Chapter 999: Words Become Law

PS: The number of sages in the previous chapter was increased from fewer than fifty to fewer than one hundred; originally, I didn’t intend to count Long Shou at all, since Long Wang takes up too many slots—if we count Long Shou fully, she alone would occupy over a hundred slots.

The grand hall of the Underworld faction suddenly fell silent; all the Grand Inquisitors were momentarily speechless, stunned by what the Black Reaper had just said.

Had they just misheard? Or was the Black Reaper joking?

Otherwise, how could such an absurd statement have been uttered?

As reserve candidates for sage candidacy, the Grand Inquisitors may not yet have comprehended or mastered any power, but they still understood the basic information about powers.

Powers are not singular—there’s no rule that a sage can master only one power; in fact, if you have the ability to comprehend them, it’s perfectly normal for a sage to control multiple powers.

The upper-tier sages almost all possess multiple powers.

Yet even so, no one dares claim to master all powers—not even the Three Kings could do such a thing.

After all, if someone truly controlled every power in the world, they would be truly omnipotent—that would be a true god.

According to unreliable rumors, among the Three Kings, Long Wang has comprehended the most powers; she has already grasped the vast majority of all powers and is nearly at the threshold of omnipotence—but even then, Long Wang has never been so arrogant as to say she could let anyone experience any power.

So the question arises: how dare this Black Reaper say such a thing? Does she believe she can surpass the Three Kings?

At this moment, the Grand Inquisitors’ minds were filled with question marks.

Honestly, if it weren’t for that one glance from the Black Reaper just now, which made them clearly realize this Grand Inquisitor General was a true powerhouse, they’d all think she was a fraud—probably a clumsy, low-quality one—otherwise how could she utter such an outrageous statement?

Why not say you can make the sun rise in the west tomorrow?

The other Inquisitors present also fell silent.

Their realms were too low to grasp just how powerful a power truly was; for most of them, this was still far beyond their reach. Yet noble-born ladies like Cassandra understood a little, and thus they too were stunned.

Long moments passed before the silence was finally broken.

“Cough, cough, Black Reaper, your words are a bit too exaggerated. Everyone’s been frightened. Even the Three Kings don’t boast like you—any power at all? Do you really think you’re a true god?”

A voice spoke up, lacking any trace of reverence toward the Black Reaper, Grand Inquisitor General—instead, it was brazen and provocative.

The crowd was jolted by the voice and turned to look; there they saw the familiar clown mask.

Oh, it’s just the Clown. Then it’s fine.

Everyone thought to themselves.

After all, everyone knew this Clown Inquisitor was none other than the famous Young Lady herself—she had already made her name known in the Inquisition Court, and her arrogance and audacity were well known; she truly had the right to be arrogant, didn’t they see Long Wang personally attending her birthday these past two days?

But isn’t the Clown the only official member of the Underworld faction right now? Doesn’t she care about showing respect to the Black Reaper? Mocking her superior, disrespecting elders—doesn’t she fear being given the cold shoulder later?

Everyone internally marveled at the young colleague’s boldness.

Hmm, no wonder she’s the newly appointed Fifth Menace of the Inquisition Court—she’s even more troublesome than the previous Four Menaces.

Although the Clown Inquisitor’s tone was flippant, she did voice aloud what everyone dared not say, so all eyes turned again toward the Black Reaper, awaiting her reply.

“Hmph. I never lie, nor do I make promises I can’t keep. Clown, don’t think being favored by that Prince means you can disrespect your elders. Today, I’ll open this narrow-minded fool’s eyes.”

To this, the Black Reaper coldly snorted.

Of course, this was performance.

Dorothy was playing both sides of the act herself.

She intended to strain the relationship between the Black Reaper and the Clown Inquisitor, so this new alias wouldn’t be easily linked back to her.

Hmm, and she also subtly hinted at the Clown’s backer.

That Prince, of course, referred to Fan Ni, her senior who would become the Fourth King—she was already laying the groundwork for her senior’s future ascension.

“Hehe, sorry, having a backer really does let you do whatever you want. Black Reaper, I love seeing you look at me with disdain but can’t do a thing about it. Anyway, in a few years, your position will be mine—I’m the one she trusts most.”

The Clown Inquisitor grinned, pointing her thumb at herself as she replied.

