Chapter 676: Time Loop, Faerie Pact
The Fate Form of an immortal's Authority is not a fixed shape.
Depending on the immortal's race, their will and resolve in life, and other factors, the Fate Form will take on different shapes.
For example, the Bronze Dragon King's Potency of Judgment eventually coalesced into a sword-shaped crystal; while the Lord of the Flame Prison's Scorched Domain was shaped like an emblem.
An ancient one could strip away or change their Fate Form's shape through their own will.
However, for immortals below the ancient level, while they were still alive, the Fate Form could not leave their body.
It was firmly bound to the immortal's life.
The condensation of the Fate Form also signified the immortal's death. Only after they had completely fallen would the Fate Form crystallize from the remnants.
There was no doubt that the Barlo Flame Demon's life force was incredibly tenacious.
Garoth had already understood this very well from their previous battle.
Through the gravitational field distortion caused by his Dense Body, he had shattered the Flame Prison Lord's body more than once, tearing the Barlo Flame Demon into scattered fragments.
But even so, he hadn't been able to kill the Flame Prison Lord outright during his Shining Form's duration.
It had given him the chance to escape toward the Abyssal Rift.
"If not for Tiamat's claws and fangs turning on him, I might not have been able to kill Asalia in the Material Plane."
Garoth toyed with the Scorched Domain emblem, thinking to himself.
If the Flame Prison Lord had escaped back to the Abyss, it would have been difficult to kill him completely.
Furthermore, this Fate Form felt more complete, fuller, and more structurally stable than the Bronze Dragon King's Judgment Fate Form.
This was within Garoth's expectations.
Although both were immortals, the Flame Prison Lord's life level was necessarily higher than the Bronze Dragon King's. He had been an immortal-level existence for a long time, and his Authority had merged with him, honed to great maturity.
The Bronze Dragon Lord had just broken through to immortality when he came looking for trouble with Garoth. And then... there was no and then.
However...
"Comparing these two Authority Fate Forms, the Authority contained in the Judgment Fate Form is actually more powerful than the Scorched Domain Fate Form."
Garoth hadn't known what the Flame Prison Lord's Authority was before, but the moment he held the Scorched Domain Fate Form, he naturally came to know its name and effect.
He fell into thought, his gaze lingering on the emblem for a while.
Different Authorities, different Fate Forms. Their effects were completely different, each with its own focus.
At least, from Garoth's own feeling,
Although the Flame Prison Lord was, on the whole, much stronger than the Bronze Dragon King, his Authority hadn't actually given Garoth much of a sense of pressure. Its impact on his combat style had been limited.
On the other hand, the Bronze Dragon King had nearly killed him.
The Potency of Judgment directly targeted the foundation of a being's existence, judging the target's sins in an idealistic way. After judgment and verdict, it sealed the source of the judged one's power, the foundation of their strength...
This was a great killer against any enemy.
No matter what race or alignment, as long as you deemed it evil, it could directly enact judgment, completely disregarding reason.
"Judgment, and Scorched Domain."
"Unless I can find a way to forge divine weapons from Fate Forms, they won't be of much use to me for now. I can only keep them as collectibles, as a decent trophy."
"Wait..."
Garoth pinched the Scorched Domain emblem, clearly feeling the will it contained.
[Where my flame goes is my domain; within my domain, I am king.]
A Authority formed by merging the desire for conquest with one's own flame, combining burning and expansion.
In a normal kingdom, there wouldn't be many creatures compatible with this Authority, because it required a desire for destruction and conquest rooted in one's nature.
But...
Sacred Aola was not lacking in red dragons.
And the vast majority of red dragons harbored the desire to conquer the world with flames. For example, Samantha was a very typical high-grade red dragon, ambitious and brimming with fighting spirit, quite compatible with the Scorched Domain Authority.
"Sorog, Samantha, Deborah... without a fortuitous encounter, it's hard for them to break through to immortality."
"With the current era's environment, the Mandate of Heaven is basically their limit."
"However, if there's a suitable Authority, that's a different story. It can become a bridge for them to step into immortality, helping them cross the most difficult threshold."
Garoth thought to himself.
The road was long.
If there were no witnesses accompanying him on the journey, it would be too lonely.
He hoped that those companions who had followed him from weakness could go further as well.
If there was a chance, he would find a way to let the dragons around him also break through to immortality, at least so they wouldn't have to fear dying of twilight. They could continue to journey together through the long years, so that one day, when he looked back, he wouldn't be the only one left.
The red iron dragon steadied himself.
He gathered his thoughts, put away the Scorched Domain emblem, and focused on the present.
