Divine Emperor of Death

Chapter 5082 A Mere Probe Turns Into A Disaster

The thirty-third floor of the manor resembled a palace suspended above the city.

The floor beneath their feet was made of polished black stone veined with flowing streaks of gold. The surface reflected the lantern light like calm water, making every tile appear unreal. Formation patterns were carved beneath the jade in faint circular lines, pulsing with restrained heaven and earth energy.

Even the air felt richer here, carrying a cool fragrance mixed with sandalwood smoke and blooming spirit flowers.

It instantly made the guests feel at ease. However, it also induced a sense of majesty as tall pillars stood on both sides of the corridor, each carved from white crystalwood and wrapped with silver hydra motifs. Curtains of translucent silk drifted gently despite the absence of wind. At the far ends of the hall, open balconies overlooked the entire Bastion City beneath the clouds.

Rows of maids stood in silence, their pose quite disciplined.

Every one of them wore pale blue dresses embroidered with silver leaves. Their hair was tied neatly behind their heads with jade pins, exposing elegant necks and calm expressions trained to reveal neither curiosity nor emotion. Yet a few of them still could not help but glance toward the masked man standing beside City Commander, as it was a peculiar sight to see someone masked enter this place.

It made their hearts a bit constrained since the mask appeared a bit scary.

The steward standing at the center was an elderly-looking man with narrow eyes and a composed face marked by experience. His black robe carried intricate dark-gold stitching near the sleeves and collar, signifying his authority within the manor. A small wooden token hung from his waist, which seemed to carry the City Lordʼs seal.

Clearly, he was the person who would take care of minor issues that popped up rather than the City Lord. It also indicated that he was trusted by the City Lord.

The moment he saw the masked man, the steward naturally became cautious.

However, he was a cultivator who had lived for many years and didnʼt become shaken.

He calmly surveyed the three of them.

He knew both Head Guard Rowen and City Commander Yigan. The former was proud, sharp, and difficult to suppress, while the latter was equally competitive. However, the two of them seemed to be quite cooperative with the masked man, making him think something was wrong.

Still, the steward maintained his courteous smile as he gestured.

”Please, this way~”

Head Guard Rowen strode forward while the City Commander Yigan positioned himself half a step behind Davis.

”City Commander, we were told he has some important information. You still havenʼt confirmed his identity?”

”Yes, he has some important information. However, his identity isnʼt important. As long as we listen to him, everything will be fine.”

”…?”

The Steward couldnʼt make heads or tails of their soul transmission.

He had no idea what was going on, so he felt compelled to probe.

”Is the other party just a Level Three Empyrean?”

”Yes.”

”Alright…”

The Steward kept walking ahead, not even looking at the masked man. Suddenly, an invisible power silently spread outward like fog. It was subtle enough that ordinary Primarchs would fail to notice. The probe was like a smog that encompassed the masked man.

Yet that instant when his power touched the masked man, the world seemed to vanish.

The Stewardʼs pupils constricted as he found himself standing within an endless abyss, devoid of light, sound, or sensation. There was no natural energy, no direct, and no floor beneath his feet. There was only infinite darkness in every direction.

Abruptly, two vast eyes appeared like spiraling voids as though they were going to swallow his existence.

Merely gazing upon them caused the Stewardʼs consciousness to tremble violently. His Heart Intent shattered like fragile glass upon contact.

He wanted to retreat, scream, yet he could not even move a finger.

The abyss had already swallowed him whole.

At that moment, a calm voice echoed throughout the darkness.

”Are you fine? As long as you listen to me, everything will be fine.”

The Stewardʼs body shuddered.

His expression outside remained perfectly composed, but deep within his soul sea, something invisible caused his Will to twist and churn before it stabilized.

The fear and resistance that had just swelled all disappeared in an instant as though it had never occurred.

”Yes… I understand. My old years are getting to me and almost made me trip, so I will listen to your instructions.”

The Steward patted the masked manʼs hand on his shoulder and turned to walk ahead, this time, displaying a gentle smile.

”Aiya, grandpa must be lacking in vitality. If you are cool, Iʼll help you get some vitality pills to treat your health.”

Davis said laughingly, unable to believe this old fart just used Level One Enigmatic Heart Laws on him, State of Awareness, and got himself corrupted.

How could Davis not make use of this opportunity?

His emotions were probed, and he latched onto it by using State of Divine Possession to corrupt the Steward easily. What was supposed to be harder than corrupting the City Commander felt too easy since the Steward opened up to him.

After all, sensing emotions was also opening oneself up to others. One needed to have the Will to endure the emotions of others if they wanted the capacity to empathize.

The Elementary Obscure Intent of Enigmatic Heart Laws began from the State of Empathy, the ability to feel the emotions of others, which made one an empath.

The next intent- Level One Obscure Intent was the State of Awareness, able to sense a multitude of emotions and share emotions with a higher range. Moving on, there was Level Two Obscure Intent, State of Control, which was the start of being able to manipulate others using their emotions and words through sheer Will. Naturally, it wasnʼt overpowered, but used at the right moment, it could turn the tide, and the range in which one could have control had also gotten higher.

Even as a Level Six Primarch, this Steward was merely at Level One Obscure Intent, State of Awareness.

On the other hand, Davisʼs base prowess was already a match, and his Enigmatic Heart Laws had reached Level Three Obscure Intent, State of Divine Possession. This… this was clearly overpowered, according to Davis and a few others who designated it as an Utmost Law.

The mere probe turned into a complete disaster for the Steward, so even the culprit started feeling sorry for him and offered to help him restore his vitality.

”Haha,” The Steward chuckled politely, ”Then Iʼll have to depend on Young Masterʼs goodwill.”

”…”

The maids looked at each other from behind as they followed them, wondering what was up with the Steward as he was too friendly with this guest. They began wondering if this masked man had a grand status for the men to act like this.

Soon, they were brought to the hall and made to wait.

Davis and the others sat, waiting for the City Lord to appear.

He was still thinking about where to start with creating defensive techniques that could guard against Will attacks, since it mostly seems to bypass soul defense unless it was specialized like his Everlasting Samsara Tribunal Soul Physique, which by itself nurtured the Will greatly due to the aspects of reincarnation attribute.

This made Davis wonder if reincarnation attribute defensive techniques should be created, but other than him and Myria, who could use them?

He felt like he must create a light-attributed or darkness-attributed soul defense technique against Will attacks since most could use it.

Before he realized it, footsteps echoed from the pathway, and a white-haired man dressed in a luxurious purple robe entered the hall. He walked with his back slightly hunched as though he was brooding, not even caring about the guests, before he made his way to the masterʼs sofa and sat.

After a few seconds of staring at the ground, he raised his head and looked at the crow mask.

”Hmm? Youʼre the guest who wants to share important information with me? Quickly tell whatʼs going on. Naturally, if it isnʼt worth my time, your head will fly.”

Thank you Solomon and Jae for Dragon and Magic Castle gifts.