Arrogance maxed out.

Dorothy: “.”

Damn, Fairy King, you’re really playing this arrogant role to perfection—this annoying vibe has even my fists clenched.

But aren’t you a bit too over-the-top? Where did you dig up these brainless villain lines? Must’ve read too many novels in your past life.

She couldn’t help internally scolding herself.

Meanwhile, inside the Black Reaper’s mind, the Sleeping Beauty senior was also curious.

“Hey, Qianbao, what drama are you two putting on? What Prince? Which Prince? I didn’t even know there was a Prince—did I miss some big news again?”

The Home Witch: “.”

The Forest Witch and the Fairy King both fell silent, too lazy to respond to this clueless senior.

This woman’s being spoiled rotten—she’s probably forgotten her dream of becoming the Witch Queen after spending too long as a familiar.

But it doesn’t matter—even if you’re mud, I’ll still drag you up the wall.

At once, the Black Reaper Grand Inquisitor General snorted again, ignoring the Clown entirely, and turned to face the crowd.

“I don’t dare claim to surpass the Three Kings. My power is simply unique—it can freely simulate other powers. Though its strength doesn’t match the original, it’s more than enough to let you experience and gain insight.”

Seeing the Grand Inquisitor General yield first in the argument between her and the Clown, everyone was startled.

They couldn’t help but grow curious about the “that Prince” mentioned—what kind of Prince could command such prestige that even a high-tier sage would yield to her confidant?

Only the Three Kings could possibly wield such influence—but the Three Kings wouldn’t be called Prince; they’d be addressed as Majesty or Your Imperial Highness.

Wait a minute—

The Inquisition Court’s factions have always corresponded to the Three Kings. Even during the God-King era, when the Court was first founded, there were no factions at all. It was only during Long Wang’s era that the God-King and Long Wang factions emerged, and only during the Demon King’s era that the Demon King faction appeared. So—

Hmm, the Underworld faction was only recently established.

Hss—

The crowd suddenly realized the terrifying implication, and a bold guess formed about the identity of “that Prince.”

But soon, everyone’s attention shifted back to the Black Reaper’s words.

A power that can simulate other powers? Does such a power even exist? Isn’t that practically a mini-omnipotence?

The Grand Inquisitors were well-traveled, but powers lay far beyond their comprehension; they truly didn’t know whether such a unique power existed.

And if it did—

Their gazes burned with renewed heat.

Whether this power was strong or not didn’t matter—it was divine to these peak sorceresses desperate to comprehend a power.

Had they not feared frightening the speaker, some of the more impulsive among them would’ve already dropped to their knees and cried out “Mother of Righteousness!”

Already, someone was about to volunteer for the task.

The chance to experience one’s target power in advance—such an opportunity was rarer than a thousand-year bloom. No merit points, no matter how precious, could compare. If this could be bought with gold, nearly everyone here would sell everything they owned for a single chance.

Risk it all—broom to battleship. What if you actually breakthrough?

But before anyone could speak up, the Black Reaper raised a finger toward the crowd.

“Hmm. Words mean nothing. I’ll redeem part of the reward in advance—so you won’t be half-hearted later. You’re Hong, right? Come forward.”

“Me?”

Hatii blinked in confusion, pointing at herself to confirm.

She was still far from qualifying for the sage exam—she was young, only a few hundred years old. Though her combat prowess was peak upper-tier, her knowledge was woefully insufficient; she hadn’t met the nine-discipline all-around standard required for sage candidacy.

Besides, she sensed tension between the Black Reaper and the Clown, so she’d already been thinking of backing out.

After all, she’d unconditionally side with the Clown.

The Clown—or rather, the Young Lady—was Lilith’s adopted daughter and Alice’s older sister; she’d even owed the Young Lady a favor after the Thirteen Vampire Clan operation. Emotionally and morally, she’d support the Clown.

But she never expected the Black Reaper to pick her as the test subject.

She turned to look at the Clown beside her.

“Hehe, Lady Hong, don’t worry. This old thing is tens of thousands of years old—she does have some real skill. Go ahead and try. I’m certain you’re not her stooge.”

The Fairy King, as the Clown, gave an expression of absolute trust.

In fact, not just the Clown—all the other Grand Inquisitors felt the same.

