Chapter 1521 — 1521: To offend or not to offend

The potential motives of Ventura aside, what was more important was the news that Ventura had a monopoly on the Primordial Garden. Lex had learned long ago that anything with the word Primordial in its name was hella special.

If this was a video game, the Primordial descriptor would be equivalent to a grade, or even several grades above legendary - whether the ranking be for items, places, beings or anything else.

If Ventura had a monopoly on the Primordial Garden, was that really something he wanted to mess with? Even if he had the guest in front of him as a deterrent, Lex had not forgotten that when he completed the quest related to Pvarti's wedding, one of the things that upgraded his reward was the presence of a projection above the Dao realm.1

With no other information at hand, Lex could only assume that the projection of the being above the Dao realm was associated with Ventura.

With absolutely no information on hand about what came after the Dao realm, Lex could only guess that whoever that projection belonged to was on the same level as, or close to being on the same level as Mother Nuwa.

Was such a being someone Lex really wanted to mess with, in any conceivable way? No, not at all. Not under any circumstances. Not even if the system somehow forced or coerced him.

Sure, having a race in the top 100 races on the Cosmic Ascendance Spectrum - apparently known as the Elder races - was tempting. But just like he had forsaken the temptation of the Bangle of Narn so long ago, Lex would not provoke death just to get some benefits he could live without.

"A tempting offer, no doubt," said the Innkeeper with a warm smile, giving away none of his thoughts. "But let's assume for a moment I can access the Primordial Garden, without any hint as to its location or any way of targeting it. You yourself said that the Garden is under a monopoly of Ventura.

"If I start recruiting the Kyron race, won't it practically announce to the universe that I have broken Ventura's monopoly? Although the Inn keeps to itself and does not mind what others are doing out in the universe, that does not mean that the Inn is entirely indifferent to the universe itself. Offending a power like Ventura does not really align with the Inns' status as neutral."

Wu Kong did not immediately respond. Instead, he widened his mischievous smile. Although what the Innkeeper said sounded perfectly logical, it was actually the first time the Innkeeper had actually adhered to common sense, as far as he was concerned.

It was good to know that the Innkeeper was still not indifferent even to Ventura. That was a behemoth that was able to take on students from every single race and power in the universe, without being swayed or affected by the pressure of any power. It was a power that was neutral by force, because no one really wanted to offend it, and everyone wanted to get on its good side. Yet earning its appreciation was entirely dependent on Ventura itself.

If the Innkeeper remained indifferent even to Ventura, then Wu Kong would have had to reevaluate the Innkeeper entirely.

"Yes, on the surface it really does seem like that would be the case. But I happen to learn some secrets that I just borrowed from some charitable friends I encountered during my many travels. Would you like to know?"

"Are you basing your entire plan on some secrets that you stole?" the Innkeeper asked, an amused tone in his voice, rather than sceptical. "That seems to me like Ventura would be even more provoked if they found out. Are you sure your intentions are as you claim?"

Wu Kong chuckled.

"As the universe's greatest thief, items and belongings are not the only things I steal. Anything you can imagine, from emotions, to memories, to fragments of Dao, or even enlightenments, to imagination itself, all are fair game. As it happens, amongst my collection, I have more than a few memories about the Primordial Garden.

"My understanding of that place exceeds even many elders of Ventura itself. That place is not without an owner, and Ventura only operates there with the owners permission. If others are to find it, Ventura has no grounds upon which to express dissatisfaction.

"In fact, it is only a matter of time before someone else finds it. It is entirely impossible to maintain such a monopoly forever. As long as the owner does not have an issue with you or the Inn, there will be no real obstacle to you connecting to the Primordial Garden."

"Having no grounds to express dissatisfaction does not mean they won't take offense, or won't be dissatisfied" said the Innkeeper, yet even as he said it, Lex knew he had stumbled onto a genuine issue he would have to face one day. Since the system was to cater to the entire universe, connecting to the whole universe was an inevitability.

Yet there was no reason to rush into it before he was ready.

"So what you're basically saying is that… if I can confirm that Ventura will not take offense to you reaching out to the Primordial Garden, then you would be open to reaching out to it?"

"You're also ignoring the fact that I have no hint as to its location, but setting that aside, if reaching out to it won't affect the Inns neutral status, then there is no real issue."

"You know what, while we're here, let's tackle that issue as well. What would you need to locate the Garden?"

Lex had never actively tried to connect to a new realm before. He would, at the very least, need to buy some very expensive kind of ticket. To target the realm, he probably also needed to find an object from the realm carrying its aura. There may even be more requirements, but he could not check right then and there.

Operating the system in front of his guest was not a risk he could take, so he could only guess as to the requirements.

"To start off with, I would need an object from the Primordial Garden laden with the aura of the realm itself, and the stronger the aura, the better."

Mention of a being above the Dao realm was in Chapter 714, for those who want a refresher.