Authority? Zac had never heard the term before. He had gained an aura of command after leading his armies into battle for two years, but that wasn't it. This seemed like something else, considering it was broached in the same sentence as the Four Laws.

Could it be related to fate? His Luck had grown inordinately high, with an effective luck of over 6,000. It was natural that one's providence grew stronger as you did, but not to this point. His Luck-advantage was far greater now compared to when he was just an F-grade cultivator. Zac felt it had begun going beyond sensing dangers and opportunities, especially after his latest gains in the Ensolus Ruins.

People around him called him a storm that threw fate on its head. It certainly seemed true, but that didn't mean he had control over the process. He was just as much a victim to the whims of fate as everyone else. Perhaps he was approaching a point where his will would nudge fate in his favor, like an extremely watered-down version of what Laondio seemed capable of.

A tremendous pressure preempted Zac's question to confirm. He felt like he'd been placed in the middle of a burning sun, yet neither Catheya nor the gently swaying flowers seemed affected.

"Enough."

Iz's light voice dispersed the pressure, and Zac realized a golden-haired man stood at her side. Had he been there all the time, eluding Zac's senses when even the Vigil's mysterious nun couldn't? This was a big boss, emitting a martial aura no weaker than Brigadier Toss. He might have the aura of an Early Monarch because of the System's restrictions, but Zac suspected he was actually a Peak Monarch.

There was a clear animosity in his gaze, which was decidedly unnerving. Thankfully, he had some experience from his exchanges with Kvalk, her former guardian. Iz's status within her family was clearly far higher compared to Kator or Tavza in theirs. If Iz didn't attack, neither would he.

"I'm sorry," Iz said with the same helpless expression she had when dealing with Kvalk in the Void Star. "This is Salou, a grand disciple of Grandpa's. He's tasked with my protection while here. Your mark of Authority alerted him."

"Senior," Zac said with a bow before turning to Iz. "You're right about the Laws. I encountered an old contraption from the Limitless Empire that let me reforge my body with a weakened Four Desolates tribulation. But I'm not sure what this about Authority is."

"Limitless Empire? No wonder," Iz slowly nodded. "Authority is—"

"Wait," Catheya interjected, making the two look over. "I shouldn't be hearing this."

"The Undead Empire has commandments. She might be forced to expose information about me if it's deemed in the interest or protection of the empire," Zac explained upon seeing Iz's confusion.

"Few can see Authority in others, but the concept is not a secret. It is impossible they are unaware," Iz smiled. "Especially so, considering they are the ones who have marked you."

"What?!"

"To cultivate is to seize the Dao. Eventually, one will stand equal with the Heavens, with a few even surpassing it. Authority is just what it sounds like. Dominion over a territory."

"Territories? Supremacies?"

"Indeed. A Supremacy will form a Heavenly Territory, where they are an Authority at the level of the Heavens. Most commonly, the territory is then anchored in reality by forming a clan or empire. Those who are chosen will be loved by the Heavens, having their strength and progress improved. Those who offend the Supremacy will be rejected by the Heavens while within their territory.

"You have multiple marks on you. One should be from Lord Primo himself. From another, I sense ancient, suffocating darkness closely matching your bloodline."

"The Abyss?" Zac said. "Do you feel anything on Catheya? "

"Only the former."

Zac looked down at his hands in thought. The second had to be related to the impartment he received from the Abyssal Princes and Eoz. But when had he been given the Primo's Authority? And Catheya, too.

"I'm not sure what's going on," Catheya hesitated before her eyes lit up. "Maybe it's that? I've received special dispensation to cultivate Pure Death. You should have, too, even if you're not an official member of the empire."

"So the ban on cultivating pure death might be enforced with the Primo's Authority? Anyone without the go-ahead would have their progress harmed?" Zac muttered, thinking back to Be'Zi. Was that why she escaped into the depths of the Eternal Storm? To avoid the Primo's blockade on her path?

"I don't feel any different, though. Unless you count the improvements from awakening my Draugr bloodline."

"Being marked by Authority can take many shapes and forms. Usually, it will have no effect outside the Heavenly Territory."

"Usually?" Zac said, suddenly remembering Iz's comment after their duel."Was it Authority that let you break through my defensive skill back then?"

"I would have broken it regardless. But yes," Iz said, prompting an embarrassed cough from Zac. "Supremacies have no clear-cut stages. It's a gradient. The more Authority over the Dao you hold, the stronger you will be. However, there are two major thresholds. At a certain point, you can claim a corner of the Heavens, allowing your Authority to influence the Dao."

Zac nodded. This was exactly what the Primo seemed to be doing with the Dao of Death.

