NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 155: A Willing Soul
A minute prior to Lily and Lucian re-entering the queue; the large metallic gates, which had remained closed for the past few hours, opened and hundreds of guards in armor marched out.
The people in front of the gates, who were already silent and tense due to the occasion, stiffened like statues. They did not even dare to glance at the guards.
Meanwhile, the guards did not care about their reactions since it was only normal for them to react in such a manner after seeing Wang Family Guards. Only people from the City Lords Manor and the Yu Family would react neutrally to them.
Soon after, the guards spread out and secured a hundred feet of area, a man wearing a black robe and a number one mask appeared on the manor walls.
Number One looked at the Mages lined up in the queue and then at the guards.
'Today is finally the day. After today's event, even the faint few who believe Master is behind Wang Chen's death will no longer care. A trash's death can easily be forgotten with the passage of time.'
After saying so, Number Zero cleared his throat.
Although the noise was quiet and could not have been heard during a normal time, with everyone being as quiet as possible, some not daring to even breathe, the noise rang loud in their ears.
In an instant, everyone in the surrounding few hundred feet radius, including the guards, turned their faces up to the source of the voice.
As their eyes landed on the black mask with the number one in white, they nervously gulped as a single thought crossed their minds.
'Number One! The Leader of the Shadow Guards!'
In some way, everyone in Harmony City and the surrounding cities and towns had heard of the Shadow Guards, especially Number One.
Number One was the second-strongest expert of the Wang Family, only slightly weaker than the Wang Family Head. It was said that Wang Ming handled the matters in the light, while Number One handled everything while in the shadows.
They were a force to be reckoned with, and just the two alone could rival the Yu Family and the City Lord's Manor. However, it was merely a rumor since no one knew just how strong the three families were and what trump cards they had.
'Why would Number One show himself?' Everyone thought simultaneously.
"Welcome everyone to the Wang Family Manor. I'm sure everyone knows by now Family Head Wang is busy and cannot be here today. Therefore, I have been tasked by my Master to preside over today's funeral."
"With that said, today, we all gather to honor the memory of Young Master Wang Chen. Those who have special invitations, please proceed in an orderly manner through the gates. Once inside, you will be guided to the memorial area where the ceremony will take place. As for everyone else, as our manor is too small to accommodate everyone, Master has sought out an Artifact for this very issue.
The Artifact is called the Astral Eye Crystal."
Saying so, he took out a white crystal ball and threw it into the air.
After Number One channeled his Mana into the Astral Eye Crystal, a clear, three-dimensional holographic image appeared in the air. With that, the people there were able to see a large courtyard filled with rows of chairs and even feel an extremely solemn atmosphere.
Seated in three front row chairs were Wang Family members, each with varying solemn expressions, some with red eyes from crying too much, all dressed in black.
Heavily armored guards surrounded the perimeter of the courtyard.
Meanwhile, the memorial area was a large, open space with a grand altar adorned with beautiful flowers of every color, fruits, and precious items were laid out in tribute to the deceased Wang Chen.
The Wang Family had spared no expense in making this event grand and memorable.
[Wow! I wonder how Wang Chen would feel if he were still alive and saw how sad his family was after his departure from the world of the living.] The System said all of a sudden in a mocking tone. Of course, it was mocking the shameless and disgusting Wang Family. It was not tasteless enough to mock the dead.
[He would be just as disgusted as you are.] Lucian replied then continued in an accusing tone, [Also, where is my Celestium Shard and what is it?]
[Host, the System did not forget about your reward. Also, if you don't mind I will answer your second question first.] The System said in a questioning tone.
[Go on.]
[The Celestium Shard is an advanced technological construct. Currently, it is in a dormant state. Once activated, it will take on the form of a mechanical Nine-Tailed Fox.] The System explained. [As for your first question, I was hesitant to explain the specific details required to activate the Celestium Shard.]
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Lucian narrowed his eyes. [And what are those 'specific details'?]
[A Soul deeply connected to the Host is required to activate the Celestium Shard.]
[Continue.] Lucian said as he realized the crux of the issue, as well as, the System's hesitance.
[The System requires the Soul of someone deeply connected to you, whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually, to bind to the Celestium Shard, thereby activating its full potential. Also, the Soul must willingly offer themselves, understanding the bond they will create with the Celestium Shard, and, by extension, you.]
[A willing Soul?] Lucian smirked.
Lily, who always had one eye on her Big Brother Lucian, instantly spotted the smile on his face, confusing her. In such a solemn environment, why was he smiling?
With such a thought, she could not help but ask, [Big Brother Lucian, why are you smiling?]
Hearing Lily's adorable voice, Lucian retracted his smile, returning to his indifferent expression, then replied, [It's nothing. I was merely smiling after seeing how much the Wang Family loves Wang Chen.]
Lily pouted. [Big Brother Lucian don't lie. You should know Lily doesn't like liars. Even if everyone in Harmony City and the surrounding cities and towns doesn't know, at least eighty percent of the population should know Wang Chen was not loved by the Wang Family.]
After a moment of sulking, Lily then continued, [If Big Brother Lucian does it again, Lily won't talk to you ever… for a few minutes.]
She corrected herself while blushing. Thankfully, her Big Brother Lucian could not see through her mask.
[Haha, okay.] Lucian chuckled, causing her to be even more embarrassed.
After that, Lily returned to being silent, while Lucian returned to the topic of the Celestium Shard.
[What will happen to your Soul? Will the Gourmet Chef System still exist after you combine it with the Celestium Shard? Also, do you even have a Soul?] Lucian cut straight to the point. It was obvious the System wanted to combine with the Celestium Shard.
However, as much as the System could be useless at times and despite not knowing its origins, its value could not be overlooked. Just its ability to obtain Magical Herbs from different Planes and Dimensions was too valuable to lose.
Furthermore, Lucian still required its help to absorb Celestial Mana. Without the System, he would be forever stuck at the Mana Condensation Realm.
[The System does indeed have a Soul.] The System explained. [Also, the Host does not have to worry in regard to losing the System. Even if my Soul enters the Celestium Shard I, the System, will always be connected to you. This is because a part of my Soul will remain combined with the Host's Soul.]
[The System will still retain its consciousness and identity. Furthermore, with a physical body, I will be able to provide much more help to the Host.]
[Host, the decision is yours like it has always been. The Celestium Shard can remain dormant until you have made your decision.]
The System said, then fell silent, hoping its Host would accept. Had it been anyone else in its Host's position, they would have accepted the offer long ago. Sadly, its Host was too untrusting.
However, never in its wildest imagination did it expect the following words.
[Alright, go ahead and fuse with the Celestium Shard.] Lucian said decisively. He had always been decisive. In addition, the System was the best and sole candidate for the position. Once the System fused with Celestium Shard he would have one more helper.
That meant he could keep Osiris as his ultimate trump card.
Even though the System had never spoken about the consequences involved in obtaining the ingredients, Lucian knew one day Mortals, Immortals, Gods, and whatever was above the Gods would make their way toward him in droves.
For that, he had to be prepared and the Celestium Shard could prove useful during those times.
[Thank you, Host.] The System was ecstatic but its tone immediately turned serious as it continued, [The fusion process will begin immediately and will be done by me.]