“Orloff, you seem to be quite nervous,” Linley sent back. “As far as I can recall, and in fact, as far as any Sovereigns can recall, you, Orloff, as the Chief Sovereign of Fate, always spend your time toiling away with research in your Orloff Gardens in the Celestial Realm. You never get involved in worldly affairs. Nothing can disturb you. But now, you are nervous.”
“Naturally. He is my good friend,” Orloff sent back. “Linley, I hope you won’t act foolishly.”
“Just a good friend?” Linley laughed as he sent back… and the Chief Sovereign of Fate’s face changed slightly.
“Upon seeing Augusta execute ‘Spacetime Paradox’, I realized the truth. You are bound by an Overgod oath; there is no way that you could’ve taught ‘Spacetime Paradox’ to someone else. But there is a loophole; if you and Augusta are the same person to begin with, then naturally any secrets you know, he knows.”
Linley let out a sigh. “Actually, if I hadn’t accepted that Emissary and learned of the existence of the Bula race, I wouldn’t have come to this realization so quickly. Actually, when I fought Augusta for the first time and realized that his power was ten times what I had expected, I began to suspect that he might have other Sovereign clones. Unfortunately, I never imagined, nor did I dare imagine, that you and him truly were the same person!”
The Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “Since you’ve already guessed it, you should know what to do. I do not wish… for you and I to become enemies!”
“Yes. I know what I should do.”
Linley smiled as he waved his hand. The Life Overgod Sword in his hand lashed out in a beautiful, dream-like arc, and a finger-thick ray of inky jade light shot out. The only thing that appeared within the surrounding space was that finger-thick ray of inky jade light, and a finger-thick spatial tear. There weren’t even any spatial ripples created.
The energy was concentrated to an absolute peak.
Linley’s most powerful technique… Sword Intent!
“Slash.” A hole appeared in Augusta’s head. Augusta’s mouth opened… but he was no longer capable of making any sounds.
91
A NEW NAME (PART 1)
Augusta’s body crumpled down, falling into the flows of chaotic space, being carried away like an inanimate object within the ‘rivers’.
The Chief Sovereign of Light, Augusta, was killed by one sword blow!
“Augusta died?”
“Linley killed Augusta?”
The Sovereigns couldn’t help but take a deep breath. It had been countless years since a Chief Sovereign had truly perished.
“Good that he died!” The Chief Sovereigns of Death and Destruction, along with ten plus other Sovereigns, had already guessed at the connection between Augusta and Orloff. They felt a surge of delight in their hearts!
“Bang!” “Bang!” Two rays of light shot out from Augusta’s corpse, moving at extremely high speed. It was a ring and the Lightsaber.
“Stay here!” Linley wasn’t able to catch them in time, so he could only use his fused Sovereign power to create a distant ‘barrier’, wanting to trap these two Overgod artifacts within it.
“Do you think that the likes of you is capable of trapping my Overgod artifacts?” Orloff’s low voice rumbled within Linley’s mind. In midair, the Lightsaber suddenly expanded dramatically. With a “boom”, it pierced straight through that barrier. Linley only saw two bolts of light flash past, and then the two Overgod artifacts disappeared.
Linley, seeing this, couldn’t help but sigh to himself. The Overgod artifacts belonged to the Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, to begin with. Under Orloff’s control, given how quickly Overgod artifacts could move, they vastly outstripped any Sovereign’s speed.
Ten billion kilometers away from Linley, within the void. A white-robed Orloff stretched his hand out, snatching the Lightsaber that had flown towards him. This Lightsaber was the Fate Overgod weapon; his other clone, ‘Augusta’, naturally wasn’t able to unleash its full power. But in the hands of the Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, its power increased dramatically.
The ring slid onto Orloff’s finger as well. Orloff was able to control his Overgod artifacts from a distance, and didn’t need to bind them with blood before using them. He stared into the distance at the many spectating Sovereigns, especially those who hadn’t realized that Orloff and Augusta were the same person, and so were in a state of shock.
