Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1695 Whatʼs inside?

”...Theyʼre yours,” the cosmic elder declared, making the three boxes levitate gently through the air until they settled before Robinʼs hands. ”I know these gifts could never equal my life, but take them as a token of gratitude.”

”This...?” Robin caught the three boxes softly, his expression shifting with curiosity.

The boxes were identical - small rectangular containers made of polished wood, each about the size of a palm, yet each radiated a distinct, potent aura that made the air around them hum faintly. Robin activated his golden eyes, the marks of divine perception flickering across his irises as he attempted to peer through the mysteries of the boxes. But even with such a gift, deciphering them at once was impossible. Layers of ancient symbols and interwoven seals obscured their nature - it would take time, patience, and insight to uncover the truth hidden within.

Just these three boxes alone were treasures beyond measure.

When Robin reached that realization, his golden gaze widened fully, and he turned toward the elder with narrowed eyes. ”Old man, if this is some strange game of yours, and youʼre about to say something like ʼthese are the Boxes of Glory-fill them with your achievements, or worse, ʼthe real treasure is friendship, or any nonsense of that kind... I swear, I wonʼt heal you again!” ”Haha!” the cosmic elder burst into hearty laughter - a sound no longer frail or weary but vibrant, echoing through the chamber with life and vigor. ”No tricks this time, boy. These boxes are fourth-tier planetary equipment called Sunlock Vaults. You could, in theory, store an entire planet inside them if you had the strength for it. And as long as the owner of a vault remains alive, none can open it. They are immune to theft, destruction, and manipulation.”

The elder then extended two fingers toward Robinʼs forehead, channeling a thin beam of silvery energy. ”There. Theyʼre bound to you now you are their rightful owner.”

”Wait, can they hold living beings inside?” Robin asked almost immediately, his tone betraying a hint of childlike excitement - this was one of his oldest dreams.

”No,” the cosmic elder replied with a slow shake of his head. ”Even the sixth-stage version only offers greater storage and protection capacity. None can sustain life inside. Any artifact that manipulates spatial essence cannot maintain living organisms within it. If you were to place an entire planet into one of those vaults, every living thing upon it would perish within minutes. Donʼt even think of using them for mass destruction - Iʼd rather not see my gifts turned into weapons of annihilation.”

”Heh~ donʼt worry, thatʼs not my intention,” Robin exhaled deeply, meeting the elderʼs amused expression. ”So, these boxes are the gifts you chose for me?”

”Of course not, you fool,” the elder chuckled again, his laughter carrying a note of warmth. ”Think of these as... a bonus. Since you claim you want to rule over everyone, youʼll need proper vaults to safeguard your possessions. No need to thank me.” He gestured toward the trio of boxes. ”Your real reward lies within them.”

”...?” Robinʼs gaze snapped back to the boxes instantly, intrigue flashing in his golden eyes.

”Take them away and study them at your leisure,” the elder said, waving his hand lightly. ”Theyʼre yours now.” With another motion, he directed his energy toward an ancient spatial gate. Hoooom... It roared to life, the air distorting as cosmic currents spiraled around it - a gateway that would return them to the place they had come from.

Then, with a second gesture, he conjured a smaller portal beside him and turned to Althera. ”Hey, the mature space beast itʼs still in the mid-sector 911, right?”

”Correct, Elder,” Althera nodded sharply, her tone respectful yet urgent. ”And the other one is in the Young Sector 101.

”Tsk~ you expect me to handle the young space beast as well?” the cosmic elder grumbled for a brief moment, but then his expression brightened as he realized something - he could make a tsk sound again, now that his teeth had returned. A boyish grin spread across his face, and he began laughing wildly, ”Hehe Iʼll see what I can do!”

With one effortless leap, the elder dove into the portal, and it sealed shut behind him, leaving behind only silence... and the faint golden shimmer of the three vaults floating before Robin.

”....” Robin didnʼt turn to watch the cosmic elder leave. His gaze, still sharp and golden, remained fixed on the three rectangular boxes floating quietly before him each radiating a faint, ancient aura that seemed to hum with restrained power.

