Apotheosis

It wasn't long before five hundred words were already put on the paper.

Zen gently placed the brush down and stored it in his space ring. He turned to Eastern Emperor Taiyi. "I have written down all that I have deciphered, Your Majesty."

Eastern Emperor Taiyi beamed happily as he gazed at the output.

He still hadn't figured out how Zen could decipher Sanskrit words. He thought it was blind guessing, at first. However, Eastern Emperor Taiyi himself was proficient in deciphering Sanskrit words, and he knew one couldn't get this far just by guessing.

He had no doubt that with Zen's help, they would soon decipher the full text of the Truth Enlightenment. Eastern Emperor Taiyi was thrilled at the thought.

"If we can decipher the Truth Enlightenment completely, it will be a great boon to the Oneness Sky Palace," Eastern Emperor Taiyi said, a bright smile on his face.

The Oneness Governors and other high-ranking officials nodded their heads in agreement, proud and excited of this development. None more so than Athemar.

He thought of how fortunate they were that Zen had joined the Sword Light Palace. Athemar had never imagined he would make such great contributions to the Oneness Sky Palace.

Given Zen's talent, he would probably prove even more valuable in the future. Athemar looked forward to seeing him accomplish more as time went by.

"It is my honor, Your Majesty," Zen responded, modestly.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi turned his smile on Zen. "But there is another reason why I called you here today."

At these words, Elvinia, who had been standing beside Zen, stared at the ground and began to blush shyly, a rare sight to see.

"How else may I help you, Your Majesty?" Zen asked, confused.

He had noticed that this occasion seemed unusually grand, but the thought had left his mind as he concentrated on his earlier task.

At this moment, a pleasant voice rang out, "Do you remember that I promised I would reward you graciously?"

Flamine walked out from the back of the palace.

She was dressed in fiery red silk, with fire phoenixes hanging at her cuffs and waist. She looked utterly regal and glamorous.

"Reward me graciously?"

Zen had to rack his brains before realizing what Flamine was talking about. He had forgotten all abou

, would she?

On the other hand, Zen thought, she could very easily manipulate others into thinking what she wanted.

Elvinia almost looked pitiful by Zen's side, her wide eyes gazing at him hopefully.

She desperately wished he wouldn't let her down now. Today, her father had summoned all the high-ranking officials to the palace, supposedly for the deciphering of the Truth Enlightenment. However, his real purpose was to seal the marriage, in front of witnesses.

"You are overthinking this, Zen. This is a wonderful thing," Athemar told him, gently.

"That's right! You seem to love each other. What else is there to consider?" another high-ranking official chimed in.

Zen barely glanced at them before responding to Flamine, "My apologies. I just cannot decide without consulting Letitia myself. Please excuse my leave."

He turned around and walked out.

The high-ranking officials in the Phoenix Palace grew abuzz, turning to each other in astonishment and confusion.

The old man beside Eastern Emperor Taiyi, in particular, was seething. He had gone to countless life-and-death battles with Eastern Emperor Taiyi. The two of them were like brothers.

It angered him to see Zen daring to humiliate Eastern Emperor Taiyi like this.

"Stop, you brat!" the old man roared furiously.

A terrifying aura rushed from inside the hall, seemingly chasing after Zen. The guards in golden armor posted outside the hall trembled.

Zen continued to stride out purposefully even as this threat hounded him.