The Gifts of Fate Were Already Marked With a Price

Tom looked at the old man suspiciously, his eyes sharp.

Unfortunately, his Legilimency; he saw nothing, his eyes passing directly through the air.

The old man was clearly standing there, yet it was as if he wasn't even there.

If Tom closed his eyes, he would probably think that he was the only one lying in the huge library reading room.

This strange feeling was something he had never experienced before.

Even Dumbledore directly, he couldn't induce this abyss-like illusion in him.

After this brief encounter, Tom was certain that this oddly dressed wizard was very powerful.

But... is he really one of Salazar Slytherin's own ancestors, one of the Four Founders who lived a thousand years ago?

Tom's claims are questionable.

This doesn't mean he doesn't believe Slytherin could be alive now.

Tom believed in immortality more than anyone else.

Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to create Horcrux?

Nicolas Flamel lived for over six hundred years, Slytherin could live for a thousand years; to Tom, this was hardly surprising.

but...

Is the person in front of you worth considering?

After all, when Tom first came into contact with the Targaryen, he also claimed to be Death.

His tone was frighteningly arrogant, boasting that he had wandered alone through countless years...

Ah!!

I can't bear to think about it anymore. The thought that Stark knew the truth all along, and that I said those things, fills me with shame.

Every time Tom recalls it, it feels like a public execution!

Regardless, he had done such things before, so he naturally had doubts about the old man's explanation.

Did Tom hope the old man before him was Slytherin?

Of course not.

Yes, he did idolize Slytherin.

But such ancestors are only fit to live in shrines, be enshrined high, and be revered by later generations.

Instead of living until now, she suddenly appears in front of him and tells him:

"You little brat, I am your ancestor!!"

That wasn't a surprise, it was a shock.

Then again, what does it matter whether the person in front of us is real or fake?

Didn't Stark also pretend to be fooled, and follow the clues to find the Slytherin's Wand and the Prehistoric Mysteries?

They delivered a fatal blow when he was least alert!

Although Tom hated Stark, he also learned one thing from him:

Pretend to be scammed, as long as I can make money... After all, it's a fool not to take advantage of a good deal.

So Tom quickly accepted that he had gained another ancestor.

The person before me is Slytherin! And he must be!

Suddenly, the room went dark.

Tom turned his head and saw that the obelisk in the distance had completely dimmed, no longer possessing its previous brilliance.

"Stark obtained that power?" His tone was filled with utter disappointment.

Four years ago, when Tom came to United States, he was full of youthful vigor and ambition. Earlier, when he received the Slytherin's Wand, how smug he was!

I watched him build a tall building, and then watched it collapse... That's exactly what I'm talking about!

The old man squinted, somewhat surprised, even though his emotions hadn't fluctuated for many years.

It wasn't because William took the Prehistoric Mysteries, but precisely because he... didn't take them.

Tom's struggle failed, and this force has fallen into William's hands. How could he have held back?

It's like Tom chasing a stunningly beautiful woman for four years, only to have her snatched away by William just before he was about to win her over.

William had already stripped her clothes off, revealing her exquisite body to him... How could he resist?

This was the first time the old man hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

He snorted and thought coldly to himself, "No wonder Ravenclaw chose William Stark."

But it didn't matter; the old man had chosen the young man before him.

No matter how the circumstances change, it will not affect his final plan.

The old man calmly took a book from the bookshelf, opened it, and took a deep sniff. A faint, mocking smile appeared on his weathered face.

"Don't worry, Tom William didn't take that power. It was something I specifically left for my successor, and he can't take it away!"

Even if he takes the obelisk, I can still teach you myself.

Tom didn't answer; instead, he looked up and asked curiously, "Are these Muggle religious books really that interesting?"

In that short time, he saw the old man had taken many books.

The old man didn't answer; instead, he flipped through the book in his hands and began to tell a story he didn't want to do:

"In those days, the prophet Moses led the Hebrew people to migrate from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan."

When he passed the Red Sea, he parted Red Sea, revealing a passage where the seawater formed walls on both sides.

The Hebrews were able to cross the sea.

When the Egypt soldiers pursued him into the Red Sea, he caused the sea to close up, drowning the pursuers.

Tom, do you think you can do that with your magic?

Tom shook his head.

Not to mention him, even Dumbledore and Voldemort at their peak couldn't have separated the Red Sea in an instant.

That's the ocean, not some tiny ditch like the River Thames!

