When he saw the hook-nosed woman being carried by two of the five bronzed armored guards, his first instinct was to unleash his rage onto her. It seemed obvious that she was the culprit, especially since he had heard her screech earlier. It was actually because of that screech that he was put in a precarious position to begin with. If it wasn't for that, Dyon's actions wouldn't have so easily influenced him.
However, when his gaze landed on Dyon's amused expression, a baleful aura billowed from his body.
A mortal dared laugh at him?
His peeling and singed skin trembled, revealing tender and bleeding skin beneath. His black face was quickly turning red for a reason other than his emotions. However, Dyon actually spoke before he had a chance to unleash his rage.
"If you'd like someone to blame, you can blame your receptionist."
The young woman gawked. "… N-no Venerable P --."
"I came here to take your certification exam, yet after standing here for so long, she actually ignored me. Don't tell me you're unaware of the consequences for such a thing."
The young receptionist was stunned once again. How could one person be so shameless? He had barely stopped at her desk for more than a second before his palm slammed downward. How was this considered 'standing here for so long'?
But, when she heard the latter half of his words, a deep shudder ran through her frail body. Maybe the most shocking thing was that it ran through Venerable Piers' body as well…
...
Pill Sword Mountain.
It was a Hegemon that stood amongst the topmost Hegemons, ranked at the very highest God tier. It had stood for countless trillions of years, having a history almost as long as the existence of the Immortal Plane itself.
Its name was quite odd at first glance. However, it was written this way on purpose.
The sword was the ancestor of all weapons. It was among the simplest and most difficult to use at the same time. It encompassed the magnitude of nature and the complexity of the Heavens. Even those who chose to use weapons aside from it appreciated its majesty.
A mountain was the embodiment of stability and sturdiness. It was steadfast and longstanding, an existence with a foundation that reached endless depths and a height that pierced through the skies. Some of the oldest structures of the Immortal Plane came in the form of mountains, those ancient existences that had stood since time immemorial.
And yet, simply put, the Pill came first. There was no grandiose explanation aside from this one line.
However, when the receptionist and Venerable Piers head these words, it wasn't because of the lauded Pill Sword Mountain, a reality that would have baffled those who didn't understand the legends.
Many trillions of years ago, Pill Sword Mountain stood above many. Very few could match its power. However, everyone was aware that the greatest alchemist of their Immortal Plane was not the Head of Pill Sword Mountain, but rather a man no one dared breathe the name of.
Much like other Hegemons and Immortals, Pill Sword Mountain was exceptionally elitist. There was a point in time where mortals were not even allowed to take their certification exams. Even those rare few unlucky enough to be born with mortal bodies, but lucky enough to have innate auroras, were instead killed to have their soul talents snatched away.
When that man rose to power, he found out about these things. It may have been shocking to many that it took so long, but he simply hadn't had a mind to focus on anything but his own strength. He never considered joining a Pill Sword Mountain because he relied on no one else but himself and his master to rise. Plus, it was he who created array alchemy, evolving it from the normal, piddling alchemy that ruled Pill Sword Mountain.
So, when he learned that those birthed with a talent he created were being used and abused by Pill Sword Mountain, how could he not be pissed?
No one dared to touch Pill Sword Mountain. It wasn't just because of their power, but also because of the resources they represented. If one offended them, they could forget about consuming another pill in their lifetimes, if they lived long enough to regret such a thing, that is.
However, this man didn't care. He slaughtered his way into Pill Sword Mountain, single handedly killing every single so-called expert that dared to consume the Innate Aurora of another.
In the end of it all, the only way Pill Sword Mountain managed to appease him was by swearing a Heavenly Oath that promised to treat both immortals and mortals fairly in the certification process. It was an event that shocked the Immortal Plane and one that reverberated even to this very day.
A Heavenly Oath, especially one sworn on the foundational Faith of a Hegemon, is even more binding than a soul contract. Should there come a day where Pill Sword Mountain ever broke this promise, their Hegemon that had stood since the beginning of all would crumble before their eyes.
This was exactly why the receptionist and Venerable Piers both trembled beside themselves. Even though there were rumors that that man had passed, the Heavenly Oath still stood strong. If Pill Sword Mountain found out that they were disobeying these rules…
Their establishment was nameless, simply known as an alchemy guild. They didn't have the right to be bestowed a name as names held power, which would require Pill Sword Mountain to share some of its Faith with them.
In addition, not every alchemy establishment was under the control of Pill Sword Mountain, that man's actions had caused them to greatly weaken, allowing many weaker Hegemons to grow.
However, what stood as fact was that the alchemist ranking system was overseen by Pill Sword Mountain. This was how a pristine standard was held amongst all alchemists. So, even if not all alchemy Hegemons were bound by the same rule, they had to follow it nonetheless for fear of Pill Sword Mountain's retaliation.
So, when Dyon said these words, everyone in the room felt as though an axe was looming over their heads. It took several moments before Venerable Piers recollected himself.
When he finally settled himself down, he forced down his anger and replaced it with a sneer.