"Tiamat must be furious."
"In her eyes, I'm just a small player, a chess piece on her board. No matter how many times she fails, it's within acceptable limits. She won't really get angry, because failing and then retrying is part of the game's fun. Winning and losing are just parts of the game."
"But this time is different."
"The Joyous Court's intervention is equivalent to another player directly sitting down at the board. It stops her from maintaining her previous game mindset. There's now a player on her board she can't ignore."
The red iron dragon flicked his tail cheerfully.
"You look very happy."
The faerie dragon's voice came from beside him.
Netal tilted his head, sizing up the curve of Garoth's rising mouth.
"Although you dragons don't have earlobes, I still have to say, the corners of your mouth are almost up to your ears. Thought of something fun? Share it with me! The great Netal loves hearing happy things."
The faerie dragon had an expression of eager sharing, hovering in front of Garoth.
Garoth turned his head and looked at Netal.
This deity's form was that of a golden faerie dragon, small and delicate, with wing membranes as thin as cicada wings. Many of his expressions and emotions were very similar to Vira's.
Especially their curious and excited expressions were identical.
This made Garoth feel a bit more fondness for him.
The red iron dragon lowered his gaze, the curve of his mouth widening a little more.
"I was thinking about what Tiamat's expression must be right now."
He said, unhurriedly. "I bet she's raging in her divine realm in hell, venting her anger with her five heads, scaring her servants into trembling. Her entire divine realm is probably thrown into turmoil by her fury."
"Just thinking about her impotent rage brings me great pleasure."
Hearing this, Netal's eyes suddenly lit up.
He did a somersault in the air, laughing so hard he was bent over: "Yes, yes, yes! That's it! That's exactly what I was thinking! Hahaha!"
After about ten seconds, the faerie dragon calmed down a bit and steadied himself.
He flew a circle around Garoth, then stopped in front of him, spreading his wings.
The faerie dragon's wing membranes were as thin as cicada wings, with a faint, multicolored halo flowing over them, as if woven from solidified rainbows. Now fully extended in Garoth's field of vision, the wing veins were clearly visible.
"Come on, give me your autograph. Time to fulfill your promise."
He said expectantly.
Garoth was slightly stunned. His gaze moved from Netal's face to his wing membrane, then back to his face.
A deity.
A true deity whose true body had descended into the Material Plane, genuinely wanting his autograph... This was a scene he hadn't anticipated. He'd thought Netal was just joking and it would pass.
"Are you serious?"
Garoth asked.
"Of course! You promised."
Netal twisted his body, extending his wings forward, presenting the membrane to Garoth, making sure he could reach it with his claw.
"Write 'Scarlet Emperor Cangxing' on the left, and 'Master of Aola' on the right."
"Remember to make it big, bold, the kind you can recognize at a glance. The handwriting should be imposing and majestic."
He added seriously: "Oh, and be gentle. Don't poke a hole through my wings. A deity's body can still bleed in the Material Plane. Even though I'm not afraid of pain, it still hurts a bit."
Garoth was silent.
Throughout history, there probably hadn't been a deity who let a Legendary being sign their own body.
But seeing Netal's expression, he really wasn't joking. The seriousness and anticipation on his face were genuine.
So Garoth didn't refuse anymore.
His right claw extended, the tip lightly tracing across the wing membrane of Netal's left wing.
He controlled his strength, only leaving marks on the surface layer, ensuring the handwriting was clear without damaging the membrane itself.
"Scarlet Emperor Cangxing."
The four dragon words fell, the strokes crisp and clean, the lines sharp yet steady.
He turned to the other side.
"Master of Aola."
After the signature was complete, Netal folded his wings and eagerly raised the membrane to his eyes.
He looked left, looked right, flipped his wings back and forth, examining the characters from different angles. His angle kept changing, and the curve of his mouth gradually grew wider, eventually turning into a beaming grin.
"Perfect autograph!"
He spread his wings, showing a satisfied expression.
"When I get back to the Serene Spirit Wilderness, I can show off to the other fey. They definitely won't have seen a deity get a personal autograph from the Red Emperor! This is a one-of-a-kind item!"
Garoth was speechless, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Although they were both faerie dragons, Netal was clearly much more chaotic than Vira.
Garoth found that he couldn't keep up with his train of thought. The way the other's mind worked followed a completely different logic.
Was it something to brag about, a deity getting a Legendary's autograph?
He couldn't quite understand.
But Garoth didn't delve too deeply into the faerie dragon's thoughts. It wasn't unusual for a chaotic good being to have some whimsical ideas. They always acted according to their own preferences.
