The Innkeeper

Chapter 1315  End

The two clashed. Not in the way they had been before. It was not a clash of words, or fists, or laws. This was a clash of auras.

Among humans, Lex had never encountered anyone who could command aura with the same flexibility and depth as he did, mainly because he took his aura skills from a dragon. Yet in Cornelius, he found a worthy adversary.

The man had honed his will, had honed his power, and had honed his very being through a very purposeful and deliberate lifestyle. Although he was a couple hundred years older than Lex, considering all the flaws and drawbacks of humans, it was actually quite exceptional that Cornelius was able to reach so far in such a short amount of time, especially without the numerous advantages that Lex had.

Sure, Cornelius joined Ventura, but that was not the same as having an all powerful system. Much like how Lex had decided to venture onto a path of supremacy, and aim for the very peak of the universe, Cornelius too must have had his eyes set on an impossible goal.

It was not like he was lacking enemies either, so the pressure on him was immense. Without cheats, he had to come up with his own way to gain immense power, which is probably why he was focusing on questions like where does strength come from, and how to achieve perfection.

Lex respected his drive, but that did not mean he was ready to kneel to the man.

Their auras clashed directly, and to his genuine and immense surprise, Lex did not win the competition of auras out right.

Domination was not to be denied. It bent the laws to its will, but the illusion of Cornelius did not. The urge to bend the knee in front of Cornelius retreated, but for some reasons, it could not oppress Cornelius either.

Lex and Cornelius faced each other, Lex a tiny figure, Cornelius a mighty king. They clashed, the mere seated human, and the being who forcefully harnessed the power of the dragons. They clashed - two titans in their own right, unyielding, uncompromising.

Neither of them backed down, and in their eyes there was an adamantine drive to succeed.

But, as if on prior agreement, both of them finally withdrew their auras.

Their spar had come out to a draw, though only they knew how much of their true power that had wielded. Though divinity had given him an edge, it was not as decisive as Lex had expected. Though Domination was not to be denied, Cornelius too was no push over.

If Lex used his identity as a dragon - a ruler among races - then Cornelius used his own identity - a ruler among his own race.

Lexʼs eyes flashed, and he felt a trace of pity for Aegis, Corneliusʼ son. He was, apparently, a genius, but his inability to defeat Cornelius had driven him to alcoholism. Though in a way, that only showed Aegisʼ own inferiority, for his will was weak, Lex also understood that being a genius was far from enough to face Cornelius.

It was the most basic qualification to even consider facing him.

”I canʼt believe you actually made me bleed,” Cornelius said as the illusion finished, and his body was revealed. His armor was still ripped in two, and the gruesome gash that Lex had cut into the manʼs chest had not healed. ”It has been a long time since someone in the same realm could push me like that.”

”I canʼt believe that you can just walk around casually after that. That was a sword technique given to me by a Dao Lord.”

Cornelius raised an eyebrow, and wanted to warn Lex of something, but dared not. When it came to Dao Lords, he dared not say anything, or give any warnings, even indirectly.

”When was the last time you discussed the details of your cultivation with Cassandra?” he asked, instead. ”If possible, you should take the opportunity to have her guide you some more.”

Lex shook his head and wiped his forehead. He was actually sweating!

”Sheʼs in closed door cultivation, I wonʼt be able to talk to her for a while,” Lex said, though he noticed something odd. Corneliusʼ statement did not flow according to the normal rhythm of the conversation. Upon hearing that the sword technique came from a Dao Lord, he should have asked about it or commented on it, or maybe even asked about the Dao Lord. Instead, he told him to discuss his cultivation with Cassandra. Lexʼs eyes flashed in understanding, but he did not say anything.

”Why are you limiting yourself to the seventh level of the immortal realm? Even if you donʼt want to become a Heavenly Immortal, isnʼt it best to wait at the ninth level?”

Cornelius shrugged.

”Iʼm using a special mention to stop my tribulations. If I get rid of it, they wonʼt stop until I reach the Heavenly immortal realm. Theyʼll come one after another. Iʼm not ready to leave the Crystal realm just yet.”

”Iʼve heard that the examinees want to raise the highest cultivation level of the Immortal realm to the Heavenly Immortal. If they do that, will you get rid of your limit?”

Cornelius smiled upon hearing that.

”Yes, I will. But if they manage to raise the limit to Heavenly immortal, I would be extremely grateful to them, for then I wonʼt even need to face them myself. Vinei will rule the realm.”

”Is he stronger than you?” Lex asked, curiously.

”One on one? Iʼm not sure. But he leads every monster in this realm, which will include countless Heavenly immortals the moment the realm allows it. An army of hundreds of thousands of Earth immortals? I can believe it. The same for Heavenly immortals? Even Ventura cannot casually pull that off with a branch as random as Chaotic-Gold. Come, letʼs go back. Iʼll share the details with you about the Kraven prince.”

”Thanks. By the way, you want my help healing your wound? It looks painful.”