The Innkeeper

Chapter 1907: Oaka, the merchant

Harriot, of course, could see the truth. Unlike Eclipse, the poodle did not have its abilities sealed - it was merely not as strong as Eclipse. At most, it was a little stronger than the average Dao Lord.

Still, that was more than enough to see through Lex and everything about him - as well as the fact that he had random pieces of information hidden from view or obscured even to Dao Lords. Considering he came from an organization that also had a Dao Lord, that wasn’t too surprising.

But Harriot did not need to learn Lex’s secrets. He could see Lex’s intentions in the garden, which weren’t exactly altruistic, but they weren’t the worst either. His greatest ambition was merely to use some of the resources in the garden, and maybe establish a connection with Eclipse.

Of those notable beings that entered the garden, such motives could be considered the most basic and simple. Harriot did not care about the resources as long as Eclipse gave her consent, since everything here was basically homegrown. As for forming a connection with Eclipse, it was both very easy and very hard.

She was a nonchalant being, so anyone could befriend her - as long as they could work up the courage, and the sincerity. Simultaneously, she was someone who had survived till now from the Primordial age, so there were few in the universe with as much experience as her. Even without her Dao abilities, it was not easy to fool her. She could basically see through everyone at a glance.

So if she was still paying attention to Lex, then he must be doing something right.

"The spiders are getting very innovative," Harriot commented, and continued to watch. Eclipse merely nodded.

Meanwhile, Lex was running like his life depended on it, because it did.

"Guys, we can talk about this," Lex yelled behind him to the spiders riding the massive worms. Yet, for some reason, they did not seem inclined towards his suggestion.

"Welp, I gave you a chance," Lex muttered, before using Immortal Aegis. Although he hadn’t adapted the Lawcraft for the Heaven Immortal realm just yet, it was still the strongest barrier he could conjure while he was an Earth Immortal. For added effect, he made it invisible, and spread it from the ground to the crystal ceiling right behind himself.

A second later, the worms crashed into the barrier, the speed and force of their bodies causing a massive earthquake and even causing them severe injuries, though the barrier remained entirely unharmed. The spiders were also injured in the collision, for within the barrier Lex had infused a number of harmful effects such as sword intent and Golden Inferno.

The area behind him was completely sealed, for the barrier was wide enough to seal off the entire area, but Lex was not confident that the barrier would remain forever. The ground was sucking the energy out of it even then, and the various beasts and creatures were all being attracted to it as if it were a giant energy beacon.

Fortunately, he didn’t need it to last forever.

Lex reached the next segment of the course which consisted of a large canyon where the walls rose up all the way to the crystal ceiling. What was inside the canyon, Lex could not say because when he extended his spirit sense in too far from himself, the walls of the canyon seemed to have a dampening effect on spirit sense.

"Ahoy there, traveler," a snake yelled at him from a cave in the canyon wall. "Are you new around these parts? I haven’t seen you before. If you seek to enter, or maybe cross the Canyon of You-will-die-in-here, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a look at my wares first. I have weapons, equipment, medicine, maps, and other things that you might need in there."

Lex raised an eyebrow when he heard the canyon’s name, and then looked at the snake oddly. The snake was wearing a very respectable merchant’s cloak, making him look like an NPC right at the beginning of a dungeon in a video game.

Lex’s instincts did not warn him of any danger from the snake, and he felt no threat from his words either.

Logic told him that this was a trap, because what kind of obstacle course had a shop inside of it? But the same logic also answered him: the kind that was designed by a gamer.

"Yeah, I’m new," Lex decided to answer honestly. "I’m looking to cross the canyon. Do you have anything that can help me?"

"Yes, yes, of course! You can call me Oaka. Come in, take a look at my wares. I have many things that can help you, although what suits you is something only you can determine for yourself."

Lex looked at the snake sceptically, and then turned to look behind him at all the creatures attacking his barrier. He seemed to have some time, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a look.

"Sure, that makes sense," Lex said, and then entered the cave. Of course, the moment he officially entered the canyon, his instincts sent him a warning. This place was dangerous, and he had around 3 hours to leave before the situation worsened.

As if to add emphasis on his warning, the walls in the canyons suddenly trembled, dropping trails of dust and dirt.

"Don’t mind that," Oaka said with a distinctly merchant-like smile. "That’s just how the canyon greets everyone. If you escape before the Ghost of Woe gets you, then you have nothing to worry about."

Rather than explaining, Oaka spread the beads that acted as a door to his cave, and waited for Lex to enter.

"This is totally a great idea," Lex muttered to himself sarcastically before entering. To his immense surprise, the interior of the cave was actually renovated quite nicely.

It was a large yet packed shop, with countless rows and countertops, all packed with various trinkets.