171. Fate

The sun is slowly setting as two cultivators are having tea beneath cherry-looking tree. One of them has his eyes closed.

“I’m quite surprised you’re actually alive.”

*Sips

“So this is what you mean when you said enslaved in the Upper World, huh.” Clay took a sip from his tea as he observed Dalkaga opposite the table. He thought Dalkaga was purposely closing his eyes but he upon closer inspection, Dalkaga’s eyesight has been taken away. Looking at him illicit the same feeling when looking at a beggar. He is still baffled by the idea of reaching rock bottom in pursuit of strength.

“Their treatment has gotten better and even gave me pills. In a few years, I should be able to reach the next rank.”

Clay refilled his cup then asked, “What made you think I won’t make it out alive?”

Dalkaga’s head slightly tilted indicating his hesitation but after an awkward silence, he said, “I had no idea who you were let alone had plans on recruiting you back then but one of the Masters of Navarum who calls himself Avash threatened me and gave me the file about Mur Brung and said to use it to lure you into joining us. To this day, I’m still at lost as what he was after but I was pretty sure he wanted you dead. Didn’t he approach you back on the ship?”

Clay was surprised upon learning of the identity of the cultivator who wanted to kill him. The very reason he had always wanted to keep his Dao Power a secret is to avoid attracting power-hungry cultivators. He had at least hoped that mysterious expert is from a demonic faction and not from a sect protecting Navarum Tri-Empire.

“He did but something exploded. The next thing I knew, I woke up and like you said, some guy wanted me to become their Alchemist. Then one thing lead to another, here I am, a free man wanting to settle on this planet.”

*Sigh

“Even if you resent me, I will not ask for forgiveness. But know that I will still treat you as a friend. I don’t know which galaxy we’re at but if one day I have the ability to help out, I will not hesitate to lend a hand.”

Clay did not know what to say to comfort Dalkaga. In truth, he understands that given his situation, the only logical choice is to submit in order to survive. But despite being helpless, Dalkaga still unconsciously tried to convince him to escape right before they parted which reveals his true and honest character.

“Even if I blame you, the fact that we’re here will not change. And speaking of being here, aren’t we supposed to exit on galaxies at least near Immortal Azure Sky Soul Sect?”

“If this friend can elaborate?”

“Well, I had some free time and learned the galaxy we are currently at is called Lutrania and Immortal Azure Sky Soul Sect is quite far from here they would not even mention the name of the galaxy it belongs to but clusters of galaxies called Virgo.”

*Sips

If Dalkaga stilled had his eyesight, he would pretend to be awestruck that they have exited into an unknown galaxy but this is part of his plan and he had already prepared for the worst. What is important is he had been absorbed into a reliable group and they are willing to support him in exchange of his service.

Still, he felt a little relieved hearing that Clay is not going to pursue the matter of him being used. In fact he is actually glad to be able to speak to a fellow human. Although ten years had passed and while he is used to prolonged seclusion, being blinded for ten years and treated like an expandable commodity felt unendurable.

“It probably is related to the explosion you mentioned. That time when I entered the spatial tear, I felt something pulled my escaped pod I was forced to bring out my ship. Too bad when I reached the exit, a group of itinerant mercenaries captured me. What about you? Why exactly did you come to this place for?”

Clay was about to answer but he saw Dalkaga’s he noticed a minute movement and when he spread his divine sense, he felt someone walking towards them.

*Sips

Clay ignored it as he knew who was approaching. “I actually came here to register as a sparring partner. I did not know it’s complicated to set up an Alchemy stall and I need to earn some Merits.” Clay got to his feet preparing to leave. “I know you need to recuperate so I will leave you alone for now. We’ll talk during a better day.”

“Wait”

Clay was about to turn around but Dalkaga stopped him.

“The file about Mur Bring, do you still need it?”

Clay forced a smile then said, “I never had the chance to view its contents as my rings were swept away during the explosion. Don’t mention it. I don’t think it’s that important.”

