The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 1993: Preparation completed. Time for war

Leonidas nodded firmly and followed Cain’s instruction without hesitation. He guided the thousands of captured Divine Cultivators—and the eleven Prima Deities they had managed to subdue—into the Samsara Flame. There was no flicker of doubt in the old Archdeity’s eyes. For a man who had lived through countless wars, burning such people alive was no burden on his conscience.

Despite the overwhelming number, the flame consumed them all in mere seconds. Their screams dissolved into silence as their bodies and souls were reduced to ash. What remained was power. A massive tide of Soul Enlightenment Mist filled the chamber, flooding out like a purple fog and sharpening the minds of all present.

Yet, Leonidas and the brothers found their eyes drawn elsewhere. Their gazes locked onto the majestic surge of bright purple energy erupting from the Samsara Flame and climbing toward the ceiling. It radiated with such brilliance that even the mighty Laws of the Universe seemed to pale before it.

"That," Cain said quietly, "is Fortune. Soon it will split, becoming Merit and forging your Gift."

His words proved true. Before their eyes, half of the glowing violet radiance shifted into a golden current, coalescing into a radiant sphere that hovered in the air.

The other half moved differently.

"Holy shit—!" Leonidas staggered, clutching his arm as a roar of agony tore from his chest. The golden current of Merit had fused directly into him. Brilliant purple-gold runes carved themselves into the flesh of his right hand, glowing with blistering light.

The pain was beyond comprehension. It felt as though fire and lightning danced across every nerve. His legs buckled, forcing him to the ground. The proud Archdeity could not remain standing beneath such torment.

At last, the process ended. The runes flared once, searing themselves permanently into his hand, before dimming to a steady glow. The pain subsided, leaving Leonidas drenched in sweat, gasping for breath. For long moments he did not rise—this agony had been nearly as harrowing as the torment he endured when Cain had ripped the living curse from his soul.

But as clarity returned to his eyes, Leonidas slowly turned his hand upward and stared at the intricate seal burned into his flesh. It was identical in shape to the one Cain bore. A meaningful light flickered in his gaze.

Just as his thoughts began to turn toward what this seal might be, a voice thundered through the vast hall.

"Congratulations. You have accumulated enough Merit to awaken the First-Order Samsara Seal."

The voice was majestic and overwhelming, echoing across the castle like the toll of eternity. Though it was merely a recording, its weight was transcendent—the voice of a being that dwelled on a plane utterly beyond their comprehension.

"You may now burn twenty-five percent of your life force, soul, or willpower without suffering permanent damage or backlash. Such wounds will heal naturally in time, or swiftly with the aid of divine treasures. The Seal remains effective even at the final stage of the Third Realm."

Leonidas trembled, his entire frame shivering as the truth struck him. His eyes widened, the enormity of this gift dawning upon him. The stronger one became, the more dangerous it was to burn life force or soul force. At his level, recovery demanded priceless treasures and even then came at great risk.

But this Seal—this miraculous Seal—nullified those consequences. It allowed him to burn his essence and recover naturally. It was not merely a blessing; it was a weapon that multiplied his effectiveness in war. With it, he could fight with reckless abandon and never fear losing himself.

"Imprint your will into the Gift," Cain’s calm voice cut through his astonishment.

Leonidas turned his gaze toward the golden sphere that floated above them. Half of the Fortune had forged the Samsara Seal into his hand. The other half now awaited him, shimmering with divine promise. What kind of treasure could it birth?

Closing his eyes, Leonidas sent the full force of his consciousness into the sphere.

The golden light shattered like glass. From its broken form, a blazing suit of armor manifested and shot toward him. In an instant, his old war-plate dissolved, replaced by this new creation.

The armor encased him completely. It was radiant and alive, forged not of steel but of molten essence. Golden-orange fire cascaded across every contour of his body, flowing like liquid flame. The plates were angular and sharp, yet sculpted from hardened tongues of fire rather than metal.

The helmet crowned him with two elongated horns of living flame, stretching high like the diadem of a fiery monarch. His face was hidden within a void of brilliance, as though no mortal gaze could penetrate the light. Trails of fire peeled constantly from the armor and reformed again, alive, restless, ceaseless. It was no simple armor—it was a storm caged in human form.

Leonidas’ breath caught as he felt the armor synchronize with his body. It was not foreign or heavy; it fit him perfectly, harmonizing even with the deepest fibers of his being. He realized at once that it would remain with him even during Liberación Total, when all else was stripped away.

"Congratulations," the voice of the Samsara Lord boomed again. "You have obtained the Tier II Treasure—Sun Anvil Warplate. A treasure of remarkable power. It converts incoming force into thermal charge, then routes that charge through muscle-coupling filaments to the limbs. The hotter it runs, the harder you strike."

The sheer majesty of the description left even Leonidas silent.

Cain, however, frowned slightly. Even with the Fortune bonus granted by the first sacrifice, Leonidas had only obtained a Tier II treasure. Cain had hoped for more. Still, he could not deny the power coursing through the old Archdeity now. The man’s strength had risen sharply, his combat potential multiplied. For now, Cain chose to see the matter as a glass half full.

"Enough," Cain said finally, his tone sharp but not unkind. He turned his eyes to the others. "Amon, it is your turn."

Amon stepped forward, his expression alight with thrill. Excitement burned in his eyes, tempered by discipline. Without hesitation, he advanced toward the flame, carrying the boxes of captured cultivators.

Just like Leonidas, Amon obtained a Samsara Seal and a powerful Gift, and so did Bael. With all three of the ArchDeities following him more powerful than ever, Cain could not help but smile.

The preparations are almost over. Soon it will be time for war.