Reaper of the Martial World

Book 12: Chapter 161: One on One (1)

The Phoenix Hegemon was enveloped by a solemn silence.

On the immortal plane, unlike the mortal, unique flames were needed to succeed along the path of alchemy. For a species specializing in flames like the phoenixes, it wasn’t a surprise that quite a number of them were alchemists as well. In fact, many of the geniuses this Dyon Sacharro took down just now were members of their Hegemon.

It was safe to say that even if the Phoenix Clan wasn’t considered to be a Clan of Alchemy, they were familiar enough with the profession to be able to see through some things others couldn’t with a glance.

The first major point was that Dyon hadn’t used his cauldron from start to finish. The second major point was that Dyon hadn’t used a unique flame from start to finish. And the third point was that… He didn’t even seem to be trying.

“This is… a blatant provocation.” Gilpin finally spoke.

“Gilpin, what do you mean by that?”

“… You all may not know, but this boy has a bounty issued on his head.”

“You have time to pay attention to the happenings of a little boy?” Imaigne asked with a sneer.

Since they hadn’t seen eye to eye, Imaigne obviously had no reason to give Gilpin face. In her view, this elf was here to push her Clan into the burning pits of hell along with him.

Attack the Nameless Immortal God? Did he have a screw loose?

It was fine if he did, but to actually come here to pull them along with him toward seeking death… How could she not be hostile toward him? Now that she saw an opportunity to scrutinize and demean him, why wouldn’t she take that chance?

Gilpin’s visage darkened.

“The reason I’m aware of this is because it was issued by the void coalition. In addition, there’s evidence that the Time and Space Immortal God is behind it. Which means this boy might very well be his fourth disciple. Do you still think this is information not worth knowing now?”

Imaigne didn’t respond. At such words, even her eyes had to narrow. She also didn’t believe Gilpin would lie about this, it would be too easy to prove him wrong if he did. By that point, even Jeanna who stood on his side would have to think twice about teaming up with this man.

“I’m sure you’re all intelligent enough to know what this means.

“A student of his appears and slaps the face of the whole alchemy world just a few years after the existence of the Nameless one was firmly planted into our memories once more? How could it be a coincidence? It’s clearly an act of provocation. You’re all just going to accept that?”

“Do you take us for three year old children, Gilpin?” Imaigne’s frown deepened. “We don’t all live to eek out that smallest bit of face like you do. In addition, even if we did, how would this be a reason for us to take action?

“Everyone knows that Abraxus and his disciples have never been a single unit. They’re all madmen who do what they want, when they want. Now you’re trying to convince us that this is part of some greater scheme to slap our faces and pave the way from the Nameless one’s return. You must think we’re stupid.”

At this point, many couldn’t help but lean toward Imaigne. Even if they understood why Gilpin wanted to eliminate this hidden danger, he shouldn’t treat them like fools on the way toward doing so.

In addition, there weren’t just a few here who remembered the humiliation Gilpin suffered at the hands of that man. Whenever he spoke of the ‘greater good’ and pretended as though they were also helping themselves by helping him… it made them feel a bit of disdain in the pits of their hearts.

However, it seemed that Gilpin was prepared for such a response because instead of being enraged, he smiled. No, it could be considered more of a smirk.

His handsome face was marred by his rage, so he looked particularly sinister. It was a sort of darkness one wouldn’t expect to find on a high elf.

“Never been a single unit? Then why don’t you explain The War of Balance to me. Was that also them not acting as a single unit?”

When Gilpin saw Imaigne fall into silence once more, his sneer deepened.

They all knew of The War of Balance. It was a battle that raged on since the disappearance of the Nameless Immortal God and stopped due to unknown reasons not even 500 years ago.

Even considering the scope of time on the immortal plane, this was an obscenely long war. However, this wasn’t the most striking problem at all.

What none of them could understand was that Abraxus could have ended the war whenever he wanted, yet he let it rage on for millions of years. Then suddenly, one day, without any sort of explanation, he suddenly ended it with a wave of his hand.

As if this wasn’t enough to raise their eyebrows, not even a hundred years later, the equivalent to a blink of an eye for Immortals of their stature, Gilpin learned of the reincarnation of the Nameless Immortal God.

If these things weren’t related… wouldn’t it be too much of a coincidence?

Could it be that Gilpin was correct? Could this be a declaration of war by the Time and Space Immortal God?