Above The Sky
Chapter 1154: 168 Crown Prince Carlos (2/2 Thanks to the leaders bubble and gaga for their support!)

Chapter 1154: Chapter 168 Crown Prince Carlos (2/2 Thanks to the leaders bubble and gaga for their support!)

The Pure White Sky Tower at least has some clues, but the Dark Key…

I have absolutely no idea, Ian thought.

Judging by the name, it undoubtedly corresponds to the Pure White Sky Tower, but what exactly it is remains entirely unclear.

“I’ll jot this down first. I don’t think Axel initiated the research from scratch, but with progress comes new additions—it wouldn’t be surprising for the name to have changed.”

Regaining focus, Ian closed the folder in his hand and returned it to Yisen Gard. He said earnestly, “This must be a fairly important plan. I’ll keep an eye on information in this area and share it with you when the time comes.”

“Let’s see who can find it first.”

Yisen Gard accepted the folder, smiling and swinging it, “I’m Teacher Gossay’s direct disciple, the first heir—getting into secret project research is no trouble for me.”

“Unlike you, who doesn’t dare delve into the secrets of the Imperial Capital, those so-called secret places feel no different to me than my home laboratory!”

“Ha…” Hearing his friend’s boast, Ian couldn’t help but laugh. He effortlessly lay back on the bed, gazing at the ceiling, and lightly said, “Then I’m counting on you, officially-titled young scholar. But still, be careful. Even though I’m sure Axel might not have planned on using you as eternal carapaces… he absolutely has a major plan for you all.”

“Don’t fall into the trap.”

“I’ll be careful—just as you’re coming to Canaan Moore with the intention of using the identity of ‘Mahdi’ to seize relics in the Exotic Species Research Institute ruins.”

Yisen Gard placed both hands on the back of his chair, head buried in his arms, speaking muffledly, “Being in peril can lead to great rewards. Worst case, you can prophesy for me, see if the outcome is good or bad.”

“Sure, I’ll prophesize for you. All your prophecies are free—I am not one of those scammers in legends who demand the most precious thing after a simple prophecy.”

Ian raised a hand, held up his forefinger, and seriously promised, “But more importantly, my trip this time is to quickly teach you the details of the ‘Second Stage Meditation Method.’ The First Stage is merely learning to carve your soul, while the Second Stage is to shape according to your soul’s form and quality.”

“After all, tomorrow I must meet Prince Carlos, and I might not have time to teach you.”

“Alright.” Yisen Gard nodded slightly, sitting upright and earnestly said, “I’ll study hard.”

…

“I have quite a few nephews, but Yisen Gard is the one I hold in highest regard.”

The next day, World Tree City, First Level, Sertar Empire Embassy.

In the reception hall, a man lay comfortably on a sofa, took a sip of wine, and with a rather relaxed attitude, said to Ian: “If you ask why, of course, it’s because he studies hard and has extraordinary talent. While it sounds simple, possessing both is quite rare.”

“Yet even such a Yisen Gard can’t compare to you; being your friend is his fortune.”

This man had platinum hair cascading to his waist and eyes as deep as the ocean. His appearance was dignified and held great authority, a clear sign he was a ‘strongman’ wielding extraordinary power.

However, such a person, seemingly ready to respond perfectly at any moment, appeared at this moment to be chatting casually with a white-haired youth, like he was speaking to familiar relations at home.

But is that disrespectful?

Of course not!

As the Empire’s controller, the first son of the Sertar Imperial Family, Carlos Sertar, in the Empire Embassy considered part of ‘Sertar Empire territory,’ is no different than being at home, isn’t it?

And Ian Silverpeak, as the genius alchemist favored by the second prince, a life-deep friend of his own nephew, and a collaborator in sect experiments… when it comes to relationships, isn’t it closer than those imperial kin who look related by blood but have a distant relationship?

Thus, Crown Prince Carlos receiving Ian with such etiquette might as well be considered the highest degree of ‘trust’.

“Care for some?”

At this moment, as Crown Prince Carlos raised a wine bottle alone worth a fortune, intricately carved, to signal Ian to take up a glass for sharing, Ian had no choice but to sigh, lifting his glass: “I’m truly grateful for the favor… though I rarely drink.”

“If you don’t like it, don’t drink it, I wouldn’t want to waste it.”

Upon hearing this, the platinum-haired man retracted the hand ready to pour alcohol, entirely nonchalant: “You alchemists one by one won’t drink, yet most of the world’s fine wines are concocted by you… real peculiar, isn’t it? You don’t drink, yet fiddle out so many fine brews.”

