[I decided to move up the next phase of the Master Scheme!]
The Allfather's words reverberated through the minds of the Nine Colours, forcing every single one of them to drop their jaw. All of the Nine Coloured Noble Beasts present knew of the Grand Scheme. They even understood the rough outline of each phase and what the Allfather sought to accomplish with each successive phase. Decades, if not centuries of planning was required to complete each stage, and the resources necessary were unfathomable. Most of the time, the Allfather would wait a few years before initiating the next phase, and it would be seamlessly integrated into the Master Scheme. Hence, the Nine Colours' shock was warranted.
Noticing his subordinates confusion, the Allfather laughed and explained himself:
[The reason why we've been delaying everything, was to give the younger generation of humans, who grew up in war and conflict, a chance to mature. The more war-stricken children meant that there would be more chances for a hero to emerge. However, Shin Iofiel had fulfilled that task. As long as we give him enough time, he would advance to the Spirit Saint realm and match my own power. Thus, the need to find me a rival has been voided.]
The Allfather truly believed that for him to have one final breakthrough… He needed to have an opponent that could match his strength. Failure was the mother of success. Conflict begets growth. That was the Allfather's philosophy. He wasn't the divine genius that was Spirit Immortal Dream who could just advance into immortality anytime she wished. The Allfather needed to have someone who could match his power… to push him beyond Rank 99. And Shin was his answer.
[So… We can move onto the final two phases of the Master Plan. However, as you all know… If I forcibly execute the next stage, I would be forced to take off a few decades off my already dwindling lifespan.]
"Nenene! Father, you can't do that!" Momo hurriedly ran to the foot of the stairwell and fell to both her knees. "Father can't die! Father has yet to fulfil his promise to Momo!"
"Momo's right..." Midori, the Gargantuan Treant in his miniature form, assisted the Moon Bunny's cries. "It's too risky… What if Shin Iofiel dies unexpectedly? Or worse… Allfather… What if something happens to you once you use that… ability? I don't think… We should take the risk..."
The Nine Colours all had their misgivings about the Allfather rushing the plan. They were far ahead of schedule, and the Allfather was seeking to speed it up even further? Ao, the one that all the Nine Colours thought would fall during the meeting, cried out: "Allfather, if you're doing this because of my mistake, please reconsider! If you need to create more mayhem, I can start attacking the humans on my own! I swear that I will keep breeding chaos even if ten Spirit Saints gather to extinguish my soul!"
[You fools… Do you honestly think that I've lost my mind? That I'm rushing matters?]
The Allfather's snort silenced the crowd. He was their supreme leader, the man responsible for gathering all of them under his wing and promising them everlasting life in exchange for their servitude. It wasn't in their place to question his plans or ideas. The Allfather's meticulous plans were what had gotten the Black Masks this far. Which other criminal syndicates in the world could shake the three superpowers and bring terror to the already fortified Terre Continent and the Lantis Republic?
[I'll admit, Shin Iofiel's growth has re-energised my dead heart, but it hasn't affected my head. Shin Iofiel now has the ability to sense Paradise Hearts which means that he could find and destroy the remaining Payircis within the next year. Also, due to my long hibernation, the human's growth had started to slow down. Regions that had been inflicted with terror are now slowly becoming peaceful. The number of cultivators that perished in battle are also beginning to slow. With all these factors added up, it would only be a matter of time before everything calms down… When that happens, everything that we've done would be for nothing!]
Every one of the Nine Colours shook as the Allfather's voice boomed:
[Yes, there may be other methods to throw the world into chaos, but the fastest method would be executing Phase Five! I'm sure all of you are aware of that...]
"But Allfather… The strain on your body would be..."
[Yes… It would be immense...]
A sigh escaped from the man shrouded in darkness as he answered Ao's claim. The Allfather was already reaching his seventh century alive, a full three-hundred-years longer than the maximum lifespan of a cultivator that had shed their mortality twice. Anyone with a Rank 80 Venerate Soul could easily reach a three-hundred-year lifespan. The lucky few could live out their maximum life expectancy and blow out four hundred candles on their birthday cake. Only a select few could ever hope to break that limit, and almost all Spirit Venerates or Spirit Saints never lived to see their five-hundredth birthday. Yet, the Allfather had passed the six hundred year mark and could almost reach the seven hundred mark.