Clay saw Dalkaga pulled out something of his mouth. It was for a moment but Clay was positive there was a spatial space activated within one of Dalkaga’s teeth.

“Ever since that Master handed me the file about Mur Brung, I got this feeling that I must hold on to it. To be honest, I do not know what I was doing nor thinking but I gave you a fake copy. I still don’t know what’s in it but maybe you’re destined to see what’s in there.” Dalkaga threw a dark metallic bead towards Clay. “You all have the right to think I wanted to covet what’s in there but as you said, none of it matters. It takes a load off my chest and I’m at least relieved being able to hand it as part of our original deal.”

Clay caught the bead and looked at Dalkaga with a serious countenance on his face. He wanted to talk but the moment the bead landed on his palms, he felt like his soul had been pulled into an abyss of time as he watched all the misfortunes of his past lives.

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“Are you alright?” Dalkaga couldn’t help but notice Clay’s worried look.

Clay’s mouth slightly opened as he stared at the bead. “I’m fine. Just some bad memories I have yet to forget.”

“Listen, I need to go but I’ll find time to visit when you’re settled.” Dalkaga kowtowed with his fist then left. He wanted to converse more with Clay but he is still a slave and must strictly follow his orders.

Meanwhile, Clay closed his eyes and clenched his fist and getting ready to destroy the bead. Having lived countless life and death situations, he had learned to trust his instinct and his experience just now is already hinting him that he must throw away the bead.

Destroying it is easy however, he cannot ignore those flashbacks moments ago.

During his past life, he never really believed in fate but thinking back, his first clue that there is a Will (Consciousness of the Universe) that is controlling his destiny was when cabbie driver talked about destiny himself (Chapter 90) and his last clue was when he spoke to Lord Lao himself and touching the bead felt like he is reliving those moments.

Clay maintained his silence however a voice interrupted his thoughts.

“I hate to disturb your tea time but one of Overseers has already arrived. Should I tell him to wait? After a few seconds, Twelve was standing behind Clay.

*Exhale

Clay smiled and almost made a hysterical laugh. He looked towards the sky then took a deep breath.

*Sigh

At this moment, he is confused whether he should stick to his plan and set it aside or maybe even destroy Mur Brung’s file. He can already tell that once he opens the file, that he will be absorbed into series of deep and unlucky predicaments.

While he is used to facing endless troubles, the problem is, if assuming that opening the file will indeed lead him to similar misfortunes again, then it only means that this universe’s Will is trying to influence everything meaning, it wants him expelled.

To this day, he still doesn’t know what happened after his interaction with Midi who wanted him to integrate with the Dao Stones(Chapter 96). Either he had been successfully expelled out and Lord Lao was wrong about this other universe not having the ability to maintain primordial energies.

Or maybe they failed to expel him and that he never got to reincarnate again causing the previous universe to self destruct propelling his indestructible soul to be thrown to another random universe.

Or maybe he still within the same universe which had undergone new primordial laws due to his presence.

Or maybe his soul was not expelled at all and Midi and Lord Lao conspired to trap his soul to an illusion so realistic he has yet to wake up from.

However for whatever reason that is, regardless to which universe or alternate reality or even illusion for that matter he had been trapped into, to him all that is important is he gets to live in peace.

*Exhale

Clay did not know whether to laugh or cry.

At the same time, Twelve silently observed Clay. If he had not witnessed Clay’s ability to knock down a Kelum warrior, he probably had to order Clay to follow him now.

“If this senior is not in a good mood, we can have your meeting arranged on another day.” Twelve respectfully interrupted Clay’s silent monologue.

“There is no need for that.” Clay replied as his head still facing the sky.

“May this senior elaborate?”

“He’s already here.” Clay composed himself then looked behind Twelve.

Twelve expanded his divine sense then looked behind him as well and saw their Overseer landed. Immediately after, he said, “I will excuse myself.”

“I greet this Dao friend. I hope my presence did not disturb your busy schedule.” Clay slightly bowed and saluted with his fist.

