The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 2364 Sozing, The Silence of All Things

The Lord of the Tenth Empyrean World took his time, fully absorbing the warmth of the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe's laws before finally shifting his gaze toward Markin.

"I am Sozing," the elder declared with an eerie calm. "The Silence of All Things. Immortal Knight of the Tenth Empyrean World."

His introduction thundered through the subterranean vault. The very laws etched into the fabric of the world shivered and wailed, seemingly unable to withstand the sheer authority vibrating within that ancient tone.

Markin’s response was instantaneous. He bowed his head and dropped to one knee, slamming his fist against the floor in a gesture of total fealty.

"I am Markin," he replied with deep reverence. "Leader of the Eternitysoul Empyrean World—"

The sentence remained unfinished.

Sozing’s gaze turned frigid, and the atmospheric pressure within the room surged violently. Markin’s frame shuddered as if he were being flattened by an invisible mountain range.

"This realm," Sozing cut him off, his voice hollow and chilling, "along with everything else under the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe, is our property. You are nothing more than a steward!"

A heavy silence gripped the air.

"Never let that slip your mind."

Markin ground his teeth together, a flicker of resentment crossing his face for a split second, yet he lacked the courage to look up. Keeping his eyes glued to the dirt, he gave a silent nod.

Sozing saw the spark of fury but remained indifferent. Whether Markin harbored bitterness was of no consequence to him—as long as the man played his part.

"Now," the Immortal Knight pressed on, "have you carried out your duties?"

"Yes, Immortal Knight," Markin answered without delay. "I have successfully wormed my way into the Nine Empyrean Suns Alliance. We are set to fight by their side in the coming war against the Root."

He paused for a heartbeat, a cold light dancing in his pupils.

"To accomplish this, I sacrificed a massive amount of wealth and assets. It was enough that it might interfere with certain future arrangements."

Sozing’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a brief, mocking sneer.

"You shall be repaid," he stated flatly. "As per our usual agreement."

Then, his focus sharpened.

"Since you have stood in the presence of the Scarlet King," Sozing added, "tell me one thing."

He inhaled slowly.

The aura radiating from him surged outward in an explosion of power.

Suddenly, Markin was confronted by the ghostly apparition of a gargantuan, five-headed alien monstrosity. The figure was blurred and flickering, as if the laws of reality struggled to manifest it—yet the strength it emitted was terrifyingly real.

Markin felt a chill seep into his marrow.

Despite his status as an Alpha-Omega Overgod Godslayer Human, a primal terror began to claw at his very soul.

"If you were to compare our power," Sozing asked with composure, "who would be the superior?"

Markin gulped. He stayed quiet for several moments, meticulously choosing his next words.

"Your power is beyond comprehension, Immortal Knight," he finally spoke. "However... it is my belief that the Scarlet King is the stronger of the two."

Sozing allowed him to continue without interruption.

Markin went on, his voice remaining firm even as the spiritual pressure weighed on his mind.

"His physical form possesses the durability of a late-stage Alpha-Omega Overgod Treasure. He can heal in a heartbeat, even if his body is cleaved in two. Furthermore, those crimson, flame-like wings... they grant him a terrifying array of powers."

Rather than taking offense, a subtle grin touched Sozing’s lips.

"I see," he whispered. "That will make for a fascinating struggle."

The phantom image dissolved into nothingness.

Sozing placed a hand against his chest.

To Markin’s utter shock, the old man reached into his own torso and pulled out a massive, complex compass made of a mysterious material. Bizarre runes drifted across its casing, glowing with the light of karma.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent the object drifting toward Markin.

"Fuse it with your soul."

Markin wavered.

It was never wise to bind a mysterious treasure to one's soul—but refusal was a death sentence. With a faint sigh, he nodded and obeyed.

As soon as the connection was established, countless specs of light ignited on the compass's surface. Within moments, the display was almost entirely obscured by their numbers.

A flood of information surged into Markin’s consciousness, teaching him how to read and control the device. With a mere thought, he expanded the perspective.

Nine enormous spheres materialized in his mind's eye.

One sphere was teeming with lights. Five others held only a single point each. One was entirely empty. The last sphere contained two distinct points.

Markin centered his focus on those two—and he knew their identities immediately.

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

Genuine wonder filled his expression.

"That is their exact location... This is incredible."

The device enabled him to track the precise coordinates of anyone he had ever interacted with—whether through physical touch or spiritual contact like a soul scan.

"The Karma Compass is truly a marvel," Sozing remarked. "Since you will be working closely with the leaders of the Nine Empyrean Suns Alliance, you will eventually meet them all. Through your connection, I will have their locations at my fingertips."

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

"Do you intend to use their subordinates as decoys?" he inquired. "To lure the Scarlet King into an ambush? I have utilized such tactics many times. They are quite effective."

There was a note of arrogance in the Alpha-Omega Overgod’s tone.

Sozing shook his head, looking completely unimpressed.

"Then you have only ever fought against garbage."

The insult hit home, and Markin’s face darkened. Sozing ignored it.

"When dealing with someone who can tap into the Power of Chaos," the Immortal Knight explained, "the only path to victory is through the element of surprise."

His eyes shone with a faint light.

"Ambushes give him the opportunity to prepare. No matter how many traps or backup plans you devise, he will simply shatter them all."

Markin fell into a pensive silence. He hated the way the Immortal Knight spoke to him—but the logic was undeniable.

"So," Markin finally asked, "what are my orders?"

Sozing gave him a brief look before closing his eyes.

"Depart," he commanded. "Perform your role. Wait for further instructions." With that, the Immortal Knight returned to his trance within the crystal sarcophagus.

Markin stood motionless for several seconds, his heart a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Having sat at the pinnacle of power for so long, being treated like a common servant was nearly intolerable.

Yet, rebellion was not an option.

Ultimately, he bowed his head once more. Without uttering another word, he turned and retreated, unwilling to challenge the absolute authority of the Tenth Empyrean World.