"Moses was adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh Ramesses II, which allowed him to enter the Egypt Mystery School and learn the Prehistoric Mysteries."

The old man waved the Bible in his hand and said:

"Moses also left behind, which constitutes the original five books of the Old Testament Bible."

"You mean Moses wrote Prehistoric Mysteries in the Bible?" Tom asked in surprise. "I thought those were all Muggle fictions."

"Some of the miracles described in religious texts are indeed fictional, exaggerated and embellished by later generations over the years, but some are true."

so..."

The old man smiled and recited in an aria-like voice:

"Reading day and night without rest,"

You see the black characters,

I read on a blank sheet of paper.

That's all there is to it.

Tom's eyes gleamed with greed as he cautiously asked, "Besides the Bible, are there any other books with similar information?"

The old man made no attempt to hide anything and laughed:

"The Prehistoric Mysteries are scattered throughout the world, among Christianity, Moose, Judaism, Hinduism, and Taoism..."

Tom memorized all these book titles, intending to read them when he got back.

The old man seemed to see through his thoughts and said softly:

"That's right, the Prehistoric Mysteries are sealed in these old papers."

These books have existed for thousands of years and are the most widely circulated and published.

But Tom, do you know why everyone can get these books, yet so few people gain access to the Prehistoric Mysteries?

Tom shook his head.

The old man said meaningfully:

"The original contents of these books have been greatly altered. Later generations have continuously added to and modified the content to serve their own purposes, making it a mix of truth and falsehood."

Of course, even with the original manuscript, only a handful of people can grasp its true essence.

Only those who are worthy can obtain the Prehistoric Mysteries.

"Are you worthy of him, Tom?"

Tom was immediately taken aback. When he looked at the old man again, the old man's strange attire, which included elements from various religions, finally no longer seemed incongruous.

On the contrary, it seems unfathomable.

Like an abyss!

Tom lowered his head and asked humbly:

"My great ancestor, the Serpent King, the most powerful of the Four Founders, the eternal master of the Slytherin, the Immortal Sorcerer, could you teach me?"

The old man seemed amused by Tom's string of titles, and he laughed loudly:

"Of course, my child, I have traveled across the river of time to come here, just to wait for you."

You are the one I chose.

But are you ready?

"What do you need me to do?" Tom, his eyelids lowered, becoming increasingly humble.

"It's simple, just get something from Death."

"You want me to go find Death?" Tom was stunned.

"Have you never thought of going to find Death?" the old man said with a half-smile.

"Especially after learning the story of the Three Brothers and the Deathly Hallows."

"Yes, I have thought about it." Tom didn't hide anything. "But finding Death requires three people to go together."

They may be related by blood, or as close as brothers. But I'm all alone now; the conditions aren't met."

"You can take the Horcrux with you on your journey; a split soul also meets the requirements," the old man said calmly.

Tom shook his head. "I was originally Horcrux resurrected."

My current soul size is only enough for me to create one more Horcrux, otherwise my soul will collapse.

There are only two people.

"Of course, I also found a Horcrux, your ring, but Stark stole it."

Tom's meaning was clear: he hoped the old man would help him get it back.

In fact, Tom had originally planned to take that soul to find Death.

That year, when Voldemort was resurrected, Wormtail even stole a vial of Harry's blood for Tom.

Tom even planned to use this vial of blood to resurrect that soul.

But Stark thwarted their plan.

The old man, however, seemed not to understand his implied meaning. He calmly said:

Tom, there's still a piece of your soul left out there.

That year in the Chamber of Secrets, after you were resurrected, you tried to kill that boy, but were repelled by the Prehistoric Mysteries within him, which split your soul into a tiny fragment.

That soul then attached itself to that boy.

"Harry Potter?!"

"Yes, find him." The old man looked out the window and said, "I will teach you the Prehistoric Mysteries and give you all the power of the obelisk."

I will also guide you and your two lovely companions on your journey to find Death.

All I want is you. After you've asked for two Deathly Hallows, get me a third one too.

Tom's eyes lit up with joy, and he quickly assured him, "Of course, I will definitely do it!"

The old man remained silent; such a promise meant nothing to him.

He gazed at the obelisk, as the eastern sky began to lighten with the first light of dawn, and sunlight shone upon it, making it Winky.

The old man thought to himself:

Every gift that fate bestows has a price already secretly marked on it.

Are you ready, Tom?