Such a feat was nothing short of a miracle. Not a single mortal cultivator had lived as long as him and possibly, no one else in the future could as well. The only reason why the Allfather could live for such a long time was due to the innate ability of his Spirit. By hibernating for long periods, the man could artificially extend his lifespan and preserve his dying body. Furthermore, the Allfather had the unique ability to share his mana with others, which meant that he could 'see' the world without putting any stress on his physical body.
However… For Phase Five to work, the Allfather had to personally act. He had to forcibly wake himself from his slumber and cast the powerful spell. Only a Rank 99 being could hope to execute Phase Five, and the Allfather knew it all too well. Initially, he was planning on buying a little more time to amass his forces, but it was far too late now. If the Allfather wished for the war to continue on, he had to personally act.
[That's why for the next few days, I'll need all of you to cease whatever activities you have. The moment I cast my ability, the entire world would notice what I'm doing. It wouldn't be surprising if all eleven Spirit Saints came rushing over to Mythpoint Reach. Therefore, I want all of you to guard me during that time.]
That was the reason why the Allfather had called for the Nine Colours to gather. He needed them to protect him with everything they've got. Even though the Allfather's headquarters was already fortified by Spirit Immortal Dream's barrier, it was better to be safe than sorry. The moment the Allfather begins the sequence to Phase Five, his real body… The six, coming seven hundred-year-old body… Would be vulnerable to all kinds of attacks. That couldn't be allowed to happen, even if it meant the complete destruction of the Black Masks.
[Call all our operatives back, particularly Brahmins in the Spirit Emperor and Venerate realm! I'll give you a month to make Mythpoint Reach the most impregnable fort in the entire Terre Continent! Once I execute that power, I'll be forced to go into a lengthy hibernation, one unlike the ones that came before. I would be completely vulnerable for that period of time, and I need all of you to protect Mythpoint Reach until I return!]
"..." None of the Nine Colours replied. They weren't sold on the idea that the Allfather had to sacrifice what little years he had left to move onto the stage. However, that silence just drew the ire of the almighty being.
[Am... I... clear?]
The Allfather enunciated each word with a grim tone, forcing all of the mighty Spirit Beasts to straighten their backs into a salute. "YES SIR!!!"
[Good! You are dismissed!]
The cloaked shadow waved his arm, dispersing his elite team of Spirit Beasts. Momo wanted to run to the Allfather and get pampered by his touch but instead was pushed out of the room by Shiro. Kin and Gin remained silent as they cautiously made their retreat, careful not to draw too much attention onto themselves. The remaining Spirit Beasts all universally bowed and were ready to make their prompt exit; however, the Allfather's next words stopped all of them in their tracks.
[Ao, you stay.]
Every single one of the Noble Beasts stalled. They'd come to the meeting, assuming that Ao would be punished with at least a demotion for his failure. However, instead of being publicly humiliated, the World Serpent was even called to stay behind to have a personal chat with the Allfather?
The other Nine Coloured Noble Beasts looked over at the World Serpent, their eyes burning with green envy. Alas, they had their own duties to carry out. Additionally, it wouldn't be wise to antagonise the Allfather even more, particularly in his emotional state. All of the eight Spirit Beasts quickly made their way out of the colossal Obsidian Gate, some more willingly than others. Kuro was the last one out the door and also the man tasked with closing it. Watching Ao remain, the black-haired man flashed a simple smile and a playful wink, before completely sealing the gates shut.
There were now only two people in the sacred Throne Hall. One cloaked shadow and one blue-haired man. Taking a few steps down the stairs, the mist shrouding the Allfather slowly dissipated as his mana became the faintest it could ever be. The cloaked shadow still remained. But, it was lacking the terrifying presence that could dominate over Tier 9 and Primordial Spirit Beasts alike. Instead, it looked seemed a friendly neighbour who just wanted to start a cordial conversation. And to start, he did.
Still feeling guilty, Ao attempted to bow down. However, before he could do anything, the Allfather's bandaged hand was already pinching on Ao's chin.
"Asyesco…" Without his aura, the Ao could hear the Allfather's legitimate voice. "My old friend… You don't have to kneel to me. As I said, you are faultless."
Asyesco. How long has it been since the World Serpent had heard that name? The age where humans would cower at that name had long passed. It was a name long forgotten by time, and only a handful of beings in the world knew what it meant now. For the Allfather to use the World Serpent's name at this juncture… It meant only one thing.
The Allfather didn't want to converse with Ao as if he were his leader… The Allfather wished to speak to Ao… As two friends of equal footing.
Therefore, it was only fitting that Ao responds in kind. The edges of his lips crept up into a smile as he spoke out the forbidden word.
"Thank you… Akumu."
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