I changed the world.

Page 332

Then it fell straight down from mid-air and landed on the ground with a thud. It slid to Zhang Jing in an extremely smooth sliding motion, hesitated, and dared not get too close, so it just lay there awkwardly on the ground.

Zhang Jing was also stunned. He looked at the creature in front of him, which resembled a giant toad, and frowned as he carefully examined it, remaining silent for a moment.

Chapter 658 The Origin of Akbar

The doll was even trembling slightly, whether from excitement or fear, it was hard to tell. Its overly obese size caused its buttocks to stick out high, making it look somewhat comical.

At this moment, Zhang Jing was also filled with doubt, surprise and confusion. Having gained a considerable understanding of the strangeness and danger of the supernatural world, he naturally could not lower his guard based on the simple actions of the guy in front of him. Instead, he continued to maintain his vigilance and carefully examined the fat puppet from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze.

For a moment, the entire scene was quiet, dark and silent without any other sound. As Zhang Jing's almost tangible gaze swept over it inch by inch, the puppet became even more terrified, its whole body even trembling slightly. However, it obviously dared not make any other movements, just lying there obediently, prostrating itself on the ground, without moving an inch.

Suddenly, Zhang Jing spoke up: "This isn't your original appearance, is it? Show your true form."

"Your Highness, do we really want to change back?"

"Yes."

"Your will be obeyed."

The puppet seemed somewhat unwilling upon hearing this, and reluctantly glanced at Zhang Jing's face. Seeing that he was expressionless and seemed to have no intention of retracting his order, it had no choice but to comply.

With a "bang," the doll shrank rapidly like a deflated balloon, eventually shrinking to the size of a palm. It didn't look much different from before, except that it was less chubby and its overall shape was much more proportionate.

At this moment, the doll looks just like a child's toy. Of course, compared to ordinary children's toys, it looks quite old and gives the impression that it comes from a distant era.

"You call me Your Highness?" Zhang Jing looked at the small doll for a while before speaking, finding the title amusing.

"Your Highness, uh... please forgive me, but I have just been released and am not quite sure how to address you in this era. However, even I, insignificant as I am, can feel your greatness and tremble at your presence..."

As it spoke, seemingly afraid that Zhang Jing would not believe it, it hurriedly added: "Perhaps, for some reason, you have not yet regained all your authority, but please believe that your humble, obedient servant Akbar wishes to offer you his utmost loyalty."

Hearing its explanation, Zhang Jing pondered, guessing that it might be related to the Heavenly Punishment Sword. As his control over the Heavenly Punishment Sword deepened, his aura might have acquired some of its unique characteristics. And what made the puppet before him so fearful yet so humble was probably related to some of the "deities'" characteristics.

However, although Zhang Jing has some understanding of the existence of "gods" themselves, he can only say that he has "some understanding." There are still too many secrets that he has not yet uncovered. Therefore, under the current circumstances, Zhang Jing did not choose to go too deep, but instead changed the topic of inquiry.

"Where have all the guards who used to be here gone?" Zhang Jing asked, glancing at the huge oil painting to the side.

"You mean those mortals?" The puppet was slightly taken aback, clearly not quite understanding the meaning of "guards," but based on the context, it guessed Zhang Jing's meaning and cautiously asked.

"It is truly an honor for these humble mortals to be looked upon by someone as great as you..."

"answer my question."

"Yes, yes..." Seeing Zhang Jing's impatience, the puppet quickly explained, "Akbar was just threatening... playing a trick on them. Please rest assured, no one was hurt..."

"Good, someone has released you?"

“As wise and great as you are, you have already seen through everything… As you have seen, someone has awakened the sleeping Akbar, and the power of the seal has failed.”

"Then tell me about your background." Zhang Jing nodded upon hearing this, speaking calmly without a trace of emotion.

However, this indifferent attitude clearly made the puppet that called itself Akbar even more aweful. It subconsciously lowered its head, not daring to look at Zhang Jing's face, and said cautiously, "Your Highness, Akbar doesn't know how to describe it. Please allow me to show you..."

Seeing that Zhang Jing did not object, a ball of light slowly floated out from the top of its head. The ball of light swayed and slowly floated in front of Zhang Jing.

Zhang Jing glanced at the ball of light, extended his index finger, and gently touched it, beginning to read the information contained within.

It was a pitch-black and blurry state, and one could vaguely sense that two great auras were constantly colliding, with a contradictory aura of sublimity, greatness, madness, and anger permeating the surroundings.

