Chapter 668
HR Manager Ring Heavenly Envoy
After being reminded by Cardinal Cyril, Eivass finally fully understood what the Hourglass had said.
“–The surplus of Ai Shiping, I naturally know. He was the Heavenly Envoy of Balance in the past, and he was my apostle, also considered my student…
“–Let them fight, I will not stand on the other side.”
Not standing on the other side… and not “I will not stand on any side.”
This sentence has two understandings. One is “I might stand on your side,” and the other is “You don’t have to worry about me standing on the other side.”
Eivass used to think it was the former.
But now it seems, it should be the latter.
The Ouroboros Ring ritual, which would inevitably throw the world into chaos, would make anyone think that the Hourglass would be an enemy of the Ring Heavenly Envoy… Even maintaining neutrality would seem inappropriate – at least it should be “I will not stand on your side.”
Because from the perspective of the Ring Heavenly Envoy and Eivass, being an enemy of one side is equivalent to being an ally of the other. Therefore, he specifically stated his neutral stance.
But now it seems, the birth of the “Ouroboros Snake”… probably has the secret support of the Hourglass! Because the Ouroboros Ring ritual itself is a ritual to restore balance to the world.
“…So, it’s ultimately called the Ouroboros Ring.”
“–As above, so below; thereby accomplish the miracle of Taiyi.”
Eivass’s mind suddenly recalled such a sentence.
He couldn’t remember where he heard it…
But he felt that this sentence was so fitting.
This is precisely the “Metamorphosis” Path of the Ouroboros Ring!
Just as the boss said: “‘Metamorphosis’ represents the constant nature of eternal change in all things… what goes up will come down, what goes down will come up, all things are renewed and circulated, and all things are constant except change.”
In an instant, a sentence echoed in Eivass’s mind.
It was a sentence from the voice that sounded in his mind when he had just obtained the Book of Law:
[–Fear nothing, child. Humans, fate, and gods, nothing is to be feared. There are no gods in this world]
“…There are no gods in this world?”
It should be so.
Because even the supreme gods will fall due to His rules.
Eivass covered his ringing forehead.
For a moment, Eivass actually felt a little amused.
“…The dream realm’s Heavenly Envoy’s rigid staffing, is it being audited now.”
As expected of HR…
As an iron-blooded, tearless HR who cut out humanity – that is, Eivass.
Ah Huan’s great deed in taking charge of the Pillar God of the Metamorphosis Path was to solve the problem of over-staffing caused by the previous leader’s chaotic revelry before resigning. His method was to ruthlessly and effectively dismiss all surplus personnel – including even Fallen Heavenly Envoys and Shadow Heavenly Envoys, who had longer tenure and the same rank as himself.
His plan caused immense chaos, but it was ultimately carried out resolutely.
Considering that he effectively reduced the burden on the dream realm, he was then nominated by other senior executives to become a new senior executive after the dust settled.
The first thing he did after taking office as a new senior executive was to implement a last-place elimination mechanism and a promotion mechanism that directly connected the Material Realm to the leadership of the Dream Realm, successfully opening up the upward and downward channels between the Material Realm and the Dream Realm – allowing even immortal Heavenly Envoys to possibly fall to Earth, and allowing mortals to obtain the power of Heavenly Envoy Fragments.
“…I feel like I understand the meaning of the Metamorphosis Path now.”
Eivass quipped.
Never before had he so profoundly realized that “the Ring Heavenly Envoy is indeed another side of himself.”
Once these actions were stripped of their mysterious guise, he found them so reasonable…
–It truly is HR. If it were another traverser, they might not have thought of such a method at the first moment, nor would they have so easily grasped the essence of the entire plan…
“Regarding the newborn Heavenly Envoys… Cardinal Cyril, since you just said that, do you have any definite information on your end?”
Eivass asked: “For example, who is likely to ascend to Heavenly Envoy next… the commotion in the Origin River of Easier, there should be some people who know about this matter, right?”
He hoped to know as soon as possible which Heavenly Envoys would ascend in this wave.
No wonder Viviane, an apostle, suddenly descended to the mortal world back then.