Buzz. In an instant, a glass of Canaan Moore’s Purple Peach Juice appeared before Ian. Crown Prince Carlos somehow sat up straight and shrugged at the youth: “Juice should be fine, right? Brought personally, don’t refuse.”

“…How could this be?”

Ian’s pupils constricted. Just now, he didn’t see any of the other’s movements at all, yet the wine glass appeared before him. There was no wind, no aftershock, not even a sense of source quality fluctuation… What kind of speed was this?

He didn’t suppress his doubts but instead reacted truthfully to his confusion. Carlos smiled, took another sip, and then said, “This is deception.”

“Ian, you should also know that the bloodline inheritance of our Setar Imperial Family is the ‘Sunbird’, right?”

——Don’t act as if I’m one of you. I’m not from your Setar Imperial Family.

Ian heightened his vigilance. He wasn’t sure if this was a probe by the Great Prince regarding his Inega II inheritance or if it was just a habitual approach to getting close… But he had to respond cautiously.

He had figured it out; the Great Prince before him was someone who would say what needed to be said to people and something else to spirits.

He was indeed solemn and dignified, but he could also be approachable. He could be frivolous in public, yet also pure and restrained.

All of his emotions, actions, appearances, and demeanor were his methods, not true revelations… He was using this technique to spy on him, to explore the true psychological activities behind his mind, seeking to grasp something more essential.

“Yes.”

With a perfectly timed pause, Ian nodded slightly: “So, just now…”

“Ian.”

Carlos, the Great Prince, said softly, raising his head to look at the magnificent crystal lamp on the ceiling: “Everyone says the Sunbird is the fastest bloodline inheritance, that the Emperor of the Setar Empire is the most indefensible strongman in this world— they just need a thought to reach any corner of the Terra Confederation. With a move, they can destroy any famous landmark on Terra, annihilate any fortress or even a small country.”

“If forts and nations are so vulnerable, aren’t people even more so?”

“After all, it’s ‘light’— the world’s fastest, strongest, and most unstoppable entity, which is exactly the weapon of our Setar Imperial Family!”

His deep blue eyes, bright as the sun and moon, shone with the radiance of spirit energy, meeting Ian’s eyes that also shone with watery brilliance: “But why did my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather… those strong, gifted, even ambitious emperors, not conquer the entire Terra?”

“Because it’s actually wrong.”

This powerful Sublimator of the Fourth Energy Level, using an indisputable tone, said, “No matter how rapid the attack, even if it’s light, it can’t hit a Sublimator who is prepared!”

“They can sense it. Even beyond visual range, as long as they’re targeted, as soon as an attack is intended, as soon as the battle is to occur— they will have a feeling of ‘here it comes!'”

“Under this instinct, no attack can hit them, as if they have a prophet predicting early the danger’s arrival.”

Carlos probably didn’t know Ian’s spirit energy was that of a prophet, speaking passionately, seeming truly unaware, yet Ian silently remained vigilant, listening to his words: “Thus, deception is necessary.”

“Feints, bluff, illusion, self-deception, imposing pressure, Heart Light Body camouflage, mental deviation, source quality distortion, and surreal mediums…”

“Precisely because the will and soul of Sublimators are so strong, even light cannot escape their instinctual premonition, these arts developed specifically for deception… This extraordinary calculation is crucial in high-energy level Sublimator battles.”

“Even a prophet can be deceived by this fraud.”

Carlos smiled calmly, spreading his arms to the solemn-faced youth, “Alright, our little prophet. No need to be so serious; you intended for me to know, after all. If I knew nothing of this now, you’d secretly look down on me, thinking I’m just like those fools, right?”

Raising his index finger, this one of the Empire’s most powerful men shook his finger, “Impossible. Let’s speak frankly; after all, we’re heading together to explore the dangerous ancient ruins later, and mutual disclosure is necessary to plan.”

“I’ve been found out.”

Upon hearing this, Ian’s previously solemn expression quickly relaxed. He looked somewhat embarrassed, with a slightly youthful bashful smile, “Please forgive my small probe, Your Highness.”

“I forgive you.”

Carlos, the Great Prince, nonchalantly waved his hand, “We smart people waste time talking like this but also save time. It’s natural.”

“However, Ian.”

At this point, the man leaned slightly forward, “Now, can you see it?”

“Now, can you see how I deceived you just now?”