Then came a shattering sound, seemingly from the depths of the soul, followed by wails, despair, and madness...

Then, something seemed to land on "it," and it reacted in some strange way. Then, a louder explosion was heard, and it was sent flying, before finally crashing down...

His sense of self became increasingly clear, and he gradually began to perceive everything around him. In this process, it was picked up by someone, carried along by someone…

During this time, it changed owners many times and witnessed many things. Some owners kept it by their side, some talked to it, and some abandoned it. In the process, it continued to grow and gradually developed its own will...

In the end, it was always discarded. Gradually, it began to torment those who found it, causing them to encounter strange things. Eventually, it was regarded as a monster and sealed away...

After reading the information within the sphere of light, Zhang Jing watched it shatter like a bubble, then thoughtfully gazed at the puppet before him. He couldn't be certain that everything he had just witnessed was real, but it wasn't difficult to ascertain; for now, he leaned towards the conclusion that it was all true.

At least most of it should be real. So, if it is real, what should this doll in front of us be considered? A "living" object?

Or rather, "strange object"? Zhang Jing suddenly thought of a term he had seen in his previous life, which seemed quite fitting when applied to the doll in front of him.

However, if the information it provides is true, then the origin of this thing is probably not simple. Zhang Jing recalled the initial scene, an aura of greatness and sublimity mixed with madness and anger; it was probably a war between beings of divine rank.

Chapter 659 Oath

And what followed, the unknown thing that "fell" onto it, was probably the core of all its changes. However, with Zhang Jing's current knowledge, he couldn't determine what it was.

However, since it involves deities, Zhang Jing has no intention of delving deeper, at least not at this stage.

"Your Highness, if possible, please allow me, the humble Akbar, to offer you my boundless loyalty." Seeing that Zhang Jing did not continue to ask questions, the doll on the ground boldly raised its head, glanced at Zhang Jing's expression, and finally mustered up the courage to speak.

"Oh?" Zhang Jing was slightly taken aback. This request did indeed surprise him. "You mean, you want to follow me?"

"Yes, if Your Highness would allow it, it would be Akbar's greatest honor."

“Why do you have such an idea?”

“Akbar has always hoped to serve a great being.” The puppet said, then, seeing Zhang Jing’s ambivalent expression, hesitated for a moment before bowing its head again to emphasize, “Akbar has a premonition that this is the right choice…”

Zhang Jing remained silent for a moment after hearing this, pondering the motives behind the puppet's actions.

He had never encountered a similar being before; however, if it is considered as a sentient "person," then its motives could be one of the following:

One possibility is that it felt powerless to resist and feared an even worse outcome, so it decided to surrender directly. If, in its perception, Zhang Jing was an unfathomable "great being," this is indeed highly likely.

Both are forms of speculation, or rather, investment. As it itself stated, it believed "this was the right choice," akin to the merit of following a dragon. If following a dragon is meritorious, how much more so is serving a true god?

The third possibility is perhaps more mystical. That is, certain characteristics of the creature give it an inexplicable affinity for the divine. And Zhang Jing, through his control of the Heavenly Punishment Sword, instilled this affinity in it.

Of course, it is more likely that all three are involved.

"Then why did you choose me?" Zhang Jing asked, pondering the question.

"This..." The doll hesitated, its face turning to a fearful expression, and after a long pause, it stammered, "Akbar meant no offense..."

"Go ahead and speak freely," Zhang Jing said, showing some curiosity.

"Then... please forgive this humble Akbar's intrusion... Your Highness, your aura is so great and sublime, yet it lacks those... um... bloodthirsty, mad, and depraved scents. This indicates that you are not a great being who delights in killing and terror." Glancing at Zhang Jing and seeing that he didn't seem offended, the puppet boldly continued, "Furthermore, you also lack that extremely pure aura, indicating that you haven't been corrupted by power. In any case, your magnanimity is admirable..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jing couldn't help but think more highly of the puppet in front of him. Just from these words, it was clear that the puppet had a certain understanding of the nature of gods.

Clearly, this was not a mere "jabbleman".

Seeing that it was about to start "praising" him again, Zhang Jing interrupted directly, his expression still indifferent, making it impossible to guess his emotions: "Then, how will you prove your loyalty?"

The puppet pondered for a moment, then its face turned again, becoming resolute: "Akbar, I swear an oath of allegiance to you with my own authority."

