Chapter 605: A Transaction
Purity is a Joke
"You are making a fool of me."
"My heart is not pure enough? That's ridiculous!"
Luke's voice was cold. "I don't recall purity of heart being a requirement to join the Council of Eternity, Wizard. You are the guide and guardian of this Council, and you have sacrificed everything for human civilization. I hold you in genuine respect. However, the chairs above are determined by the Gods. I am the representative of the Eastern Celestial Court. If you intend to exclude me, you must provide a compelling reason."
"Purity of heart only exists in children. How can any adult be pure?"
The old man, however, kept shaking his head. "No matter what you say, I cannot give you the Rock of Eternity."
"Why?"
"I have already told you the reason."
Luke: "..."
A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, then vanished.
"Very well. I respect your decision, but I reserve my opinion. I will remain here for a while. If you change your mind, let me know anytime."
With that, he grabbed Sivana and walked out of the hall.
The Wizard's Dilemma
After the two left, the old man collapsed onto the floor.
"Such terrifying pressure, such a powerful soul. After thousands of years, humanity has actually birthed a powerhouse comparable to the Gods."
"And he's from the Eastern Celestial Court."
The old man muttered to himself, his expression incredibly complex.
Among the seven divine pantheons, the Eastern Celestial Court was the most unique. The other systems maintained their power through bloodlines, emphasizing being born a god. Only the Eastern Celestial Court had no inherently born gods; everyone could strive to become one.
This fact made the other six pantheons extremely wary of the Eastern Celestial Court. Some deities even regarded them as an anomaly and an enemy.
As the representative of the Egyptian Ennead, Shazam was no exception, which explained his stubbornness. However... recalling the power the man displayed, a thread of worry entered his heart. His body was on the verge of total exhaustion and he was unable to fight. If the other party chose to attack, he would likely die here.
"No, I must find a successor quickly. I cannot delay any longer."
The old man gripped his staff, having made a firm decision.
A Worthless Hostage
Leaving the hall, Luke returned to the library. This room was a genuine treasure trove. The ancient texts on the shelves covered every aspect of knowledge, including the origins of the major pantheons, types of demons, long-vanished evil gods, various forbidden artifacts, and, most interesting to Luke, ancient Egyptian magic.
Based on the current situation, the likelihood of Shazam willingly handing over the Rock of Eternity was extremely low. If he wouldn't give it, Luke would have to take it.
To take it, he needed to know the methods of entry and the incantations to activate the teleportation array. If he learned that, Shazam would be irrelevant.
Just then, a faint murmur sounded. Luke, without turning around, said,
"Since you're awake, get up."
Sivana raised his head and carefully glanced at Luke.
"You... are you also a wizard?"
"You can call me that."
Sivana forced a bitter smile. "The world's richest man at 21, and he can do magic!"
God was far too unfair.
"Being a wizard and being the world's richest man have no necessary connection."
Luke closed the book. "Dr. Sivana, please tell me, how should I deal with you?"
Sivana's face changed. "Are you going to kill me?"
"What else? Leave you to cause trouble?"
"No! I can't die! Please, I promise I won't leak a single word about what happened today."
"Only one kind of person keeps a secret."
Luke opened his right hand. Blinding electric light sparked in his palm. Killing intent rushed forward like a tsunami. Sivana shuddered, overcome by intense fear.
"However..."
Luke retracted the lightning, saying pointedly, "A dead person has no value. I don't like worthless things."
Sivana's eyes lit up. He said urgently, "What do you want me to do? Just say it! I'll do anything I can!"
"That's a question you should ask yourself."
Luke walked over to a table, sat down, and casually flipped through an ancient book made of an unknown material. "Dr. Sivana, what can you do for me?"
"I am an archaeologist. I can help you explore ancient ruins. I know many stories about the Rock of Eternity and the Council of Eternity. If you don't kill me, I'll tell you everything."
"The books here already contain all that information. I can read it myself. I don't need you to repeat it." He paused. "You have ten seconds. If you can't give me a satisfactory answer within ten seconds, I'll have no choice but to let you die here."
"Of course, you can also choose to run."
Run?
Sivana inwardly smiled bitterly. A wizard's power is inscrutable. What difference would running make? It would be suicide.
Time ticked by.
Sivana scratched his head, frantically pacing.
"Time's up. Have you thought of anything?"
Thump!
Sivana dropped directly to his knees.
"Just tell me what to do! As long as I can live, I'll do anything!"
"A fool, just as I thought."
Luke curled his lip. "What was your purpose for coming to the Rock of Eternity?"
Sivana answered honestly. "To find Teth-Adam and undo his seal."
"Why undo the seal?"
"Hasshett wants to conquer Earth. He needs Teth-Adam's power."
"Do you think he will succeed?"
Sivana shook his head. "Though the Gods are powerful, they might not be a match for the six superheroes in Metropolis."
"So, you think he will fail."
Sivana was confused. "What exactly do you want from me?"
"How much do you know about Hasshett?"
"He was an ancient Egyptian court priest who was executed by the king with the sacred sword for killing Prince Khufu. His soul was able to reincarnate due to the magic on the sword."
"Where is that sword?"
Sivana slowly understood. He lowered his voice. "You want that sword?"
"No. I want the metal. Legend says the metal used to make the sword came from the alien spacecraft. Hasshett, as a court priest, should know the approximate location of the spacecraft. Find it for me, and I will let you go and grant you one condition."
Sivana's eyes darted around. He didn't know whether to trust him.
"Since I'm telling you to your face, I will honor my promise, provided you find what I want."
Sivana couldn't help but ask, "Any condition?"
"Within my capabilities, yes."
"I want to learn magic."
Luke glanced at him. "Your aptitude is too poor. You cannot learn it."
Hearing this, Sivana inexplicably relaxed. If Luke had agreed without hesitation, it would have meant he had no intention of keeping the promise and was just lying. But his refusal now suggested there was room for negotiation.
"That is my only request: make it possible for me to learn magic, and I will help you extract the location of the alien spacecraft."
Luke frowned. "Magic requires talent. Without talent, you can't even get through the door. In your current state, you wouldn't learn anything even with the best teacher."
"I know, but you must have a way, right?"
Sivana's eyes were full of hope. He felt he was getting closer to his dream.
Luke nodded. "There is one way. A potion made from High-ranking Demon blood can give a person magical talent and allow them to command some demonic power. However, after drinking it, your body will mutate, turning you into a half-human, half-demon monster. Are you certain you want to do this?"
Sivana nodded heavily. "As long as I can learn magic, I don't care about anything else."
"Good!"
Luke stood up and walked up to him. "I promise you now: find the alien spacecraft, and the potion is yours. I will keep my word."
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