Even after sending his soul sense through them, he couldnʼt discern their contents. The layers of protection within were far too intricate. It was as if the boxes themselves rejected the very concept of being understood. And yet, through the faint connection of the three keys the elder had given him, Robin could sense that he alone could open them.

”Ugh...” he muttered under his breath, his fangs pressing against each other. The desire to open them was almost unbearable. His curiosity gnawed at him, whispering temptations of discovery - what mysteries could the cosmic elder have sealed away inside these small, unassuming containers?

But-

When Robin finally lifted his eyes toward Althera, he found her standing to his right, gazing at him from the corner of her eye. Her expression was strangely soft - a silent plea mingled with the glow of wonder. She looked from his face to the boxes, then back again. She didnʼt speak, but her meaning was obvious:

Please, let me see.

Robin turned to the other side. There stood Shaddad - his posture rigid, his soul force still unstable from his earlier exhaustion - watching the boxes with visible tension. Fear, awe, and curiosity mingled on his face. He could feel the weight of whatever lay within, and that alone made his soul tremble.

As for Jabba, Robinʼs student, he stood a bit farther back, brows slightly furrowed. He looked curious, yes, but innocent - harmless. If he saw what was inside, he likely wouldnʼt even understand what he was witnessing.

But those two... Althera and Shaddad... their understanding, their hunger for meaning that was a different story.

”...I understand,” Althera suddenly said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, yet it carried a faint, reluctant sadness. She turned her head aside and crossed her arms. ”If you donʼt wish to open them now, thatʼs your choice. I wouldnʼt dare pry into the gifts of the cosmic elder.”

Then, after a heartbeat, she turned back toward him, her tone uncertain. ”But... what if you open them alone and fail to comprehend whatʼs inside? The cosmic elderʼs gifts are no ordinary relics. Their nature might require knowledge even beyond your vast understanding”

”Is that supposed to be your argument?” Robin let out a dry laugh. ”....” Althera fell silent again. For someone so strong, so proud, persuasion wasnʼt something she excelled at. Since when had she ever needed to convince anyone? She wasnʼt used to asking - she was used to commanding. Robin watched her for a moment longer, his expression softening slightly. Then his gaze drifted toward Shaddad, who still hadnʼt said a word. The tension in the air was thick, but Robinʼs thoughts were clear. Curiosity and envy - those were poisons more dangerous than ignorance.

The moment they saw him receive three gifts from the cosmic elder, imagination would do the rest. They would think of countless possibilities - some beyond reason, some beyond comprehension - and he could not erase what they had already witnessed.

If that was the case... perhaps it was better to share the truth and bind them

closer to him.

He took a slow breath, then lowered the boxes to the ground before him. His movements were calm, deliberate. The golden glow around him flickered slightly as he gestured with one hand.

”Come closer,” he said softly, his tone carrying both authority and warmth. ”Letʼs see together how generous the cosmic elder Zulan truly was.” ”...?!” Althera blinked, stunned. Shaddadʼs head jerked up. Even Jabba raised his brows. None of them had expected Robin to share the contents so easily. Still, curiosity overcame hesitation. One by one, they stepped forward, forming a loose circle around Robin. The hum of their soul energies resonated faintly in

the still air.

Robin reached for the first box. Its wood was ancient, pulsing faintly with a heartbeat-like rhythm. He placed it before him, then extended a finger to his forehead. A thin, glowing line of golden energy formed - a streak of light that darted from his brow and struck the box dead center.

Clrrrk-

A low vibration echoed. The box began to shimmer, faint runes rippling across its surface like waves on water. The sound grew sharper - clink, crack, shhhk!

- until finally, with a soft yet decisive click, the seal broke.

Light poured out from within - soft at first, then dazzling. ”Hmm?” Robin leaned forward, eyebrows rising slightly as the glow subsided. Inside, resting perfectly side by side, were two ancient-looking artifacts.

A hammer... and a stake.