Chapter 563: Marbas, the demon healer
The soul essence core is something one attains when they reach the Saint realm (12-circle).
While it says soul essence core, in fact, it is nothing more than something like a core that stores attributes' energy.
In general, attribute energy is always drawn out when applying skills. The skills are nothing more than the transformation of attribute energy.
Of course, there are certain skills that use nature's power, like Mark's thunderblast skill or Gravity Dome.
However, in general, when people use their special skills, they always bring out their attribute energy from their cells.
But, every now and then, there will be a genius who manages to bring out their attribute energy from their cells, without expending their ether energy. For example: Song Yue's great grandfather-Song Tai, and her best friend, Lin Xue.
What if one isn't such once in a once-in-a-century genius then?
Then, they have to wait until they become a Saint Realm Spirit warrior (12-circle) and form the soul essence. Then, all they need is to store it in their soul essence core, which is formed inside their soul, and use it whenever they want. The more one has attributes, the more they have essence cores.
Chang'e is a moon goddess, blessed with divinity. Hence, apart from the ice essence core, she also had a divine essence core. That's where her divine energy attacks come from.
What the demon was asked is her essence core itself.
Giving it away will not make her cripple or something. However, it will take time to rebuild the essence core; possibly ten years or even hundreds of years.
Obviously, she was reluctant to make such a deal. "Why do you need it?" She had to respond with a question, for his deal followed up with a threat.
But, will one of the demon kings of Ars Goetia reveal his true intentions and give her the answer she wants to know?
Nope.
Bael shook his human head as he replied, "I'm afraid I cannot say it. Will you agree to the deal or battle me?" he stressed her to give a proper reply.
Chang'e stared at the giant demonic creature in silence for a few seconds and broke the silence with a counter deal, "I don't need protection from other demon kings. It is not worth it. If you want to showcase your sincerity, then, help me with my mission and I will give you the divine essence you desire."
"If you want me to help you defeat the Guardian Leviathan, I'm afraid that's out of my capability," Bael replied firmly, stressing the last set of words as if he wanted her to say that she should forget it.
However, Chang'e surprised him by revealing the truth, "My husband's soul is in the hands of Leviathan. Help me free his soul. If using force is meaningless, then, use words. I don't care as long as you can free him."
"Divine Archer Houyi's soul, huh?" Bael thought for a bit and retracted his giant form, back to his usual size, followed by transforming into his humanoid form, which reduced his strength even more, in order to display his trust.
He then gave a nod, "If it is just that, I agree with your terms."
Chang'e responded with a frown, "I hope you fulfill your word. I don't know what you want to do with my divine essence but if you try to kill me, then, I will destroy it myself before it falls in your hands."
"Nothing to worry, miss deity," Bael smiled, straightened his back, and bowed like a gentleman with one of his hands on his stomach, "we demons always honor our deals."
Chang'e shivered involuntarily, feeling disturbed by the sudden change in the demon's behavior. "Ah, yes. So, where to find that serpent?"
"Before that, we need to meet a certain demon"
"Hmm?"
Back to Mark and Duke Alloces, both of them were flying across the valleys and mountains, nonstop for two hours at hypersonic speeds, finally reaching plain grasslands that looked out of the place in a demonic world.
It was the closest that resembled a human world. Greenery could be seen everywhere here. Even more strange is that the demons here, instead of fighting each other, were all seen plucking flowers or planting trees.
"What kind of being was Marbas?" Mark couldn't help but ask Alloces as they flew across the grassland, watching down below. He was surprised that demons could be like this too.
But, Alloces had different opinions from him. "This guy is a fool, the scourge of demonkin. The demonic world respects strength and loves war but this fool prefers peace and loves to heal the injured. There are so many beasts in this realm that we can hunt down and eat them to gain strength but this fool loves to eat those things called rice and wheat that only fill the stomach and nothing else.
If not for the fact that this guy is protected by Leviathan, he would have been killed by now. But, no one wants to incite the hatred of the Guardian."
"Interesting." Mark got more curious about the demon that loves peace. "How did he win the favor of Leviathan?" He asked.
Duke Alloces explained, "We are not sure what happened but some time ago, Leviathan returned to this realm being heavily injured. Several demon kings are ready to slay it, but Marbas sacrifices his demonic essence to heal some injuries of the guardian. It averted those power-hungry lords' plans. Marbas didn't finish there.
He continued to stay beside the guardian and slowly healed him for a long time, bringing it to its peak once again.
While Leviathan's existence is always a threat to the nine demon kings, it is also the thing that protects our realm from any kind of invasion from the Heavenly Palace. We are talking about the being that could fight head-on against even the Jade Emperor even with its lower cultivation. And you want to form a contract with it. I seriously don't understand what's going on in your head."
Mark attentively listened to the entire story and he had suspicions about that event. If Leviathan is so strong, how come it was injured by Houyi, who is nothing more than a mortal? Chang'e said that Houyi was also its contractor.
Perhaps, its strength was restricted when it battled Houyi?
When he summoned Bael, the latter's cultivation was also restricted to 2 realms above him. So, that is the case, then?
At the same time, Houyi was said to be the divine archer, blessed by the Jade Emperor. But, he had a contract with such a powerful demon? Could it be possible?
Mark's situation is different. He merely had the mark of a deity planted upon him. He doesn't have any blessing of a Deity.
Maybe, someone manipulated the story to hide something?
Something is missing in this puzzle. But, what is it? Mark wondered.
On the way to the secluded on the hill, Mark also learned many things about Marbas to understand his strength as well as his personality. He formulated a plan by the time he reached the destination. He was also confident that he might be able to cut a deal with Marbas, who seems to have an obsession with herbs, fruits, and plants.
Imagine his surprise when he saw a powerful barrier erected around the hut and Alloces cried out, "Oh no, Bael's infernal domain. Is he going to kill Marbas?"
"Eh? What?"