Netal folded his wings, turned to look at Garoth, his tail tip twitching.
He seemed to still be immersed in joy.
But just then, he suddenly stopped moving, his expression becoming a bit more serious. His wing membranes folded to his sides.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot the main thing."
"Mighty and powerful Scarlet Emperor Cangxing, do you want to come back to the Serene Spirit Wilderness with me directly?"
The faerie dragon asked, his gaze focused intently on Garoth.
Garoth shook his head.
"Although the Abyssal invasion is over, the mess still needs to be cleaned up. The lands polluted by the Abyssal aura need purification. There are also scattered demon remnants across the land. Leaving them unchecked will cause future problems."
"Moreover..."
He lowered his eyelids, pointing a claw at the battle damage on his scales. "The previous battle left me a bit exhausted. I need some time to rest and readjust my state."
Regarding the olive branch extended by the faerie dragon, Garoth hadn't yet decided how to respond.
This wasn't something that could be decided lightly. It would have a major impact on his future, and a slight misstep could bring even greater danger.
Netal nodded, indicating understanding.
"It's settled then."
"Once you've rested and feel ready to go, you must come to the Serene Spirit Wilderness. I'll be waiting for you there."
"When that time comes, I'll personally take you to the Joyous Court, the domain of our faerie gods, the only holy land in the hearts of all fey creatures."
"Titania will welcome you very much. She's already waiting."
The red iron dragon's gaze sharpened. He looked at Netal, his eyes seeking exploration. "Did the Faerie Queen instruct you to come and help me in the Material Plane?"
Netal straightened up, his tone light: "Yes, yes, Titania sent me. She really likes you."
The Faerie Queen, Titania.
The ruler of the Joyous Court, the sovereign of the faerie gods, one of the most important pillars of the chaotic good alignment across many planes.
The Joyous Court she ruled was the ultimate destination for countless fey creatures.
Her weight among the various planes was enough to contend with Tiamat, and in some areas, she even surpassed her.
A being like this had actually taken notice of him.
When did it start?
Was it because of the stories circulating about him in the Serene Spirit Wilderness, or had his contact with the fey caught her attention?
Garoth mused for a moment and said:
"I am merely a Legendary."
"A Legendary life is considered powerful in the Material Plane, capable of changing a kingdom's fate with a wave of a hand."
"But between the realms, in the eyes of deities, even ordinary immortals find it hard to catch a deity's notice. Why would the Faerie Queen value a Legendary like me?"
Netal tilted his head.
"Legendary? You are not just Legendary."
He chuckled. "A Legendary who can defeat an immortal certainly qualifies."
"Hey, do you think this is a common thing?"
"To slay an immortal existence head-on with a Legendary body, this achievement, even across the realms and over a long timescale, is dazzling enough. You could count the examples on less than one hand."
The faerie dragon flew to Garoth's side and patted the scales on his shoulder.
"The Joyous Court is just missing a fierce dragon like you."
"You don't know, our place is all singing, dancing, and weaving flower crowns. Besides me, there isn't a single serious one. You're much better at fighting."
In the eyes of a god, Garoth's level was still very low. His life level was far from stepping into the divine domain.
But life level wasn't the most important thing.
This dragon would inevitably grow stronger, placing himself among the renowned powerful beings of the realms.
It was only a matter of time.
What the Joyous Court valued were his combat performance and growth potential, not his current life level.
For the vast majority of deities, their own faith domains were basically fixed. To expand and develop new faith, they often had to start from the Material Plane.
The Material Plane was the most fertile soil for believers.
But the situation in the Material Plane was much more complicated.
Due to the existence of ironclad rules, high-level deities were also suppressed in the Material Plane, their power bound by layers of restriction. Furthermore, not all deities held combat-related divine authorities; many were not at an advantage in a direct confrontation.
Especially the Joyous Court.
The faerie gods were generally weak in direct combat, better suited to fields like magic, illusion, and nature. The same went for their envoys and followers. Their combat capability was in the lower tier among the gods. When facing direct conflict, they were often stretched thin.
In the Material Plane, the Joyous Court had difficulty competing with other pantheons for faith.
They were often in a defensive posture.
In this situation, the Joyous Court desperately needed a member skilled in combat. Titania had been paying attention to many powerful individuals she had a chance of winning over, hoping to find a reliable representative in the Material Plane.
Garoth was one of them, and the one she valued most.
"The Joyous Court seems to value me greatly."
Garoth's eyes showed a contemplative look, a glint of deep meaning flashing within.
Just then, Netal's gaze suddenly shifted, landing on the red iron dragon's right wrist. He blinked, staring at it intently, his pupils focusing on the area of Garoth's wrist.
