Chapter 85: ...I accept!
"Sovereign Spirit Root!"
Soleine muttered out loud. She couldn’t believe her eyes. No, the most surprising thing was the discovery.
The leaders had just gotten the information that there was a human with a Sovereign Spirit Root!
And people may ask, aside from the general knowledge, why was this thing so surprising?
It was because, aside from Zeratheil’s mother and Kaeleen and a few other individuals in the long river of time, there was no other individual possessing the highest Tier of Spirit Root possible.
Zhaltheria Aldric Valdenmere.
Her eyes were freezing cold and bordered on emotionless; there was something soul-stirring in those deep blue eyes.
She led her people and quietly stood in the shadow of Aldric. She was eerily similar to Aldric, the face structure, the eyes, and the...eerie intelligence.
Zeratheil looked at her for a few seconds before turning away. Looking down, he addressed the arriving cultivators.
"Children of Mother Verandis, as you know. Your previous generation has entered the same realm—The realm of infinite mysteries. And now, that opportunity has been given to you. Make full use of that, make your country proud, and lastly, make Mother EverHeart proud."
Saying that, he muttered an incomprehensible language. Far more different than even Ancient Elven.
"O EverHeart’ mathra, naeril veth sorun ith’ara seluyn. Dre’sylvaris vorath thae kaeth, sel’varath ith naelith vae."
Basically meant, "Oh Great Mother Everheart, your children have gathered here together. And shall soon enter your sacred realm. Take care of them and allow their entries."
The moment those words were spoken, the land shook and the air shifted. All the present cultivators looked at the scene in shock.
The thin line began to shake intensely, and from the crack. An iridescent light spilled outside in massive volumes!
Like a tidal wave, it swept through the cultivators, wherever it went... bodies started disappearing.
It was like a mass teleportation ability, just an advanced, absurd, and highly complex one.
No matter how many times I witness this...it never ceases to amaze me."
Soleine spoke; her eyes were glued to the crack. In the depths of those golden orbs, a mysterious and hungry light shone.
It was so intense that it spiked the temperature a bit. This, of course, didn’t go unnoticed by Zertaheil, but he kept silent.
Aldric nodded toward Zhaltheria, who nodded back. Soon, the entire field was empty. Soon, the close to a thousand cultivators of Verth were swallowed by the light.
The count went up to a thousand despite each Empire having one hundred fifty cultivators, which was, of course, the rest of the world and some rogue cultivators.
Yes, all of them under the number two hundred.
The Leaders nodded and slowly dispersed, leaving Soleine and Zeratheil. Her eyes shone for a second when she looked at Zeratheil.
"Remember, he has my backing. If anything were to happen to damage him during your—you will face me. And I’m sure, no one knows me better than you."
Saying that, she vanished in the haze of fire.
Zeratheil shook his head when he heard those words; he couldn’t help but sneer.
"She sure overestimates herself...or underestimates me."
Saying that, he looked towards the horizon.
Step. Step. Step.
"Well, well, my apologies. It seems I made the Elven King wait."
A deep voice echoed throughout the area, making the Elven King smile.
"Heh, Nirvana will pester me endlessly if she hears you apologising to me."
Saying that, he landed on the ground. In the distance, a tall man walked towards him.
Yes, tall. Emperal walked towards him, his dark eyes glowing. But unlike last time, there was a tint of Amber shining in those nigh-perfect eyes.
The Stormvein sword was tucked behind his back lazily, and soon Emperal stood in front of Zeratheil.
His height is almost—almost at the level of Zeratheil.
"Mhm, it seems you have improved since the last time I saw you. Not bad"
Zeratheil nodded in appreciation, if the Elven, heck, if even the Royal Elves heard him praise a half-blood or any other race aside from the Elves...They would surely turn their head in disbelief.
"Indeed"
Emperal merely nodded; there was no visible change in his expression.
Zeratheil didn’t waste any time. "So, what have you decided?"
"I will become your disciple, but I have a few conditions."
Emperal spoke, and there was no ripple in his eyes. It didn’t seem like he was talking to one of the strongest and oldest creatures alive at all.
Zeratheil raised his eyebrows when he heard that, "And what are those?"
"It’s nothing, I just need a single thing. The Blood of a Royal Elf—Virgin Blood"
The moment those words echoed, the Verth in the atmosphere froze.
The Space Froze.
...Even time froze!
"....What did you just say?"
Zeratheil’s expression changed, his eyes chilled.
What was this? This was the highest form of disrespect.
Emperal exhaled lightly when he saw this, even though there was no direct pressure on his shoulder.
Just the chill in his eyes made his skin go numb, and his blood freeze.
"Yes, I can understand your anger. And I do not want you to do it forcefully, just pave the way for me, and I’ll handle the rest."
Emperal took a deep breath and spoke, and surprisingly, the pressure waned a bit.
Zeratheil stared at Emperal, his expression unreadable. This continued for several more minutes, until Zeratheil opened his mouth to speak.
"I can do that, but I need something in return."
He said, confusing Emperal.
"What do you, the King of Elves, want from me, a Verth Seeker?"
He looked at Zeratheil strangely.
"That is something related to the Humans, you do not have to worry. And if you use your brain enough, I’m sure you’ll succeed. So? What will it be?"
Emperal went silent when he heard this, the gears in his head churning at a breathtaking speed.
"Accept it, whatever it might be. I am sure it won’t be of much trouble to you."
The Infernal Dragon’s calm voice echoed in his mind, but Emperal still remained silent. Looking at Zeratheil, he couldn’t help but ask.
"Is it related to...Zhaltheria?"
That was the only thought that came to his mind. Hearing this, Zeratheil couldn’t help but look at Emperal once again.
"...You are right."
He nodded; it was everything Emperal needed to know.
And honestly, he was somewhat looking forward to meeting her, too.
After all, what would the encounter look like when the Greatest Trash met the Greatest genius?
It would surely be entertaining right?
...Right?
"I accept."
