"Hehehehehe…long time no chat!" Immortika's jolly voice sounded as if greeting a long-lost friend.
However, Jacob was fully aware of the mischievousness of the cursed book, and at this moment, a dark portal suddenly appeared above him. He knew Soulless was about to start the final phase of entering his Nexus Point.
"I didn't summon you for chit-chat. I want to draft a wish!" Jacob curtly stated as he entered the portal at this moment.
The next moment, Jacob found himself in the same chaotic space. But this time, Jacob wasn't trapped in a bubble but covered in an ethereal blue light.
Furthermore, the colossal structure of the Divine Soulless Pagoda was gone, startling Jacob.
"Look down, hehehe!" Immortika's playful voice sounded, and Jacob instantly looked down, and his eyes flickered with shock.
Below him was the massive black suture, which seemed like a skyscraper. Now that Jacob had a bird's-eye view of the Divine Soulless Pagoda, he could vaguely see its pristine and ancient structure.
It wasn't entirely black, but there were glowing blue runic markings on its surface, carved like ancient murals, which he couldn't make sense of.
"I must say, I'm impressed you got to this point without summoning me at the very last moment, and even then, you only seemed to be planning on using your ability, not seeking my advice." Immortika's teasing voice sounded again.
Jacob coldly retorted, "It's about time I start making my own decisions now that I have a complete grasp over my powers and know about my limits. Besides, I've realized that as I'm growing, crossing these vast boundaries of Zodiac Plains, the hurdles in my way will only grow stronger and stronger; I can't take any risk of exposing you."
"Hehehehe~ I'm flattered. Your mentality seemed to have taken a massive turn since you had spent those two thousand years in seclusion, and I must say, it's for the better. Things will only get interesting from this point on hehehe…
"Since you put such a show in front of that dishonest building for me, I'll save you the misery. What you're planning has no chance of failure, and your soul can handle the building's entry, and even if it releases its divine might, you can survive for five seconds.
"So, time is of the essence, and I'm looking forward to the result of your gamble, hahahahahaha…!"
Jacob's eyes flickered furiously as his heart stirred when he heard the last part. Although he didn't know what 'divine might' was, he mused that it was the power Soulless was talking about.
Nonetheless, Jacob quickly calmed down, 'As long as everything went as I planned, Soulless won't even realize what happened, much less use that 'divine might.' Even if things went south, five seconds is enough! But still, this damn book really knows how to ruin someone's parade. And for some reason, I can tell you're not content at all with me not asking for your advice!'
At this moment, Jacob's attention suddenly shifted because his vague connection with the Divine Soulless Pagoda stirred, and that vague connection became more apparent.
Jacob's connection with the Divine Soulless Pagoda as its Nominal Owner was superficial. Despite being the 'Nominal Owner,' Soulless's status was still far higher than Jacob's, and he couldn't force Soulless to do anything against its will or overuse his authority.
Even if Soulless wanted to help Jacob, he couldn't because he was also bound by the rules imposed by its creator. As an Artifact Spirit, Soulless can't bypass the rules engraved in its core.
One such rule was that Soulless couldn't do anything to Jacob once he became Nominal Owner, at least not personally, which Jacob wasn't aware of. Usually, an Artifact Spirit strictly follows its core principles, and these principles also mold its personality.
Soulless's core principles revolved around nurturing the most powerful Soulmancer. Only if Soulless discovered the contender unworthy was he free to 'discard' him without harming him/her.
However, Soulless had been through a lot and even remained trapped somewhere, which had changed Soulless's personality to the point it was now bypassing its core protocols and using the 'inheritance' stored inside for its own advantage.
The Divine Accord that Soulless used on Jacob was also part of the inheritance. Now, taking advantage of the Nominal Owner status and the Divine Accord in his Divine Soulless Codex, Soulless temporarily gave Jacob full control over the Divine Soulless Pagoda, enabling him to store it inside his Nexus Point.
Furthermore, to ensure Jacob could not do anything during this short window when he had complete control of the Divine Soulless Pagoda, Soulless didn't even hint at it and also included specific terms and conditions related to this in the Divine Accord.
Now, even if Jacob realizes this, he wouldn't be absolutely helpless, and to make sure Jacob wouldn't be able to influence the Divine Soulless Pagoda even if he grew strong to the point of threatening it, Soulless had specifically guided Jacob to place the Divine Accord inside his Divine Soulless Codex. As for the reason why, only Soulless knows!
At this moment, Jacob finally realized that he could feel the entire Divine Soulless Pagoda. Every inch and place was exposed to him, and he had a feeling that he could control it just like his soul artifacts.
His eyes flickered in astonishment, and he also felt the divine accord trapped in his Divine Soulless Codex trembled violently when he thought about trying to control the Pagoda and a sudden realization struct Jacob.
Jacob no longer tried to do anything and remained motionless. At this moment, Soulless's solemn yet somewhat weak voice rang, "Now, quickly try shrinking the pagoda and then imagine sending it into your Nexus Point. It should be the same as sending a soul artifact into your soul. Quickly, you only have ten seconds before I use up all my stored power!"
Jacob was surprised and again reevaluated Soulless's cunningness, 'He didn't reveal this weakness to the very end…'
He wanted to applaud Soulless, but then Jacob suddenly remembered Immortika's words and couldn't help but admire the cursed book because he knew Immortika had already seen through Soulless's schemes.
Moreover, when it said Jacob's plan had no chance of failure, it should've known that Jacob was gaining this power and that five seconds should be a warning towards something, not just a simple gesture of goodwill!
'There is nothing scarier than Cursed Immortality when it comes to scheming…'
Jacob lamented, but he didn't have time to be depressed. His eyes flickered icily as he looked at the Divine Treasure. 'Now, it's time for payback!'