The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2364: Sozing, The Silence of All Things

It was only after fully basking in the warmth of the laws of the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe that the Lord of the Tenth Empyrean World finally turned his attention to Markin.

"I am Sozing," the old man said calmly. "The Silence of All Things. Immortal Knight of the Tenth Empyrean World."

His words resonated throughout the underground chamber. The very laws carved into the world trembled and shrieked, as if barely able to endure the authority contained within that ancient voice.

Markin reacted instantly. He lowered his head and dropped to one knee, pressing his fist against the ground in submission.

"I am Markin," he said respectfully. "Leader of the Eternitysoul Empyrean World—"

He did not finish.

Sozing’s eyes turned cold, and the pressure in the chamber multiplied severalfold. Markin’s body trembled as if crushed beneath an invisible mountain.

"This world," Sozing interrupted, his voice devoid of emotion, "and everything else in the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe belongs to us. You are merely a caretaker."

A sharp pause followed.

"Do not forget that."

Markin clenched his teeth, anger flashing briefly across his expression, but he did not dare raise his head. He kept his gaze fixed on the ground and nodded silently.

Sozing noticed the anger, but he did not care. Whether Markin resented him or not was irrelevant—as long as he fulfilled his role.

"Now," the Immortal Knight continued, "have you fulfilled your duties?"

"Yes, Immortal Knight," Markin replied immediately. "I have successfully infiltrated the Nine Empyrean Suns Alliance. We will be working alongside them in the upcoming conflict against the Root."

He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then a cold light appeared in his eyes.

"I expended a great deal of wealth and resources to achieve this. Enough that it may disturb certain future plans."

Sozing’s eyes narrowed slightly, and for a brief moment his lips curled in something close to a sneer.

"You will be compensated," he said flatly. "As always."

Then his gaze sharpened.

"Now that you have stood before the Scarlet King," Sozing continued, "tell me something."

He drew in a slow breath.

The aura surrounding him exploded outward.

In the next instant, Markin found himself staring at the phantom image of a massive, five-headed alien entity. Its form was hazy and indistinct, as if reality itself refused to fully render it—but the power it radiated was unmistakable.

Markin’s bones turned cold.

Even as an Alpha–Omega Overgod Godslayer Human, he felt an instinctive dread claw at his soul.

"If you were to compare us," Sozing asked calmly, "who is stronger?"

Markin swallowed hard. He remained silent for several seconds, weighing his words with extreme care.

"You are unimaginably powerful, Immortal Knight," he said at last. "However... I believe the Scarlet King is stronger."

Sozing did not interrupt.

Markin continued, his voice steady despite the pressure crushing his spirit.

"His body is as durable as a late Alpha–Omega Overgod Treasure. He can regenerate in the blink of an eye, even after being split in half. And those scarlet, flame-like wings... they grant him a multitude of terrifying abilities."

Instead of anger, a faint smile appeared on Sozing’s face.

"I see," he said softly. "Then it will be an interesting fight."

The phantom vanished.

Sozing placed his hand over his chest.

Under Markin’s shocked gaze, the old man reached inside his own body and withdrew a large, intricate compass forged of unknown material. Strange runes shifted across its surface, pulsing with karmic light.

He flicked his wrist, sending it floating toward Markin.

"Bind it to your soul."

Markin hesitated.

Binding an unknown treasure to one’s soul was never wise—but refusing was not an option. With a quiet sigh, he nodded and complied.

The moment the bond was formed, countless points of light appeared across the surface of the compass. Within seconds, they were so numerous that the display was almost completely covered.

Knowledge flowed directly into Markin’s mind, showing him how to interpret and manipulate the artifact. With a single thought, the view zoomed outward.

Nine vast spheres appeared.

One sphere was filled with countless points of light. Five others contained a single point each. Another had none. And the final sphere held two.

Markin focused on those two points—and instantly knew who they represented.

"The Scarlet King," he murmured, "and the True Primordial of the Void."

A look of genuine awe appeared in his eyes.

"That is their exact location... Incredible."

The compass allowed him to pinpoint the precise position of anyone he had interacted with—either through direct physical contact or through spiritual means such as soul scans.

"The Karma Compass is indeed remarkable," Sozing said. "Now that you will be working closely with the forces of the Nine Empyrean Suns Alliance, you will come into contact with all of them. Through you, I will know their locations at all times."

A cold, calculating light appeared in Markin’s eyes as he looked up at the Immortal Knight.

"Are you planning to use their people as bait?" he asked. "To force the Scarlet King into a trap? I have done it many times. It works perfectly."

There was pride in the voice of the Alpha-Omega Overgod.

Sozing shook his head, clearly unimpressed.

"Then you have only ever faced trash."

The words stung, and Markin’s expression darkened. Sozing did not care.

"Against someone capable of awakening the Power of Chaos," the Immortal Knight continued, "the only way my plans will succeed is through surprise."

His eyes gleamed faintly.

"Traps give him time to prepare. And no matter how many failsafes or redundancies you build, he will overcome them all."

Markin fell silent. He disliked the Immortal Knight’s tone—but he could not deny the truth in his words.

"So," Markin asked at last, "what is the plan?"

Sozing looked at him briefly, then closed his eyes.

"Go," he said. "Do your part. Expect further instructions."

With that, the Immortal Knight resumed his meditation within the crystal vessel.

Markin remained still for several seconds, a storm of emotions raging within him. He had ruled from the peak for so long that being reduced to a servant felt almost unbearable.

Yet defiance was unthinkable.

In the end, he lowered his head once more.

Without another word, he turned and left, not daring to go against the will of the Tenth Empyrean World.