No matter how foolish they might be, however, upon seeing this, they understood! Orloff and Augusta had been the same person!
“Ah, Augusta and Lord Orloff are actually the same person! Then… since Lord Orloff became a Paragon long ago, he gained an additional portion of Will. He gained another portion of Will from winning ten Planar Wars in a row. Having an additional Sovereign clone would also transform the Chief Sovereign of Fate’s soul, granting him yet another portion of Will! Although his Sovereign clone has perished, the only thing Orloff lost was the portion of Will that was infused in his ‘Augusta’ Sovereign spark; his already-strengthened soul wouldn’t lose the Will he had already gained. Then Lord Orloff, he…”
All the Sovereigns were completely stunned. Only now did everyone understand how terrifyingly strong Orloff was! A soul change was irreversible; once one’s souls were strengthened, one soul couldn’t possibly weaken in power, just because the other one was destroyed.
Thus, Augusta’s death didn’t actually have much of an impact on the Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff. It only represented that Orloff had lost a life.
“So in reality, he had two more portions of Will than I did! No wonder he was able to withstand my Overgod weapon with his bare hands.” The Chief Sovereign of Destruction, Wodred, had a look on his face that was as calm as still water. He quietly watched everything happen.
All of the Sovereigns watched and waited to see… how the Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, would take revenge upon Linley.
“Whoosh!” The Chief Sovereign of Fate’s speed increased to the limit, passing through a distance of countless kilometers. Less than a minute later, he had traversed the distance of a hundred billion kilometers and arrived within Linley’s field of vision.
Linley hefted his Life Overgod Sword in his hand, standing there in the void, surrounded by chaotic space. “You are really quite fast,” Linley was actually able to laugh while nodding in praise.
“And you are really quite audacious.” The Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, smiled as he looked at Linley. “It seems that you are quite confident.”
“But I, too, feel as though you are quite confident.” Linley laughed calmly. “Do you think that just by relying on that Overgod weapon, you will be able to kill me? Oh, I forgot; you are a Bula. You are able to divide your consciousness in two, and you have spent countless years researching like a madman. I imagine you have a supreme technique of your own.”
Hearing Linley’s words, a smile appeared on Orloff’s face. “I am very fortunate and should celebrate the fact that I am a Bula, because in terms of my physical defense alone, I am inferior to the Four Divine Beasts, the Sable Leviathan, and those other supreme divine beasts. My Bula race, however, has unlimited potential.” The Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, had an indescribable look in his eyes. “Temperament determines one’s destiny! Due to many contradictory thoughts, many geniuses end up limiting themselves. But me? I’m able to give up all of the contradictory, complicated thoughts that hinder me. All my evilness, my avarice… I can shunt them all aside, leaving behind only what I need.”
Linley laughed calmly. “Thus, we end up with a wild, overbearing, avaricious Augusta, as well as the supreme expert, Orloff, who focuses on his research and pays no mind to worldly affairs?”
“Right.” Orloff nodded and laughed. “To tell the truth, we Bulas aren’t that gifted, innately. Originally, as a Paragon, I did have a Sovereign clone, but in terms of power, I wasn’t confident in being able to defeat the other Chief Sovereigns of the Edicts. Thus, I
had to hide my power and ensure that they wouldn’t fear me. If the three of them were to join forces against me, I would definitely lose. Thus, I couldn’t let them know that Augusta and I were one and the same.”
“And so, I naturally ended up having 182 children! In reality, those children were newborn infants with some excellent talents who I selected from the various material planes. After they grew up, they naturally would have no recollection of what happened when they were one or two years old. Augusta trained them, and so they naturally would believe that Augusta was their father. And thus, there was the Augusta clan. Who, then, would suspect that Augusta and I were one?” Orloff laughed softly.
“In the past, you were extremely cautious. But now, it seems, you have no more concerns?” Linley laughed calmly.
The Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, smiled and nodded. “To tell the truth, I now hold the other three Chief Sovereigns of the Edicts in no regard whatsoever. This is because… all these years, I’ve never before revealed all of my power. You were able to destroy one of my clones; you are quite formidable. In order to show my respect for you, today, I will reveal my entire power. Although you will die, I will allow you to die satisfied.”
