Chapter 378: Equivalent exchange
Chapter 378: Equivalent exchange
When the organizations’ leaders and the Aeternum Empire’s members heard Ivar’s words, immense envy appeared in their eyes.
There was nothing they could say about Roku obtaining Ivar’s favor. After all, the Royal was his descendant and a mighty Rank 6 life form known for his outstanding leadership and survival skills.
Roku’s battle power may not have reached the Void Stage level, but he could still escape from a newly ascended Rank 7 life form.
However, Gwyn was just a Rank 4 life form from another organization. In their minds, they deserved Ivar’s attention more than an Eye Holder who was not yet one hundred years old.
The emotions among those from the Eye Dynasty were more complicated. They still would have preferred to obtain that lucky chance for themselves, but Gwyn was the next best option in their minds since it would help the race.
Still, there was one who did not think that way. Jealousy and bitterness filled the High Prince’s heart as he saw Gwyn about to obtain the favor of yet another eternal existence.
The High Prince was a xenophobic individual, and that did not limit to other races. He considered all Eye Holder, other than the members of the Holy Clan, as inferior individuals.
He maintained that part of himself hidden since the Holy Mother’s thoughts about caste systems and the like are clear to all.
Eve had created the Holy Trial to give a chance to those willing to defy fate and strive for a glorious destiny. It was clear she did not consider someone’s birth a determining factor in their future.
Gwyn was the embodiment of the Holy Mother’s belief in the Eye Dynasty and was also the one the High Prince loathed the most.
The reason for that hate was simple, Gwyn was the living proof that an Eye Holder could rise from nothing, from being hunted like a dog to the highest level of the Eye Dynasty.
The hate in the High Prince’s heart grew stronger as he saw the Rank 5 Eye Holders quietly moving away from him.
Anyone could see that there was bad blood between Gwyn and the High Prince. Before, choosing a side would have been hard, but now it was easy.
Seen those he always considered beneath him treat him like a leper was a heavy blow to the High Prince’s ego. This time, it was his turn to lose control over his emotions.
“Lord Ivar, you should…” He had not said five words before two eyes full of unbearable coldness focused on him.
“You had the guts to use my name before in your scheme. Normally, I would consider it beneath me to even speak to garbage like you, but it seems I need to teach you a lesson.”
When the High Prince rebuked Gwyn before, he had used Ivar’s name as a tool to pressure the Eye Holder. He was smart and gave the impression he was standing up for the Being of Laws, but anyone could see the true purpose behind his words.
Ivar pointed his index finger at the High Prince before moving it down.
Instantly the Eye Tyrant of the Holy Clan was pushed down at an incredible speed. In a blink of an eye, the High Prince crossed hundreds of thousands of kilometers and crashed into the ground.
“BOOOM!”
Those in the sky heard a booming sound coming from the Endless Forest. The attack did not contain the laws’ power, so the High Prince should still be alive, but his body’s condition should not be a good one.
The little girl with red hair leading the dynasty’s forces sent someone to help the High Prince after the Being of Laws looked away.
Ivar did not care about the High Prince, and he had turned to Gwyn after moving his finger. He waved his hand and made a dark veil cover him, the Eye Holder, and Zatiel.
It was evident that the Being of Laws was going to conceal what he would do to Gwyn. The most likely reason was to protect the Eye Holder since he was still too weak to defend himself if his lucky chance drew too much greed in others.
The Neo-Demon did not know why he was covered, but it would be a waste of time to ask questions, so he just went with the flow.
Ivar’s immensely powerful consciousness was analyzing Gwyn, and there was nothing that could hide from it. The process was not comfortable, but it was less invasive than examining the Eye Holder’s life through the Law of Time.
“You already found a way to strengthen your Soul Origin and True Soul continuously. Your energy pool not only is enormous for your Rank, but it also contains high-level energy. Those two centers of power are already top-notch, and there is not much I can improve without harming their potential.” Ivar focused on Gwyn’s heart, and after a moment, he shook his head.
“Your bloodline is a variation of the Holy Eye Bloodline. Its battle power is average among Law Bloodlines, but yours has a direct connection with Eve, so as she grows stronger, your bloodline does as well. If I am right, your bloodline will soon be able to compare with Archangels or Dawn Titans.”
Zatiel’s eyes narrowed when he heard that. According to the ranking he created, Gwyn’s bloodline was a Third Order Law Bloodline. It was powerful but way beneath the Archangel Bloodline’s might.
However, the information did not shock him. Eve was the Holy Eye Bloodline’s creator, and as she grows stronger and channels the power of the universe into her existence, her bloodline evolves.
If she grows strong enough, the Eye Holder race could compare with the Heavenly race and even surpass them.
“The one thing that stops you from reaching the level of a monster genius like the old man by my side is your body.” Ivar waved his hand, and behind Gwyn appeared an upside-down pyramid formed by nine circles.
It was an energy construction without a physical form, and it released an evil and nefarious aura. In the first level, there was a decrepit old man chained to the ground.
Even though his appearance changed a lot, Zatiel recognized the Blood Eye Clan’s Patriarch.
“The Eternal Temple’s techniques are good, but even if you train them to their peak, the battle power they grant is not enough to keep up with the talent and potential of your bloodline and soul. The “Nine Hells” ability to trap spirits can work in tandem with your bloodline. I will use it as the core for your unique Body-refinement Path Technique.” Ivar brought out the drop of blood made of the Eye of Elemental Chaos and the golden orb he took from the Nightmare Devourer Snake-Whale.
The Being of Laws was about to start his work when a voice interrupted him.
“Wait.”
Gwyn’s heart was full of excitement as he imagined the might his body would obtain with Ivar’s help when he heard that word and turned to look at Zatiel. Although he was confused, he did not let his desire for strength cloud his judgment and waited for the Neo-Demon to speak.
Zatiel’s eyes showed approval when he saw how the Eye Holder was able to keep control. Most people would have started yelling at the person who interrupted such a heavenly lucky chance without waiting for an explanation.
The Neo-Demon stared at Ivar for a moment, and the Being of Laws showed a slight smile before focusing on Gwyn.
“This, little brat, is the difference between experience and talent. The lucky chance I am about to grant you is so great that it will create a metaphysical connection between us. Those with enough strength can tap into those connections, forcing the receiving party to do something or even harm you.”
Gwyn’s eyes widened, and fear appeared in his heart. The fact that accepting someone’s help could bind you in that way was terrifying. He was even wondering whether or not to take Ivar’s help now.
“Don’t worry. After you make a verbal agreement, stating what you must give in return for the help, the danger becomes almost null. Remember that the principle of equivalent exchange is not just an idea but a force in the universe.” Zatiel spoke that before closing his eyes. He had already helped enough, and what happened next was none of his business.
The Eye Holder gave a bow to Zatiel before looking at Ivar. The Being of Laws only smiled before speaking.
“You don’t have to worry, little brat. You will not owe me anything. I not only destroyed the bodies of those Rank 7 life forms but also trapped their souls. The snake is not a problem since he was part of my organization, but the faceless freak belonged to Eve. I am granting supreme talent to a member of the Eye Holder race in exchange for taking out one of their Being of Laws.” Ivar turned to Zatiel before continuing. “Like the old man told you, even those at the peak have to respect equivalent exchange.”