Legacy of Hatred

Chapter 336: Pendant

"The new generation surpasses the old," The spirit chuckled. "I was once offered to claim the seat of Head of the inscriptions pavilion. I wonder if I’m still worthy."

The spirit seemed to have forgotten about the previous clash. He looked genuinely happy about that development, and Liam didn’t hesitate to join in.

"Brother, what else have you heard about Master?" Liam asked, eager to hear more stories.

"What everyone else has heard," Lancelot responded. "Master Horace was quite infamous about the way he reacted to insults. Anyone who dared to cross him put their whole Sect at risk."

Liam instinctively chuckled. "That sounds like Master."

"Brother, you are following in his footsteps," Lancelot laughed, too. "After what you did in the upper layer, I know it won’t be long until Sects start to fear you, too."

Lancelot didn’t know how on point he was. After all, the Master’s Pride was a recipe created from Liam’s Master’s original product, hence carrying his very ideology on life.

"It’s known Master Horace suffered an injury to his cultivation and left the Inner Circles," Lancelot continued. "Many even believe him to be dead. Instead, he accepted the disciple who would become my sworn Brother!"

Fate truly worked in mysterious ways. Even Liam dwelled on that thought, but the spirit cut that short.

"Young Snake, it seems you won’t become my disciple," The spirit stated cheerfully. "Alchemy is also a better fit for your core, for now, at least. Still, that’s a challenge I’m confident you’ll overcome with such an excellent Master."

The praise didn’t distract Liam from the hidden meaning in that statement, but the spirit moved on before he could mention it.

"Young Phoenix, I’m aware of your unique core and predicament," The spirit declared. "I know blueprints for formations that can create worthy nutrients for your living fire. But, since it has come to this, you shall tackle your bottleneck through my inscriptions."

The implications were obvious there. Liam had refused to become the Archbishop’s disciple, so the blessing had fallen on Lancelot. The spirit’s awareness of his issue wasn’t even surprising. The topic had come up during the inheritance’s exploration, and the Archbishop himself could see much.

And Lancelot bowed politely, only to open a window into the nonsensical workings of his mind. "Your Excellency, I apologize. The three noble arts have my profound respect, but I find them utterly boring."

After centuries, Archbishop Ignatius’ inheritance had finally been claimed, only for the two winners to refuse its greatest reward.

But that excuse didn’t fly now. Liam’s refusal had good reasons and an unfaltering stance, while Lancelot didn’t. That, or the spirit had run out of patience.

"You shall accept it nonetheless," The spirit said in a deadpan tone.

A flash of white light brightened, coming from Lancelot’s hand now. The glow condensed around his forefinger, eventually dimming enough to show the ring that had appeared there.

"It’s bound to your soul," The spirit explained, seemingly holding back a scoff as he joined his hands under his sleeves. "You won’t be able to remove it."

Initially, Lancelot only stared at his hand before his eyes went wide. His face snapped left and right, his hands eventually rising to his ears, covering them, only for pristine terror to invade his expression.

"It’s in my head," Lancelot gasped. "I’m hearing him in my head!"

Before Liam could wonder whether the experience was similar to his hiss, Lancelot threw himself to his knees, grabbing his pants, almost tearing their already torn fabric due to how tightly he squeezed.

"Brother, save me!" Lancelot begged.

Liam barely had the time to open his mouth when the spirit interrupted him.

"What an impure mind," The spirit commented. "As expected of a Young Phoenix. Either heed my teachings, or I’ll make sure your manhood remains forever limp."

Liam didn’t blink, but Lancelot moved so quickly he seemed to have phased on the spot. By the time Liam’s brain caught up with the event, Lancelot was already facing the spirit, performing a perfect kowtow.

"Disciple greets Master," Lancelot solemnly said.

And Liam knew that he shouldn’t, but a laugh rose through his throat, eventually exploding out loud, forcing him to cover his mouth to suppress it.

"Don’t laugh about your Brother’s misfortune," Lancelot complained, which only made Liam laugh harder, eventually affecting him, too.

The spirit should find that utterly disrespectful, but a warm smile broadened on his white face. It was nothing short of a miracle for two children burdened with so much to find the time to utter such heartfelt laughs.

Of course, time was likely to remove that laugh forever, but that was exactly why the spirit decided to let it happen, even if it was at his expense.

But the world wasn’t on anyone’s side. Actually, it opposed Liam, Lancelot, and even Archbishop Ignatius. While the laugh was still unfolding, a violent tremor ran through the hall, at which the spirit just sighed.

Needless to say, the tremor snapped Liam and Lancelot out of their happy moment. The latter even jumped to his feet so that the two could look at the only one who could provide answers.

"The Church’s forces captured the teammate that betrayed you," The spirit explained. "They have resumed taking over the inheritance. It won’t be long until I lose control of its functions."

Lancelot and Liam had done their best not to waste time, but the Church’s reaction had remained quick, definitely helped by whatever Julian had revealed.

The two exchanged a glance, and Liam just summoned a rank 2 elixir, which Lancelot didn’t hesitate to chug down now. What would follow was unclear, but facing it at anything below top form would be mental.

"I’ll cover for you as much as I can," The spirit continued. "I’ll tamper with the bodies, the tracks you have left, and send you to the furthest exit I placed. The remaining energy will also work as a temporary cloaking technique."

The spirit waved his sleeve, and the light that had taken over the hall instantly receded, alongside the piles of items, condensing into a pendant shaped like the Church’s emblem, which now hung from his hand. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Disciple, this symbol will prove that you have claimed my inheritance," The spirit explained. "You can cover for your Sworn Brother with it."

Liam didn’t get the chance to argue again. Lancelot put a hand on his shoulder, showing a confident smirk, settling the matter for good.

The white light shone again. The pendant radiated it, only for it to condense in the spirit’s other hand. A white ring formed in his palm, and he offered it to Liam.

"I split the rewards according to your performance, fighting style, and inclinations," The spirit announced. "You are free to exchange them if the opportunity comes, but I’m afraid there won’t be time to settle down once you get out."

The spirit taking care of that part saved a lot of time, other than preventing issues that could arise from the chaos in the outside world. However, there was a problem with that division.

"Archbishop," Liam called, "What about Isabel and Robert?"

The question actually stunned the spirit for a second. Despite all the greed Liam had shown earlier, his heart was in the right place, even considering teammates who had failed to reach the end of the inheritance.

"Young Snake, you are full of surprises," The spirit said as the pendant lit up again. Even the ring did, and that glow moved to create two more of those items.