Because she had a special channel of information, she knew from the very beginning that if she didn’t run, she might become a Heavenly Envoy in the wave and then be summarily dismissed…
Since she couldn’t stay no matter what, leaving in advance was at least capable of preserving part of her strength as an apostle. It was better than dying in the Material Realm and having her Heavenly Envoy Fragment snatched away.
“Just call me Cyril from now on.”
The old man, half petrified and half amber, said gently: “Otherwise, I would have to call you Cardinal Eivass – we are clearly friends, yet we call each other Cardinal… doesn’t this seem too distant?”
The old cardinal said with a half-joking tone: “If we have to keep a distance from friends, do we have to stand outside the door for complete strangers? Or, are we even more approachable to strangers?”
His words did not require an answer from Eivass.
So, after a slight contemplation, Cyril gave the answer: “The ‘Prophets’ and ‘Astrologers’ at the Fourth Tier and above should all be aware of the commotion in the Origin River to some extent. However, they might not know about the existence of the Origin River, so they would only understand it as a problem with the ‘Transcendent Path.’
“As for the newborn Heavenly Envoys… no one can predict them before they appear. However, I have some speculations – only speculations, and I am not responsible for the content.”
The old man cautiously folded a layer of armor, then said: “I think the most likely one is the Banquet Master.”
“Banquet Master…”
“Yes. He already possesses Heavenly Envoy-level power. Once he defects from Hengwo, he will immediately become a Heavenly Envoy. It could be the concepts of ‘Banquet,’ ‘Wine,’ or ‘Rampage.’ Another one is Lan Malok of the Path of Authority.”
Lan Malok.
Eivass remembered that he was the ancestor of the Naval Minister, Dewis Ramos.
“…Even the Knights of the Round Table might defect?”
“Of course. Or rather, this is not a betrayal in itself. The word ‘defection’ is just for convenience…”
“–Job hopping?”
Eivass’s mind flashed with his recent overthinking.
The old cardinal shook his head: “I think it’s more like leaving the company to start a new one.”
“So, going solo then.”
“Yes, but I don’t think this can be considered a betrayal. Lan Malok has the concepts of ‘War’ and ‘Riding’… Merlin might also be qualified. In fact, in many places, the word ‘Merlin’ is synonymous with ‘Prime Minister.’ People demand that the Prime Minister be intelligent, loyal, and skilled in swordsmanship, which are precisely Merlin’s characteristics.”
Cardinal Cyril mentioned.
However, Eivass did not agree with this answer: “I think Merlin would not leave Great Philosopher.”
But precisely because of this, he probably knew that Cardinal Cyril was purely guessing, without any secret channels of information.
However…
“War” indeed…
Eivass vaguely remembered that there was indeed a “War Heavenly Envoy” who was pulled down. He hadn’t found this Heavenly Envoy when he was studying theology, so he thought he had remembered incorrectly, or that the other party’s existence was kept secret.
“However, I actually have someone I’m particularly optimistic about here.”
Cardinal Cyril suddenly said: “I think he will definitely become a new Heavenly Envoy.”
Eivass was somewhat surprised: “Who?”
But as soon as he asked, his eyes widened slightly.
He realized the name Cardinal Cyril was about to say.
He also realized where that person, whom he had once forgotten, was now.
“–Former Cardinal Loki.”
Cardinal Cyril replied softly: “You asked me about his secret back then. Just as I answered you before… I thought he was dead.
“Because in the upcoming ‘Path Surge’ event, the Dream Realm will have more opportunities than the Material Realm.”
–Cardinal Loki was indeed dead.
It was just that his death was part of the plan.
But when Eivass understood Cardinal Loki’s purpose, he let out a long sigh of relief.
When he was unsure whether Cardinal Loki was alive or dead, this man who always managed to “sit up” from his coffin still gave Eivass a sense of subtle pressure.
It was like Eivass’s foster father, James – when Eivass didn’t know Old Moriarty’s plan, he felt like Moriarty was everywhere. The master and disciple were remarkably similar in this regard.
However, once their purpose was understood… it was “bewitchment dispelled” like a secret revealed in the dark, like the Path of Balance.