Authority? Zhang Jing keenly perceived this word. In his mind, this word did not refer to some kind of secular power, but rather to the control of some kind of "rules or laws" in a mystical sense.

Unexpectedly, this puppet possessed its own authority, which surprised Zhang Jing somewhat. However, reflecting on his experiences along the way, he began to speculate about the nature of this authority. To some extent, the puppet's true rank might be higher than he had imagined.

"Very well, then, let's begin." Zhang Jing maintained an indifferent expression throughout, showing no sign of surprise.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Jing, with the enhanced spiritual awareness brought by the Heavenly Punishment Sword, keenly perceived that at a more fundamental level, some kind of power was beginning to attempt to link the puppet with himself.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Jing connected with the power of the Heavenly Punishment Sword. The next moment, a majestic and sublime will began to extend outwards, but it did not repel this power.

The doll, with an expression of fear and humility, was almost pressed against the ground. At the same time, as if by divine inspiration, the contact had already occurred, and Zhang Jing also understood what he should do.

"Before me, are you willing to swear allegiance to me, to be my faithful servant for the rest of your life, and to serve me with your courage, strength and wisdom?"

"Before this great and noble His Highness, I, Akbar.Coirèan.Ankroon...swear allegiance to Him, to serve Him as Lord, to be His servant, to be faithful and never betray Him. I swear this with my authority, glory and strength."

Zhang Jing understood that the words spoken by the puppet were his "real name." He could sense that after the puppet finished speaking, some changes had already occurred in the unseen realm.

“I accept this oath,” Zhang Jing concluded, thus finalizing the vow. In a mystical sense, such an oath, made with one's own authority, carries immense consequences if broken. Furthermore, Zhang Jing had a clear sense of whether the oath was valid; it could not be faked.

“Great master, Akbar senses something good here. Please allow me to be your guide…”

Upon seeing Zhang Jing nod, Akbar (hereafter referred to by his name) floated up again, puffed out his cheeks, and blew a breath at the wall beside him. Immediately afterward, a faint wisp of smoke emerged from his mouth, and the wall beside him underwent a dramatic transformation. What was originally an ordinary wall instantly twisted and contorted. When the smoke dissipated, a passageway leading downstairs had appeared.

So that's how space was distorted... Zhang Jing thought to himself. He could tell that Akbar's actions had distorted the space at the wall, directing it in another direction.

Hmm... it should be... the original downstairs. Zhang Jing stared at the stairwell, making a rough assessment in his mind.

“Great master, please follow me.” Akbar floated in mid-air, made a courteous gesture of invitation, and then floated over first.

Chapter 660 Presenting the Treasure

Following Akbar, Zhang Jing walked down the stairs. After going down about one floor, an exit appeared ahead.

"This way, please..." Akbar eagerly led the way, taking Zhang Jing out of the exit. Afterwards, Zhang Jing realized that their location seemed to be somewhere underground in the museum.

Looking around, this location appeared to be a warehouse area, not a regular exhibition area of ​​the museum. However, with Zhang Jing's powerful spiritual sense, he could easily detect that he was still within the Baladil National Museum and had not yet arrived at any other place.

Zhang Jing was not familiar with the Baladur National Museum before, but through his connection with the Historical and Cultural Heritage Conservation and Research Foundation, he had some understanding of how many museums operate. For many museums, especially large ones, not all of their exhibits are displayed. This is partly because most museums have limited exhibition space, while their collections usually exceed the space available for display.

On the other hand, it is also from the perspective of exhibit preservation. After all, many cultural relics or works of art have gone through a long period of time and are inherently more fragile. Items on display are more susceptible to various forms of erosion than those in sealed condition.

Therefore, generally speaking, museums often choose to exhibit their collections, especially those of high value, on a fixed schedule or in rotation. At other times, the collections are stored away.

The area surrounding Zhang Jing was filled with display shelves. Zhang Jing observed that most of these shelves were made of steel and looked extremely sturdy. From the details on the surface of the shelves, it was clear that they were regularly cleaned.

There were no cameras overhead or in the surrounding area, probably because this was not the entrance to the passageway. Zhang Jing had already noticed that, perhaps to save money, the surveillance equipment in the Baladur National Museum was only installed in key and important areas, and most areas were not monitored, which saved him some trouble.

The surrounding display shelves are filled with all sorts of objects, large and small, each with a label on its front.

Zhang Jing's gaze swept across the area, and without Akbar needing to explain further, he had already spotted an object.