“Sorcerer Ivan, we are not sure where Randall resides, can we arrange a meeting with him first?” Locke then made a request.
At this juncture, they had arrived at the adversary’s lair and were presumably able to meet with Randall.
For safety’s sake, Locke wanted to check Randall’s status to facilitate the unfolding of the subsequent plan.
“Eh! But there is something more important you should consider now that you are at the Black God Society,” Fantar drew out his words with a light sigh, “Why not hear what I have to say?”
“Go ahead,” Locke frowned slightly.
“It’s about the inheritance, of course—an inheritance that’s vitally important to us,” Fantar continued, undeterred by his displeasure, “We have the complete Black Beard Chapter here, a full Advanced Meditation Method that can train a practitioner up to Level 4 Sorcerer. Can you think of anything more important than that?”
“You mean I can receive the inheritance of the Black Beard Chapter?” Locke’s eyes brightened, now genuinely intrigued, as he knew his boss needed the continuation of the Black Beard Chapter.
If he could get his hands on the complete Black Beard Chapter, his boss would be thrilled, and Randall’s matter could be postponed.
“Of course, our Black God Society exists to serve those who cultivate the Black Beard Chapter, and you are undoubtedly one of us,” Fantar affirmed with a smile and an air of certainty.
“Then—” Locke feigned hesitance.
“Just wait a moment, and I will arrange it for you immediately. You are Randall’s apprentice and possess the strength of a Level 2 Sorcerer; no one above would give you any trouble.” Fantar caught on at once and assured him that he would receive the inheritance as quickly as possible.
“Fine, from now on, I am a member of the Black God Society.”
“Ha ha, as you should be.”
The flying insect beast slowly advanced above the abyss, and guided by Fantar, it entered a spacious cave within the cliffside, a cave that could be regarded as a grand hall.
Inside the cave, the bioluminescence shone bright, with corridors leading to other areas—it seemed to be the Black God Society’s centralized office.
Fantar introduced him to an elder, one of the Black God Society’s elders.
“Randall’s apprentice?”
“Indeed, I am called Ivan, from the Mongna Ant Land Cottage on Moon Pincer Peninsula, an Insect Control Master since my apprentice stage.”
“Such a fine silkworm, welcome, welcome, we’re glad to have you join the Black God Society.”
The on-duty elder Kevin was very eager about his arrival and showed a particular interest in the Silkworm Queen. His constant smile was reassuring.
“It is the rapid wood silkworm, and we are honored to join the Black God Society,” Locke responded cautiously.
“Elder, about that inheritance—” after a while, Fantar timely reminded.
“Oh my, look at how absent-minded I am. A fine Insect Master like Sorcerer Ivan definitely deserves to inherit all parts of the Black Beard Chapter, come with me,” Kevin smacked his head and quickly led them to one side.
They ventured deeper into the cliff, finding the passageways intricate and treated with special powers, imbuing them with a profound sensation.
As they continued meandering deeper in, the location was actually descending, and Locke estimated they were now beneath the black fog.
“An important inheritance, of course, has to be kept in a secretive place.”
“Quite true.”
In his eagerness to acquire the subsequent chapters of the Black Beard Chapter, Locke listened to everything they said without a word of complaint.
Kevin and Fantar were truly pleased with his attitude.
After a while, the three of them finally arrived at a brightly lit grand hall, majestic and resplendent, akin to a foreign realm’s cathedral dedicated to deities.
Yet there were no statues of gods within the grand hall; positioned in a place of prominence was a slender musical instrument resembling a black pipe.
“It seems we are near that chasm where the black mist churns?” Locke casually inquired.
“Yes, behind us is the Black God Abyss. The carrier of the Black Beard Chapter needs the nourishment of the breath from the Black God Abyss to maintain its integrity over time,” Kevin explained, lowering his voice involuntarily.
“So that’s how it is. Can I now accept the inheritance of the Black Beard Chapter?” Locke nodded slightly, then immediately asked.
“You just need to step forward and blow into the carrier instrument, remember to use a strand of the power of the Black Beard Chapter,” Kevin instructed, staring at the slender instrument. After finishing, he retreated several steps with Fanta, leaving the inner space of the great hall to him.
Locke glanced sideways at the Silkworm Queen and then turned to step forward attentively, closely examining the inheritor’s carrier in front of him.
No wonder it looked familiar, wasn’t this half a length of shiny black insect antenna?
Using a black long insect antenna to carry the Black Beard Chapter, truly complementary indeed.
“Sorcerer Ivan, you only need to sound the thinner end, we shouldn’t linger here.”
Kevin’s voice drifted lightly to Locke’s ear, urging him on. Without looking back, Locke took a deep breath and picked up the Black Beard instrument to play. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire
“Ssssss—–“
In an instant, weird insect chirping filled the great hall, echoing throughout.
Outside the great hall, Kevin and Fanta exchanged glances, both revealing a bit of relief in their smiles.
After the insect chirping sounded, Locke saw an entirely different scene in front of his eyes; his gaze seemed to penetrate the great hall, through the mountain wall, and deep into the Black God Abyss.
Thick black mist churned fiercely; suddenly, a sky-blocking insect shadow broke through the dense fog, emerging into his view.
The insect shadow was majestic, and Locke’s spirit leapt violently in response.
Without him doing anything, a pitch-black tentacle emerged from the insect shadow, reached out from a distance, and swiftly yet accurately struck his head, piercing through.
The inheritance began, and the content of the Black Beard Chapter rapidly became clear.
Locke couldn’t help but immerse himself in it.
The first layer, Insect Language Breath.
The second layer, Flower Breath.
The third layer, Candle Sun Breath.
The fourth layer, Spring Fountain Breath.
The fifth layer, King Insect Breath.
They hadn’t lied; the complete Black Beard Chapter emerged like that, inheriting into Locke’s memory, making it unforgettable.
Undoubtedly, the complete Black Beard Chapter was indeed an Advanced Meditation Method and could also be practiced up to a Level 4 Sorcerer.
Inside the great hall, Locke returned to his senses after the inheritance, his first action was to review the content to confirm the authenticity of the Black Beard Chapter, his wish fulfilled.
However, he felt somewhat unhappy in his heart because he felt an inexplicable shackle placed upon him during his immersion in the inheritance. It could have been planted by something, or it might be inherent to the inheritance.
“You two, that’s quite indecent of you, tricking me into signing a compulsory contract with the Black God Abyss. Is this how you conduct your affairs?” Locke put down the Black Beard instrument, turned, and stepped forward to confront the two.
He had never considered that the Black God Abyss was alive, or to be precise, that some part of the black mist within it was alive; it was certainly very strange.
While he accepted the inheritance of the meditation method, he also accepted an unequal contract and could no longer distance himself from the Black God Abyss.
“Sorcerer Ivan, mind your language. You are merely a low-tier Insect Master, while both of us are high-tier Insect Masters. Do not act recklessly, or the consequences will be more than you can bear,” Fanta snapped back, sternly scolding him without any politeness.
Locke was somewhat angered, ready to teach them a lesson, but he sensed a force within him playing tricks, knowing that any act of resistance would lead to severe punishment.
Realizing this, his face suddenly turned as black as charcoal.