–Fear stems from the unknown.
“…Speaking of which,” Eivass rubbed his forehead, finally remembering his original purpose for coming here, “Cyril, did you see the two girls who came with me?”
“Miss Lily and Your Excellency Selene?”
“…Your Excellency?”
Eivass was surprised by this title.
The old cardinal chuckled and said, “If I’m not mistaken, this should be Madam Haibasha’s ‘Egg Moon Sutra.'”
“You know Madam Haibasha too?” Eivass was somewhat surprised.
“Of course, the circle of the Church is very small. The area of the first level of the Church is about the same as Avalon’s Glass Island, and the entire Avalon is only a small island nation surrounded by the sea. At its peak, the Hrasal Empire was fifteen times the size of Avalon.
“With such a small living space, and the people within it are all long-lived. Once we reach a certain level, the people we interact with day in and day out are very few. After hundreds of years, we naturally become extremely familiar…
“…Not to mention, I have lived for so many years.”
At this point, Cardinal Cyril sighed: “I have long lost count of how many years it has been. However, I can already see the outline of the last year of my life…”
He was silent for a moment, then gathered his emotions and sternly clarified for Eivass: “The name ‘Selene’ sealed in the ‘Egg Moon Sutra’ is one of the several names previously abandoned by Hengwo.
“This name existed before the first werewolves and the first witches. In that era when professions were not yet formed, the inheritance represented by this name was ‘Moon Witch.’ It is the common ancestor of werewolves and witches.
“–’Name’ signifies inheritance. Inheriting someone’s name is more fitting for the identity of an ‘heir’ than inheriting someone’s bloodline.”
“…In other words,” Eivass mused, “Selene… possesses some of Hengwo’s power from her mortal period?”
Cardinal Cyril shook his head and said seriously: “As for how much power… I’m not sure. After all, the power of the Dream Realm will eventually return to the Origin River. I tend to think this is a part of Hengwo’s shed husk.
“At the dawn of the Third Sun, the Taichu person had a book called ‘Night Rabbit Proverb.’ It vaguely described the secret of Hengwo shedding her old self ten times.
“I remember the first three times were shedding clothes, shedding flesh and blood, and shedding shadows. The next three times were shedding reason, shedding instinct, and shedding true self. However, those who have completely read the ‘Night Rabbit Proverb’ have all been shattered into void. Therefore, the ‘Moonlight Society’ has a hypothesis that Hengwo is now just a shell…”
The old cardinal earnestly narrated ancient secrets to Eivass.
Eivass felt that if he had the adaptability of the Path of Love, he might have gained new skills by now…
However, even so, Eivass more or less understood.
It’s like playing an MMORPG. It’s always better to level up to a certain level and complete a certain main quest before directly ascending.
For example, after reaching level 60, you can create an alt character and directly ascend to level 80 or 90.
At this time, if you already have a max-level main character, then this level 60 alt character is naturally useless.
However, in this alt character, there are some consumables that were not used on the leveling journey, and some equipment is still equipped.
The “old self” cut off by Hengwo is like this.
She shed her old self ten times. During this process, she was a Moon Witch, a Witch, a Werewolf, a Moon Goddess, a Goddess of Love, a Mother, a Wife…
It’s like a snake shedding its skin again and again. Each time is a new self.
She gradually transformed from a mortal into a monster, and then into a god. Finally, she transformed into void.
And now, she is nothing. Therefore, her name became “Hengwo.”
Meaning “There is nothing left except the self.”
Selene obtained this part of Hengwo’s inheritance, and thus she became the only “Moon Witch” in this world.
Her abnormal desires, beastly instincts, and her goat-like or toad-like horizontal pupils are proof of her being “Hengwo’s initial form.”
Among the repeated shedding of her old self, “Selene” was not the “mortal” of the first three times, but had already become a “monster.”
Therefore, Eivass does not need to have any psychological burden – he can directly train her as a monster.
Even… he can seal her as a great beast.
Because her essence is a phantom demon.
–Coincidentally, the “Egg Moon Sutra” tells the secret that “the moon is the egg of monsters.”
(End of this chapter)