“Such depressing aura you have there. Have we met before?”

“I apologize you had to witness that unsightly appearance and this junior has never been to this planet.”

Clay watched the Overseer walked past him and sat on the same spot Dalkaga was seated earlier. Similar to Twelve’s appearance, the Overseer doesn’t have a nose above his mouth, bluish skin, fin-like ears and lastly, two octopus tentacle at the back.

“I am called Ezrik. I would like to receive you properly but you don’t look like you want to stay.” Ezrik brought out a gourd and two bamboo-looking cups and filled them with Spirit Wine. “Care for a wine?”

“This senior did not need to trouble himself. My apologies again if I’m giving off the wrong impression and I dare not waste this senior’s time.” Clay silently assessed his situation. He indeed wants to leave and be alone and think about his plans but those flashback he had earlier reminded him to more careful and avoid offending anyone.

“Flame Emperor Rimar. The way you control and exude your aura is strikingly similar. What is your relationship with him?”

Clay was surprised upon hearing Rimar’s name. Even more so, he is puzzled that Ezrik could tell the resemblance of the aura control he taught Rimar. While he wanted to answer honestly, he does not know yet if the other party is a friend or foe. He will first attempt to know nothing.

“You know of him?” Clay responded.

“It was because of his pill that I broke through to Divinity but it’s ancient history. Let me guess, you’re one of his followers?”

“You can put it that way.” Clay spontaneously answered.

Ezrik briefly stared at Clay and noticed something within Clay’s palm then said, “Do you need help unsealing that bead in your hand?”

Due to his emotional state, Clay came to realize his carelessness. He knew that staying here further make him more vulnerable and Ezrik may discover something that should not be revealed.

“This senior is being too kind and I may not be able to repay this senior’s magnanimity. I have no intention of … ” Clay was about to say his goodbye but was interrupted.

“Rimar is still my benefactor and helping his followers is way for me to express this debt of gratitude. Consider it fate.” Ezrik opened his palm making gesture to have Clay had over the bead.

At the same instant, Clay’s mind blanked again upon hearing Ezrik say “fate”. He had another premonition similar to what he just had experienced when Dalkaga handed him over the bead. Like a patient dozed with sedative, he stood motionless with a blank face.

Ezrik is clueless what Clay is going through but he can at least tell Clay is troubled so he filled the cup and said, “This is a Spirit Wine. It can help you calm your mind. At least have a drink before you leave.” Ezrik lift one of the bamboo cups and moved it a few inches away from him on the table.

*Sigh

Clay closed his eyes then slowly exhaled and when he opened his eyes again, he stepped forward then hand over the bead to Ezrik. Then a second later, he grabbed the cup filled with wine and poured it into his mouth in one go.

“Ahh!” Clay exclaimed. “Not bad.”

During his past life, the only way to know what destiny had stored for him is to accept his fate. He wanted to leave but analyzing his current predicament, if there is indeed fate, then everything up to know has been influenced by the consciousness of the universe.

Since Ezrik seem related to the bead, he will let everything flow like they should and see where this is going. He won’t even ask what the seal is about and who placed it and will not care. All he knows is that if there exist a consciousness of the universe, then it is only a matter of time when he gets reborn start over another series of misfortunes.

“This is a one-time play recording.” Ezrik looked the bead closer and probed it with his divine sense. “Once activated, it will trigger a Poison-based Tracking Seal Arts. You need to be at least a Divinity cultivator to dispel the tracking spell.”

“Would this senior be able to activate it now?”

Ezrik turned his head towards Clay. “And what would you do if this contains information about heavenly treasure?”

“Then I must congratulate this senior in advance.”

“You sure you don’t need privacy?”

“I probably will not have a chance to see its contents. If not too much to…”

Ezrik smirked and did not let Clay finish his sentence.

“As you wish.” Ezrik poured his aura into the bead then threw it on a space not far from them.

*Zzzzzkz!

A second after the bead landed on the ground, it emitted a blinding light containing the area into darkness.