Linley frowned slightly. For Orloff to laugh and speak in such a manner indicated that his self-confidence was extremely high. “Kill me? Augusta also said that he would kill me, but in the end, I killed him.” Linley smiled, but then, suddenly…
“Crackle…” The Life Overgod Sword in Linley’s hand instantly transformed into a ray of green light. An extremely concentrated line of inky jade light, the size of a finger, shot out through the void, chopping through it like a knife and leaving behind only an extremely fine spatial tear that not even divine sense could see clearly. Linley’s Life Overgod Sword stabbed directly towards the body of Orloff, the Chief Sovereign of Fate.
His most powerful sword attack… Sword Intent! After completely fusing all four profound mysteries, Linley’s power had risen a thousandfold. He was now completely terrifying, and one could imagine how strong was the power which this sword attack contained.
“Clang!” A ringing sound. Orloff just smiled as he looked at Linley, not even using his own Fate Overgod Sword to block, allowing Linley to stab him with his sword. “What?!” Linley’s face changed dramatically.
“Impossible!” The distant spectators, including the Chief Sovereigns of Death and Destruction, all couldn’t refrain from crying out in shock. They could tell how terrifyingly strong Linley’s sword was. Logically speaking, no one should be able to rely on their body to defend against it. Not even Chief Sovereigns!
“Haha…” Orloff couldn’t help but start to laugh. “After the creation of the universe, Linley, there have been a total of seven Overgod missions. The other three Chief Sovereigns of the Edicts and yourself, Linley, each acquired an Overgod artifact. But that just accounts for four completed missions! To the outside world, I have only admitted that I was in possession of a soul-protecting Overgod artifact, while Augusta acquired an Overgod weapon. But what about the last Overgod mission? Who completed it? Do you know, Linley?” Orloff was quite smug.
Linley’s heart clenched. “Can it also have been…”
“Also have been me.” The Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, laughed. “This Overgod artifact is a defensive Overgod artifact!” As he spoke, a completely black armor appeared on Orloff’s body; this defensive Overgod artifact had already become one with Orloff’s skin.
Linley’s heart was now ice-cold. The distant, spectating Sovereigns were all completely silent as well. Good heavens! Orloff was a complete monster; he had a soul-protecting Overgod artifact, a defensive Overgod artifact, and an Overgod weapon. He had three Overgod artifacts. He could probably stand there and do nothing, and the others still wouldn’t be able to kill him!
“Orloff…” The Chief Sovereigns of Destruction, Death, and Life no longer had any desire to struggle against him. The three Overgod artifacts guaranteed that anyone, no matter how self-confident they were, would feel their morale plummet into the depths of the sea.
“Normally, I’ll just allow this defensive Overgod artifact to be transformed into the appearance of the Orloff Gardens. I’ve bound it long ago, and under my control, it doesn’t emanate any aura at all. Although many people are curious about my levitating gardens and can sense that it is extraordinary, no one knew… that it was actually my transformed defensive Overgod artifact.” Orloff laughed.
The Orloff Gardens was actually a defensive Overgod artifact! Orloff seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood; he even publicized such an important secret. “What, after hiding for so many years, have you decided to reveal everything today?” Linley was a million kilometers away from Orloff, but very cautious.
These two stood at the peak of power amongst Sovereigns. They stood there, within the flows of chaotic energy at a distance of a million kilometers, speaking to each other in voices that rang like thunder.
“Haha, I no longer need to conceal anything.” Orloff laughed. “As for why that’s the case, you will soon know.” Orloff didn’t seem to be griefstruck over the loss of his Sovereign clone at all; instead, he seemed to be in smug and proud.
“Oh?” Linley chuckled. “Swoosh!” Linley immediately transformed into a stream of light, fleeing at high speed into the distance.