Garoth noticed the faerie dragon's line of sight.
He raised his right claw, turning his wrist to examine it carefully.
There was nothing on his wrist, at least nothing visible to the naked eye. Nothing unusual could be detected in his perception either. Everything was normal, but Netal's gaze closely followed his movements, as if he had seen something.
"Is there a problem?"
He asked.
Netal blinked and said, "I see a ring on your wrist. It's golden and quite beautiful. It seems to be something related to time."
"Let me take a closer look."
He flew to the dragon's wrist and circled around to examine it.
After a few laps, the faerie dragon smacked his lips and said:
"Oh, it looks like a ring-like structure coiled within the river of time. It's not on the material level; it's embedded directly in the interlayer of the Time Flow. So under normal circumstances, it can't be sensed, let alone seen by the naked eye."
Garoth's pupils contracted slightly, his slitted pupils narrowing into a thin line.
"You can see it?"
He asked in a deep voice.
Regarding the ring left by the Gold Dragon King, Garoth had never had any clue. He had tried various methods to investigate it but had found nothing, as if it didn't exist at all.
But Netal seemed to have noticed something.
As expected of a true deity, even if he looked harmless, like a single breath could blow him away, his true abilities clearly surpassed his own. His perspective wasn't on the same level.
The faerie dragon puffed out his chest, raising his head proudly.
"Of course! Although the great Netal doesn't hold a divine authority related to time, sensing the unnatural flow of time is still a piece of cake."
Garoth stared at his own wrist, then turned his head to look at the faerie dragon.
"Netal, since you can see it, do you know what effect this ring has? Can you strip it off me?"
He asked seriously.
Netal examined it for a few more seconds, then shook his head.
"As I just said, I don't have the time divine office. I can't tell what it's for, or what mechanism it operates on. I can only see its position and form."
"As for stripping it..."
The faerie dragon's tone became much more formal as he continued: "This ring is located in the river of time. It's not simply attached to your wrist, but intertwined with your timeline."
"I could forcibly strip it off."
"But once the anchor point of the timeline is forcibly severed, the internal structure will collapse."
"In other words, there's a very, very high chance it will be broken."
At this point, he looked at Garoth, his gaze serious: "Do you want me to help you strip it off? If you want, I can try, but if it breaks, I won't compensate you. You'll have to bear the risk yourself."
Garoth showed a contemplative look, finding it hard to choose.
This ring was on him, and he didn't know what it could do, or if it was good or bad.
But it contained the mysteries of time, a mysterious object left by the Gold Dragon King with extremely high value. It would be a pity to damage it by forcibly removing it; it might mean losing an important opportunity.
After a brief silence, Netal suddenly spoke, breaking the quiet.
"Oh, you seem a bit conflicted, but there's nothing to think about."
"I can't help you take it off intact now. After all, the time domain isn't my specialty. But just because I can't take it off doesn't mean someone else can't."
The faerie dragon said cheerfully: "When you come to the Joyous Court, let Titania take it off for you."
"Although she doesn't have a time-related divine authority either, she's a high-level deity, very versatile. Handling this little golden ring will be no problem for her. It's not difficult."
The Joyous Court...
He would have to visit it after all.
"Faerie Queen, Ruler of the Joyous Court, the great Titania, I have long heard of her reputation."
He said humbly, nodding slightly: "It is already an unexpected joy to have gained the attention of the Faerie Queen as a Legendary. To have the opportunity to visit the Joyous Court in person and bask in her radiance is my honor."
Towards a friendly high-level deity, Garoth did not stint on his respect.
Netal giggled and wiggled his body.
"Good! It's settled then! I'll take that as a yes!"
"You have to come! Otherwise Titania will hit me, and I don't want to be chased by her all over the garden."
The faerie dragon backed up a little, spreading his wings. A rainbow-like halo slowly revolved around him, growing brighter and brighter.
"I'm off now. This suppression in the Material Plane is really annoying. It boxes me in and makes me feel uncomfortable all over, like being stuffed into a small bottle... hmm, you'll probably feel something similar in the future too."
"See you in the Serene Spirit Wilderness."
Behind him, a gorgeous, colorful vortex appeared.
Netal turned around, dove into the vortex, and disappeared in the blink of an eye. The vortex dissipated silently as well.
The night wind blew by. The sea surface returned to calm, dotted with silver shimmer.
"Serene Spirit Wilderness, Joyous Court..."
The red iron dragon raised his head, the stars in the night sky reflected in his pupils. He murmured in his heart: "It seems the journey to immortality ahead will be longer than I imagined."