To his side stood Eclipse and Ventura, and in front of him stood the Governor, Ballom, his wife, a golden dragon as well as a legendary Phantasm Leviathan. If there was ever a setting in which one might feel inferior, it was this one. Yet Lex felt not a single ounce of inferiority for one, very simple reason.

Most of these big-shots were paying him to be here. How could Lex feel inferior in a setting where others were paying him to allow them entry? So as the leviathan greeted and praised Eclipse, Lex felt no pressure at all. Instead, he was quite curious about the hidden history between them.

It seemed among the many other advantages in store for him, this tea party was going to be a good opportunity to meet some people.

He was not bothered that the dragon or the leviathan were more or less ignoring him. He was simply here as a host, not as someone who needed to be worshipped. As long as they enjoyed his event - and paid for their attendance - he did not need direct acknowledgment.

"No need to act so formal," Eclipse said, not really caring for the excessive praise. "Very few old friends have survived the ages. I am glad that at least the Phantasm Leviathan race has managed to hold on. I'm actually surprised to see one of you out here. What's going on?"

While they were speaking, the dragon couldn't help but look towards the Innkeeper. Why could he sense a faint, distant connection with the Innkeeper? He was sure that the dragon race had no significant interaction with him.

"I have come to pursue a mystery," told the leviathan. "The universal restriction on our race has somewhat eased, allowing for the birth of a new leviathan. I was sent out to investigate what had changed to allow such a thing, and if it could be replicated."

The leviathan's words caused a murmur among the surrounding Dao Lords. The reason their race fell off the Sage race was because despite being a race composed almost exclusively of Dao Lords, there was also a limit imposed upon the number of leviathans that could be born by the universe itself. If there was something that could cause a change in that...

A new universal power could return to the playing field. This news affected various powers differently. Just as everyone was considering the implications of what this could mean, the Innkeeper spoke up.

"Feel free to find me once the introductions are over," he said warmly. "I may be able to enlighten you."

Including the guests that were already here as well as the ones brought by the Governor, there were nearly a hundred Dao Lords present at the tea party. So, when the Innkeeper spoke so casually, nearly a hundred Dao Lords snapped their necks towards the Innkeeper, trying to pierce through his thoughts.

This was incredibly valuable information, the likes of which could not be put a price on. The Phantasm Leviathans could literally be made into the Innkeeper's personal army if he so wished, as long as he leveraged that information correctly. He could literally become an overlord of the universe if so wished.

So then, what were his intentions in calling the leviathan for a private meeting? Were they going to come to a private agreement? Was he going to ask them to pay a price? Was he going to...

"What's the point in being so secretive? If you know the answer, just tell him now and spare the suspense," said Eclipse. "It's not nice to keep people hanging."

The Innkeeper shrugged, as if he didn't mind at all.

"If you don't mind, I can tell you now," he said, speaking to the leviathan. "If you don't mind sharing the details with everyone. I was only being considerate of your privacy."

No one gasped, but many felt like it. Was the Innkeepers relationship with the Primordial Queen really so close that he would oblige to her requests? Or did he simply not care about the power he could leverage with that information? Then again, considering that he was able to hold this party in her garden, he must be exceptionally close.

Eclipse, on the other hand, just shook her head. This is why she didn't get along with most Dao Lords. They read too much and thought too deeply about everything, to the point where they overlooked basic simplicity and courtesy. The reason she had said that to the Innkeeper was because she sensed that he was not so manipulative and conniving. His subsequent behavior demonstrated that he was only honoring the leviathan's privacy.

But the thing was, that wasn't really necessary.

"Don't bother," Eclipse said. "With me here, who would take advantage of the leviathan? Just get on with it. I'm a little curious as well."

Once again, all the Dao Lords were overwhelmed. The Queen was declaring her protection for the leviathans - not that they needed it, honestly. It was still a bold declaration, because it joined two absolute powerhouses into one camp. "I mean, it's not such a big secret - I suppose you have already guessed as much. I saw someone use up a Phantasm Core. Now I can't say for certain, but I can guess that using up the core probably had something to do with it," the Innkeeper answered simply.

In truth, the core had been used by Lex himself to improve his system, but he wasn't about to disclose that. What if the leviathans were sensitive about such things? But by claiming he saw someone using it, but protecting their privacy, not only could he reveal the necessary information, he could paint himself as someone who protects others' privacy. As the Innkeeper, he was such a saint. Sometimes, Lex could not help but be impressed with himself. He was the epitome of gentlemanly behavior.

"A phantasm core?" the leviathan muttered, having somewhat confirmed his theory. If that was the case, there should be two more cores out there in the universe. If the cores could be used up, or returned, then maybe they could have two more kids.

Of course, while the leviathan was thinking that, everyone else was thinking of how to spread this news in the quickest way possible. The value of those cores had just shot up. Anyone who could get them could control the Phantasm Leviathan race!

"I know the location of at least one more core," Ventura suddenly said. "You should give up on getting your hands on it. The owner... is someone who greatly prizes his trophies."

In Ventura's mind, he could not help but think of that fellow who lived in Gaia's graveyard. Yeah, there was no one who could get back one of his hunting

trophies.