379 Law Seeds (1/2)
In the meantime, with the Serkar elders, Gulistan, Chimera, and Cat-Else by his side, Konrad stepped into the Infernal Cult's Merit Hall and walked toward the Stele that not only recorded Merit Reserves but enabled the exchange of merits for boons.
Following their sacrifice of one billion barbarian souls, the Serkars indeed used their overflowing Merit Reserves to exchange massive boons and resources, thereby filling their coffers to the brim. However, that was not the method they used to obtain Ashara's Seals. Through Berken's memories, Konrad realized that the thirteen seals were the result of a pact, and not a direct Merit Exchange.
Berken used some Merit to obtain the right to discuss with Ashara, then traded the Ancestral Records of house Serkar to obtain the thirteen seals. As for why Ashara wanted those records, though Berken himself couldn't say it with certainty, Konrad had already formed some hypotheses.
House Serkar's Ancestral Records didn't merely contain history. They also documented ancient cultivation methods, inheritances experiences, and processes. Although much of it was incomplete, it still allowed Gulistan to achieve Wielding in Light and Darkness.
Clearly, it wasn't just that ability Ashara sought. Rather, his true interest lay in the Law of War. Although Infinite Blood Burning allowed him to stand above his peers, Ashara could never accept his inferiority on cultivation. Of the four, he struggled the most to Wield Higher Laws. This was the unfortunate result of becoming the Embodiment of a Base Law.
Regardless of his paramount talent, Higher Law principles appeared in a foggy state he couldn't decipher. And for the sake of breaking through that fog, Ashara collected the ancient records of ancestral houses to corroborate the experience of ancient experts. With time, he realized that even if he could break through his limits, he could only do it in a scant few.
Naturally, War, the most destructive of Higher Laws, was his primary choice.
As the only Primogen skilled in Infinite Blood Burning, Ashara possessed vast ambitions. As long as he could take his base strength to the next level, then perhaps, the time would come when he could unify the Infernal Realm and reign supreme. Or so he hoped.
It was due to that hope that Konrad had full confidence in his move.
”Channel the merit reserves and establish a connection with Ashara.”
Konrad ordered a Serkar elder who immediately executed the task.
Blood-red light erupted from the Merit Stele and coalesced into the figure a handsome middle-aged man, whose illusory blood fog shaped features made his true attribute impossible to identify.
”You Serkars are truly relentless. It has been less than ten years since our last deal; why do you disturb This King?”
Ashara's cold voice thundered with displeasure. To avoid being betrayed by his looks that appeared so similar to Talroth's, Konrad changed his appearance to that of Xabur and stood back to handle the transaction through Berken.
”Your Infernal Majesty, apologies for the disturbance. Were it not for a matter of paramount importance, we would have, of course, not disturbed you. However, we recently made the acquisition of an item we believe will earn your favor.”
Berken replied with a polite bow, his words causing Ashara's ire to subside, if only a little.
”Oh? And what would that be?”
He asked with doubtful interest. Although in their last transaction, the Serkars did provide something of value, that was simply due to the mixture between his peculiar needs and their profound ancestry. Based on their current state and abilities, Ashara didn't believe them able to obtain an item of use to a Legendary God such as himself.
But since the connection had already been established, he might as well listen to the ants. But little did he expect Berken's next move to give him the scare of a millennium!
Berken stretched out his hand and presented two seeds, one black, one icy-blue, which respectively swirled in black and icy fog. Upon seeing them, Ashara's eyes widened in disbelief!
”Law Seeds? Nether and Death Law Seeds?”
He asked in a stupor, unable to believe his eyes. Law Seeds were the concentration of a Wielding or Embodiment level cultivator's understanding of the concerned laws. To others, a Higher Law Seed represented the hope of Higher Law Wielding.