Chapter 658: Choosing a Reward

Lu Mi once again saw Mr. Ivelista, who lived eighteen levels underground; he still wore the fluffy black hat with a white feather sticking out, and a complex, layered black robe.

At a glance, Lu Mi had already secretly used "Weakness Reconnaissance," scanning Ivelista's body for pale traces, preparing for possible assassination or ambush.

Aurora and Emperor Luo Saier had both said: always be aware of the need to guard against others!

Of course, on this matter, Lu Mi thought neither of them had done well enough—otherwise, they'd still be active in the world.

At this moment, the pale traces on Ivelista's surface were concentrated mostly around his two dark brown eyes, appearing somewhat illusory and unreal.

This meant he could rapidly transform into a "Soul of Grudge," and his eyes were no longer a weakness? As Lu Mi pondered, he gestured toward the long sofa in the living area:

"Let's talk over there."

Ludwig, seated at the dining table, looked up at Ivelista for several seconds, then lowered his head again, continuing to battle the large piece of beef dripping with juices.

Ivelista gave a slight nod, stepping lightly—almost soundlessly—into the living area, and sat upright at one corner of the long sofa.

You're a primary school student, aren't you, so proper… Lu Mi muttered inwardly, then focused his mind to observe Ivelista's fortune:

Relatively normal, nothing unusual.

At that moment, Lu Mi suddenly had several thoughts:

"Fortune Observation" and "Weakness Reconnaissance" both use the eyes to perceive the target's colors—one focusing on "background hue," the other capturing various surface colors. When I become a "Fate Hunter," could these two abilities merge and mutate into a more unique ability?

Why can these two abilities only be used through the eyes? Would a blind Harvester be unable to strike a target's weakness? Would a blind Ascetic be incapable of perceiving others' fortunes? Could intuition, hearing, or smell not work instead?

Or could it be possible at higher sequences?

Lu Mi sat on the single sofa opposite Ivelista's diagonal seat and smiled as he asked the man who was as silent as a corpse and as pale as death:

"What do you want?"

He spoke in Intis.

Ivelista sat rigidly upright and spoke in Ancient Fursak:

"Allow me to introduce myself: Ivelista Aiges, member of the 'Temperance Faction' within the 'Rose School' under the 'Fool' Church."

Lu Mi's already taut spirit grew even more alert, yet his expression remained relaxed as he confirmed:

"You're the contact from Tewanako?"

He switched to Ancient Fursak.

"No." Ivelista shook his head. "That member has already been eliminated by me—just fifteen minutes ago."

Fifteen minutes ago… I was still on patrol… but I can't just believe you… Lu Mi feigned curiosity and asked:

"I recall you arrived at Pailos Port before Tewanako was exposed. What was your original purpose?"

"To conduct an investigation within the region's primordial jungle. It's still in the early stage—I'm still gathering more intelligence," Ivelista answered seriously. "Four days ago, I made contact with Tewanako and obtained some documents from him. He seemed perfectly fine—extremely temperate."

Indeed temperate—otherwise, Pailos Port wouldn't have had a second serial murder case in four years… investigating the primordial jungle… the Tizamo Town incident was officially blamed on a sudden tribal attack from within the primordial jungle… Lu Mi quickly made several connections and said thoughtfully to Ivelista:

"Tewanako once did something in Tizamo Town involving nearby tribal groups in the primordial jungle, and some of his important items seem hidden there too—possibly connected to a devil of unknown sequence from the Nos family."

Ivelista listened in silence, then fell into thought.

After several dozen seconds, he spoke to Lu Mi:

"Thank you for providing this information. It may not directly aid my investigation, but it helps me know what to watch out for."

He did not specify his mission—clearly, that required his superior's permission.

Lu Mi replied indifferently:

"I won't tell you now, but you'll know tonight or tomorrow."

He had already reported the matter to the "Magician" Lady; the Major Arcana would certainly inform the "Fool" Church and the "Temperance Faction" in detail—not just vaguely naming key individuals, as before.

Ivelista gave a restrained nod and continued:

"I came to visit you first to express gratitude, and second to inform you that we are already investigating potential internal problems and hazards."

"Also, if you need assistance with anything in Matanibang, feel free to come to me."

"Fine." Lu Mi never played coy.

After finishing the serious matters, he asked Ivelista with interest:

"Why did you add 'Rose School' as a prefix in your self-introduction? You've already left the 'Rose School' and joined the 'Fool' Church—just now, it sounded like the 'Rose School' was subordinate to the 'Fool' Church."

