Chapter 776 A Gift for the Blackheart Matriarch
Kael tapped the entry twice, refreshing the Inner Cosmos display.
A single glance told him what had happened.
The previous value of two hundred thousand had become two hundred. The system had clearly recalibrated the display to use a larger unit of measurement.
According to the new scale, his Inner Cosmos was now two hundred miles long, wide, and high.
With his current supply of Galactic Points, Kael could invest only a single point in the Sound Spirit Root. That was enough for now. All he needed was the ability to use it.
He took out his jade bottle once more and swallowed two drops of Immortal Spirit Liquid.
Kael now required four doses a day, two drops at a time, for a total of eight drops. Even that was only enough to keep the devouring beast within him from turning on its host.
Twelve drops a day would keep him in optimal condition.
Kael didn’t dare consume that much. He had no idea how many years he might remain at the Galactic Great Circle, so he refused to waste even a single drop of Immortal Spirit Liquid.
“Let’s pay some old friends a visit.”
After several spatial shifts, Kael and Seraphyne vanished.
...
An underground city lay beneath Ant Race Oasis.
With the Ant Race’s assistance, humanity had spent years expanding and improving the settlement. By now, it had grown into a fully developed city.
“Patriarch, several other races harvested the ten-thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng before we could reach it,” a man reported. “No matter how many Star River Notes we offer, they refuse to sell it to us.”
Although Kael had left long ago, the currency system he had established remained in use.
Ordinary mortals lived for no more than a century. They couldn’t afford to keep adapting to one currency after another. Star River Notes had served as Skyfire Planet’s primary currency for many years, so humanity had simply continued using them.
That continuity had also allowed Amir to retain the funds needed to purchase rare materials for humanity’s prodigies.
“That won’t matter,” Amir said. “From now on, we can have other races purchase what we need on our behalf.”
“The other races aren’t as loyal as they were when Patriarch Lin was here. They could sell our information to our enemies at any time.”
Amir sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead.
His hair had once been completely black. Years spent carrying humanity’s burdens had turned it white.
“Amir, it’s been years. How did you get so old?”
A familiar voice reached him with perfect clarity.
“You?”
Amir searched the room but saw no one.
He released his vast Spiritual Sense and swept the surrounding area, yet found no trace of the speaker.
A moment later, a figure slowly emerged from an ethereal state. An elegant woman stood behind him, her long, slightly upturned eyes lending her a dignified air.
“K-Kael?”
Amir stared at him in disbelief.
Humanity had become isolated, and news from the outside world rarely reached them. Amir had no idea how famous Kael had become.
“You’ve sacrificed a great deal for our people.”
Kael stepped forward, and Amir met him halfway. The two men clasped hands tightly.
“Now that you’ve returned to Skyfire Planet, should I summon the patriarchs of the other races for a gathering?” Amir asked.
“Have they behaved themselves while I was gone?”
“On the surface, yes. What they’ve been doing behind our backs is another matter.”
Amir shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Very well. Make the necessary arrangements. Six months from now, every human will leave Ant Race Oasis and return to our stronghold. Notify the patriarchs of the other races as well. Have them meet us there.”
“All right.”
Relief washed over Amir’s face.
At that moment, a gray blur streaked past them. A graceful woman appeared behind Kael without warning.
Kael had already sensed her arrival. He turned slightly and greeted her with a smile.
“Blackheart Matriarch. I trust you’ve been well?”
“I never imagined you would advance this far. Are the rumors from the outside world true?”
The Blackheart Matriarch studied Kael from head to toe, as though she could read the truth from his face.
“Given how quickly the Ant Race gathers information, you must have heard quite a few secrets. What are they saying about me?”
“Let’s sit and talk.”
Amir led them to a nearby reception area, where attendants quickly brought out chairs.
They seated themselves according to status. As a cultivator at the Galactic Great Circle, Kael naturally occupied the seat of honor, while the Blackheart Matriarch and Amir took the seats below him.
Seraphyne was more than qualified to sit among them, but she insisted on standing quietly behind Kael like an attendant.
“Did you kill Solvaris?” the Blackheart Matriarch finally asked.
“What else have you heard?”
Kael’s faint smile gave nothing away. He neither confirmed nor denied her question.
“They also say you defected from Sunlance Academy, fled to the Northguard Galaxy, and eventually escaped into the Celestial Maiden Galaxy.” The Blackheart Matriarch hesitated, then glanced at Seraphyne, who stood obediently behind Kael.
“They claim you also abducted one of the Heavenly Phoenix Race’s prodigies. ”
“The rumors aren’t entirely accurate, but they’re close enough.”
Kael’s smile faded.
“Blackheart Matriarch, let’s discuss why I came here.”
“I assume you had an important reason for returning?”
“During my absence, you protected many humans. Ordinary treasures would hardly interest you, so please accept this instead.”
Kael took a jade bottle from inside his robes.
The bottle floated across the space between them, and the Blackheart Matriarch caught it in one hand.
“Is this... what I think it is?”
A faint tremor entered her voice.
“Open it and see for yourself.”
The Blackheart Matriarch removed the stopper and held the bottle beneath her nose. The instant she caught its scent, her composure shattered.
“Lesser Immortal Spirit Liquid?”
She stared at Kael.
“You actually possess a treasure coveted even by Eternal Realm cultivators?”
Despite her shock, her fingers closed tightly around the jade bottle, as though it might vanish the moment she loosened her grip.
“Consider it a small repayment for everything you’ve done. I hope you’ll accept it.”
The bottle contained only a single drop of Lesser Immortal Spirit Liquid, but even Eternal Realm cultivators placed immense value on such a treasure. It was more than enough to repay the favor Kael owed her.
“Thank you for such a generous gift.”
The Blackheart Matriarch drew a deep breath, then tipped the bottle into her mouth and swallowed its contents.
She remained silent for a moment before looking up at Kael.
“If you possess Lesser Immortal Spirit Liquid, then I can speak openly about certain secrets.”
“I’m listening.”
Kael showed no surprise as he settled back to hear what she had to say.
“The one I spoke of began laying her plans throughout this galaxy a very, very long time ago. Humanity should begin preparing as well.”
The Blackheart Matriarch’s words were deliberately vague, making them almost impossible to interpret without the proper context.
Kael understood perfectly. He knew exactly what kind of being she meant.
Amir, however, was completely lost.
“Who are you talking about?”
“If someone like me speaks of her with such respect, you should be able to work that out for yourself,” the Blackheart Matriarch replied.
“You mean an Eternal Realm expert from the Ant Race?”
“No. She is far more troublesome than any Eternal Realm cultivator.”
“All right, Blackheart Matriarch. Continue.”
Kael leaned forward slightly.