The Innkeeper

Chapter 1285 Whims

Chapter 1285 Whims

Lex and Jotun continued their conversation for a while, but it was more or less evident that Jotun either did not know secrets about the greater universe, and that revealing the secrets would involve Lex in certain matters that were best avoided.

He subtly became aware of Karma, and how even knowledge could bind him to some Karma. He did not understand thoroughly what Karma was yet. Surely it was more complex than the simple explanation for it from back on Earth. Even so, he did not ask Jotun. Who knew if learning a little more might trigger another tribulation? It was best to take things steadily and slowly for now.

Even so, Lex could learn many useful things from the emperor. Even if he did not know the many secrets of the Sephore family, he still knew many things that were considered secrets to others.

"Of course I've heard of the Zarek family," the emperor said. "In fact, it is said the Sephore family became vassals of the Zarek family for a time, and even that some from the Sephore family married into theirs. It's a tragedy that anyone with the bloodline of the original kings was hunted down, or by now the Sephore and Zarek family might have merged into one."

Ah, so his ancestors worked for Z's ancestors? How the tables had turned.

Eventually, though, their conversation came to a close. They had nothing left to talk about, so Lex excused himself. He had to go prepare to rescue Liz, which was trickier than he expected. Before he left, though, Lex recalled something important and decided to mention it to the emperor.

"Rafael, you say?" the emperor asked, rubbing his chin. "I can look into him, but I don't see how a mortal can be of any help against the Fuegan."

"Just like I had my sources, he has his," Lex said. "Of course, I could be mistaken. But I have a feeling that he will play a big role in overcoming their threat in the future."

The emperor nodded, and promised that he would find and talk to him. With that done, he turned his attention to Liz.

Apparently, Liz had some kind of treasure on her that made it very difficult to divine her location, or peer into her secrets. Of course, such a treasure was only effective up to a certain power range, but that definitely included Earth immortals.

According to the information Lex got, it was suspected that she got her hands on that treasure through Ventura.

Looking at her directly, Lex frowned. Why did it seem like her clone was even weaker than it originally was?

Cassandra opened her eyes and looked at Lex. For a moment she seemed dazed, but then her eyes quickly narrowed as she studied Lex.

"You've been missing sleep and food again," Cassandra said, immediately judging the state of his body. "You've also rushed your cultivation. Don't you know that, per level, you should spend at least a decade regulating your state before entering the next level? And what's that smell? Don't tell me you've been absorbing Profane energy! I already told you not to increase your affinities anymore. Isn't your tribulation difficult enough? I wouldn't be surprised if you'd be facing a Farham in your lightning tribulations already."

"It's good to see you too," Lex said as he recalled this teacher of his, who was much too serious in his opinion. "My cultivation is a bit of a mess, but it couldn't be helped. I triggered five tribulations back to back, and then two more a short while later. I'm actually avoiding studying newer laws just so that I don't accidentally trigger more tribulations."

Cassandra's expression remained unreadable as always, though she continued to stare at him. She had almost forgotten how absurd this student of hers was. How was he so incredibly powerful even without making the most effective use of her abilities? She lamented that she couldn't watch over his training more carefully. But her main body could not spare any attention at all, so she could not control the Temple of Fasting even if she wanted. He was more or less on his own for his training.

"What about you, though?" Lex asked after a few moments when he realized Cassandra wasn't speaking. "Get any insights into the Dao?"

"My main body has, indeed, sensed the Dao. This clone of mine would have actually dispersed at that moment, but then I recalled that the Innkeeper had given me instructions to have a discussion with the human king on the Crystal realm. In pursuit of that, I severed the connection between this clone and my main body temporarily. Once I have a discussion with him, as the Innkeeper requested, I will reinstate that connection, and then disappear. My main body cannot afford even the slightest distraction during this period."

Ah, Lex remembered. Cassandra had the philosophy of becoming the strongest on her own, to support the human race, while Cornelius, the king of the Crystal realm, wanted to empower the entire race so that it would not need individual heroes, but would be great as a whole.

Their two ideologies were so different, on a whim he suggested that she should meet him. He thought it might bring about interesting results. Who knew that suggestion on a whim would result in Cassandra keeping her clone in the Midnight realm, which now had benefited him.

"Oh, that's convenient. I was actually planning on going to meet Cornelius soon," Lex said truthfully. "I can bring you to the Crystal realm when I go, if you wish."

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. But you did not come here for this. Tell me, how do you need my help? It does not seem like you need any guidance on studying laws."

"Actually, it's about my sister. She won't wake up..."