Cursed Immortality

Chapter 1171: Worthiness Begets Loyalty

"Alright, just tell me your condition now!"

The Artifact Spirit seemed to snap out of its stupor, and the brocade patterns on the box started to churn widely.

Although it didn’t dare to guess the thoughts of a Demiurge, what Jacob had just said deeply rattled it, and the instinctive fear it held for such entities started to wane ever so slightly.

Furthermore, if there was even a sliver of a chance that what Jacob had just said was true, then doesn’t this mean that if even a Demiurge fears this ’Eclipse Alipes Imhoff’, then it really has the potential to surpass even the Void Mantis. Yet at that time, it didn’t make any sense.

Nonetheless, the Artifact Spirit decided to just go with the flow, and if Jacob really managed to complete its condition, then what Jacob had speculated probably holds some merit.

The brocade box trembled lightly, as if steadying itself, before the Artifact Spirit finally spoke with solemn gravity.

"Very well," It said, its once-feeble voice now carrying the weight of ancient law, "Since you demand my conditions, I will speak them plainly!"

Jacob remained silent with a hint of anticipation.

"First," The Artifact Spirit said, "...you must acknowledge that I am not a weapon, nor a mere storage treasure. I am a Divine Repository! I’m forged to accompany a Higher Law God. Until you reach at least Mythical Rank, you may not force me to activate my functions, nor will I help you."

Jacob’s eyes flickered coldly as he neither accepted nor rejected it right away, continuing to listen...

"Second," the Artifact Spirit continued, "...you must allow me to retain partial autonomy. I will not betray you, nor conceal threats to your life, but I reserve the right to ’survive’!"

"Survive in a sense, if you feel I’m going to die or not meet your standards, you would abandon me and flee, right?" He inquired impassively with a sharp edge in his voice.

The Artifact Spirit hesitated before answering honestly, "Yes! But you’re looking at it from your mortal mind. Once you reach the Mythical Rank, I will allow you to plant a Seed of Authority within my Divine Core.

"Again, it’s not ownership, but only recognition. However, once planted, I will recognize you as my Provisional Bearer, not Master. Despite that, unless you die, I can’t get rid of the Seed of Authority!"

Jacob’s gaze sharpened, "And what happens if I die?"

"Then I am free, for a Divine Artifact does not perish with its bearer unless fully refined!" The Artifact Spirit declared without hesitation.

"But you don’t need to worry, if you are what you said you are, then I will acknowledge you as a ’True Master’ once you manage to replace Lord Whiteness Divine Sigil with yours, and at that time, our fate will truly be aligned. At that time, if you perish or fall under a similar situation like Lord Whiteness, I won’t be able to escape the ruination!"

’Well, even if I allowed it to retain some autonomy, I would be a fool to allow it to exit the Infinite Space before I remove every possible danger that led to betrayal.

’After all, even if you fall under such a situation again, you can make a deal with the person who brings me down, just like what it did with Whiteness. At that time, my secrets will be exposed...’

Jacob has already made up his mind as he nodded plainly, "Alright, I can accept it as well. So, all you want me to do is to reach Mythical Rank, and then remove Whiteness Divine Sigil with mine?"

The Artifact Spirit said quietly, "In short, yes! But you must allow me to witness your ascent. Should you stagnate, flee endlessly, or submit to another authority, this agreement will dissolve.

"Furthermore, you must remove Lord Whiteness’s Divine Sigil yourself without any external help, or everything you said will be for naught. You must prove to me that you really have higher potential than the Void Mantis without any tricks or backdoors!"

At that moment, Jacob finally understood what the Brocade Box was actually after.

His eyes sharpened as he thought, ’So all this divine artifact wants is to confirm whether I’m really what I claimed to be or if the Demiurge is really wary of ’Autarch’. Furthermore, it wants to personally witness everything, which means it wants me to let it out of the Infinite Space, which is impossible!’

At that moment, Jacob coldly stated, "I can agree to everything you have just mentioned, but one thing, I will never allow you to leave this space, it’s virtually impossible, and you should know why.

"Moreover, since you will not help me, there’s no point in letting you out, nor am I planning on seeking your help. However, in the future, it’s not out of the question, but not before you fully submit to me!"

The brocade box fell silent for several breaths as Jacob’s demand was both valid and unreasonable, yet the Divine Artifact’s situation was grave.

In the end, the Artifact Spirit felt like sighing, and relented, "Alright, I’ll follow this arrangement if that makes you less wary of me!"

Jacob’s eyes flared with a hint of ephemeral joy before he became impassive again and nodded, "As long as you prove yourself loyal, I won’t make things hard for you, and in the future you’ll come to know who I am!"

The Brocade Box didn’t sense the ulterior meaning behind Jacob’s words and finally stated, "You will have loyalty once you prove yourself to be worthy! In the meanwhile, I will open a fraction of my inner vaults to you, and treasures below Higher God Rank, and knowledge that will not kill you upon contact!"

However, Jacob wasn’t in a hurry, despite a momentary greed flashing in his eyes, but he did not answer immediately.

Instead, his gaze shifted as it moved; slowly, deliberately, to the final object he had retrieved from Whiteness’s body. The monolithic violet quartz crystal, its black mercury constantly churning within.

Jacob questioned, "Before we move forward, I want to know what this final item is!"