Chapter 1207: Authority

Chapter 1207: Authority

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?"

"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."