"You're very good with words, Young Master Lein."
"Of course, I could show it to you."
Magnus spoke in a calm tone, his expression remaining composed. However, there was a flash of surprise in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected Lein to be bold enough to ask so directly.
Suddenly, without warning, an ancient scroll floated in the air, stopping right in front of Lein.
"I can show it to you—after you sign this agreement." Magnus's voice remained steady, almost like a merchant offering a rare item.
Lein held his breath for a moment. His trick had hit a wall. Magnus was far more cunning than he had anticipated. Damn it.
His gaze shifted to the scroll hovering before him. The writing on its surface was strange, letters forming intricate patterns like cosmic engravings. He couldn't understand the language, but his system kindly translated it for him.
[ King's Contract Scroll ]
An ancient scroll marked with symbols of cosmic law, which shift according to the terms of the agreement.
Effect: Absolute Binding, Indestructible, Limited Nullification.
Can only bind beings at the King level or below.
Lein read every detail carefully, making sure there were no hidden clauses that could harm him. So far, everything matched what Magnus had said. No strange tricks, no suspicious traps. Most importantly, the contract guaranteed that Magnus would indeed hand over the Void Essence to him.
He gave a slight nod.
"If you agree, drop your blood on it," said Magnus, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. His gaze held the knowing look of someone who had just seen through Lein's failed trick.
Lein felt like a child who had just been caught misbehaving. But he didn't let his nerves show. Casually, he cut his index finger, letting a drop of crimson blood fall onto the scroll.
A soft chime rang in his ears. The air around him trembled slightly, as if reality had subtly shifted. The scroll vanished in an instant, replaced by a small black chest with golden accents that gleamed with luxury.
Lein eyed the chest with suspicion. Magnus watched him from the side, his expression unreadable.
After a deep breath, Lein finally mustered the courage to open the chest.
The lid opened smoothly.
Inside, a small crystal orb lay floating slightly above the bottom of the chest. The light around it was being absorbed, creating swirling shadows around it. Its color was pitch black, but within it spun faint swirls of violet and deep blue, as if a dimension was trapped inside.
[ Void Essence ] A crystal formed from the fragments of a collapsed dimension, containing pure void essence. A fundamental material of the empty space whose existence lies beyond the laws of reality, born from the accumulated void energy at the core of a singularity.
Note: Do not leave it exposed to open air for too long. The more light it absorbs, the less pure it becomes.
Without needing any further explanation, he knew exactly what he was looking at—the pure essence of void, the Void Essence.
"Damn, there's a warning," Lein muttered in surprise upon reading the last line. Without wasting time, he quickly shut the small chest and stored it inside his spatial ring. There was no reason to take chances with such a precious item.
"Welcome, Lord Lein. From now on, you will be an honored elder of our sect," said Magnus, extending his hand for a handshake.
Lein nodded slightly before accepting the handshake with a wide smile—a smile as wide as his ambition to reach the next stage.
"Thank you, Lord Magnus. I will do my best to serve the sect," he replied politely, yet with a dignified tone. After all, the Invictus Sect had given him plenty of benefits. With their help, he now possessed two invaluable ascension items—Law Seed and Void Essence.
"It's no big deal," Magnus replied casually, his expression still calm. "Right now, we're all in the same boat."
"Lord Lein, welcome aboard," another voice called out from behind. Luxador approached with steady steps and shook Lein's hand. Unlike Magnus's mysterious aura, Luxador greeted him with sincerity.
Several other elders also came forward, offering their congratulations and warm welcomes one by one. Lein could feel the atmosphere in the area shift; he was no longer a guest or a temporary ally—he was now one of them.
Suddenly, Luxador stepped forward, standing tall before the entire assembly of grandmasters. In a loud voice that echoed throughout the hall, he raised his hand and declared,
Silence fell at once. Hundreds of people in front of Lein stopped whatever they were doing and focused on Luxador.
"Let us welcome Lord Lein, a Player, who is now one of our honored elders!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, all the sect disciples bowed deeply, nearly at a ninety-degree angle.
"Greetings to Elder Lein! Welcome to the Invictus Sect!"
Their voices boomed, filling the hall and sending chills down Lein's spine. This was no ordinary round of applause or polite congratulations. This was a tribute reserved only for those of the highest rank.
Lein's gaze settled on two figures in the front row—Laras and Efan. They smiled at him, paying their respects with the same gesture as the other disciples. Yet, Lein could read the movement of their lips.
"Congratulations, Brother Lein."
Lein gave a slight nod, then lifted his hand a little in return.
"Alright then..." Magnus's voice from behind drew everyone's attention once more. "Now it's time we discuss the division of the Law Manifestation Zone."
Lein immediately sharpened his focus. As per his previous agreement with Luxador, he was supposed to receive half of the spoils from that zone. This was something he couldn't afford to miss.
"In this conquest, our team secured 63% of the manifestation zones," Magnus stated in a deep, calm voice.
The surrounding area was filled with the sound of applause. Several elders even began discussing among themselves, unable to believe how many manifestation zones they had managed to claim.
"Sixty-three percent? Isn't that too much? It's been ages since we last reached even fifty," said a grandmaster seated along the side row, his tone filled with surprise.
"Yes, even back then, the sect's ancestors intervened directly, and the results still didn't come close to this," his companion replied in awe, eyes fixed once more on Magnus, who remained standing at the front.
Magnus raised his hand casually. "Everyone… calm down," he said unhurriedly.