"It was our leader's specific requirement," Ivelista explained in detail. "He still believes we are the true heirs of the 'Rose School,' that we alone represent it. Those traitors should change their organization's name—not us."

Sounds a bit obsessive… Aren't you the 'Temperance Faction'? Don't you temper emotions and desires in this regard? Hmm, Sequence 5 is 'Soul of Grudge,' close to malevolent spirits, and malevolent spirits all have obsessive, extreme tendencies—does this manifest among high-sequence members of the 'Temperance' Path? Lu Mi didn't fully understand, but tried to make a reasonable inference based on available information.

He was merely making casual conversation and had no intention of pressing further on this topic; instead, he asked:

"Your surname is Aiges—were your ancestors of the Baylang Empire's imperial family?"

"Yes," replied Ivelista, who always restrained his emotional expression, with a touch of pride. "And my mother's line is from the Highland Kingdom's nobility."

To many South Continentals, the surname Aiges was immensely noble—the proof of a deity walking the earth, the earthly agent of the God of Death.

Lu Mi was even more curious about another matter:

"I heard that the tombs of Baylang Empire's great nobles are built inverted underground, like this hotel. What's the esoteric significance? Just to get closer to death? But why would death be underground? The Underworld should be somewhere in the Spirit Realm."

This was the question Lu Mi had when he first learned of the situation.

He still knew little about this esoteric knowledge.

After a few seconds of thought, Ivelista said:

"I didn't choose the 'Death' Path, so I don't know the exact reason, but I know this construction method dates back to ancient times—from all Aiges ancestors, the deity who governs death."

"He is Death itself. Imitating Him is approaching the source of death."

"This is the esoteric explanation I most accept. Over the years, I've heard many other interpretations:

"Some believe death and life are opposing esoteric concepts: since we live with our feet on the earth, growing upward, standing upright, then after death, we should be buried head-down, inverted, to highlight the contradiction and connection between death and life."

"Others believe the true Hell is not in the Spirit Realm, not the Underworld, but deep underground. If we keep descending, keep extending, one day we'll reach true Hell, return to the source of death—so tombs must be built downward, inverted, to show our heads toward Hell, worshipping death, returning to the source. That's the esoteric meaning and symbolism."

Some 'God of Death' Path adepts don't accept the Underworld much… Extend deep underground and you'll find true Hell? Heh, hasn't anyone told you this world is essentially a planet? Extending this way leads to magma and the core—do they think that's true Hell? Keep extending further and you'd pass the core and magma, but then you'd reach the planet's other side—not true Hell…

Suddenly, Lu Mi froze:

What's on the other side of the planet?

I only know the North and South Continents; from time differences, they seem to be on the same side…

If this world truly is a planet, there must be another side—but I've never heard of any other continent. Just pure ocean?

Wait—the giants from New Silver City came from some "Land Abandoned by the Gods"… Could the continent on the planet's other side have collapsed, abandoned by the gods, hence called the "Land Abandoned by the Gods"?

If I get the chance later, I should return to New Silver City and check the library for books on the "Land Abandoned by the Gods"…

Lu Mi pulled his thoughts back and chatted casually with Ivelista for a while, then saw this descendant of the Baylang imperial family and member of the "Temperance Faction" out of this level.

Not long after returning to his room, the "Doll" messenger delivered a reply from the "Magician" Lady:

"The information you gathered and the deductions you made are extremely valuable—no wonder my intuition told me to send you to New Silver City after the Hanter Island devil incident."

"Looking back, your encounter with Naporedisli seems a bit coincidental—you followed that lead to Hanter Island. I assume you understand what I mean?"

"This situation makes me both relieved and more wary, even fearful. When He stands on our side, these details are so perfect, so useful—but He won't always stand with us. When our goals conflict, I can't imagine what might happen—for you, and for me."

"So, the 'Hunter' must rely more on himself, grow through blood and fire, chaos and strife. Many Hunters die, their bones forging the 'Red Priest' who conquers all."

"We've begun internal reviews, involving many people, and it will take a long time to complete. Based on your contribution, besides turning that Unique Item into a sealed artifact, you may choose one reward—two options:"

"One: the Elixir recipe for Sequence 4 'Ironblood Knight' of the 'Hunter' Path; two: I'll perform a divination to reveal clues about the remaining parts of the 'Pus-Swollen Hand.'"

(End of Chapter)