The Innkeeper

Chapter 1957 A favor for a favor

After considering it for a moment, Lex found it hard to believe. If it was really possible to manipulate the actual universe through various official positions in Arch-Heaven, then most major powers across the universe would be trying to nab these positions. Arch-Heaven would not be as empty as it appeared to be. Then again, how could he really know what they were doing in secret? He wasn’t even that familiar with Arch-Heaven. All the major powers really might have secret members with official positions, and Lex would be none the wiser. It wasn’t like major powers had billboards stating their plans posted around the universe for people to see.

If that was the case, it would be in the Inns best interest to possibly invest in the Arch-Heaven as well. Lex turned sideways and glanced at Mango. The goldfish was actually an incredible candidate. He just needed to watch out for whatever possible baggage and history the fish might have. Besides, it’s not like they needed to advertise the relationship to the whole universe.

As for getting a position himself? Yes, Vox’s speculation that the official positions in Arch-Heaven might grant great influence in the future was alluring, yet Lex would not prefer that path unless he was at absolute wits end.

This place, the very nature of how it operated repulsed Lex far more than even Abaddon. That might not make sense to others since Abaddon was a cursed place. But even so, he had freedom. He was being hunted so that his soul could be harvested, but at least he could resist that as he pleased.

Over here, the rules of Arch-Heaven were an absolute restriction, going against his tenet of Supremacy. Lex had no idea if his tenet would one day have anything to do with his Dao, or if that’s how this worked. Even if it didn’t, though, his Supremacy was not something he was willing to give up. In fact, if anything, the existence of Arch-Heaven and its overbearing ways motivated Lex to grow stronger quickly and see the day he could exert his Supremacy even here.

There was also another reason behind why Lex was satisfied to invest in Arch-Heaven through external members. Even if this place granted privileges in the future, Lex did not think it would be too major or too decisive.

The nature of this kind of benefit was such that such a major secret could not possibly be kept. If that were the case, the war being fought for Major realms would instead be fought for official positions.

Sure, Dao Lords might not want to die and so they might not enter this place themselves. That did not mean there was any shortage of Heaven or Celestial Immortals to enter in their stead.

On average, if Lex considered that there was 1 Heaven Immortal per galaxy, and 1 Celestial for every 50 galaxies, then the Origin realm alone could produce trillions of them. Honestly, Lex had no idea how many galaxies there were in the Origin realm, and it didn’t quite matter. He was only using that as an example.

With so many Immortals in the Origin realm alone, he could not imagine how many there were in the whole universe, so the point remained valid.

“So if you have such a prestigious post, and have so much influence now, set to gain even more, what could you possibly want with me?” Lex asked. He did not believe in getting free help, nor did he think he was so handsome that people would start helping him out of the goodness in their hearts.

“Not all positions are equal, and not all of their requirements are fulfilled easily either,” Vox answered. “I need help both in Arch-Heaven and outside it, and you look like a great candidate for both. Just look at you – how long have you been in Arch-Heaven? Not long I’d venture, yet you’re already at 1.1% power. Your affinity for Blessing Stones must be immense. If you can use your power percentage, then you can help me with some tasks here, and in exchange, I can offer you some benefits. Similarly, you can do some tasks for me out in the universe as well, and the deal remains the same.”

“So much faith in me, simply because I got offered to be a Heavens Augur?” Lex asked, finding it hard to believe.

“Of course,” Vox stated. “Do you know how often an unaffiliated Augur candidate shows up? There hasn’t been a single one in my living memory besides you. An Augur has a very significant role in Arch-Heaven, so it is not a position offered to those unworthy. Unfortunately, because Augurs are so greatly favored, they are also a lot more likely to be assassinated by others. “Arch-Heaven is not a nice place, don’t let the name fool you. 99.99999% of beings here belong to the strongest powers in the universe, and each one has a clear and strong agenda, and each one will kill anyone not firmly within their own camp.”

Lex nodded, as Vox’s explanation seemed to fit in well with his own speculations. He didn’t bother telling Vox that Lex hadn’t actually tried any Blessing Stone yet, though he made a mental note to try some when he got the chance.

“If your goal is to find a Heavens Puppet, you’re in luck. I have very strong jurisdiction over tribulations, so I can directly have the puppet who appeared during your tribulation summoned here. It’ll take about 20 days for him to arrive. But, in exchange, I need something from you, and it’s not going to be easy – or pretty. What I can say, at least, is that none of the tasks will make you do something you’d be unwilling to do.”

Vox’s candid utilitarianism actually put Lex somewhat at ease, though he didn’t lower his guard just yet.

“I can’t agree until I know the task you want me to do,” Lex stated.

Vox nodded, and led Lex to the table he had been hunched over when they had arrived, showing a massive parchment filled with endless names and associated numbers, though none of it made any sense to Lex.

“You see this guy?” Vox asked, pointing at a random name. “Diyor Saliev – a human. More importantly, he is in the midst of acquiring a position with authority that would overlap with mine, restricting me. I want you to kill him – or at least prevent him from getting that position. Don’t worry, I’m not sending you after some random guy. You and he should be connected in some way, and it’s not positive. I can’t see the exact details, but I can definitely see that you both are in opposition to each other.”