... a law derived from the Primordial Soul Law?!"
Ricky froze in place for several seconds, staring blankly at Zephyr’s back as he finally processed what he had just heard. Then he waved his hands frantically.
"Are you kidding me? I may be just a kid in your eyes, but I know perfectly well the difference between major laws, cosmic laws, and primordial laws. The Major Devouring Law isn’t even close to being a cosmic law, let alone one derived from a primordial law!"
"Tsk. You’re an idiot, just like your master."
Zephyr spat to the side, mocking Ricky’s ignorance.
"Who told you I cultivate the Major Devouring Law?"
"You’re a Soul Devouring Spider. Your bloodline naturally aligns with the Major Devouring Law, so why would you cultivate another law?" Ricky shrugged in confusion. "Besides, every ability I’ve ever heard about you revolves around devouring."
"That’s because my personal law is the Soul Abyss Law, one of the Nine Abyss Legacies derived from the Primordial Soul Law, left behind by the Abyss."
Zephyr lazily dug a finger into his ear and scratched it.
Ricky stopped once again and stared at Zephyr.
It wasn’t shock.
Nor fear.
It was complete numbness.
It was as though time itself had stopped around him. He couldn’t even process his own disbelief and could only mutter a few trembling words.
"The Nine Abyss Legacies..."
Zephyr turned around and looked at him greedily, as though he wanted to devour him.
Then he smiled.
"Come on. We’ve arrived."
---
Elsewhere within The Eternal Night Heaven...
"We’re here, Sir."
Rios and Lily appeared before a green palace, one far smaller than the palace of the Cosmic Red Lotus Empire.
"This, Sir, is the Green Branch Palace, belonging to the Planetary Green Branch Empire."
Lily lay on her stomach atop Rios’s head, lazily kicking her feet back and forth as though lying on a bed.
"Oh? Why did you bring us to a planetary empire instead of a cosmic empire? Don’t cosmic empires sell better goods?"
Rios asked curiously.
It wasn’t because he looked down on planetary empires.
After all, he barely controlled a single dilapidated city himself, let alone had the qualifications to look down upon a planetary empire that ruled dozens of planets.
"Hahaha, Sir... why would a cosmic empire sell low-grade goods like ordinary plants and crops? That would damage their reputation, not to mention those products would never generate enough profit."
Lily laughed as though she had heard a joke before explaining,
"What they sell are energy-rich resources and products. Even a tiny amount of those sells for dozens of Prime."
"As for ordinary products, they’re produced in massive quantities by ordinary empires and planetary empires through large-scale farming. That’s how they make their money."
"And the reason they don’t produce high-quality, energy-rich resources is because they simply don’t possess the necessary environments or cultivation techniques to grow them."
Lily smiled and pointed toward the Green Branch Palace.
"Besides, they’re the very best in this field thanks to their unique bloodline, which is naturally aligned with the Major Wood Law. You’ll get the highest quality, the largest quantity, and the best prices here."
"I’m actually looking forward to this."
Rios walked forward at an unhurried pace while admiring the palace’s architecture.
The entire structure was decorated with engravings of flowers and plants.
As a tree himself, he naturally found this style particularly appealing.
"Welcome, Sir, to— E-Eh?!"
The moment Rios stepped inside, one of the attendants greeted him.
However, as soon as he noticed the golden Lily resting atop Rios’s head, he froze in place in utter shock.
"What’s wrong? Did something happen?"
Confused by the attendant’s strange reaction, Rios stepped closer to check on him.
But the moment Rios approached, the attendant panicked, stumbled backward several steps, and, after realizing what he had done, immediately dropped to one knee and apologized.
"Lord... please forgive this ignorant one for failing to recognize your distinguished status. If you would honor this humble servant, please come with me and rest in the manager’s room."
"...Eh?"
Rios blinked several times, standing there dumbfounded by the attendant’s bizarre behavior.
Damn it... did I end up dealing with a lunatic or something?
Meanwhile, Lily burst into laughter atop his head.
"Hahaha! Sir, you’d better follow him."
Hearing those words, the attendant’s eyes lit up as he bowed once more.
"You certainly won’t regret it, my Lord."
"Very well then. Lead the way."
Rios nodded, giving him permission.
"Please, this way, my Lord."
The attendant hurried to his feet, gave another respectful bow, and led Rios to the second floor.
"Please wait here for just a moment, my Lord."
He escorted Rios to one of the palace balconies overlooking the main street before bowing again.
"Please excuse me, my Lord. I’ll inform the manager and return immediately."
"Very well. Go take care of your business."
Rios nodded.
The moment he received permission, the attendant sprinted away and vanished as though he had never been there.
He rushed straight to the third floor.
Upon arriving, four rooms stood before him.
Ignoring the first three, he headed directly for the fourth.
He didn’t knock.
He didn’t announce himself.
He burst straight into the room and shouted,
"Manager! It’s a disaster!"
"What the hell do you think you’re doing, you worthless brat?! And what disaster are you talking about?!"
A bald old man with a powerful build and a thick beard slammed his fist onto the desk and roared at the attendant.
"It’s a disaster, Manager! I’m telling you, it’s a disaster downstairs!"
The attendant rushed directly before the manager’s desk without asking permission or showing the slightest courtesy. Pointing frantically toward the door, he shouted,
"D-Downstairs... on the second floor... there’s someone with a golden assistant!"
"You damned brat! So what if someone has a golden assista—"
The manager grabbed the nearest object, ready to throw it at the attendant.
Then he suddenly froze as the attendant’s words finally registered.
"...Did you just say someone with a golden assistant is on the second floor?"
"Yes, Manager."
The attendant nodded.
"In which palace? Ours? The Green Branch Palace?"
The manager muttered in disbelief.
"Yes, Manager."
The attendant nodded again.
Smack!
The manager slapped him across the face.
"Then why the hell didn’t you say that from the very beginning, you idiot?!"
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