Minos couldn't do much against the contract that woman had made between them. The moment he 'accepted' that bottle, he had already committed himself to that level 84 elf to the heavens.
As an elf, even the least talented of them were more talented than humans with Silver talent or higher, armed with Golden-grade techniques. Thus, he could not resist Ayla's action.
Now he could only follow through on his commitment to this woman, and once he went to Elves Island, try to reach out and help her.
If he could not do this, it would mean he would die trying, and his destiny would become that woman's possession!
According to elven belief, every being has its destiny. But along with destiny, there was something called karmic energy, something that would make destiny very good, terrible, or what was between the two extremes. This energy could be stolen and given to an unborn being.
If someone's destiny were to be powerful and lead, their karmic energy would be awesome. And even if that person's destiny was to one day die prematurely, their karmic energy could still be positive for others because it could have more positives than negatives.
Prematurely dying was a big negative point, but having the talent to become a God, being a born leader, etc., was so good that that person's karmic energy would be amazing anyway.
As for fate, everyone had their own, so even by stealing the karmic energy of someone marked to die prematurely, one could live a long life!
As for its absorption, it could be absorbed by developing beings, those who did not yet have an established destiny, and their karmic energy was yet to develop.
Elves could steal the karmic energy of those who failed them and pass it on to their offspring, benefiting their descendants.
Minos knew all this and couldn't help but feel frustrated at the situation he had gotten into without much choice.
But the milk had already been spilled, so he focused on the information she had given him. 'Elves can sense things differently from all beings in the Spiritual World...
They are more compatible with spirit energy and natural laws than even spiritual roots, so they can sense compatibility between beings and resources.
Hmmm, she probably knows that something in that place might help me on my journey.'
This was indeed an ability of these beings, and even though that woman and the others in the surrounding area did not know what Minos was planning, they all felt that he was compatible with something they had recently seen in that city.
Minos sighed and said. "Well, thank you for the information. I will be going to your island during the Continental Tournament, so I hope to fulfill that commitment then."
"Oh? So soon?" That person asked.
Elves could live six times longer than humans of the same stage of cultivation. So a few decades were not much for those beings.
"Hmm, I hope I can accomplish whatever it is in that time." He said, taking his leave.
As they watched him return to the cockpit of his yacht, the elves on that vessel looked at that woman in doubt, doubtful about the possibility of this human going far.
"That's a short time..."
"Hmm, he'll probably die competing in the Continental Tournament."
"Well, anyway, even if he can't help Ayla to become a disciple of the Destiny Master, he will be able to give some of his good karmic energy to us." The man who saw Minos' talent said, reassured about the future.
That woman was also tranquil and not too bothered by it. "Let's get back on our way. If he is destined to help me become a disciple of the Destiny Master, it will happen one way or another.
Otherwise, I will accept my position and try to have an heir with a better future than mine."
The others did not discuss this much further, and it was not long before they returned to sailing toward the Western Empire, from where they intended to leave for the Black Plain Empire and then their island.
...
After a few minutes, Minos could no longer see the elven vessel on the horizon, once again sailing alone on the waters of the Ancestral Sea.
As he watched his surroundings, he kept that woman's hint in mind, thinking of the City of a Thousand Races, an ancient place that had existed since the time of Henricus Longus.
The sea beasts were not only more numerous than all the races existing on the continents of the Spiritual World. They were also much older, and some of their cities had existed for millions of years!
Millions of years were a long time, and these places were not exactly the same as they were in the past.
Wars, battles, destruction, and construction have happened many times over the years, bringing new features and customs but still preserving a few things.
Because of this, Minos didn't expect to find a place similar to the one Herincus Longus had gone through, and he couldn't help but think about his journey to such a place.
'From what she implied, this city must be located on my walking path.' He wondered, considering that underwater cities, unlike land ones, could be moved.
That's why even he didn't know how to move in the Ancestral Sea to avoid trouble, beast territories, and cities!
The configuration at the time of Herincus Longus was different from today!
But with that woman's speech, Minos knew this city would be at some point on his route and thought better of what he would do in that place.
'The City of a Thousand Races is an artificial city, home to countless races of sea beasts, home to powerful beasts.
In Henricus Longus' time, that place was ruled by a level 99 whale, so I must be careful. If the beasts around there are still that strong, I can't falter, or I might even be swallowed by one of those creatures!'
Even in a hurry to reach his destination, he would pass through such a place and look for why the woman had indicated to him to pass through this city.
If something could help him on his journey, he would not hesitate to look for it!
'At last, time to meet this fantastic underwater world!' He smiled, calmly sailing off to the northwest while sea beasts came and went dozens of meters below him, ignoring him.
Some of these beings were as big as Minos' yacht, even though they were at the same level as him.
He wouldn't be frightened if he saw them. Still, a person unaccustomed to the underwater scale would panic if he saw the size and quantity of these monsters!