“What horrible luck. Orloff actually has three Overgod artifacts! And he is no weaker than me to begin with. Even if he was weaker than me, with three Overgod artifacts in hand, there’s no way I can actually defeat him. I didn’t imagine that I would encounter this sort of a monster immediately after breaking through.” Linley’s heart was filled with utter resignation.
“Fleeing?” Orloff also transformed into a ray of light, pursuing at full strength. In terms of pure Will, the Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, had three more portions than ordinary Chief Sovereigns did. As for Linley, he only had a single additional portion of Will more than a Chief Sovereign. However, Linley had his fused Sovereign power; it could be said that in pure, raw strength, the two were roughly on par.
However, speed was not Linley’s forte. As for Orloff, however, he had spent countless years analyzing and strengthening himself. It could be said that he had reached the limits in defense, attack, and speed. When chasing after Linley, Orloff was clearly somewhat faster than him.
“So fast!”
“This speed is inconceivable!”
The spectating Sovereigns in chaotic space were completely stupefied now. Linley and Orloff, in terms of speed, outstripped all of the other Sovereigns now.
“Linley is actually as powerful as this.” The Chief Sovereign of Destruction let out a sigh. As for the violet-robed Chief Sovereign of Death, who had flown to his side, she sighed as well. “Linley is strong, but this Orloff… he hid himself far too well. Now that he has revealed his strength, we are no longer qualified to challenge him for supremacy.”
The Chief Sovereign of Destruction nodded helplessly as well. Three Overgod artifacts. Who would dare fight against Orloff?
Some were feeling shocked, while others were feeling delighted. The Sovereigns who had chosen to serve Orloff were naturally feeling delighted. “Haha, so Lord Orloff was as powerful as this. Without question, Lord Orloff is undefeatable amongst Sovereigns.” A man with two black horns and long hair couldn’t help but laugh.
“Everyone, Lord Orloff is about to kill that kid, Linley. Oh, Linley’s already fled into the Life Realm. Let’s chase after them and continue to watch,” the Sovereign of Fire, Borte, said with a laugh. Instantly, these words drew a reaction from quite a few of the surrounding Sovereigns. Everyone already considered Linley to be a dead man.
He was powerful, and most likely even more powerful than the other three Chief Sovereigns of the Edicts. But the one chasing after Linley was Orloff! The unfathomable Orloff, who had three Overgod artifacts!
“Swoosh!” “Swoosh!” Within chaotic space, many Sovereigns began to fly at high speed towards the Life Realm
.
Within the Life Realm. Linley was fleeing at high speed, while the Chief Sovereign of Fate, Orloff, was pulling closer and closer to Linley. Although they had started at a distance of a million kilometers, Orloff had managed to catch up, thanks to his greater speed.
“Not good. That technique again!” Linley’s face suddenly changed. The two were now only ten kilometers apart, and right at this moment, a powerful aura washed over him. Linley’s fused divine sense could easily sense… that phantoms of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermillion Bird had appeared around Orloff’s head, feet, and sides.
Space within countless kilometers completely froze. On the ground below them, various experts who were either training or fighting were also completely paralyzed by this spacetime compression. All of them were completely shocked, but unable to move.
“Swish!” A translucent light shot out from Orloff’s mouth towards Linley. Spacetime Paradox!
“Hmph.” Linley turned his head, opening his own mouth. Similarly, he shot out two rays of translucent sword shadows from his mouth. This was Linley’s most powerful soul attack.
The translucent ray of light and the translucent sword shadows collided. The first translucent sword shadow trembled, then immediately collapsed, but the translucent ray of light shrank in size as well. It then collided with the second sword shadow head on, and with a “bang”, the second sword shadow also vanished. The remaining, greatly weakened translucent ray of light was dissipated by Linley’s spiritual energy as soon as it entered his body.
“Admirable. You were actually able to block this technique,” Orloff’s voice rang out in Linley’s mind.
“The power you put into this technique is much lower than when Wodred used it,” Linley sent back. In terms of raw power from the profound mysteries, Linley’s soul attacks and material attacks were ten times mightier than a Paragon’s!
Lord of the Mists: Book 8 of the Coiling Dragon Saga Page 75