"My family wields Authority over certain concepts used in your defensive skill. As such, it was weakened when coming in contact with my Dao. The skill would also display greater strength if I or someone connected to my family used it," Iz continued. "At the second threshold, your path becomes Law, and your will can shape reality. The Dao has room for seventeen Utmost Authorities."

"Seventeen slots?" Zac said, his eyes widening in realization. "The Thrones and Seals? So, those at the top have fused their path with the Four Laws, surpassing the Dao? Which means those seventeen people can dictate the laws of cultivation?"

"Yes and no. Each Throne or Seal represents an opening, but not all of them are claimed by cultivators. For instance, each Apostate ceded one of the slots to the System. The First Defier broke convention, forcing open a path of cultivation for mortals. It's technically possible to overrule his Authority by clawing back his Throne, but none have ever managed to take what's in the System's hands.

"Also, the seventeen slots only represent a part of the picture. The Heavens are growing more crowded, but there's still much unclaimed. Other forces than cultivators also hold large pieces of the Heavens. Taboo zones, ancient formations, the lower realms, and so on."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"I think I understand, thank you."

Zac had often heard mentions of seizing a corner of the Heavens, and he finally understood what that actually meant. The battle between the Apostate of Mercy and the Buddhist Sangha over the nature of the Peak of Grand Materia was clearly a war over one of the seventeen slots of Utmost Authority.

Judging by Iz's words, that control was now in the System's grasp. Zac was certain the Sangha hadn't given up on it. Even if they couldn't snatch it back, they might be able to influence the System enough to nudge things in their favor.

Iz's explanation also confirmed what Zac already knew. Her family possessed an incredibly powerful Supremacy whose Authority stretched beyond their Heavenly Territory at the least. That was the only way she could use it in a fight far out on the frontier. Of course, it was also possible that Iz possessed something greater than a simple mark or blessing from her elder. Who knew, she might have inherited an actual piece of her family's Authority.

Zac still leaned toward the former explanation, considering the Tayns' reputation. Everyone feared them, no matter their origin, to the point they might even have one of the Seals or Thrones. It was a terrifying notion that an elder of the woman before him was one of the absolute peak entities in the Multiverse—a group even smaller than he'd thought, considering the System apparently hogged five of them.

No. Most likely, the System held even more. The most powerful cultivators of the ancient era, including Karz and Laondio themselves, had disappeared when the System was born. It didn't seem too far-fetched that the Limitless Empire held at least a couple of slots.

What would happen if the System claimed them all? Zac didn't dare stay on the subject, feeling he was approaching dangerous grounds again.

"I can't upgrade the marks on me to help me in battle, right?" Zac asked to confirm.

"No. That would require the one leaving the mark to expand their Authority beyond their territory. Mind you, many at that level intentionally avoid taking that step as seizing a corner of the Dao puts you at a direct collision course with the Heavens."

"Thank you," Zac exhaled. "This is very valuable information. What can I give you in return?"

"The information isn't very valuable. Much of it is common knowledge where Authority is involved," Iz smiled. "Seeing your situation has helped me understand a few things, opening a new path to the future. If anything, I feel I owe you."

"Then let's call it even," Zac said, feeling Catheya grip his arm a bit harder.

He understood what she wanted to say. The information definitely wasn't as simple as Iz said. At the same time, Zac felt Iz was telling the truth when she said sharing the information helped her. Zac didn't think Iz was plotting against him, but there was also some critical part she'd left out.

"We're approaching the deadline. Are you ready?" Iz asked, dragging Zac out of his thoughts.

"As ready as I'll be," Zac sighed. "Do you have a plan for collecting a seal?"

"The Flamebearers have been chosen," Iz calmly said. "That does not mean all are fated to enter. Only one tributary will become the river, and some might be swallowed before the true battle begins. I shall simply test my fate against another's."

"Uh," Zac hesitated while Catheya tensed.

"It makes no sense targeting an ally, especially when you're not after the main heritage," Iz said, looking at him with a raised brow. "Of course, it's impossible to tell what will happen with an aberration such as you involved. I'm taking a gamble that the chaos you bring to the table will benefit me."

"I'll do my best to send some good chaos your way," Zac scratched his chin. "About Kruta—"

"Little Candle has become a nominal disciple of my Great Aunt, but we are not fated," Iz said. "He shall stay in your cycle. In return, I only ask that you provide me with one count of assistance should I need it during the trial. Of course, if doing so goes against your interests, the outcome will be decided by fate."

"That's it?" Zac said with surprise and confusion.

