Reaper of the Martial World

Book 10: Chapter 41: Surprise (2)

“You’re… threatening me…” Eldaernth, aside from his partially opened eyes, hadn’t undergone any changes.

“I think you’re failing to understand something.” Dyon said faintly. “The reason I sent a clone here isn’t because I’m afraid of you, it’s because I’m too busy to come personally. My daughter’s 19^th birthday is in a few days, and a father must prepare grand gifts for his daughter. In addition, the world’s end is coming very soon, a husband must spend time with his wives.

“Compared to them, even the strongest existence of the Immortal Plane is worthless to me, let alone a man who must share that position with others on this mere Mortal Plane.

“Unfortunately for you, though, this is only the first misunderstanding you have. The second is the fact that you didn’t realize that this is a clone because of your own ability, you only realized because I wanted you to realize.

“You believe that you’re an existence on a level above my own… A pity that I’ve never seen it that way.”

“… Interesting…” Eldaernth said faintly.

“Ah, I have to admit, that indifferent face of yours is annoying to me. Since you don’t believe me, how about I explain a bit more?”

Dyon casually sat up from his chair, his forefinger casually tapping on the table that lay before them.

“Your name is Eldaernth Ravana, I believe? However, me knowing this isn’t impressive. After all, maybe your daughter is the one who told me.

“That said…” A light smirk coated Dyon’s features. “You are approaching your third millionth year of life. If we wanted to be precise about it, you would be 299 999 896 years old. You completed your Foundation Stage at 7 years old, the Meridian Formation Stage at 8 years old, the Essence Gathering Stage at 10 years old, the Saint Stage at 16 years old, and managed to enter the Dao Realm at 24 years old.

“Following this, you charged through to the 12^th Dao Stage in just 10 000 years, and used another 500 000 to fill exactly 114 meridians from your completed 108 before challenging your Heaven’s Staircase.

“Effectively, among Higher Existences, you are nigh undefeatable due to this reality. But what’s truly exceptionally impressive is the fact you accomplished all of this without the backing of anyone. In fact, even your so-called Devil Quadrants only came into being thanks to you. historical

“Without something like… say… My Devil Vein, this accomplishment is truly impressive, I must say…”

Dyon casually looked off into the distance as though he didn’t notice Eldaernth’s almost closed eyes slowly widening with each passing second.

“I won’t ask you how you managed to get your hands on a Martial Saint Pill so late in your life, but I should commend you on your persistence. To swallow such a pill at the very peak of the dao realm and forge an extra 6 meridians for yourself… It seems we’re kindred spirits in masochistic tendencies.

“Though, I myself have already formed an additional 9 meridians. But that’s neither here nor there.”

Dyon’s smirk only became more insufferable with each passing word.

“You must be a bit worried by now. I’m sure your first thought is that I must have a spy among you. After you think this, you’ll immediately turn your thoughts toward the Mathilde Clan because you’re aware that the Elvin Queen has awoken.

“But then, after a split moment, you’ll realize that even the Mathilde Clan shouldn’t have this information. After all, back when you accomplished these things, the Devil Quadrants were just a hodgepodge of loose cultivators and weak Clans.

“Of course, Nightmare Palace had already existed back then, but no one had snatched its power until you…”

[Author’s Note: The mysteries of Nightmare Palace aren’t so simple. This is why despite the story seeming to point toward Eldaernth conquering multiple quadrants in a single lifetime, this isn’t actually the case. Nightmare Palace is the reason why this technically doesn’t count].

“Once you think to this point, you’ll realize that there’s no one in existence besides yourself that should have this knowledge. You’ll begin to feel apprehensive, on edge… Hey, maybe even that insufferable slow talking style of yours will disappear along with that arrogance, who knows?”

Dyon smiled lightly. “Unfortunately, though, I’m not finished.

“You cultivate the [Devil Core] technique, likely a reward you received from Nightmare Palace. This is actually a Mystic Grade Cultivation technique, how impressive.

“It allows you to form a pseudo dantian in the form of Devil Cores. Every formed Devil Core can also enact some of the abilities of a Devil Vein by continuously increasing the devil qi in the surroundings. This ability has likely helped your Nightmare Palace to flourish during your reign.

“Ah, look at that, you actually used the momentum of forming a new Devil Core in order to solidify each extra meridian you have. Smart, smart…

“Your preferred martial art is quite a rare one, I’ve never run into a someone who places such emphasis on the strength of their fingers before. Aiya, what a masochistic technique. You’re practically turning your own hands into a treasure. The initial stages of your [Earth Rending Finger] must have been extremely painful.

“Your attack potency and defense are both incredibly high. You have a pseudo treasure of the 33 heavens as both a soft armor and a qi amplifier. It seems that your beast partner is the Infernal Beast Wyrm but he hasn’t been useful to you in quite a while, I see. Ah, pity, pity. Another failed Dragon.

“You haven’t eaten a single meal in 2 895 520 years. Your soul is impressively powerful for a Devil Path Cultivator, but you’ve still only comprehended comet qi.

“Oh my… You’re practically celibate. It’s actually been over 30 years since the last time you had sex.

“… Oh, I understand why now. You sly dog, you must have drained your libido long ago. You actually lost your virginity at 11 years old. Mothers all over the world are shedding real tears right now –.”

That must have been the final straw, because the moment those words left Dyon’s lips, the void trembled.