The connection between the main soul that resided in Zatiel's original body and the fragment of soul that was in the replica allowed the transmission of knowledge without a flaw with the two minds synchronized as one.
Luckily the pain that the main soul suffered due to its open wound was weakened greatly by the time it reached the replica who was captured by the Heavenly race, so thanks to Zatiel's fortitude, it was not able to affect him. As for the physical torture, it was useless against the one who was receiving it, so after it was transmitted, it became nothing.
Zitra, Totto, and Heinz could not believe what they had just heard. They were Soul Forging existences and each had awoken their True Soul, so they can use its power and manipulate it. The trio knew very well how dangerous tearing a part of your soul was.
The arcane knowledge needed for a Rank 3 life form to do it without their souls dissipating was something even Rank 6 life forms would not know. At least according to what they know, there is no such technique in the Aeternum Empire.
But that was not the thing that shocked them the most. During their lives, in life and death battles they had suffered wounds to their souls. Most of them had been minor but the pain they felt was like someone opening their skulls. They could not understand how Zatiel was able to maintain such composure when he knew he would have to experience torture that could not be described with words.
Zatiel's reaction when he suffered that pain could be described as harsh. They were prideful people but if they had to experience such agony, it would be a miracle if they were not rolling on the ground and screaming at the top of their lungs.
"The mastermind behind my capture is a paranoid and extremely careful individual so it will be decades or maybe centuries before we can find him. Heinz, Ezequiel, and I are aware of one of his identities. I will share with them the information that I obtain about him and matters regarding that person will be handled by the three of us. As for the rest of you, when you show me that you have the potential where you can be of assistance in the future encounters against him, then I will loop you in, however by what I have seen so far, you will only be a burden."
Zatiel needed for all of them to know they could not be complacent with their current achievements. They may be categorized as geniuses even by the standards of a High World but in his mind, geniuses were nothing and only those who could either break every obstacle with absolute power or scheme their way to the peak of the universe deserved recognition.
His mood was also part of the reason for their harsh words. No matter how great the pain was, it could not affect his spirit. The reason he was angry was that he lost. Even if he managed to deceive the Sage and forced the Heavenly race to pay an immense price for a replica with a fragment of his soul, in his mind, since he was forced by the plans of his enemy, he had lost.
That mentality was extremely hard on oneself but it was what allowed him to rise above billions of beings that had the same aptitudes as him.
Rax and Kilo had never seen themselves as prodigies since they always used Ezequiel as a reference so they bowed signaling they understood Zatiel's message. Totto's response was also one of recognition, he knew he was not a genius so he needed to put even more hard work.
However, the reaction of Zitra and Dante was not so simple. Their accomplishments were amazing, but now they understood that if they do not push their abilities to the next level they would not be of help.
Even though Ezequiel was weaker than Zitra, Totto, and Heinz. They all knew that when it comes to talent, he had the highest of all, even above Zatiel.
The moment the Universe Shatterer awakens his True Soul and can interact with the laws, his power will skyrocket.
"We have a lot of things to do and little time so we will have to hasten our expansion over this continent. The Heavenly race believes they have me and they would not take any chances so they will maintain part of their force in Saint City at all times to stop any attempt of rescue. Their strength is currently at its weakest since they had lost their strongest warrior, one of their dukes was severely injured and they suffered grave casualties in the last battle." Zatiel made a pause and looked at Heinz for a moment with the Eye of Life and Creation.
"Brother, how long until your True Soul reaches Rank 5?"
Heinz closed his eyes and focused on his True Soul for a couple of minutes before speaking, "As long I do not actively train it, between two and two and a half years."
"That is enough time. Before you can no longer enter the Beta Heavenly World, the continent must be under our control. Focus on the Blood Demodand Technique. If you can reach the third level the moment you become a Law Engraving existence, then you will be able to inflict severe damage on the Heavenly race before you are expelled by the World Consciousness."
The third level of the Blood Demodand Technique was very hard to achieve and even if he had unlimited amounts of blood energy, Heinz first had to comprehend it before he could start practicing it. Zatiel knew that Heinz's aptitudes obtained a qualitative upgrade and he was confident in the abilities of the Cultivator.
"Totto, you will lead the Magi and Fallen in the construction of more towers immediately. I doubt the Heavenly race will try to stop you since most of their Rank 4 warriors have not healed their wounds yet. Tell Nero that our deal still stands and when the continent is ours he would be allowed to use the World Gate. As a sign of good faith, allow the Rank 3 Fallen to go to the Magi World, they are no longer useful anyway. Heinz and Zitra, you two will remain here for the next few days, Sophia will come back soon and I need the two of you here when that happens. After that, I will need one of you to accompany me on a journey through the continent."
Zatiel needed to travel through several points in the Fornes continent and since the distance between each of them is short, Zitra with her Law of Shadows would be as effective as Heinz with his Law of Space.
"I will do it" Less than a second after Zatiel finished speaking, Zitra's voice was heard.
Heinz and Totto stared at Zitra and a smile appeared on their faces but the moment the woman focused on them, the duo looked away.
Zatiel merely gave the woman a small smile before he focused on Ezequiel and then his face became cold.
Everybody adopted a serious expression when they saw that because they felt the ruthlessness in Zatiel's eyes
"Ezequiel, you will take the two siblings, Aren and Sigrid, and put them into hellish training. Dante, you will acquire all types of resources that can improve someone's speed of training and talent, no matter the price, even if they are meant for Rank 4 life forms, I want them available for the duo. Tell them they have two and a half years to reach Rank 3 and finish the first level of their techniques. If they can do it then, Heinz, you will bring them to the Eye Dynasty to take the Holy Trial."
"And what do I tell them will happen if they fail?" Ezequiel could already imagine the answer of Zatiel, and in the eyes of the Supreme Neo-Demon, there was only indifference. They are not part of his race or clan, so why would he care about them?.
"If after all the help I provide them they still fail, then I will not waste more of my time in them. Tell them they will obtain revenge for their clan, but they will have to give their life for it."
Zatiel's eyes were incredibly cold. Since he was willing to rip a piece of his own soul to face the Sage, why would he act kindly with those he only saw as a tool against his enemy?.
As for the duo seeking revenge against him in the future for his harsh treatment. If he detects the smallest hint of grievance in their hearts, then once they had fulfilled their purpose, he would make them disappear.