He'd been worried about losing his second Blooddancer of Ultom if Iz brought him over. It was a reasonable payment for their assistance, yet it would have rendered his second cycle incomplete. Luckily, Iz seemed uninteresting in keeping him around despite his evident affinity with the Tayns.

"Wait, Little Candle?"

"It's what my aunt calls him," Iz smiled. "And you underestimate your value. Little Candle is talented, but his path is his own. I believe your promise has a higher chance of giving returns."

"I'll help out if I can, but I do have other obligations. Like the Undead Empire," Zac said, feeling a bit sad for 'the Great Kruta' who'd been reduced to Little Candle. Then again, was he any better? It was only recently he'd graduated from his status as Mr. Bug.

"That's not a problem. I'm not interested in forcing fate."

"Then I accept," Zac said. "I also wanted to see if you're interested in another exchange. Same as last time. I have some intelligence that could prove useful in gathering seals. You can exchange with resources or information of similar value."

"Hm?" Iz said, a smile tugging at her lips. "You're about to cause trouble again. No wonder we felt a rise in the winds of fate and had to hurry over."

"I'm trying to quit, but it's not easy," Zac laughed. "Do we have a deal?"

"We do."

"I can't share all the details as there are agreements in place, but there's a place in the Zurbor Sector called Imperial Graveyard."

"We've heard of it from some of our contacts," Iz nodded. "It's stirring, and many unexplored remnants are appearing. However, you need the cultists' permission to enter, and I refuse to make deals with Heretics."

"What if you don't have to?" Zac said. "I'm not at liberty to say the exact time. But in a few weeks, we'll break open the barrier and sneak inside. Everything is already in place."

"You'll break open the barrier? How? I hear it's quite impressive, and a lot of the cult's elites are stationed in the region."

"I can't say."

"Do you need my assistance?"

"No."

"So why are you bringing this to us?" Salou asked.

"Spreading the risks," Zac frankly admitted. "The more people we can get to enter, the more the Kan'Tanu will have to spread their resources if they want to catch us. As for what we accomplish or find inside, it'll be up to fate."

"Interesting," Iz hummed. "It shouldn't prove too difficult to find a path there, though your actions might also open up opportunities elsewhere."

"Without a specific time, how would we know when to strike?" Salou asked.

"Let's just say… You'll know it when you see it, so long as you're in the area."

"Chaos," Iz said with helplessness and took out an Information Crystal. "This information is very helpful. Let me reciprocate."

Zac briefly scanned it, his brows rising as he saw a mix of familiar and unfamiliar names. It was a report on a large number of sealbearers, including three Flamebearers that hadn't appeared during the war. Just where had they cropped up from? While the war was the main road into the trial, it looked like there were a few side entrances for the powerful and motivated.

The three chatted for a bit longer, but Zac could tell it wasn't the time or place to catch up properly. Iz had just arrived and needed to move quickly to catch up with those who'd been gathering fate since before the war started. He was the same. He'd spent the better part of the day with Catheya and only had two hours left before he needed to return to Rava's side.

"We should head out," Zac eventually said. "It was nice seeing you again, Iz."

"Likewise," Iz smiled. "Life seems to become more interesting when you're around."

"You need to head back to the… thing, right?" Catheya said and thoughtfully turned to Iz. "Is the offer to stay for a bit longer still open?"

"Of course. The power of ice you're wielding is exquisite. I think both me and my subordinates could benefit from exchanging pointers," Iz said. "Little Candle is also in the middle of last-minute training. You can leave him here unless you have a special task that requires his assistance. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Zac was reluctant to part with Catheya so soon, but he needed to go anyhow. Rather than having Catheya be left alone on Earth or return to Kavista, staying with Iz didn't seem like a bad option. They could only benefit from staying a few extra days, considering just the flowers in Iz's garden were worth far more than his whole empire.

"I'm out of Teleportation Tokens, so I'll come get you two a few days before we set off, then?" Zac said.

"No need. Flies will soon swarm this planet. I'll send them over in two weeks."

"You can do that?" Zac said with surprise. "I heard the isolation around Earth has been upgraded."

"No matter. The path is already explored, and transporting allies will not draw the System's ire," Iz said, turning to Catheya. "I need to seclude myself for a bit. The flames will lead you to Little Candle and the others."

"Thank you."

"Oh, uh…" Zac hesitated just as they were about to leave. "I kind of borrowed your name to threaten the Dravoraks a while back. I'm sorry about that."

"I'm aware. Don't worry. What is our name worth if it can't be used to protect our allies? Little Candle has already provided compensation," Iz said. "I look forward to seeing the surprise you've planned out for the heretics."

"Don't worry; this has the potential to become my best work yet."