If the four beside her were the Court’s Menaces, then Lady Hong was the Court’s model. Though she was usually quiet and poor at socializing, her record—multiple selections as Annual Best Inquisitor—proved she was a straightforward, righteous person.

Hmm, if she’s the one to experience it, the result will be authentic—she won’t lie.

“Then name the power you wish to experience.”

The Black Reaper didn’t even glance at the Clown beside her; she kept her gaze fixed on Hong.

In response, Hatii thought carefully.

Her path was the Sky-Devouring Demon Wolf; the most suitable power was Gluttony among the Seven Sins. But Gluttony wasn’t rare—there were many other opportunities to learn and experience it. Should she waste this rare free-choice opportunity on it?

Besides, everyone was watching. Inquisitors’ abilities were always kept secret—who’d want to expose their core power under so many eyes?

After much deliberation, she finally spoke.

“The Moon. I want to experience a power related to the Moon—preferably Blood Moon.”

She said.

Lady Hong’s demonstrated abilities over the years had always been Blood Moon-related; Blood Moon power was already her second choice, and opportunities to experience it were indeed scarce.

After all, the only historical figure who ever possessed Blood Moon power was the long-vanished Crimson Moon Sage.

Whether Lilith or Alice later comprehends a power, Blood Moon is an option. Hatii figured if she could comprehend it, she could pass it on to them later.

Dorothy: “.”

The Home Witch, who already knew Lady Hong’s true identity, fell silent upon hearing her choice.

Aunt Hatii, you still can’t let go of that Blood Moon, can you?

Sigh. Werewolf sorceresses really shouldn’t fall in love—good wolves turn into dogs.

She internally scolded herself, but outwardly, the Black Reaper merely nodded coldly and murmured softly.

“Moon, come.”

The already bright hall suddenly dimmed, as if night had descended, then a silvery moonlight descended.

Everyone looked up in shock, only to find the ceiling above them gone without warning—they saw at once the starless night sky and a full moon like a silver plate.

But this luminous moon soon turned an ominous crimson; the blood-red hue spread rapidly until it became a scarlet moon, its light pouring over them and causing the demons and witchesses present to feel their power surge violently.

Fuck, it’s really a blood moon.

One sentence summoned a blood moon—what kind of power is this?

The Grand Inquisitors were thoroughly confused.

But they were now utterly certain: this Black Reaper boss wasn’t joking—he was truly terrifying.

After all, the moon’s authority isn’t some low-tier power; though not as supreme as the Three Kings’ abilities, it’s unquestionably among the elite upper-tier powers, especially in the witch world.

In the witch world, the moon represents the World Consciousness, the Mother; the Moon Goddess is the only remaining pseudo-divine office still extant, even if the throne has stood vacant for years, it has always existed.

If the Black Reaper can simulate such a niche power as the blood moon, then other powers must be no problem at all.

At once, everyone made up their minds.

Meanwhile, Dorothy stared up at the blood moon, lost in thought.

“Fuck, is my Word-as-Command power this insane when I’ve got enough mana?”

The home witch thought in astonishment.

She dared offer such a reward because she had confidence—she never lied, and she truly possessed the ability to simulate any power.

Word-as-Command was one of her innate powers, the manifestation of the Divine Voice corresponding to the Divine Face.

This ability truly was a “mini-omnipotence”—as long as she had enough mana, any power could be summoned with a single word.

Of course, with her former pathetic mana reserves, she could never afford such a grand ability; calling for wind would drain all her mana and produce only a natural breeze weaker than the wind spell she could conjure by hand.

So it was merely a high-style, useless party trick locked away in her vault.

But now she was using Fan’s body, and while Fan lacked everything else, she never lacked mana.

Hmm, she and Fan were truly made for each other.

This was her first true use of this innate power.

But as a weakling, she had no idea how powerful such a power truly was—this test had frightened even her.

Wait, you call this a “mini-omnipotence”? It feels no different from true omnipotence.

Dorothy stared at the crimson moon, thinking this.

But damn, I’m so badass—hands on hips.

The home witch thought smugly to herself.

Then, in a haze, she thought she saw the red moon affectionately blink at her.

Dorothy: “.”

Wait, what? The moon blinked? What the hell did I summon?

The home witch panicked.

Red Moon: Ah, my daughter called me—let’s snuggle.